Chapter 130: The Sarutobi Clan's Tragedy

Early the next morning, Yan Shifan and Sima Yi got up early, and after breakfast they talked in the study.

Shisui greeted the two and then went ahead to the Police Department to work.

For the rest of the day, Sima Yi narrated to Yan Shifan the internal and external clan affairs, including matters of Fugaku, the elders, the Hokage, Danzo, and Orochimaru, telling Yan Shifan each one in turn.

All these matters would be too many for an ordinary person to jot down, but Yan Shifan's memory is exceptional; after one go‑through, all the affairs were clear in his mind, and he even had many insights.

During the conversation the two grew more familiar; Sima Yi intended to hand off the duties, so that he would have time to study sealing techniques and explore ways to increase power.

Yan Shifan, newly arrived and full of vigor, still bearing unresolved grudges from his previous life, was eager to act; after two days the two handed over the clan affairs one by one.

That day Shisui continued as usual handling official business at the Police Department; many ninjas in the Village had already received orders to head north, people's hearts grew restless, village disputes occurred from time to time, signs of spy activity were gradually uncovered, and the Police Department was extremely busy.

He was looking at the trial documents when Hui suddenly came over and said, "Shisui, there's news: the Sarutobi Shinzusuke set out in secret this morning with the Jonin squad leader, and if he succeeds in securing the Daimyo's funds, Uncle Yi and I will set out."

Time is running short.

Shisui sighed and then asked, "How is the procurement of supplies the clan needs?"

"Uncle Yi had prepared early; the basic supplies have already been fully purchased, and the clan's financial pressure has eased a bit. Uncle Yi also mixed many secret medicines according to the family formula.

However, I see Uncle Yi also packed many scrolls; he really does like those things."

"Haha, Grandpa never stays idle; either he's studying various teachings or handling affairs, his life is very disciplined, and learning something from him will serve me for life.

By the way, Brother Hui must protect Grandpa on this trip, staying by his side at all times; Grandpa is the future of the Uchiha, and must not be jeopardized!"

Shisui's expression was solemn as he looked at Hui and said in a low voice.

Hui, fully aware of Sima Yi's importance, nodded repeatedly and promised, "Don't worry; unless we all die, no one will lay a finger on Uncle Yi!"

Shisui also knew Hui would definitely protect Sima Yi, yet his worry could not be eased.

"Later we'll find Jiraiya to talk; I hope he can help watch over a few things."

Shisui let out a light sigh, like a petty whiner; Hui shook his head speechlessly and turned away.

In the evening, because of the heavy workload, Shisui returned later than usual; after Sima Yi and Yan Shifan had dinner, they were still in the study reading and chatting. When Shisui told them about Shinzusuke's matter, the two exchanged a strange glance.

"Since he has already set out, the time until the main army's departure is not far; reconfirm the internal and external clan changes, avoid causing trouble, then rest early and replenish your spirit."

. Alright.

Shisui gave the two a plaintive look and left; he had intended to chat more with Sima Yi, but a single sentence made him walk away.

After Shisui left, Yan Shifan laughed, "This child is naturally pure‑hearted; Mr. Zhongda could have such an idle grandson, truly enviable to us juniors."

Sima Yi also stroked his beard and chuckled, "In these times, people are like ants, lives like grass; being pure‑hearted is not necessarily a good thing?"

Although he denied it, Sima Yi kept nodding.

Yan Shifan naturally saw this, knowing their close bond, he paused his thoughts, waved his hand and said, "If he understands the world, you and I wouldn't have come here. Since we're already here, we should display what we've learned and relieve his troubles."

"Now, with such a good opportunity, I wonder what Mr. Zhongda thinks."

Sima Yi looked at Yan Shifan, smiled, "Do as you think fit, but if this move is exposed he might despise it, and Deqiu may suffer some grievances."

Yan Shifan stood up laughing heartily, his face full of righteousness, and said, "Hahaha, for Shisui I can endure any hardship; a little grievance is nothing!"

"Then Deqiu will have to toil."

The two exchanged a glance and smiled contentedly.

"Sir, there's news."

Late at night, at the Root base, Danzo took the letter, his eyes growing darker, let out a cold snort, clenched it tightly, and as wind‑release chakra burst forth, he turned it to fragments.

"Rizhan really treats the Hokage as his own property, even wants to nurture this brat, showing he doesn't have Konoha at all in his heart."

Having said that, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he said coldly, "For Konoha, I will never allow this to happen!"

Two days later, all the villages' clans were ready, and civilian ninjas who received orders also dug up coffin funds and tried hard to purchase life‑saving supplies, ready to head north at any moment.

Within the Uchiha clan affairs, the two saw that Shisui no longer needed much to do, and that day, after hearing news of Jiraiya, he deliberately hurried to meet him.

At that moment, Jiraiya was leisurely watching the little Naruto and Sasuke tussle, and he was quite surprised by their relationship.

The two youngsters weren't old, yet they fought ruthlessly; one moment it was all friendly, the next they were at each other's throats.

Their tempers flipped faster than pages turning.

The ANBU tasked with looking after Naruto only ensured he wouldn't starve, never caring about his nutrition, while Sasuke, born into the Uchiha, had abundant nourishment since childhood and was slightly older than Naruto; now he used his advantage to pin Naruto to the ground, pulling at his mouth corner.

Naruto, though outmatched, refused to back down, reaching to yank Sasuke's face, mumbling, "It was Itachi‑brother who called him that; it's none of your business!"

"No, that's my brother; you can't call him that!"

"Call him if you want, you crybaby; Itachi‑brother would never have a petty little brother like you~"

"You, you're the crybaby, you're a cat‑face ghost!"

"You stinky brat~"

The two kept shouting at each other, fighting heatedly, while Jiraiya grinned beside them, delighted, with no intention of intervening.

He only turned back when he sensed someone approaching, saw it was Shisui, and curiously asked, "Shisui, aren't you supposed to be busy now? How do you have time to come over? Did Itachi‑kid ask you?"

To avoid suspicion, even though the Third allowed Naruto to interact with the Uchiha under Jiraiya's care, Shisui still kept his distance whenever possible.

So each time he met Jiraiya and Naruto, he would claim to be busy with affairs and walk away, which Jiraiya teased him about.

Shisui scratched his head, gave a shy smile, a bit embarrassed; he had approached with a request.

He glanced at the two still wrestling, hesitated a moment, and without hiding said, "Actually I have some matters to discuss with you, Lord Jiraiya, but it's been a while since I've seen you with Naruto; it's almost mealtime—shall we have a meal together?"

It was just past ten in the morning, not yet mealtime, yet Jiraiya didn't refuse; he patted Shisui's shoulder and sighed, "You still say these things—that's the price of growing up."

He then laughed, "Since you have a request, you treat us. Let's go for barbecue, but Naruto has a huge appetite, so you better be ready with money; don't say senior me is bullying you."

Shisui nodded repeatedly, stating plainly, "I have that money, no need to be formal." Jiraiya burst out laughing, then called back, "Naruto, Sasuke, stop fighting; Shisui's treating—today at noon we have barbecue!"

Barbecue!

Naruto's gaze cleared in an instant; a surge of power erupted from his body, kicking Sasuke far away, then he leapt up like a carp and ran to Jiraiya's side, his face beaming with delight at the two.

"Big brother, barbecue at noon today? Great!"

Naruto's mouth watered; at noon he wouldn't have to eat the black mush again—Uchiha forever! He shouted, while Sasuke sat dazed, unable to react.

How did I fly out?

It wasn't until Shisui stepped forward and wiped the dirty stuff off Sasuke's face that Naruto had on, that his eyes lit up, and he glared at Naruto angrily, looking like a sore loser.

The two stared, and Shisui likewise didn't step in; they will be ninja later, fighting and teasing are minor things, and if this forms a bond for the Uchiha, that's a good thing.

Amid the commotion, the four arrived at a barbecue restaurant; since it was still early, the place wasn't crowded, and they quickly began to feast heartily.

Naruto ate piece by piece, his mouth dripping with oil, looking extremely satisfied; Shisui's grilling pace couldn't keep up with his swallowing speed.

"Delicious! Shisui‑bro, you truly are the number‑one Uchiha in the world, a hundred times, a thousand times better than that smelly brat."

Naruto laughed loudly, and gave a very provocative glance at Sasuke.

Sasuke's little face flushed with anger; he didn't understand Shisui's usurping the clan head position or anything, he only knew that because of Shisui, his father and older brother now often have time to be with him.

So he also liked Shisui a lot; hearing Naruto say that, he immediately grabbed Shisui's arm and said, "This is my Shisui‑bro, eat the meat quickly, no whining!"

Seeing the two about to tussle again, Shisui helplessly stopped them, and later found time to bring up Sima Yi with Zilai Ye.

"My grandfather is somewhat old and of average strength, but the clan ninja we're supporting this time can't do without his coordination, so I'd like to ask Lord Zilai Ye to look after him a bit."

"Hmm, your grandfather?"

Zilai Ye was a bit puzzled; he only remembered Uchiha Jing and hadn't learned much about Shisui's family affairs.

Shisui, seeing this, explained everything to him; the two talked at length about Sima Yi. Zilai Ye gradually understood Sima Yi, and upon learning that Shisui's teachings all came from Sima Yi, and that the current state of the Uchiha was also taught by Sima Yi, he couldn't help but feel relieved that the latter hadn't died in the war, otherwise Konoha might have erupted into civil strife.

"I didn't expect the Uchiha to have someone like that. Rest assured, I'll do my best to help. If he truly has such wisdom, after going north the Village might still rely on him."

Zilai Ye answered immediately, but when the north was mentioned he recalled that he too would be leaving, and he wanted to find someone to look after Naruto, yet there was no suitable candidate.

He was definitely unsuitable; no matter how much he trusted Shisui, he couldn't let a Uchiha person alone care for Naruto.

Then it can only be temporarily given to the Third.

The four ate for over an hour; Naruto alone consumed the amount of three people. Shisui stared at the piled plates, unable to believe how Naruto's small belly could hold so much meat.

"You're at the stage of growing, so eating more is fine."

A thirteen‑year‑old boy speaking so maturely made Zilai Ye feel somewhat odd.

Naruto, as if praised, puffed his belly proudly and looked at Sasuke; Sasuke snorted and, in one breath, forced down a piece of barbecue.

When it came time to settle the bill, Shisui saw the cost nearing fifty thousand taels and felt a pang of heartache.

Although he spends money like water to nurture his clan members and build the clan lands, he himself is very frugal aside from cultivation expenses, and his pockets rarely hold cash; the fifty‑thousand‑tael expense instantly left his wallet bone‑dry.

"You smelly brat, I'm still the stronger one; you haven't even eaten half of what I have. I'll definitely be taller than you in the future!"

"Hum~ boring!"

Shisui carried Sasuke on his back, and Zilai Ye carried Naruto, and the two were exhausted, unable to keep moving.

"Alright, Sasuke, say goodbye to Naruto; we're heading back to the clan lands."

"Hum~"

"Hum~"

Both turned their heads at the same time; Shisui, helpless, could only say to Zilai Ye, "Then I'll take Sasuke back; I'll entrust my grandfather's matter to you, Lord Zilai Ye."

"It's fine, go ahead~"

The four split up; Sasuke and Naruto secretly turned to look at each other, and when the other spotted them they quickly looked away, then continued to sneak glances until they could no longer see each other.

Shisui noticed Sasuke's actions, smiled, and deliberately asked, "Sasuke seems to really dislike Naruto; how about not playing with him anymore?"

Sasuke, thinking about how to beat up Naruto tomorrow, heard that and immediately shook his head, saying, "No way~"

"Hmm? Why? Didn't you hate him? If you hate him, don't force yourself; Itachi and I won't force you either."

"Actually, it's not that I hate him that much; that guy is sometimes pretty good."

"So, if you don't hate him, does that mean you like him?"

"Eh? Who would like that kind of guy, a hateful one? I only play with him because I feel sorry for him; he has no parents, and if I ignored him, that'd be too pitiful."

Shisui was startled; he hadn't expected two two‑year‑old children to already be concerned with such things.

"Indeed. Then you must protect Naruto well in the future; that kid will likely be despised by many, and if even you despise him, he'll have no friends."

"Really?"

"Hmm."

"It's okay, he just needs to be my friend!"

Sasuke, for some unknown reason, curled a smile at the corner of his mouth; though he was behind Shisui, Shisui still noticed.

Bonds, huh, how nice~ Sending Sasuke back, Shisui continued his work. Two days later, Hui suddenly rushed over, looking anxious and serious.

He had thought it was news about a major stipend, and as Shisui sighed over the pain of parting, Hui said gravely, "Shinzusuke Sarutobi and his wife Yuki Sarutobi were killed, along with their guards, on the road to Kyoto—eight people in total, all dead!"

Too rushed, I missed class for a long time today, still have a huge pile of forms, will be back at ten, barely finish them, will look at them tomorrow.

(End of chapter)