Uchiha Shisui

Uchiha Yufeng returned home, the excitement and tension on his face finally fading as he regained his composure.

With his strength having increased, he could now sense the fluctuations of Chakra around his home.

Uchiha Clan ninjas.

Shisui was still out and there was no telling when he would return. It seemed they were watching him.

"I never thought someone as useless as me would be worth all their trouble."

Uchiha Yufeng mocked himself inwardly, placed the bento in the kitchen, then went to the small courtyard and found a clean patch of ground to lie down on.

He gazed at the azure sky and slowly closed his eyes.

An hour later, the door opened.

"Big brother, why are you sleeping out here?"

A childish voice rang out.

The black-haired cute kid before his eyes.

Was none other than his younger brother, Uchiha Shisui.

"Where did Shisui go play today?"

Uchiha Yufeng calmly patted Shisui's head. Sensing the ninja eavesdropping by the entrance, he spoke as usual.

"Big brother, I went to help the villagers on the west side today."

"Our Shisui really is a good boy!"

Uchiha Yufeng sighed with feeling. He truly meant it.

Other children their age gathered to play ninja house or caused trouble.

But his younger brother wanted to help old ladies cross the road every day, worked for others without pay, and even helped him cook after coming home...

"Shisui, what do you think of ninjas?"

Thinking that he might have to separate from his younger brother tomorrow, with no idea when they would meet again, Uchiha Yufeng felt there were some things he should ask.

After all, Uchiha Shisui already looked like a little adult.

His thinking was very mature.

"Ninjas?"

Uchiha Shisui's eyes flashed with thought.

"Ninjas are the nameless ones who uphold peace from the darkness."

Uchiha Shisui looked seriously at Uchiha Yufeng.

"Big brother, did something happen? Why are you suddenly asking about ninjas?"

Uchiha Yufeng shook his head.

"Nothing. I'm just a little reluctant."

"Reluctant?"

"The Clan Head spoke to me today. Starting tomorrow, the clan plans to focus on training you. It'll probably become hard to see you again."

"Huh?"

Uchiha Shisui froze in place.

"Shisui, let me ask you something. Are you a member of the Uchiha Clan?"

"Yes!"

"Since you know you're a member of the Uchiha Clan, starting tomorrow, train properly under the Clan Head and the clan elders. When you achieve something in the future, repay the clan well."

Uchiha Shisui felt somewhat confused.

Uchiha Yufeng usually complained about the clan from time to time, so why was he acting like this today...

But seeing the serious look on Uchiha Yufeng's face, Uchiha Shisui agreed so as not to make his brother worry.

"Yes."

Uchiha Yufeng patted Uchiha Shisui on the shoulder.

"When I came back from the clan today, the Clan Head's Wife gave us some bento. We'll eat this tonight, so there's no need to cook."

With that, the two returned to the house.

After taking only a few bites, Uchiha Yufeng sensed that the ninja watching them had left. Only then did he lean close to Uchiha Shisui's ear and whisper.

"Just treat everything I said outside as bullshit."

"Huh?"

"None of that matters. When you go to the clan tomorrow, the only thing you need to remember is to protect yourself. By the way, do you know why the clan wants to train you so heavily?"

Uchiha Shisui thought for a moment.

"The Sharingan?"

"The Sharingan is only part of it. It's because you're too flashy."

"Too flashy?"

"At your age, other kids are still peeing and playing in the mud. But you've already awakened the Sharingan, and you throw Shuriken with all sorts of flashy tricks. You're better than some of the clan's ninjas. How is that not showing off?"

"This..."

"What do you mean, 'this'? I'm telling you this to remind you that having talent and ability is certainly good, but sometimes you need to hide some of it. Don't get yourself killed showing off."

"Big brother means I should hold back some of my strength and not reveal it?"

Uchiha Yufeng patted his shoulder, his expression grave.

"Right. Hide your strength as much as possible. Staying alive until the end is what matters."

Though Uchiha Shisui did not know what he meant by "the end," he could hear Uchiha Yufeng's concern for him.

He stood and promised Uchiha Yufeng.

"Big brother, Shisui will remember."

"Mm, that's more like it. In this world, being alive is the foundation for everything."

Seeing that Uchiha Shisui had taken his words to heart, Uchiha Yufeng finally looked away.

"Oh, right. I'll take you there tomorrow. Tonight, stop sneaking looks at my Ninja Academy books and get some proper rest. The clan's experts will teach you carefully tomorrow."

"Once you're done eating, wash out the bento box. I need to return it tomorrow."

Without waiting for Uchiha Shisui to respond, Uchiha Yufeng wiped his mouth, got up, and went to his room.

"Yes!"

Looking at Uchiha Yufeng's bedroom door, Uchiha Shisui felt warmth in his heart.

His older brother sometimes spoke nonsense, but his concern for him was genuine.

Time passed swiftly, and the night went by without incident.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Uchiha Yufeng dragged the bleary-eyed Uchiha Shisui out of the house.

They headed for Uchiha Fugaku's house.

In the past, Uchiha Yufeng had never been in the habit of getting up early. Even when he went to the Ninja Academy, he always arrived at the last possible moment.

Today, he was merely accompanying Uchiha Shisui to report to the Clan Head. It was hardly anything important.

Yet he was acting completely out of character, leaving Uchiha Shisui thoroughly puzzled.

Seeing Uchiha Shisui looking at him in confusion, Uchiha Yufeng gave a light cough.

"The morning is the most important part of the day. When you study under the clan's experts in the future, you must be more diligent."

Uchiha Shisui knew his brother was making things up and felt a little helpless.

"Yes, I understand, big brother."

Uchiha Yufeng turned and looked at the gates of Uchiha Fugaku's house, taking a deep breath.

"Uchiha Yufeng has brought his younger brother, Uchiha Shisui, to pay respects to the Clan Head!"

Before long, the door opened from within.

"Yufeng, you came so early!"

Uchiha Mikoto's face was full of youthful softness. Even dressed as a housewife, she could not conceal her beauty or figure. Ever since giving birth to Uchiha Itachi, she had become even more captivating.

After all, she was a famed beauty of the Uchiha Clan.

Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +2.

Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +1.

Hearing the system prompts, Uchiha Yufeng felt relieved.

"Yes. How could I be careless with a task given by the Clan Head? I barely slept last night because I kept thinking about it."

Uchiha Yufeng scratched his head and smiled at Uchiha Mikoto.

"The Uchiha Clan is fortunate to have a clansman like you. As Clan Head, I am deeply gratified."

Uchiha Fugaku's voice came from the courtyard.

As he spoke, he arrived at the entrance.

His gaze swept over Uchiha Yufeng before finally falling on Uchiha Shisui.

He gave an almost imperceptible nod.

"Clan Head, I have already told Shisui about what you instructed."

After Uchiha Yufeng spoke, Uchiha Shisui obediently stepped forward.

"Uchiha Shisui will obey all arrangements made by the clan."

Satisfaction flashed through Uchiha Fugaku's eyes.

Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +5.

" Mikoto, I'm taking Shisui to the shrine. I'll have to trouble you to look after Itachi today."

Uchiha Mikoto's expression remained calm as she nodded slightly.

Uchiha Fugaku then left with Uchiha Shisui.

Watching the two leave, Uchiha Mikoto's expression softened.

"Yufeng, you came so early, so you probably haven't eaten yet. Why don't you eat with me?"

Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +5.

Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +2.

"Sure, Sister Mikoto. What are we having today?"

"How about Three-Color Dango?"

As Uchiha Mikoto spoke, she opened the door wide.

"Sister Mikoto made it herself? Then I definitely have to eat my fill!~"

The tenderness on Uchiha Mikoto's face deepened as she led Uchiha Yufeng inside.

Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +1.

"Sister Mikoto, I'll help you!"

After Uchiha Mikoto served him morning tea and headed for the kitchen, Uchiha Yufeng took a sip of tea, stood up, and went straight to the kitchen without even wiping his mouth.

Ding, Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +1.

"..."