Chapter 25: Probing

Hokage Building.

"Rizhan, you saw that! That is the Uchiha's attitude. That old thing agitating for a Coup within the Uchiha clan grounds on ordinary days is one thing, but now he's openly laid hands on my men. That old villain's ambitions are laid bare!"

Danzo had a belly full of anger. His subordinates had been beaten, his face lost, and after returning from outside he could no longer suppress it, cursing incessantly.

Rizhan Sarutobi of the Sarutobi Clan, the serving Third Hokage, sat at his desk with a pipe in his mouth. He frowned, eyes tightly shut, seemingly pondering something.

"Rizhan, Danzo is right this time. The Uchiha truly are becoming increasingly difficult to suppress. Today he actually dared to mobilize so many men on his own authority, and even dared to incite the civilians. If this goes on, where will it end?"

Koharu Utatane also spoke up in support. The gathering of villagers had bypassed them, the assistants—it was as if they weren't taken seriously at all.

Rizhan Sarutobi remained calm throughout, saying nothing.

"And then there's Shisui Uchiha. We've all seen Nara Suzaku's report. There must be something wrong with that matter. Those evil Uchiha—perhaps they've already reached an arrangement with the Hidden Mist."

Danzo's expression grew increasingly dark. A flash of ruthlessness passed through his one visible eye.

"We absolutely cannot let those people return to the Leaf peacefully. Rizhan, hand him over to me. I must conduct an investigation!"

Hearing this, Koharu Utatane glanced at Danzo, and after a moment's hesitation still spoke up in agreement: "Indeed. Shisui Uchiha is highly suspect in that matter. We must summon him and question him thoroughly!"

Seeing this, Rizhan Sarutobi was silent no longer. He sighed and said, "Shisui will not betray the Village. I will personally look into that matter. Let us not stir up further trouble in the coming days."

"Shisui Uchiha today shielded his clansmen who questioned the Hokage's orders. Does that still not prove he has a problem?"

"I will handle it, but Shisui cannot be handed over to you."

"He's just one Uchiha!"

"I trust him."

"Rizhan!"

"Enough, Danzo. I am the Hokage!"

"You! Rizhan, you will regret this!"

Danzo, furious, flicked his sleeves and slammed the door as he left. Koharu Utatane's eyes shifted, and she immediately said, "Rizhan, don't be angry. Danzo is also doing it for the Village.

Besides, it's only one Shisui Uchiha. Why let him affect the Village's stability?"

Rizhan Sarutobi didn't even lift his head, only saying, "The shinobi forces from various regions will be returning soon. The hospital must be kept under control. Don't let any trouble arise."

Koharu Utatane's heart stirred, and she said in a low voice, "Rest assured, Rizhan. I will make the arrangements."

With that, she argued no further and turned to leave.

Sigh~ Rizhan Sarutobi exhaled. He tapped his pipe against the desk, and after a moment said, "Let Shisui come in."

"Yes!"

A voice came from outside. In no time at all, Shisui entered the hall and knelt on one knee in a bow.

"Lord Third!"

"It's been a while, Shisui. You've become even more dependable."

Smoke drifted before Rizhan Sarutobi. His expression was very gentle, and he looked at Shisui as if looking at his own grandson.

Shisui was moved, his expression emotional yet forcibly suppressed. "No, everything is under Lord Third's guidance. Everything is for the Leaf!"

"You heard the conversation just now, didn't you?" Rizhan Sarutobi sighed softly, his expression somewhat helpless.

Shisui lowered his head, fists clenched, deeply unwilling.

"The conflict between the Village and the Uchiha grows ever greater. I don't know how much longer I can hold on. What will become of the Uchiha's future?"

"Lord Third, please give me a little more time. I will certainly persuade the clan head and the others. I will certainly stop that kind of thing from happening!"

Shisui's expression was intense. The sight of him fighting so hard fell into Rizhan Sarutobi's eyes.

"I will buy you time, but the Great Elder's actions today make it difficult for others to believe in you. I need an excuse." Shisui frowned, seemingly hesitating, and after a moment confessed, "I'm sorry, Lord Third. It was my mistake."

"Oh?"

Rizhan Sarutobi's eyes shifted, but he still maintained a relatively relaxed posture.

"Yesterday, Hui Uchiha, homesick at heart, left the camp without permission and only returned early the next morning. I had thought he was just taking a walk nearby to clear his head and didn't ask further. Looking at it now..."

"Hahaha, lift your head, Shisui. This has nothing to do with you. You've been on the battlefield for so long—missing home is understandable.

Today's incident actually isn't a big deal. Danzo and the others just didn't want you to disturb the merchants doing business on the outskirts. After years of war and with the Nine-Tails incident before that, the Leaf today needs these people's support."

Rizhan Sarutobi's expression changed again, sighing repeatedly, looking very much like an old man crushed by the weight of the world.

At the mention of the Nine-Tails, Shisui's eyes dimmed, and he lowered his head again in shame.

"It is my incompetence as a subordinate!"

Seeing this, Rizhan Sarutobi rose and came before Shisui, lifting him to his feet. "The future of the Uchiha and the Leaf is in your hands. Don't let me down. I will do my best to help you."

"As for Hui Uchiha, although he leaked military secrets, considering he has fought for the Leaf for many years, let it pass this time. When you go back, give him a good talking-to. Make sure he doesn't offend again."

"Thank you... for your trust, Lord Third. I will instruct Hui Uchiha. No—I will make him remember Lord Third's forbearance!"

Shisui choked up, the Copy Wheel Eye manifesting, quite agitated.

"Hahaha, that's too exaggerated. Go on, get some good rest."

Shisui left. Rizhan Sarutobi returned to his desk and sat down. Just as Sima Yi had predicted, he never once mentioned the matter of Rito Utatane—such a thing was far too insignificant to him.

He looked out the window, thinking quietly. After multiple rounds of probing, he was certain that Shisui Uchiha was still worthy of trust.

As long as the Uchiha's greatest fighting strength still stood on his side, the Uchiha could always be managed, and was nothing to worry about.

And what about Shisui?

He dried his tears, erased all traces, and returned to the clan grounds.

It was already late at night. As always, as after every mission, he returned alone to this empty courtyard, ate simple dry rations, performed a simple wash, and then fell into a deep sleep.

Creak— The next day, the courtyard gate stirred slightly. Shisui leapt up, snapped his eyes open, drew his tachi, and looked toward the gate.

Through several doors, naturally, he could see nothing, but the familiar presence he sensed made his spirit lift.

Pushing open one door after another, Shisui ran into the courtyard without even stopping to put on his shoes.

"Teacher, what brings you here so early?"

It was the depths of winter; even though it was already six in the morning, the sky remained dark and heavy.

Sima Yi was wrapped in thick clothing, both hands holding a steaming porcelain pot.

"Hehe, it's not early anymore. I made some congee. I hear you usually eat nothing but dry rations at home — you're still at an age where you're growing, you can't keep going on like this."

When it came to the art of preserving health, Sima Yi had done his fair share of study. How could anyone's body endure eating dry rations every day? And with a failing body, how could one accomplish anything? Hadn't he alone outlasted who knows how many heroes and champions!

"Teacher."

Shisui's eyes were slightly red as he hurried forward over the cold gravel and took the porcelain pot from the other's hands.

"Let me take that, Teacher. Hurry inside — it's cold out here."

"If you know it's cold, why aren't you wearing shoes~"

"Ehehe~"

The two exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Greeting you in such haste that I put my shoes on back to front."

(End of this chapter)