Chapter 37: Today No Assignments【Vote Please】

Shisui's tone was icy, the three tomoe turned slowly, his expression was calm as water yet concealed raging waves, as if he would draw his blade to kill in the next instant.

Sima Yi was surprised; it was still his first time seeing Shisui act so erratically, but fortunately Shisui retained some reason, and the murderous intent had not affected him.

Jin Huo crouched on the ground, confronting the terrifying murderous intent that made his breath nearly freeze.

After years on the battlefield, he had never faced such a powerful opponent.

"Yes, the Village and the clan's relief funds were not fully distributed; Grandma Qianxia only received four hundred thousand taels, which is insufficient to help Ying Shu continue his cultivation, so he had to sew cloth shoes for sale to make a living."

Shisui closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

After a long while, he steadied his breath and looked toward Sima Yi opposite him.

Sima Yi, aside from being somewhat surprised by Shisui's lapse, remained calm at all other times, and even hearing this news did not stir him at all.

"My intention in recruiting servants is to aid those clan members in difficult circumstances; since he meets the criteria, let him come with you tomorrow."

The murderous intent dissipated, allowing Jin Huo to breathe, and Shisui's assent let the weight in his heart finally lift.

"Thank you, Lord Shisui. Ying Shu and I will protect this place for you, in the name of the Uchiha."

Jin Huo's expression was moved, his eyes slightly moist.

"Then we entrust the safety of this household to you from now on." Shisui's expression softened again, as if nothing had happened, and his soft words further stirred Jin Huo.

"Yes!"

After Jin Huo left, Xuehua and Meihua stepped back to prepare a bath for Shisui.

"Grandfather."

Only two remained in the hall; Shisui's voice became hoarse, barely concealing his inner sorrow.

He bowed his head, and tears striking the back of his hand brought a faint warmth.

He was angry, in pain, guilty, and also filled with murderous intent and grievance; he could not understand why it had come to this. Sima Yi rose, approached Shisui, stroked his short hair and sighed lightly: "You may cry; I will be here to ease your worries, but when they cry, who can they turn to?"

A light sigh, like a steel blade, pierced Shisui's heart, making him hard to control himself.

He bowed his head, his body trembling slightly, and only after a long time did he calm down.

"Grandfather, you're right; they have nowhere to lament, I must become their support!"

He had not realized that those he longed to protect, those who followed him to guard the Village, had all been ignored by him.

"Only the virtuous and moral can win over others."

Sima Yi gently stroked his long beard, rose, let out a light sigh, and turned to leave.

"Today there are no assignments; rest well."

"No assignments?" Shisui watched Sima Yi's departing back, his fist clenched.

He truly felt the other's well‑meaning intentions; for things he had not seen with his own eyes, he always harbored unrealistic fantasies.

He treats the Third the same way, and the Uchiha likewise.

"Lord Shisui, the bathwater is ready; please bathe."

While pondering, Xuehua and Meihua walked slowly, quietly kneeling outside the gate.

Shisui rose and did not refuse.

Late night, Root camp.

Danzo stared at this year's financial report and the notice of next year's budget cuts obtained from the Third, becoming furious.

"Damned it, without Root how can we suppress the Uchiha? Without Root who will protect the Village!"

The underground chamber was silent; his roar received no response.

After a long while, he tore up the report, then as usual perused various experiment reports and the surveillance results on the Uchiha clan.

Suddenly, a familiar name appeared in his view.

"Uchiha Shisui today recruited some servants?"

With Uchiha Shisui's reputation and standing, he could naturally recruit servants, but Danzo lowered his eyes as he looked at the report in his hand.

"All these years he's been alone; why suddenly recruit servants? Investigate what change has occurred around him." For a dangerous figure like Uchiha Shisui, any slight movement would alert him.

The order was given, and a figure vanished silently.

In just a few minutes, an intelligence report reached Danzo's hands.

'Uchiha Yi, fifty‑two years old, genin, has not awakened the Copy Wheel Eye.

Never married, childless, has lived alone for years; only Uchiha Yizheng is his former comrade, and they occasionally meet.

He participated in the Second and Third Ninja World Wars, surviving both safely.

His house was blown down by wind; now he temporarily resides in Uchiha Shisui's home.

The intel also included a photo of Uchiha Yi; a single glance made Danzo feel vaguely uneasy.

"Hmph, he's just a genin, and in his fifties hasn't awakened the Copy Wheel Eye; seems like a strange‑looking useless person. Yet he survived two ninja wars; Uchiha are truly scheming scoundrels!"

Saying that, Danzo tossed the intel on Uchiha Yi aside and ordered, "Keep an eye on Uchiha Shisui and that old thing; if they make any move, inform me immediately."

Thinking of his speculation, Danzo's mouth curled into a sly grin.

"Yes!"

The next day, Shisui, still feeling unwell, donned armor under the care of the Snow sisters.

"Grandfather, I'm leaving now."

After breakfast, Shisui called out a greeting and left.

The ANBU's duties have been increasing lately; even at noon he could not return.

Sima Yi had no objection, but Jin Huo and Ying Shu, who arrived early, felt regretful.

"We can only see Lord Shisui at night; how unfortunate!"

"I haven't had a chance to thank Lord Shisui in person! I'll regret it for life!"

Listening to their exaggerated talk, Sima Yi quickly interjected, "Jin Huo, assign personnel to patrol; you two can take turns training in the back garden, where you'll find what you need."

Jin Huo and Ying Shu are both still young, and they have already awakened the Copy Wheel Eye; Sima Yi intends to cultivate them.

The two, grateful at hearing this, immediately half‑kneel and bow, replying, "Yes! Grandpa Yi!"

In their hearts they know that, although it was Shisui who ultimately decided to keep Ying Shu, without the other's help they would have had no chance.

Sima Yi nods, returns to his study, and everything runs smoothly until noon, when an uninvited guest arrives at the mansion.

"Stop!"

Outside the courtyard gate, Jin Huo fixes his face and sternly shouts at the somewhat familiar clan member before him.

The newcomer, seeing Jin Huo, is not surprised; he pulls a letter from his bosom and says, "This is a handwritten letter from the Grand Elder; please deliver it to Lord Shisui."

Having said that, he hands the letter to Jin Huo and then vanishes in an instant.

"Eh? Wait… a moment."

Jin Huo raises his hand, but the person has already left, so he can only take the letter to the study.

"Grandpa Yi, just now the Grand Elder sent someone with this letter, saying it should be given to Lord Shisui."

"The Grand Elder's letter?"

Sima Yi's eyes flicker slightly; after taking the letter he does not read it, but places it aside.

In a calm tone he orders, "Since it's for Shisui, leave it here and wait for him to return. From now on, remember to assign staff to keep watch over the study at all times and prevent others from entering."

"Don't worry, Grandpa Yi, I'll keep an eye on this place!"

"Hmm, go down then."

"Yes!"

After Jin Huo departs, Sima Yi looks at the envelope on the desk and ponders for a moment, "Looks like something's happened."

(End of chapter)