Chapter 22: Danzo

Afraid the higher-ups would be displeased?

Sima Yi frowned, a guess forming in his mind—it seemed this clan leader was a cautious man.

However, even if this matter came to nothing the impact would be slight, so he did not dwell on it and was about to tell Shisui to rest early.

Just then Shisui changed the subject, "The clan leader didn't agree, but I found the Grand Elder, and after hearing it the Grand Elder immediately agreed to Teacher's idea."

The Grand Elder of the Uchiha was a notorious hardliner; in the past Shisui would never have wanted to associate with him much, but after being taught by Sima Yi, Shisui found that having such an elder didn't seem so bad after all.

At the very least, he was indispensable right now!

Sima Yi was not as carefree as Shisui; he thought more deeply.

Discord between the clan elder and the clan leader was by no means a good thing for the family, but given the current situation it was actually advantageous for Shisui.

"Teacher, did I do something wrong?"

Seeing Sima Yi frowning in silence, Shisui immediately sensed something was amiss.

"This action was too rash. Success comes from secrecy, failure from carelessness. Before you unify the Uchiha, you must never let Konoha's higher-ups detect the shift in your attitude, otherwise there will be obstacles at every turn."

Shisui suddenly understood, only now realizing it in hindsight. He frowned deeply, racking his brain for a way to remedy the situation.

Sima Yi nodded in satisfaction at seeing him respond this way—no longer rushing when faced with a problem, no longer immediately turning to him for help but striving to think it through himself. This was undoubtedly a form of progress.

"Could I ask Brother Hui to help with this matter?"

"That is indeed a viable approach. Discuss it thoroughly with him tomorrow, and make sure not to reveal any flaws."

"Yes, Teacher."

"There is one more thing. The Grand Elder and the clan leader are at odds, and you have not often interacted with him in the past. Seeking him out for discussion now may make the clan leader aware of your change, and he will inevitably grow wary."

After the inexplicable attack by the Mist ninja, Sima Yi did not dare underestimate the people of this world in the slightest. That Fugaku had become clan leader perhaps meant he too was a meticulous thinker, skilled in strategy.

Hearing this, Shisui's tightly furrowed brow immediately relaxed, and he offered reassurance in return: "From what I know of Clan Leader Fugaku, he wouldn't do that!"

Seeing Shisui so certain, Sima Yi was somewhat surprised—this was the second time Shisui had been so confident about a person's character, but Sima Yi neither denied it nor reiterated his original words.

He merely nodded and said softly, "Having your own views is a good thing. I only remind you that you must remain vigilant."

"Yes, Teacher!"

The next day, the army continued onward, and by evening they finally approached the outskirts of Konoha.

It is worth mentioning that to avoid drawing attention, Sima Yi had disposed of that horse at noon.

"We'll arrive at Konoha right on time, and we can still make it for dinner—hahaha, hurry hurry hurry~"

Hui's expression had already returned to its former self. He dashed alone at the very front, as if yesterday's events had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Yahoo~"

"Roast meat, fine wine, your great self has returned!"

The crowd behind him responded one after another, sprinting toward Konoha.

Shisui looked at them with a smile and instructed, "Don't approach Konoha's gates. I need to report ahead first!"

With so many ninja, it was naturally impossible to let them approach Konoha freely. When they were three li from the gates, Shisui ordered the army to form up, then dispatched a ninja to report ahead.

In no time at all, the ninja sent to report returned with an ugly expression.

Behind him were three masked ninja.

ANBU!

"Shisui Uchiha!"

The three ANBU members stepped forward, coming directly before Shisui, their voices cold and devoid of emotion.

"Yes," Shisui replied, his expression calm.

"By order of the Hokage: at this moment Konoha's streets are crowded with civilians. To avoid disrupting them and causing panic, you are to encamp here and enter the Village later."

Shisui knelt on one knee on the ground as protocol required and listened to the command. He lowered his head, his eyes shifting slightly. "The ancients said: only titles and authority must never be lent to another."

"Acting like this, who will still know of the Uchiha's merits, who will still feel gratitude for the Uchiha's kindness? Over time there will only be resentment and no gratitude—how can the Uchiha endure?"

Two of Sima Yi's sentences flashed abruptly through his mind. His expression was calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

"Is this the Third's order?"

"Yes!"

The ANBU's tone remained cold throughout. Shisui looked up at the three of them thoughtfully, but said nothing, instead glancing at Hui Uchiha from the corner of his eye.

Hui immediately stepped forward, his tone rather impatient. "Then when can we go in?"

"After dark. Await instructions!"

"What?!"

Hui raised his voice so that everyone behind him could hear.

"We're already at our own doorstep, and the Hokage actually won't let us back because he's afraid we'll disturb the villagers? What is the meaning of this? Are we not people of Konoha?"

A single remark stirred a thousand waves. With Hui Uchiha speaking up, everyone immediately began venting their dissatisfaction.

"Exactly! What gives them the right? We fought life-and-death out there to protect Konoha, and now you actually want to block us at the gate—are we not people of Konoha anymore?"

"Bastards! Get out of the way, let us in!"

"Damn it, the Hokage would never give such an order—you must be fakes!"

Everyone felt their anger blazing. They had already reached the entrance, their emotions fully stoked, and now they weren't being allowed in? What a joke! "Hmph, what are you trying to do? This is the Hokage's order—do you intend to betray the Village?"

The three were unmoved, even drawing their short swords and glaring at the crowd.

The Hokage's men felt their chests sink, nameless fury surging, chakra mobilizing—for a moment gales whipped up and killing intent filled the air, yet no one dared to strike first.

"Shut up!"

Hui's eyes changed, three tomoe staring fixedly at the three of them. "We've been fighting for Konoha out in the field all this time, and you dare call us rogue ninja? How could the Third possibly issue such an order? Produce the written order at once, or else let's see who the real rogue ninja are!"

"This is an order given directly by the Hokage himself. Shisui Uchiha, carry it out immediately!"

Seeing Hui demand the written order, the three showed a change in emotion for the first time.

"Brother Hui is right; please, the three of you, produce the Hokage's hand order, or else the crowd will be incited, and I would find it difficult to suppress them."

The three exchanged glances, gripping their swords tighter, yet none dared to act; not only would they ruin the affair, but hundreds of ninja stared at them intently, and if not for the masks on their faces they would have been killed long ago.

For a moment both sides were locked in a stalemate; Hui let out a cold snort, his aura suddenly soaring, and behind him pair after pair of Copy Wheel Eyes sprang open. With their power, once they moved, the three would die here in an instant.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a footstep slowly approached.

Shisui lowered his eyes slightly, looking at the three to fully confirm what he thought.

"Uchiha, do you intend to betray the Leaf Village?"

A cold voice came from all around, and a figure strolled forward, holding a cane, his body wrapped in bandages; the gloomy aura instantly caught the attention of Sima Yi, who was hiding in the crowd.

Swoosh—swoosh—swoosh— almost the instant the opponent appeared, dozens of masked ninja emerged around them.

The atmosphere grew even more stagnant, filled with a murderous aura.

So it is indeed Root, then?

Confirming his suspicion, Shisui's expression remained calm as he stepped forward to bow before the opponent.

"I have met Lord Danzo!"

(End of chapter)