Chapter 41: A Youth Who Early Knows the Taste of Sorrow

"Chakra is formed from the combination of spiritual energy and physical energy, and sealing techniques can target chakra — does that not mean sealing techniques can act upon spirit and flesh? If utilized, could they grant eternal life?"

In the study, Sima Yi looked at his recent research and murmured softly to himself, gazing at the scrolls spread across the desk before him, not looking away for a long time.

Eternal life! In years past, the First Emperor sent men to roam the four seas in pursuit of traces of immortal isles, seeking eternal life, yet in the end never attained the immortal arts.

Now he was already in another world; perhaps eternal life was not impossible? But he had been summoned, his life bound to Shisui — his death would not affect Shisui, yet if Shisui died, he would vanish along with him.

"Using the art of sealing to seek the method of eternal life..."

Sima Yi's heart stirred slightly, a dangerous thought flashing through his mind.

Knock knock knock— "Grandfather, can I come in?"

The door was knocked upon, and only then did Sima Yi return to his senses. He sighed and said softly, "Come in."

Shisui pushed the door open and entered, a sunny smile on his face. "Grandfather, I brought you some snacks — three-color dango, Itachi's favorite. Grandfather, hurry and try some."

Shisui held up a paper bag and brought it before Sima Yi, his eyes still carrying a trace of expectation.

"Hehe, then Grandfather will have a taste." Sima Yi casually picked up a skewer and bit off a little, but after a brief chew, he frowned.

Too sweet! Fortunately he had only tasted it lightly; after a sip of tea, he set the dango aside.

Seeing this, Shisui took the dango back and let out an awkward laugh. Though Sima Yi offered no comment, Shisui already knew the result.

He lowered his head, a bit puzzled. "But Itachi really likes them..." "People differ from one another; each has their own preferences."

Hearing this, Sima Yi chuckled softly, then asked, "Why did you come back so early today? Did things go smoothly?"

"You guessed it, Grandfather. The Third indeed agreed to the matter of the annual gathering. Not only that, the Third also intends to select ANBU candidates from within the Uchiha clan. Clan Leader Fugaku will surely be pleased when he finds out."

Shisui recalled the clan's reaction when he first entered the ANBU — even the ever-stern Fugaku had rarely broken into a smile.

"Unprovoked generosity may harbor future troubles."

Given the Konoha higher-ups' attitude toward the Uchiha, there was no reason to suddenly bestow benefits; such behavior was more like appeasement.

Sima Yi was no stranger to such tactics — where there was appeasement, there would surely be suppression in secret.

The Uchiha annual gathering could hardly be called suppression, so it had to be in other areas.

"Future troubles? Does the Third want to continue turning clan members against us?"

Shisui thought about it — the greatest danger of being in the ANBU was being misled by the higher-ups, just as he once had been.

"It's still too early to be certain, but you needn't worry too much. Respond to movement with stillness, and proceed step by step according to our plan."

"Alright. It's nearly noon — after lunch, I'll go to the clan leader's house first and tell him about this."

"That works."

After lunch, Shisui bid farewell to Sima Yi and arrived at Fugaku's residence, only to be informed by Uchiha Mikoto that something had happened at the Guard Department, and Fugaku had already left ahead of him.

"I see — then I'll go to the Guard Department to find the clan leader."

Shisui had no choice but to take his leave, but was stopped by Itachi. "Mom, I'll go with Brother Shisui."

Itachi had just finished lunch and, hearing the commotion, immediately came out to the corridor.

Mikoto looked at Shisui, and seeing him nod, agreed. Then she went back inside, fetched a lunch box, and handed it to Itachi, saying to Shisui, "I'll leave Itachi in your care."

"Yes."

Once outside the courtyard, Itachi puffed his cheeks and asked, "Didn't you say you'd come find me to train together? I haven't seen you in a really long time."

At the mention of this, Shisui couldn't help feeling a bit awkward. Every day after work, he went straight home to see his grandfather — how could he have remembered Itachi?

"Sorry, sorry, I've been really busy lately. Look, here, this is for you — don't be mad." Shisui casually reached into his robe and pulled out a paper bag.

"Three-color dango!"

Itachi's expression changed — his previously sulky face instantly broke into a smile as he happily took the bag.

"Thank you, Brother Shisui! Did you buy these specially for me? Mmm, so good~"

Though he had just finished eating, for Itachi, three-color dango went into a separate stomach.

"Uh, of, of course I bought them specially." Shisui gave a sheepish laugh, his gaze darting aside.

But Itachi was already enchanted by the sweet fragrance of the three-color dango and noticed nothing amiss.

After downing two skewers in a row, Itachi finally asked, "By the way, Brother Shisui, what business do you have with my father?"

"Nothing major — the clan wants to hold an annual gathering, and the clan leader asked for my opinion too. I have time now and wanted to discuss it with him."

The matter of the annual gathering would soon be known to the whole clan, so Shisui did not hide it.

Unexpectedly, Itachi frowned upon hearing this, and sorrow showed on his young face.

"Brother Shisui, you're also trying to stop the annual gathering, aren't you? The Village is already struggling so much, yet they want to hold this kind of meaningless event at a time like this — and it even affects you, Brother Shisui. What a narrow-minded bunch!"

Hmm? Shisui's heart jolted, and he studied Itachi carefully, seeing that his expression was serious, entirely unlike a six-year-old child.

He once again recalled the future of the Uchiha that he had seen that night.

Keeping his composure, Shisui asked casually, "How did you find out about this, Itachi?"

"It was the First Elder and the Second Elder's people. When their people came to the house to discuss with Dad, I was right there beside them."

This... with Fugaku's strength, could he really not have noticed Itachi's presence? Of course that was impossible — which could only mean that Fugaku was deliberately grooming Itachi.

He was only six! Shisui's mouth twitched slightly. How many times had he gotten a headache over this Fugaku already? Even Sima Yi, when instructing him to interact with Itachi, had cautioned: "Never speak constantly of troubles."

"Clan Leader Fugaku really is..."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Itachi looked up at Shisui, not understanding what that expression meant.

Helpless, Shisui patted Itachi's head and merely gave a soft chuckle.

A moment later, the two arrived at the Guard Department. By now, quite a crowd had already gathered around it.

There were Guard Corps members, ordinary villagers, ninja wearing forehead protectors, and ANBU members — pushing and shoving, seemingly arguing as well.

Sensing trouble, Shisui sent Itachi away and stepped forward alone to ask, "What happened?"

"It's Lord Shisui!"

"Shisui is here."

The crowd noticed Shisui and immediately parted to make way. Hui walked out from the guard unit and came to Shisui's side to explain: "At noon, two ninja got drunk and started causing trouble. Although we received word and rushed over quickly, that street was a bit remote. By the time we arrived, those two bastards had already made a mess of things."

Hui suddenly lowered his voice as he leaned close to Shisui's ear, "Five villagers were caught up in it. Three of them are already dead, and among the three, there was a child. The remaining two were seriously injured and sent to the hospital. The Third Generation already knows about this, and even Clan Leader Fugaku has been summoned for questioning."

"What?"

Shisui's expression changed. If it were just this incident alone, he would only feel regret. But at this moment, he could only think of Sima Yi's suspicions.

'Favors granted for no reason—fear the consequences to come!'

(Chapter end)