Shisui stood in the crowd, watching Genya surrounded by five girls, and couldn't help laughing.
"Itachi, did we get ourselves into trouble?"
Itachi remained expressionless.
"Yes."
Shisui gave a dry cough.
"Will he settle the score later?"
Itachi fell silent for a second.
"Yes."
Shisui shuddered.
"Then what do we do?"
Itachi looked at him.
"You caused it."
Shisui panicked.
"You were involved too!"
Itachi said flatly.
"I handled the genjutsu. You did the planning."
Shisui opened his mouth, only to find he had no comeback. I'm done for. Completely done for.
The moon hung big and round in the night sky.
In the square, people were still cheering, hugging, crying, and laughing.
This was Konoha's New Year. This was the best New Year of all.
In the distance, the faces of the past Hokage stood silently on Hokage Rock beneath the moonlight.
The Fourth Hokage's face seemed to have a smile at the corners of its mouth.
Naruto stood in the crowd, looking up in that direction, and spoke softly.
"Dad, can you see this? This is Konoha. This is the village we protect."
The wind swept past like a gentle reply. Naruto broke into a grin.
Surrounded by five girls, Genya finally managed to escape and drew a deep breath.
Then his gaze swept over the crowd and locked unerringly onto one spot. Shisui stood there, just about to slip away.
The corners of Genya's mouth lifted into a meaningful smile. Shisui went rigid.
"Shisui."
Shisui heard him loud and clear.
"Training Ground. Tomorrow."
Shisui shuddered. Looking at the crowd still cheering around him, he felt that the new year might not be quite so wonderful after all.
Itachi silently stepped aside, putting some distance between himself and Shisui.
Shisui glared at him. Itachi remained expressionless, as though