Fugaku emerged from the underground laboratory and decided to check on the Security Force.
He had just stepped out of his house when he spotted a small figure.
"Clan Head."
Fugaku smiled. "Little Shisui."
Shisui looked up at him. "Clan Head, may I ask you something?"
"Of course. Ask me whatever you don't understand. Clearing up the clan's doubts is part of my duty as Clan Head."
"What is the purpose of ninja?"
Fugaku paused. The question was simple, yet it wasn't.
"Come with me. I'll show you what ninja are here for."
Shisui nodded and watched him curiously.
Fugaku picked Shisui up and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique. After several leaps across the village, he landed on the cliff face above Kage Rock.
He set Shisui down and pointed at Konoha below. "What do you see from here?"
Shisui followed his finger. All of Konoha lay before him, its streets bustling with people.
Vendors called out along the main street. Now and then, a child ran past, leaving a trail of bright laughter.
In the distance, ninja trained at the Training Ground, while villagers worked nearby.
It was the first time Shisui had stood somewhere high and taken a careful look at Konoha. His trips to Back Mountain had mostly been for training, and he had never considered this question before.
"It's so beautiful. So peaceful," Shisui murmured.
"That's right. This beauty and peace are what we ninja must protect. That includes our families, our friends, our loved ones—everyone connected to us.
"Protection is the foremost reason ninja exist. Everything else comes after."
Shisui nodded, though he only half understood.
Fugaku smiled. "There's still a lot you don't understand. In time, you will, and you'll come to your own understanding."
Shisui gazed at the thriving village, and one