Only after Qiu Shan Uchiha agreed to join the Anbu did Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression soften. A smile returned to his face, and he raised a hand to pat Qiu Shan Uchiha on the shoulder.
"That's the spirit. Young people shouldn't shy away from trouble. You need more experience before you can shoulder greater responsibilities."
Qiu Shan Uchiha nodded repeatedly at the Third Hokage's words, outwardly showing his wholehearted agreement while inwardly grumbling furiously. Good grief, I haven't even started the job, and he's already feeding me empty promises. Isn't he afraid I'll choke on them?
After settling the matter of the Uchiha Clan, the Third Hokage had no desire to linger. After all, a younger shinobi he had liked dearly, one who had listened to him, was dead. Shimura Danzō had also landed him in a huge mess, and he still had to clean it up.
He not only had to reassure all the village's clans, large and small, and dispel their concerns, but also guarantee that Konoha had never coveted their kekkei genkai or inherited secret techniques.
After Qiu Shan Uchiha and Uchiha Fugaku saw the Third Hokage off, the Uchiha, represented by Uchiha Fugaku, thanked the leaders of the various clans they had invited.
Those clan leaders were all shrewd operators. Seeing that the Uchiha Clan would soon move out of Konoha and no longer clash with their interests, they all said it was no trouble and that they should keep in closer contact in the future-as though they had played no part in ostracizing the Uchiha Clan before.
Most importantly, Qiu Shan Uchiha's display just now had been far too terrifying. That enormous Susanoo had looked like a god descending to earth. Shimura Danzō's entire Root contingent, which included several powerful Jōnin, had been dispatched effortlessly with a single slash from Qiu Shan Uchiha.
Unless they were fools, none of them would casually offend the Uchiha Clan while it wielded such a devastating weapon. Besides, anyone with eyes could see how young Qiu Shan Uchiha was, yet his strength had already reached peak Kage level. Barring any unforeseen disaster, he was bound to become an unrivaled powerhouse.
Only after Qiu Shan Uchiha and Fugaku saw off the representatives of all those clans, large and small, did they finally have time to attend to Shisui Uchiha's funeral arrangements.
Uchiha Fugaku gazed at Shisui Uchiha's body lying there, his expression conflicted. If not for Qiu Shan Uchiha's prediction and the contingency he had prepared, Shisui Uchiha really would have died this time.
Fortunately, everything had gone according to plan. On the surface, the Uchiha Clan had lost a prodigy with immense potential. In reality, they had merely moved that prodigy out of the public eye and into the shadows, offering him the best protection possible.
Qiu Shan Uchiha had originally planned to make a stretcher from materials at hand to carry Shisui Uchiha. At that moment, however, Uchiha Itachi, who had remained silent ever since Shisui Uchiha's death, said he could carry Shisui's body back himself, seeing the brother he revered most off on his final journey.
Seeing his eldest son like this, Uchiha Fugaku glanced at Qiu Shan Uchiha, silently asking whether they should tell Uchiha Itachi the truth.
Catching the question in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, Qiu Shan Uchiha discreetly shook his head, indicating that they should keep it quiet for now.
Once the Uchiha group had finished gathering everything, Uchiha Itachi carried Shisui's body on his back, surrounded protectively by the other Uchiha clansmen as they headed toward the Uchiha District in the fading light of sunset.
If they were going to put on an act, they had to see it through. After bringing Shisui Uchiha's body back, everyone hurried to tidy up Shisui's home and turn it into a mourning hall. Uchiha Itachi volunteered to stay and keep vigil, and only then did the clansmen take their leave.
After Shisui Uchiha's mourning hall was ready, Qiu Shan Uchiha wandered out of the Uchiha District and went to Ichiraku Ramen, where he ate several large bowls of ramen. Ever since he had started practicing Lightning Release Armor, his appetite had skyrocketed, and he could barely afford to feed himself. In exchange, his physical capabilities had improved rapidly. Qiu Shan Uchiha had a feeling that his body was nearing a critical threshold. Once he reached it, he would be able to upgrade his Mangekyō Sharingan to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and his strength would take a tremendous leap forward.
After teasing little Ayame for a bit, Qiu Shan Uchiha ordered two more large portions of ramen to go. Carrying them at a leisurely pace, he returned to the Uchiha District and made his way to Shisui Uchiha's home.
Upon entering Shisui's home, Qiu Shan Uchiha saw Uchiha Itachi kneeling there with solemn, upright posture, burning paper money for Shisui.
At the sight, the corner of Qiu Shan Uchiha's mouth twitched, and he thought with a twinge of guilt, If Uchiha Itachi finds out the truth, will he chase me down with a blade? Should I run or fight back? Better take Mikoto to the island in my space and hide out for a few days. Yes, all those supplies I worked so hard to prepare will come in handy then.
Just as Qiu Shan Uchiha's thoughts were drifting into rather dangerous territory, Uchiha Itachi noticed him. Seeing that it was Qiu Shan Uchiha, he asked politely, "Qiushan, you're here. You came to see Shisui, right? After all, you two used to be so close." As he spoke, the light in his eyes dimmed.
Seeing the anguish in Uchiha Itachi's eyes, Qiu Shan Uchiha lost the urge to joke. He nodded, set what he had brought on a nearby table, and said, "I knew you hadn't eaten, so I brought you something. Eat it while it's hot. It won't taste good once it gets cold."
At Qiushan's words, Uchiha Itachi shook his head and declined. "Qiushan, I'm not hungry. You go ahead and eat first."
Qiu Shan Uchiha froze for a moment at Uchiha Itachi's reply. He glanced at what he had brought, then understood. He had not expected Uchiha Itachi's powers of observation to remain so sharp even in such grief. He truly was a born shinobi.
Qiushan did not mind that Uchiha Itachi refused to eat. He checked the time, decided it was about right, and walked straight over to Shisui Uchiha's body. Under Uchiha Itachi's puzzled gaze, he pulled away the white cloth covering Shisui Uchiha.
Seeing what Qiu Shan Uchiha had done, Uchiha Itachi could no longer remain seated. He immediately rose to his feet and demanded, "Shisui is already dead! What else do you want to do? You're desecrating his body!"
Seeing the usually composed Uchiha Itachi finally lose his temper, Qiu Shan Uchiha felt oddly pleased and decided to tease him some more. "What could Shisui Uchiha possibly have that I'd want? His greatest legacy, of course-the Mangekyō Sharingan. Rather than let his Mangekyō Sharingan rot along with him, I might as well take them and put them to good use."
As he spoke, he made as if to step forward.
Unable to endure Qiu Shan Uchiha's vile behavior any longer, Uchiha Itachi drew a kunai and pointed its sharp tip straight at him, snarling, "Just try laying a hand on Shisui's body!"
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