As Yechen's thoughts wandered, Shisui's voice rang out again.
"There's no denying that Konoha intends to suppress our Uchiha clan, but it's also possible that one of the higher-ups has deliberately steered things that way."
"Oh..." Yechen perked up and said with a smile.
"Then tell me what you've found."
Shisui Uchiha nodded slightly.
"You told me about Danzo and Root last time. I investigated in secret and found that, deliberately or otherwise, they've been suppressing our clansmen."
Yechen froze for a moment, then remembered how Root Ninja had attacked them on their way back to the battlefield after the Chunin Ninja Exams.
To remind Shisui to stay on his guard, Yechen had indeed mentioned the Root Ninja.
He just hadn't expected Shisui to take it to heart and investigate on his own.
"Go on..." Yechen said.
"I suspect Danzo is behind this too. If I'm right, we'll be in trouble soon. They might try to assassinate us."
Shisui spoke very seriously, but Yechen chuckled.
Many people noticed them, but with Yechen there, they didn't dare approach, so they couldn't make out exactly what the two were discussing.
"Then let them come. However many they send, I'll kill them all." Yechen gave his shoulder a light pat.
"Don't tell me you're scared."
"Of course I'm not..." Before Shisui Uchiha could finish, Yechen cut him off.
"Good. Remember, don't show your enemies mercy. All right, go amuse yourself somewhere else. Don't disturb my sleep."
Shisui Uchiha hesitated, but eventually asked the question weighing on his mind.
"Yechen, how do you feel about the village and the clan? Or rather, whose side are you on?"
Yechen's expression shifted at those words, then he smiled faintly.
"It's nothing more than a struggle over interests. Power is a fine thing, but my ideals are