Chapter 16: A Great Mansion About to Collapse — One Pillar Cannot Hold

Koizumi Satsuki gave an embarrassed laugh; the words were awkward to say, but that was the truth.

"I only have fire-attribute chakra, so all the money I've saved over the years went toward exchanging for a few Fire Style ninja techniques. The Great Fireball is already the most proficient and most powerful jutsu I can master."

Koizumi Satsuki knew clearly in his heart that if it weren't wartime, when the prices for learning many jutsu had been lowered, given his situation he might have had to wait even longer.

"I see!"

Shisui came to a sudden realization. He gripped the documents, pondered for a moment, and then, amid the other's puzzled expression, took out a scroll.

"This is the training method for the B-rank jutsu Head Hardship. I've always carried it with me but never had time to learn it. Since the opportunity arises today, I'll lend it to you."

Shisui actually wanted to just give it away outright, but then the gift would be far too great for Koizumi Satsuki.

According to the Village's internal regulations on selling jutsu, purchased jutsu were generally prohibited from being passed around after purchase; even the purchaser's immediate family members could not learn them.

If one wanted to purchase jutsu for the purpose of passing them down through the family, the price would be extremely high.

But this scroll was different — once given away, it could even become Koizumi Satsuki's family heirloom! "A B-rank jutsu!"

Koizumi Satsuki's heart pounded wildly, his breathing gradually growing rapid.

"This subordinate has rendered no merit and is undeserving of such great favor from Lord Shisui!"

Though he verbally declined, his gaze could not tear away. For a civilian ninja like him, mastering a powerful jutsu could almost change his fate.

"Since you call yourself my subordinate, how can you refuse my order? Take it!"

Shisui suddenly changed his expression and said forcefully.

Koizumi Satsuki's pupils contracted. His feet moved forward of their own accord, step by step, and he took the scroll from Shisui's hands, his eyes revealing complex emotions.

Shisui could see his inner struggle and spoke up: "But what you said also makes sense. How about this — I'll consider the item rented to you. You pay me one thousand ryō every month until you've learned it."

One thousand ryō — not even enough for a filling meal of barbecue — yet it could obtain a B-rank jutsu.

How could Koizumi Satsuki not understand Shisui's intent? He no longer hesitated, stuffed the scroll into his robe, half-knelt on the ground, and gave his thanks.

"Thank you, Lord Shisui! I will never dare forget your grace. It is my honor to serve under you!"

"Get up quickly. I've given you the jutsu, but don't forget your mission."

"Yes!"

Shisui nodded in satisfaction, then briefly assigned the mission before letting him leave.

Koizumi Satsuki walked out of the tent with the scroll tucked in his robe, head held high and chest out. Seeing his expression, everyone's suspended hearts finally settled.

"Koizumi, what exactly did Lord Shisui want with us?" someone asked, unable to contain their curiosity.

"That's a secret. You'll find out soon enough. I still have a mission to carry out, so I won't say more."

With that, he left impatiently, leaving the group looking at one another in bewilderment.

Sima Yi had been standing to the side, quietly observing the whole time. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but nod slightly.

Then, another ninja was called by name and, brimming with curiosity, walked into the tent.

Shisui repeated the same method: ninja willing to wait while he reviewed the documents were gifted pre-prepared scrolls; those unwilling to wait were simply assigned patrol-change missions and sent away.

This continued until noon. After the last ninja left the tent, wild with joy, clutching a scroll that could change his fate, Sima Yi finally walked in slowly. "How does it feel?"

"Very strange." Shisui did not feel joy. He carefully recalled every expression of every person that morning.

He could easily see through their emotions; he could freely manipulate their sorrow and joy with his own words.

Yet what he had brought out were merely a few jutsu — jutsu that even members of the Uchiha clan rarely bothered to practice.

Especially beneath a thousand years of Uchiha history and heritage, these jutsu were but the tip of the iceberg, yet even so they left these people wild with joy and a nervous, uneasy dread.

"What's strange?"

"It's clearly just an ordinary jutsu, yet it can make these people so happy. Is it really that difficult to obtain jutsu in the Village?"

Sima Yi was speechless. During this period he had also come to understand part of the Village's system from Shisui's mouth, especially the ninja academy system. When he first learned about it, even he couldn't help but remark that the Second was quite a figure.

And after learning more about the ninja academy's curriculum, he was even more moved. The Second was indeed quite a figure — to actually think of using this method to cultivate cannon fodder.

"You stand too high, yet you do not realize that knowledge itself is a barrier — a means of isolating and restricting the development of those below.

The Uchiha clan possesses a special bloodline, so they don't pay this much mind. But for those secret jutsu families, the spread of jutsu is akin to digging their graves and dismantling their foundations."

Shisui was startled and asked in confusion, "Is it really that serious?"

In his view, teaching jutsu to these people — if they could learn them — would naturally strengthen the Village's power, and that was of course a good thing! Sima Yi waved his hand, unwilling to over-explain lest Shisui's mind become muddled again, and simply cautioned: "Today was just practice for you. Once we return to the Village, you must never do such a thing.

Otherwise, once discovered, the Uchiha would become the enemy of all the Village's higher-ups and ninja clans. By then, we would truly be powerless to reverse the tide."

Seeing his teacher speak so gravely, Shisui did not dare take it lightly and nodded repeatedly. "I understand, Teacher. I will be careful."

"Mm."

Though they had been in contact for less than a month, Sima Yi was still quite at ease with how Shisui handled things.

"Give me the army roster. Let me arrange tonight's banquet."

"It's just arranging a banquet — isn't that simply gathering together for a meal? Why do you need the roster?" Shisui certainly wouldn't refuse and casually pulled out the roster, but his curiosity moved faster than his hand.

"Hahaha, observe more, learn more, think more." Sima Yi laughed loudly without explaining. He took the roster and added at the end, "Call Hui over — let him come help me."

With that, he turned and left, leaving behind a visibly envious Shisui.

"Why call Hui? I'm free too..."

Shisui muttered under his breath, but Sima Yi had already departed and naturally couldn't hear.

By evening, Sima Yi and Hui were walking through the camp, directing a host of ninja to prepare for tonight's banquet.

"Uncle Yi, it's just a seating arrangement — why go to so much trouble? Let everyone sit wherever they want, what does it matter?"

Over the course of an afternoon, Uchiha Hui was exhausted. If he had been doing something meaningful, that would be one thing, but a large amount of time had been spent on ninja investigations, and the sole purpose of those investigations was merely to arrange seating.

Facing Uchiha Hui's puzzlement, Sima Yi was very patient. He clearly understood one truth: when a great mansion is about to collapse, a single pillar cannot support it.

If the Uchiha wanted to reverse the situation, relying on Shisui alone would not be enough. He had to help Shisui select suitable assistants and cultivate them.

And Uchiha Hui was the first person he had chosen!

(End of this chapter)