Night fell over the Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Hahaha! We Uchiha really are Konoha's strongest clan! Just look at our achievements on the battlefield. Our clan alone held off the ninja from Kirigakure in the Land of Water, winning with Fire Release against Water Release! Who else in all of Konoha-in the entire shinobi world-could do that?"
"Exactly! Shisui even earned himself the fearsome name of Body Flicker Shisui. He truly is the pride of our Uchiha Clan!"
"But it's strange. Why hasn't the Third come to reward us yet? We put in so much effort holding off those Kirigakure ninja from the Land of Water, and we lost so many clansmen."
"No idea..."
While the faces of the Uchiha clansmen brimmed with pride and confusion, their clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, stared intently at the tea in his cup.
Pride?
Perhaps regret would be more fitting.
Shisui might bear the Uchiha name, but he chose to follow Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and believe in the will of fire...
We finally produced a genius, only to have him poached just like that. The blow to our Uchiha Clan is undoubtedly immense.
"..."
Uchiha Fugaku gently set down his teacup and spoke calmly, his back to the door.
"You're here."
"Clan head..."
Shisui Uchiha lowered his head slightly, a sharp glint passing through his eyes.
I only just arrived, and he noticed me immediately. As expected of the Uchiha Clan's current head.
However, knowing that Fugaku would ultimately choose his immediate family over the clan when their interests clashed, personally consigning the entire Uchiha Clan to destruction, Shisui had already decided to remove him from his position.
He might be a decent father, but he's certainly not a decent clan head!
For the Uchiha to survive-for me to survive-I have to remove him from that position!
"The Third sent you."
"Yes."
Shisui Uchiha nodded slightly and handed Uchiha Fugaku the envelope Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him.
Uchiha Fugaku glanced at the envelope, then at Shisui Uchiha's lowered head, before opening it and reading the letter in front of him.
"A public commendation? Heh, that's a fine reward, too."
Our Uchiha Clan held off the Kirigakure ninja from the Land of Water all on our own. Our casualties were devastating, and all we get is a few words of praise from you, Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Sarutobi, oh, Sarutobi, what exactly are you thinking? You know perfectly well what the Uchiha Clan needs, what could ease the unrest within the clan and improve Konoha's internal village relations. Yet you... sigh.
"The letter has been delivered, clan head. I'll be going."
Shisui Uchiha had no desire to exchange more words with Uchiha Fugaku, who was so weak at this point in time.
Since you want to be a good father, leave the position of clan head to someone better suited to it.
Tap, tap...
"Shisui, have you chosen the village after all?"
Just as Shisui Uchiha stepped out of the room, Uchiha Fugaku closed the envelope and spoke.
"Perhaps."
Shisui Uchiha left him with that single word, then vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Rather than continue facing Uchiha Fugaku, a man both dangerous and laughable, he would much rather visit his little buddy Uchiha Itachi, change his belief in the will of fire, and get him to follow his lead.
Whoosh!
"Ding! Congratulations, host! Check-in complete!" "Check-in location: Uchiha Itachi's room." "Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received the check-in rewards: Wood Release Proficiency and Wood Clone Technique!"
Another Wood Release reward!
But just as Shisui Uchiha finished checking in, he heard Uchiha Itachi, only five or six years old, muttering sorrowfully as he sat in the courtyard.
"So many clansmen died earning merit, yet the villagers' attitude toward the Uchiha is still... Perhaps the will of fire would suit the Uchi-"
"Ow!"
Before Uchiha Itachi could finish, a hand that appeared out of nowhere knocked him on the head.
An afterimage flashed past immediately afterward, kicking him clean off his feet.
Yet even after taking a kick from Shisui Uchiha, Uchiha Itachi did not land on his backside as he had the previous few times. Instead, he managed to steady himself with some difficulty.
A flicker of surprise passed through Shisui Uchiha's eyes at the sight.
"Itachi, you've improved."
"Of course! Big Brother Shisui, I've been getting stronger all this time. One day, I'll catch up to you!"
Having regained his footing, Uchiha Itachi charged straight at Shisui Uchiha. At the same time, his hand beneath his sleeve gripped a shuriken, launching a surprise attack at Shisui Uchiha's face.
Both his hands formed hand seals, preparing to unleash Fire Release.
Shisui Uchiha smiled faintly in response, his expression warm and sunny.
According to the memories he had inherited, Shisui Uchiha often sparred with Uchiha Itachi. They fought almost every time they met.
Of course, the outcome of those fights was always...
Completely one-sided!
"Stop hitting me! You're cheating! You're cheating! Last time, you said you wouldn't hit my butt!"
"You! Aaaah!"
Before you continue