Chapter 110: A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

"Grandfather, Uncle Fugaku left behind so many businesses—why is the annual income no more than thirty million ryō? Could it be a miscalculation?"

The next day, with the help of his Shadow Clone Jutsu, Sima Yi finished verifying the account books and told Shisui the results.

These businesses were all outside the clan's records—Fugaku's private property, now thoroughly handed over to Shisui.

Shisui looked at the comparison results from the boxes full of account books with an expression of great surprise. He remembered that Hui alone collected seven hundred thousand ryō every month from those salt merchants—over eight million ryō a year. If you included grain merchants, electricity merchants, and other trades, it would be at least thirty million ryō annually.

"That's right. I've already verified it twice."

"But—"

Shisui found it hard to believe. Fugaku had many private shops, but every single shop's income was far lower than those recorded by the clan.

Seeing Shisui's confusion, Sima Yi explained, "Although Fugaku valued these shops, he was poor at management. Not only did he assign some clan ninja to manage the shops, but the shops he opened were highly concentrated in both location and the trades they covered."

"This led to the shops competing with each other for business. If not for the fact that most of the goods involved ninja supplies and had relatively high profit margins, I'm afraid even thirty million ryō would have been out of reach."

Shisui pictured the clan ninja managing the shops and couldn't help but laugh, "If that's the case, it's already impressive enough that they haven't shut down."

Having said that, Shisui took out the plan he had newly written the night before, erased the first line, rewrote a few sentences, and asked, "Grandfather, I plan to find someone outside the clan to manage these businesses. What do you think of Kamimura Takeshi, the person Brother Hui mentioned last time?"

"As long as you decide, it's fine."

Sima Yi spread out the scroll on the desk without offering much advice, speaking casually.

"Then Grandfather, can you help me look at how this plan is?"

Hearing this, Shisui had no choice but to drop it, then pushed the paper in his hand before Sima Yi's eyes.

Sima Yi glanced up at Shisui but did not take it. Instead, he gently pushed it back. "I've already told you the general direction. These details you need to figure out through your own trial and error."

Shisui was taken aback and looked at Sima Yi eagerly, but Sima Yi's expression remained calm, as if unaware, simply lowering his head again to focus on the scroll.

"Ah, alright then~"

Helpless, Shisui could only pack up his things and leave reluctantly.

But without Sima Yi's approval, he always felt like something was missing.

After he left, Sima Yi slowly shook his head. Yesterday he had mentioned military force, thinking that with his approval Shisui would rush to take action.

But clearly, the other party cared more about the content of Sima Yi's reprimand, to the point that he still dared not make a move even in his own area of expertise.

Instead, he kept "steadiness" firmly in mind and spent another whole night writing plans.

Without even looking, Sima Yi knew these things were certainly related to what he had mentioned.

This made Sima Yi furrow his brow slightly. This was not what he had expected, and Shisui seemed to be starting to take some detours.

Sure enough, just as he had anticipated, this peace and quiet lasted only until the second day.

"Grandfather, I remember that on the day we took action, besides Uncle Ichisei, there were two others who received invitations but didn't come. At the time, I locked them up together with Senior Tie Huo at the Police Department. Looking at it now, they're also people Uncle Fugaku cultivated. I plan to have them go talk with Uncle Fugaku—what do you think, Grandfather?"

"Handle it yourself."

"Grandfather, I've thought of something. I plan to separate the Police Department's apprehension and judicial authority, then establish two deputy directors—have Inabi oversee apprehension and Yashiro oversee trials. What do you think, Grandfather?"

"Handle it yourself."

"Grandfather, I checked—adding what Uncle Fugaku left behind, the household still has over forty million ryō. I plan to hire some jōnin from the clan to centrally train the clan's genin, to win over people's hearts. What do you think, Grandfather?"

"... Leave ten million ryō. Handle the rest yourself."

"Grandfather..."

"Grandfather..."

"Grandfather..."

For half a month straight, apart from going to the Police Department daily to handle official duties and the occasional patrol mission, Shisui spent his time cultivating and reviewing notes he had taken during past lessons, then day after day pondered how to deal with the several clan elders, before consulting Sima Yi on the feasibility of these ideas.

And Sima Yi's answer was always the same: "Handle it yourself."

Finally, one night, after Shisui finished cultivating, he pushed open the door and entered to tell Sima Yi his new idea. Sima Yi sighed, set down his wolf-hair brush, and looked up at Shisui with a solemn expression.

In truth, he had noticed it long ago. It was just that after the last setback, Shisui's behavior had become even more obvious—he was too dependent on him, to the point of gradually losing his judgment and becoming increasingly insecure.

"Grandfather, what's wrong?"

Seeing Sima Yi's serious expression, Shisui immediately grew nervous.

"Sit."

Sima Yi rose, hands behind his back, and slowly walked to the window. Moonlight draped over his tall, imposing figure like a curtain. His breath was frail, but his eyes were bright and piercing. His gaze swept over, sharp as an eagle's—just as it had been when the two first met.

Shisui's heart trembled, and he sat down instinctively.

"You and I have known each other for three months. In these three months, I've taught you to analyze pros and cons, taught you to win over people's hearts, taught you the art of managing subordinates. These three are ever-renewing with constant reflection and admit no fixed rules—do you know why?"

Shisui was stunned and shook his head repeatedly.

"All three revolve around people's hearts, yet hearts are hard to fathom. Who dares claim they can always read another's heart? Even I cannot, as was the case with Fugaku in the past."

"After that, I used circumstances to teach you various tactics, but those are nothing more than grasping and exploiting people's hearts."

"Now I see that you've instead placed too much emphasis on tactics, to the point of neglecting the fundamentals."

"Grandfather, I..."

Shisui fell silent. Looking at the densely written plans in his hand, he lowered his head, not knowing what to say.

"You're restless every day, tossing and turning, overthinking—yet in half a month I haven't seen you actually accomplish anything. Can the Uchiha's problems be solved by armchair strategizing alone?"

Sima Yi asked sternly. Shisui's face went pale, his ten fingers gripping the paper tightly, not knowing how to respond.

"I know you lack sufficient experience. I've already explained the major directions for you. The rest is but trivial details. Moreover, these are merely internal clan affairs—if you're this timid even now, how will you stand on your own in the future!"

Seeing Shisui's reaction, Sima Yi didn't pause at all and said bluntly, "This time, I permit you to act freely. You must consolidate power and implement reforms before winter this year."

"But, I..."

"Do not belittle yourself. Though you are young, you are a rare and intelligent person. Just remember—perceive people's hearts and act according to the situation, and all the people of the world can be made to serve you."

"Besides, I'm not asking you to understand all the people right now. You are in the Uchiha—is it really so hard to comprehend the hearts of your own clansmen? As long as you can grasp this point, with what you've learned and the power in your hands, the clan elders are nothing but playthings—destroyed with a flip of your hand."

Shisui listened to all of this in a daze, unable to collect himself for a long time.

"Go. From this day forward, you need not ask for my opinion on clan matters."

Sima Yi waved his hand, and Shisui only then realized; this was a test Sima Yi gave him, and for the subsequent actions Sima Yi would not take part nor offer any advice.

Shisui stood up, feeling momentarily dazed and a bit unaccustomed.

As he slowly approached the study doorway, Sima Yi's voice sounded again.

"Before you depart, the master has one more instruction."

Hearing that address, Shisui's heart jolted; he quickly turned and knelt, "Please, master, instruct me."

"A tree that can be embraced grows from a tiny sprout; a nine‑story platform begins with piled earth; a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step."

"Student understands."

"Understand what, a ghost!"

Leaving the study, Shisui felt his mind in total chaos, his steps light, and his vision seemed as black as night.

He walked step by step back to his bedroom, looking at the plan in his hand, but his eyes were vacant, incomprehensible.

After an unknown amount of time, he felt an unstoppable drowsiness, casually lying on the bed and soon fell into deep sleep.

"Clan leader, sir, clan leader?"

The next day, only when Xuehua came over repeatedly calling did Shisui wake startled. "What time is it now?"

"It's already eight in the morning; the clan leader should go to the Police Department."

Xuehua smiled, gently wiping Shisui's cheek with a light motion.

"Also, the steward has already had breakfast; he instructed me that after the clan leader wakes, there's no need to look for him—just go straight to the Police Department."

It wasn't a dream; Sima Yi truly wasn't intervening for now. Shisui sighed; he had never slept so late, yet at this moment he felt much clearer.

While he was pondering, Xuehua, after wiping him, also tidied his bedding; seeing this, Shisui instinctively said, "Thank you, that was hard work."

Xuehua shook her head lightly, her voice gentle, "It should be me and Meihua who say thank you; for people like us without ninja talent, being able to live peacefully by Lord Shisui's side is already a tremendous blessing."

"Hahaha, it's just a job, that's over the top."

Shisui smiled, taking it as deliberate flattery.

"Not at all! Lord Shisui is not only powerful but also gentle; Meihua and I are fortunate to have met a ninja like you."

Xuehua looked up, her mouth perpetually smiling, yet her eyes revealed sorrow for the past.

Facing such a gaze, Shisui was briefly stunned, then asked himself whether he would have thought the same when receiving such praise in the past.

He would not; he would have been shy, then thanked, not doubted the other's intent.

Why does he now think of others this way? Because he has done this many times with the third generation, so subconsciously he assumes others are the same.

In an almost instant, Shisui arrived at an answer.

"Sorry, thank you."

Shisui stood, looked straight at Xuehua, and said earnestly, "If possible, I hope you can continue to live peacefully like this; of course, I will also strive."

Having said that, he turned and left, leaving Xuehua with a faintly reddened cheek, her neck tucked.

"Lord Shisui… could it be that…"

Thinking that, Xuehua subconsciously buried her head in the quilt and nudged it.

After breakfast, Shisui went to the Police Department; perhaps because he rose late, he met many clan members along the way, each greeting him excitedly, and Shisui responded to each.

Before today, every person on the road would provoke his thoughts.

How should I win him over? How should I raise my prestige?

Can I use him to deal with several elders?

It was only today that he realized he had unintentionally gone astray, completely reversing cause and effect.

"So Grandfather had already seen my flaw; it was I who disappointed him."

He courted hearts, raised prestige, and confronted elders all for the sake of the clan.

The devotion to the clan cannot change; even without Sima Yi, he must remain steadfast.

Having understood this, although this time Sima Yi did not stand behind him causing some hesitation, he was no longer lost.

"To improve the Police Department's operational efficiency, I have decided to separate capture and interrogation. From today onward, once the criminals you apprehend are registered, a dedicated officer will handle their interrogation."

Inside the Police Department, as soon as Shisui arrived, he summoned the four members of Ba Dai and gave the order.

The four looked at each other, barely grasping Shisui's meaning; after all, during the previous training, the criminals captured by hired ninja were all interrogated by Hui, so with that precedent they naturally had no objections.

"Since there are no objections, the interrogation work will temporarily be assigned to Ba Dai concurrently; you select a squad from Team Two to cooperate."

"Yes!"

Later, Shisui also kept Hui and Dao Huo, his expression solemn, saying, "Now within the clan, I can only trust the two of you."

Their faces changed, and they were about to half‑kneel in salute, but Shisui stopped them outright, looking at them solemnly.

"Most of the clan's assets are in the hands of the elders; they constantly quarrel, short‑sighted yet reckless, disregarding the lives of clan members.

To accomplish the clan's great undertaking, I must break free of the elders' constraints; I ask the two of you to help me!"

Hui, without any hesitation, said directly: "Name whoever you want killed, I'll kill them; at most one life swaps for several, I'll directly help you eliminate future trouble forever; you just need to place me at the foremost position in the ancestral hall!"

Dao Huo also nodded, saying, "Since I have already chosen you, as soon as you give the order, for the sake of the clan, I will not hesitate against anyone!"

Shisui was moved; with these two trustworthy people by his side, there was nothing left to hesitate about.

"I have thought it over, and there are three things that must be done."

"Which three things?"

"First, I ask Senior Dao Huo to covertly persuade Senior Tie Huo; he has asked me to resign several times, and I have rejected him with various excuses.

But no matter how I persuade him, he insists on leaving; I hope you can convince him to stay, preferably letting him meet Uncle Fugaku once."

Dao Huo nodded and accepted directly, "I understand his thinking; I am confident I can keep him."

"Second, I plan to form a team within the clan for secret department selection; once Tie Huo stays, I hope he can serve as the captain of that team, and have him persuade some of Uncle Fugaku's former subordinates for my aid."

"Secret department selection?"

"This is just a ruse; there are too many elders in the Police Department, and I need to reorganize the team."

The two of them then nodded, indicating they understood.

"Third, I need to get Badaishu busy."

Shisui looked at Hui, who instantly understood and then gave a wicked grin.

"I'll entrust these three matters to you both."

"Please, Clan Leader, rest assured!"

After instructing the two, Shisui was no longer in a hurry; in the days that followed, after finishing his daily duties, he returned home to cultivate, study, and practice sealing arts.

In his leisure, he would guide Jin Huo and Ying Shu's cultivation, or stroll around the clan lands, chatting with clan members; he began to learn to observe them more carefully.

Thus, another half month passed, when suddenly a rumble of thunder sounded, and the first spring rain of the year finally arrived.

"If the clan truly can be as the Clan Leader says, how could there be any reason not to revive?"

"It's just some shallow ideas; without the elders' approval, I alone cannot know when they might be realized."

In a courtyard, Shisui was conversing with a senior ninja of the clan.

Uchiha Gongping listened as Shisui repeatedly extolled the benefits of the clan's reform and the vision of its future strength, becoming extremely excited; hearing that such a good idea lacked the elders' approval made him exceedingly angry.

Even though among them were his own direct senior relatives, they could not hide their indignation, forgetting their seniority and shouting, "What do these old guys understand? They only argue with each other; after arguing for so many years, they should have already been buried."

"Rest assured, Clan Leader, as soon as you give the word, for the sake of the clan I will personally act and eliminate these clan traitors!"

When those words were spoken, Shisui was taken aback; he had merely been taking a leisurely walk and happened upon the other party, intending just to chat, and did not expect such an effect.

This made him even wonder whether the other party had been sent by the elders to deliberately approach him.

But in an instant he suppressed that thought, because he could sense the other's sincerity.

Shisui sincerely expressed his gratitude, then rose, pointed at the pouring rain outside, and said, "Thank you, senior; for Shisui to earn your approval, even such a heavy rain cannot extinguish the fighting spirit within!"

"For the clan, I feel the same!"

These past two days the new students have enrolled, a huge pile of matters; each time I type I'm rushed, my condition isn't great, and I only had time after ten o'clock yesterday to read what I wrote—I can only say it's a mess.

I believe you would rather I take leave than spend money to read this kind of thing.

(End of chapter)