"Clan Leader."
At the Uchiha Clan Grounds, after finishing his training, Uchiha Shisui went to et the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku.
"It's you, Shisui." Fugaku, who was teaching a young child, stopped his lesson upon seeing Shisui's arrival. He handed the child over to his wife and gestured for Shisui to follow him.
Shisui waved at the child before turning around and following Fugaku into the house.
"Itachi really likes you," Fugaku said with a smile, motioning for Shisui to take a seat.
"I like Itachi too. He's very cute," Shisui replied, thinking about the young boy in the courtyard. A genuine smile appeared on his face.
Itachi was a bright child. Even though he was still young, he already showed more maturity than his peers. His talent was exceptional. Shisui believed that one day, Itachi would beco a powerful ninja.
"What brings you here today?" Fugaku asked, using Itachi as a segue into the main topic. He had a feeling he knew what Shisui wanted to talk about.
As expected, Shisui hesitated for a mont before speaking. "I've inquired about what you ntioned to before…"
"Orochimaru?" Fugaku interjected.
"No, it's Nara Kagetsu!" Shisui shook his head and ntioned a na that surprised Fugaku.
"Nara Kagetsu? I rember he's Nara Shikakichi's son," Fugaku nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes. Lord Orochimaru is very busy, and even when teaching us, he only uses shadow clones. Among the three of us, Kagetsu is the one Lord Orochimaru values the most and is the only one who can et him anyti.
From what I've observed over the past few days, Kagetsu cos across as steady and has his own unique insights on many matters," Shisui lowered his head, as if feeling a bit guilty.
"So, you sought him out for an answer?" Fugaku asked, his expression unreadable.
"I'm sorry. I truly believed Kagetsu could provide with an answer," Shisui apologized sincerely, bowing his head.
"Did he give you one?" Fugaku's tone remained calm, contrary to Shisui's expectations. He wasn't angry but instead continued to probe.
"Yes, he did." Shisui, following Fugaku's gesture, sat back up and recounted his conversation with Kagetsu in full detail, leaving nothing out.
"Is that really what he said?" Fugaku had initially felt disappointed and didn't expect much useful information from Shisui, but Kagetsu's response caught his interest.
"Yes." Shisui nodded firmly.
Both of them fell silent for a while, each lost in thought.
After a few monts, Fugaku snapped out of his reverie and noticed Shisui's young face, filled with anxiety, confusion, and hesitation. Seeing Shisui wanting to speak but holding back, Fugaku smiled faintly. "What do you want to ask?"
"Do you think Kagetsu's words make sense?" Shisui finally voiced the question that had been swirling in his mind for a long ti.
"From a child's perspective, being able to see things this clearly and offer such advice is quite remarkable. As expected of the Nara clan, known for their strategic minds."
Fugaku first affird Shisui's point, but before Shisui could fully display his joy, Fugaku shook his head again and said, "However, it's obvious that he doesn't have enough information about our situation and the village's higher-ups."
"The clan's situation isn't bad enough to use you as a sacrificial pawn. To be honest, I was surprised you managed to join Orochimaru's team.
You've already beco a mber of the village's Anbu. The one who can truly make decisions here is none other than the Third Hokage.
When I said those things to you before, it was only because I hoped you could get closer to Orochimaru. After all, ever since White Fang's death, the strongest candidates for the Fourth Hokage have been narrowed down to the Sannin.
From what I know, Lady Tsunade has left the village and isn't interested in competing for the position. That leaves only Jiraiya and Orochimaru, with Orochimaru being the most promising candidate.
If Orochimaru becos the Fourth Hokage, you might have the chance to beco his personal guard—just like how the Third Hokage was to the Second Hokage back in the day."
Fugaku explained patiently and in detail, worried that Shisui might not understand.
"So, the relationship between the higher-ups and our clan isn't as bad as I thought?" Shisui asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Of course not! This village was founded together by the ancestors of the Senju and Uchiha clans. Uchiha is an essential top-tier clan in the village!
The conflict with the higher-ups stems from the Second Hokage's distrust and suppression of us, along with our ambition to hold the Hokage position.
After all, two Hokages have already co from the Senju clan, and the Third and Fourth are both likely to co from the Senju's line of students.
Originally, your grandfather, Lord Kagami, had a chance, but he died suddenly," Fugaku said with a faint smile.
"This is just a power struggle between us and the higher-ups. It's not as serious as so make it out to be. I think it's because they heard the voice of the Uchiha that the Third Hokage transferred you into the Anbu directly under his command and then assigned you to Orochimaru's squad.
Thinking about it this way, Orochimaru has a higher chance of becoming the Fourth Hokage than Jiraiya.
Although Kagetsu didn't analyze or explain these things to you, his suggestion was correct. You should consider it. If possible, you should strengthen your relationship with him. Who knows, he might beco the Fourth Hokage's advisor in the future."
"I understand now." Shisui felt a lot more relieved. As long as there wasn't a complete break between the village and the clan, he was happy.
"Go see Itachi and take him out for so fun," Fugaku said, his face softening into that of a kind father.
Although he had high expectations for Itachi and often trained him with a stern expression, he firmly believed that Itachi's future would surpass his own. Itachi's talent far exceeded anyone else's in the clan!
If possible, he would love for Itachi to follow Shisui's path: integrating into the village and joining places like the Anbu for training.
"I will." Shisui stood up, bowed respectfully to Fugaku, then opened the door and left.
---
"Are you Nara Kagetsu? Soone wants to see you."
In a dark alley, a figure dressed in Anbu attire with a mask suddenly appeared in front of Kagetsu, who was on his way ho.
"Who wants to see ?" Kagetsu, sensing a certain coldness and malice from the person in front of him, beca alert instantly. His arm, hidden in his sleeve, dropped slightly, and a small snake swiftly darted out, disappearing into the night.
"Just follow . Don't do anything pointless to resist." The person's voice was cold and emotionless, like a machine carrying out a task.
"I should be able to let my teacher, Lord Orochimaru, or my parents know who I'm eting, right?" Kagetsu asked while preparing to defend himself.
The hostility from the person in front of him was becoming increasingly obvious. Kagetsu couldn't think of anyone in the village whom he had offended so badly to be targeted like this.
"Looks like I'll have to subdue you first." The figure drew a short blade from his back and pointed it at Kagetsu.
****
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