Four-Pillar House Technique, convincing little brother Itachi

Over ten days later, at Teacher Chen's home in Konoha.

"Ding! Congratulations, host! Check-in complete!"

"Check-in location: Teacher Chen's home."

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received the check-in rewards: Wood Release Proficiency and Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!"

Four-Pillar House Technique?

Wasn't that for building houses?

Oh well. It wasn't a combat skill, but at least I'd finally completed the check-in mission.

Besides, that Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique wasn't his greatest gain from this trip.

It was Teacher Chen's willingness to come out of retirement!

After Might Guy's impassioned declaration that night, Teacher Chen had spent the past ten-odd days pouring his heart out to his late disciple at the grave while also guiding Might Guy in Taijutsu.

At last, Teacher Chen had taken him home to pack, preparing to come out of retirement and search the village for children suited to practicing Taijutsu.

Teacher Chen had also promised him that he would visit the Uchiha Clan's compound to take a look at the boy named Uchiha Itachi.

Now, he needed to go back and convince his little brother, Uchiha Itachi, to learn some body-strengthening Taijutsu from Teacher Chen.

Once fully grown, Uchiha Itachi would indeed be powerful, certainly a great asset to him.

But Uchiha Itachi had one fatal weakness: his physical constitution was far too poor, which severely limited both his endurance in battle and his potential strength.

That made him wonder just how powerful Uchiha Itachi would ultimately become if his physical constitution improved.

He was rather eager to find out.

"Since you're ready to come out of retirement, I should get going too, old Chen."

Seeing that Shisui Uchiha was about to leave, Teacher Chen set down what he was holding and asked,

"You're still planning to protect Konoha from the shadows, rather than step into the open?"

"Yes. The corruption within the village is simply too severe right now. I need to observe carefully from the shadows to see who's trustworthy and who has inherited my teacher's Will of Fire."

Hearing Shisui Uchiha's words, Teacher Chen nodded.

"In that case, we'll meet again when fate allows."

"Yes, I'm sure we'll meet again soon. Sorry for the trouble, but I'll leave you to come out of retirement first."

"It's only right."

Whoosh!

After bidding Teacher Chen farewell, Shisui Uchiha vanished in the next instant.

That afternoon, one of his ordinary shadow clones deftly vaulted over the wall of Uchiha Itachi's residence.

Uchiha Itachi was hard at work practicing with shuriken.

Whoosh!

The moment Shisui Uchiha cleared the wall, a shuriken appeared right in front of him.

"Not bad. You've improved. Your reactions are faster."

Shisui Uchiha gave Uchiha Itachi a radiant smile.

Seeing him, Uchiha Itachi hurried over at a jog, the admiration and trust shining in his eyes plain to see.

Shisui Uchiha reached out and ruffled Uchiha Itachi's hair, smiling as he spoke.

"Itachi, have you considered something during your training lately?"

"What is it, big brother Shisui?"

Uchiha Itachi looked at him with wide eyes.

"What do you think you most need to improve right now?"

"My visual prowess? Fire Release? Or..."

"Ow! Big brother Shisui, why did you hit my head again?"

Uchiha Itachi rubbed his little head in pain, looking aggrievedly at Shisui Uchiha.

"Big brother Shisui, what exactly do I need to improve, then?"

"Your physical constitution."

"My physical constitution?"

Uchiha Itachi seemed to realize something, but although his lips parted, he still didn't voice the analysis forming in his mind.

Seeing this, Shisui Uchiha reached out and ruffled his hair, then said with a smile,

"It's just what you're thinking. I want you to learn some Taijutsu to improve your physical constitution."

"What? But big brother Shisui, for someone from our Uchiha Clan to learn Taijutsu, that's just too..."

"Ow!"

Another bump rose on Uchiha Itachi's head.

"Does what other people think really matter that much? All we need to do is work hard to improve ourselves, then protect our clan and our village."

At that, Shisui Uchiha looked up at the sky.

"With your talent, Itachi, I'm sure you'll grasp the basics soon. By then, when you use ninjutsu, even I'll probably have to take you seriously."

"Keeping up with me, or even surpassing me, shouldn't be a problem."

"Surpass big brother Shisui?"

At those words, Uchiha Itachi's eyes lit up.

"Really? Can I really surpass you, big brother Shisui?"

"Of course, as long as you work hard and are willing to endure hardship."

"I will!"

With Shisui Uchiha's encouragement, Uchiha Itachi's face filled with excitement.

Soon, however, his little face fell.

"But our Uchiha Clan doesn't have any ninja who specialize in Taijutsu. There's no one to teach me. How about you teach me, big brother Shisui?"

"I still have missions to go on, so I can't stay by your side and guide you all the time. But there's someone who would be an excellent teacher for you, and he'll be here soon."

"Get ready. We're heading out."

Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi scratched his head in confusion.

"Oh, okay. Wait for me, big brother Shisui. Don't run off without me."

"I know. Go get ready."

"..."

After Uchiha Itachi left, a faint smile appeared on Shisui Uchiha's face.

He wondered how the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the others would react when they learned about this.

Heh, I really can't wait.