Chapter 32: Historical Records and Documents

Early the next morning, Shisui brought over books concerning the clan's past from Clan Head Fugaku.

"Oh? There are actually this many. The Uchiha clan does have some merits."

Looking at the clan histories piled before him, Sima Yi was somewhat surprised.

Even someone as studious as Shisui did not read the clan histories; under such an atmosphere, the Uchiha clan still had this many records.

"Hehe~"

Shisui gave an honest smile—it was the first time he had heard Sima Yi so earnestly praise the Uchiha clan.

But soon Sima Yi regretted it.

He casually picked up a book and began flipping through it, only to see: "Today I took an assassination mission. I never expected the target had hired someone from the Senju clan for protection. I was no match and fled in defeat.

This is a disgrace to the Uchiha clan. I will certainly go back and summon my clansmen to strike again!"

"Today I called over the clan elders to act together. The Senju clan members were no match as expected. We successfully killed the mission target, but unfortunately let the Senju people get away.

Hmph, mere ants daring to oppose my Uchiha clan. Consider yourselves lucky you ran fast."

"Today I'm not in a good mood. During the mission I ran into that Senju again. This time he also called in his clan elders. Damn it, the evil Senju clan!"

Sima Yi expressionlessly flipped page after page, moving faster and faster, then refused to believe it and switched to one book after another.

"Today the clan grounds were attacked. The Uzumaki clan actually dared to ambush us together with the Senju clan. Fortunately the clan head returned to the clan grounds in time. Damn Senju and Uzumaki, sooner or later I'll wipe you out."

"Today..."

After a long while, Sima Yi set down the book and sighed.

This is history? No chronological records, no detailed biographies, not even many important events—apart from a very small portion, it was all trivial matters.

Even the records of major events concerning the clan's survival were not detailed—only simple notes of winning or losing, followed by lengthy tirades of curses.

Even how many skips a stone made across water had to be written in. What use was reading such a clan history?

"If a name had been left behind, I would certainly have him given eighty strokes of the cane!"

Shisui shrank his neck, slowly lowered his head, and dared not ask further.

Having said that, Sima Yi sighed again. "Never mind, having something is better than nothing. I'll spend these few days here reviewing the books. Help me find the records concerning each clan and the documents from when Konoha was founded, as detailed as possible. I need to understand more."

"Alright, Grandfather. Then I'll go do my shift at the Third Hokage's place first. If there's anything else you need, you can tell me when I come back tonight."

"Go. Be careful in all things, and do not arouse suspicion."

"Yes."

After Shisui left, Sima Yi set out brush and ink and glanced again at the piled books. "These books are useless as they are. It seems I must reorganize them myself."

The greatest purpose of reading history is to draw lessons and avoid repeating past mistakes, but clearly the Uchiha clan had no such awareness.

The same mistakes could be repeated endlessly; a thousand years of inheritance had only enriched their martial prowess.

Sima Yi flipped through one clan history after another, finding the names of clan heads from one era after another in scattered fragments, reorganizing and ordering them, selecting important deeds from the chaotic records to enrich and analyze.

But such work was undoubtedly tedious. In the days that followed, Sima Yi read books and revised history during the day, lectured Shisui after he got off duty in the evening, studied sealing arts at night, and occasionally had to find time to teach Hui as well.

Busy days always passed quickly. After seven straight days, Sima Yi barely completed his preliminary preparations.

That evening, Shisui returned bringing dinner. Looking at the history book personally written by Sima Yi before him, he could not help but marvel.

"Grandfather, is the book already compiled?"

"This is only an outline. The detailed content has not yet been started, and there are still some secrets concerning the Uchiha clan that have not been recorded in it."

Shisui nodded and carefully opened it, reading it closely.

"Uchiha Nagamasa, Year Seven: The Senju clan repeatedly violated the borders and harassed the mines. The clan head personally led two hundred clan soldiers and triumphed in battle."

"Uchiha Nagamasa? Year Seven?"

This name Shisui had never even heard of, and what happened in the seventh year of that person's tenure as clan head was even less possible for Shisui to know. But Shisui had always rarely understood the clan's history and did not mind.

"Uchiha Nagamasa, Year Twelve: The Senju clan repeatedly obstructed the clan's missions. The lord was enraged and mobilized all clan soldiers to attack. The Uzumaki were despicable and seized the opportunity to ambush. The clan suffered heavy losses. Though time passed, none dared to move out in full force."

"Hm?"

Having only read to the second passage, Shisui asked curiously, "Grandfather, why does it jump from Year Seven straight to Year Twelve? What about the years in between?"

Sima Yi stopped his brush, glanced at the book on the floor, his face full of helplessness. "It's already remarkable that names could be found at all.

They all speak of the Uchiha's thousand-year inheritance, yet even cobbled together, the records in these books don't span a full century. Who knows how many gaps there are in between."

Shisui smiled awkwardly, then set the book down and unrolled a scroll.

With a bang, after a wisp of white smoke, another large pile of books appeared.

"Grandfather, these are the records concerning each clan that you asked for, and the documents the Second Hokage originally drafted for each department are all here. Additionally, I've already asked someone to go to the capital for the histories of each country. They should be delivered soon."

"Not bad. Set them aside for now. I'll sort through them slowly tomorrow."

Saying that, Sima Yi took the dinner Shisui had prepared. "These past few days I've been so busy compiling the book that I forgot to hire some servants."

"Grandfather can decide these matters. Oh, and here is the money I've saved over the years. I'll leave it in your keeping too."

Shisui pulled out another scroll and handed it to Sima Yi.

Sima Yi did not refuse. Whether it was compiling books, hiring servants, or subsequent actions and running the household, all required money.

"Tomorrow you can take the book to find some clan elders to identify. Perhaps they know something."

The framework was already complete. Once he roughly determined the order of these clan heads, he could continue refining the content.

As for the lack of historical material to fill in the gaps, that was even less of a problem.

If it didn't exist here, would it not exist elsewhere? Changing a name and putting on a new skin was of no psychological burden to Sima Yi whatsoever.

"Alright. Then, Grandfather, have something to eat and rest early."

Knowing Sima Yi was very busy, Shisui did not pester him to continue the lecture. Instead, he helped tidy up the desk and then left.

Another three days passed. Sima Yi finally freed up his hands and temporarily set the book compilation aside, turning instead to the documents left from Konoha's founding.

A full five two-hour periods passed, from morning to afternoon.

After he set down the final document, he fell silent. It was not until Shisui pushed open the door and entered that he slowly raised his head.

Grandfather?

Shisui lifted the dishes, was taken aback, and Sima Yi always seems to have this expression whenever he encounters something bizarre.

You came at the right time. Have you seen these documents—documents related to the Uchiha?

Shisui shook his head.

Has anyone in the clan seen them?

Shisui thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Have you ever learned about the detailed jurisdiction of the Police Department?

Shisui continued to shake his head.

Not knowing any of the answers, Sima Yi took a deep breath, stood up, took the dishes, and said expressionlessly, "You read here; when you're finished, you may leave!"

Having said that, he turned and left without looking back, leaving Shisui standing dumbfounded.

After a long while, Shisui finally widened his eyes.

Eh?

I slept through the afternoon today; when I woke up, my whole body felt limp, as if a ghost were pressing me down, yet it was oddly comfortable. I wonder if any of you have felt the same, hehe~ (End of chapter)