Shisui strode briskly along the stone-paved road back to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
His steps were light.
Lord Hokage's gentle words still echoed in his mind.
As long as the higher-ups were willing to accept Kotoamatsukami, bloodshed between the village and the Uchiha could be avoided.
Shisui felt he had accomplished something extraordinary.
He passed through the district gates.
The Naka River rushed along noisily.
Beside a wooden post on the riverbank, eight-year-old Uchiha Itachi was practicing shuriken throwing.
Kunai streaked through the air in black lines, striking the bull's-eye with precision.
"Itachi."
Shisui waved, a gentle smile on his face.
Itachi stopped what he was doing and turned to look.
"Shisui, you're back from the Hokage Building?"
Shisui walked over and sat down on the grass.
"Yes. I just reported something important to Lord Hokage."
Itachi put his kunai back in his ninja tool pouch and sat beside Shisui.
"What did Lord Hokage say?"
"About the relocation compensation and Chikage's trip to Prefecture City?"
Shisui waved a hand, looking especially relaxed.
"None of that matters, Itachi."
"Arguing over money and regulations will only make the higher-ups think the Uchiha are greedy."
Itachi looked at Shisui, confusion in his eyes.
"Chikage said those are benefits we're entitled to."
"If we don't fight for them, the higher-ups will only think the Uchiha are weak and easy to bully."
Shisui sighed.
"Vice Captain Chikage's views are too extreme."
"He only sees the immediate benefits, forgetting that the Uchiha are part of Konoha too."
"Is driving the village into opposition over a few hundred thousand ryo really a good thing?"
Itachi shook his head.
"Chikage is acting according to the village's rules."
"He taught me that giving ground doesn't earn respect. It only makes people push for more."
Seeing Itachi's earnest expression, Shisui