Hiruzen looked at Shisui, a hint of reminiscence entering his eyes.
"You're very much like him."
"You value your Family just as much, and you're just as unwilling to see blood spilled in Konoha."
"I don't want the village Kagami fought so hard to protect to end up taking up arms against his descendants."
At the mention of his ancestor, Shisui slowly tightened the hands resting on his knees.
Kagami Uchiha had always been an elder he revered, and the starting point for his understanding of the Will of Fire.
Hiruzen did not press him further. Instead, he sighed softly.
"But not everyone in the village is willing to trust the Uchiha."
"I will explicitly forbid Root from acting without authorization, but after suffering such a heavy loss today, Danzo may not truly be willing to back down."
"I'm worried that some in Root may obey outwardly while defying me in secret, letting resentment cloud their judgment and drive them to even more extreme actions."
Hiruzen set down his teacup and looked at Shisui.
"Shisui, you're a rare talent in the Uchiha Clan, as well as an Anbu ninja trusted by the village."
"I need you to do me a favor."
Rather than agreeing immediately, Shisui straightened in his seat.
"Please go ahead, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen sighed, his tone growing grave.
"I would like you to keep a closer eye on Chikage for the time being."
"He accomplished a great deal today. His standing in both the Konoha Military Police Force and the clan will rise rapidly."
"I'm worried that his growing prestige will spur him to take further radical action, and that Root may secretly target him."
"If he prepares to take new action, or if you notice signs of Root ninja around him, report to me promptly."
"Only with advance knowledge can I protect him before conflict erupts, and protect the Uchiha as well."
Shisui did not answer immediately after hearing him out.
This was protection, but it was also surveillance.
If he agreed, Chikage's future actions might reach the Hokage Building through him.
Yet after suffering such humiliation today, Danzo might indeed retaliate behind the Hokage's back.
If Shisui did nothing, Chikage could very well become Root's next target.
"Lord Hokage, I can keep an eye on Deputy Captain Chikage's safety."
Shisui raised his head and spoke solemnly.
"But if Root attacks him first, protecting my comrade will take priority. I will also stop Root from overstepping its authority any further."
"As for Deputy Captain Chikage carrying out his regular duties in the Konoha Military Police Force, I won't treat that as anything suspicious."
Hiruzen studied Shisui for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Of course."
"I want to prevent conflict, not have you frame your own clansmen."
"If Root truly crosses the line, you may stop them first and report to me afterward."
Only then did Shisui give his promise.
"I understand."
"I'll keep an eye on Deputy Captain Chikage, and do my best to stop the Family and the village from reaching a point of no return."
Looking at Shisui's earnest expression, Hiruzen slowly lifted his teacup.
What Kagami Uchiha had left Shisui was not merely honor, but a responsibility he could not easily set aside.
As long as Shisui was willing to keep an eye on Chikage.
Whether it was Chikage's next move or possible retaliation from Root, the Hokage Building would at least receive advance warning.
Itachi walked along the main street of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
The shops on either side of the road had lit their lamps early.
Clansmen gathered on street corners and in alleys, chatting in small groups.
The atmosphere in the compound today was completely different from usual.
Normally, everyone hurried along with an unshakable wariness on their faces.
Today, every face wore a relaxed smile.
All along the way, Itachi kept hearing Chikage's name.
"Have you heard? Those shops on South Street that got smashed up will receive compensation once the funds arrive."
"How could I not? Apparently, Deputy Captain Chikage forced the Hokage Advisor to sign for it."
"Three hundred and fifty thousand ryo, not a single coin short."
"Captain Yashiro came back safely, too. I heard even his medical bills will be charged to Root separately."
"This time, we Uchiha really stood tall in front of the village leadership."
The clansmen's chatter filled the streets.
Itachi slowed his steps, quietly taking in this long-absent sense of vitality.
Ever since the Nine-Tails' Rampage.
The Uchiha Clan had labored under a heavy cloud of suspicion.
The village leadership's distrust and the Anbu's constant surveillance, day and night.
Had plunged the entire Family into an oppressive atmosphere.
The clan's elders spent their days with troubled frowns.
The younger generation simmered with resentment, ready to erupt at any moment.
But today, Senior Chikage had broken the deadlock with a copy of the Public Security Administration Regulations.
He had neither used force nor provoked a war.
Instead, he had used the village's own rules to force its leadership to yield according to those rules.
That kind of victory had given the clansmen new hope.
Itachi passed through the bustling streets and returned home.
As he pushed open the courtyard gate, the rich aroma of cooking greeted him.
The kitchen light was on, and the crisp clatter of a spatula against a pan rang out.
Itachi changed his shoes and went straight to the kitchen doorway.
Uchiha Mikoto, wearing a light blue apron, was busy at the stove.
Pork rib soup simmered in a pot, bubbling and steaming.
Chopped tomatoes and eggs sat on the cutting board.
"Mother, I'm home."
Itachi stood in the doorway and spoke softly.
Mikoto turned and gave a gentle smile when she saw her eldest son.
"You're back, Itachi."
"You must be tired after training at the practice grounds today. Go wash your hands."
"Dinner will be ready soon. I made your favorite three-color dango today, too."
Itachi nodded, his gaze sweeping around the house.
"Where's Father? Hasn't he come back from the Konoha Military Police Force yet?"
Mikoto smiled as she answered, still stir-frying the food in the pan.
"Your father came home quite a while ago."
"He's in a wonderful mood today. He changed his clothes as soon as he got back."
"He wouldn't even take a break before dinner. He insisted on taking Sasuke into the backyard to practice hand seals."
Itachi was quite surprised to hear that.
As head of the Uchiha Clan, his father had a great deal to handle every day.
He usually came home looking exhausted, rarely inclined to guide Sasuke's training himself.
It seemed the events at the Hokage Building earlier that day had truly put his father in an excellent mood.
Itachi turned, walked down the corridor, and headed toward the backyard.
On the lawn in the backyard, two figures stood together, one tall and one small.
Fugaku wore loose, dark-colored clothes for relaxing at home.
His arms were folded across his chest, his gaze fixed on Sasuke in front of him.
Sasuke was not yet four, and barely reached Fugaku's thigh.
The little boy's face was set, his expression tense.
His two small hands struggled through the movements of the hand seals.
Snake, ram, monkey, boar, horse, tiger.
These were the seals for the Uchiha Clan's signature ninjutsu, the Great Fireball.
Fugaku had only intended for Sasuke to learn the sequence of seals. He had not expected a three-year-old to actually perform the jutsu.
Sasuke's movements were clumsy.
His fingers were short and small. Several times, he positioned them incorrectly and had to stop and start over.
Fugaku watched from the side without interrupting.
A thin sheen of sweat formed on Sasuke's forehead as his anxiety mounted.
He knew his father had always held him to high standards in training.
His older brother had learned everything quickly from an early age. Hand seals and molding chakra had never given their father any cause for concern.
Yet he could not even form a few basic seals without fumbling.
"Sasuke, focus."
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