Shisui, You're Too Extreme!

In front of a rust-speckled stove.

Shisui glanced at the mother and daughter huddled together on the bed, with no one but each other.

He turned to Shinji and said softly, "Red hair... They're from the Uzumaki Clan. Their bloodline must be so pure that the village keeps them around as Soldier Pills and Medical Kit."

Shinji was staring into the flames, lost in thought.

At that, he looked at Shisui in surprise.

"That's the first time I've heard you say something so... dark."

Shisui gave a short laugh.

He lowered his head. "Maybe I really shouldn't think about these things. Before... all I knew was that I had to fight to protect the village and the clan."

"But now—"

Shinji looked around.

It was a dilapidated wooden shack. At least it kept out the wind and rain, but it held nothing except a bed, a few chipped bowls, and a homemade stove.

And one member of the Uzumaki Clan had to trade her life for it.

"Yeah. I'm glad to see you growing, even if it's a little late. Maybe that's for the best... If you'd stared into the darkness of the Shinobi World too early, the innocent kid you were might have gone to extremes like Uchiha Itachi."

Shisui shook his head. "Any news of Itachi?"

Shinji laughed. "He's the one who drew Orochimaru here. He didn't give us any information about Akatsuki, but I think... at least his heart is still with the village."

Shisui scratched his head. "He's a strange one. No matter which side he's on, he always seems to have his own way of thinking."

"Is that so hard to understand?"

Shisui paused. "Hm?"

Shinji said quietly, "That's just the kind of person he is. Arrogant, self-centered, closed off, moved by his own sacrifices.