Chapter 58: Probe

Just as the two had expected, the next day Itachi brought the news.

"The clan elders arrived at the house early in the morning to quarrel, but I haven't heard what they were arguing about yet; mother told me to go out and find Shisui brother to train together."

Shisui brushed Itachi's short hair, took the pre‑bought tricolor dumplings from the table, and said, "Don't worry, the clan head and I will handle it. Eat these, and later you and Jin Huo can go to the back yard to cultivate first, okay?"

Itachi took the dumplings, nodded obediently, but he knew that what could make those clan elders all argue at the house was certainly no small matter.

After Itachi left, Shisui frowned and asked, "The Great Elder's people are always radical; this time they might again propose a Coup. Grandfather, do you think the Third can keep the Great Elder and his followers in check?"

"No need to worry; a Coup isn't something that can be achieved just by opening one's mouth. Their actions are too large, there are many watchers near the clan lands, and the Third must already be aware of the response here."

Sima Yi didn't answer immediately; instead, he offered Shisui a bit of analysis.

"Well, everyone knows about the surveillance outside the clan lands, yet even so, weren't they discussing taking action last time?"

"The circumstances are different; we can't treat them all the same."

Moreover, your temperament as clan head seems somewhat weak; you and the Second Elder would not agree to a Coup, especially knowing it cannot succeed.

Furthermore, regarding the outcome of this meeting, the budget has still risen, and the Nine-Tails issue makes most clan members reluctant to speak up. If the Third is willing to showcase Konoha's strength now and grant some extra benefits, soothing them won't be hard.

Shisui suddenly understood, thought for a moment, and asked, "Is this the same principle as the carrot‑and‑stick approach you mentioned before, Grandfather?"

"That's right, but those in the clan who want a Coup have shaky positions; they themselves don't even know what they should do, which is dangerous!"

Sima Yi was shocked by these people's actions; when they are less powerful than the opponent, it's one thing to hide dishonestly, but they actually dare to make bold moves under the enemy's gaze to draw attention.

They even brazenly discuss the Coup; the worst part is that the news can't be sealed, and the other side knows everything before any action is taken.

They've practically done everything that a Coup fears most.

"This."

Hearing Sima Yi say that, Shisui felt rather awkward; even his previous goal was only to make everyone understand the Uchiha, to let Konoha and the Uchiha coexist, but he wasn't clear on how to achieve it, nor did he have any explicit demands.

"Regardless, since the clan can still hold steady for now, I plan to use this chance to reconnect with my former subordinates to monitor news outside the clan lands, lest those aides spread more rumors harmful to the Uchiha again."

Shisui came up with a suggestion, but Sima Yi rejected it again.

"At present it is indeed a good time to act, but it's better not to contact those subordinates outside the clan for now."

"Eh? Why?"

"Most of your former subordinates still lean toward Konoha; going to them directly carries a risk of exposure, and such a thing must never be done!"

Shisui still remembered what Sima Yi was like before, and the subordinates he presented were ones Sima Yi could never trust.

Shisui's hair turned black with frustration; he lifted his head, somewhat indignant, for those people were trustworthy comrades on the battlefield! Yet meeting Sima Yi's steady gaze, he began to doubt, and after looking down at his past, he helplessly realized those people indeed leaned more toward Konoha.

"Then the intelligence outside the clan lands?"

"Why limit your own perspective? Konoha has so many people; there are plenty of impoverished genin, and many ordinary folks struggling for basic needs. Do they not also have Konoha in their hearts? Do they also believe in the Will of Fire?"

"It's just passing along some information; a few words that can earn profit—how many would refuse?"

"Moreover, even Chunin or Jonin, don't they have desires? Money, jutsu—if they want something, why worry about not being able to command them?" Shisui, shocked, recalling the previous incident, looked at Sima Yi uncertainly and asked, "Could it be you, Grandfather?"

Sima Yi chuckled lightly, "You still underestimate the Uchiha's power. With that money of yours helping, the intelligence network is progressing smoothly, though it's not yet complete."

"But regarding news inside and outside the clan lands, as long as it's not top‑secret, we can usually obtain it, and later we can rely on them to sway public opinion."

For Sima Yi this is no big deal, but for Shisui it felt like a revelation, as if his mind had opened, and he admired him even more, "With Grandfather here, I feel a lot lighter."

"Hahaha, you're not at the point of relaxation yet; in a few days it'll be the New Year. Around the year‑end we must do our best to win people's hearts, whether it's the Great Elder's line or the Second Elder's, we will have to rely on you to strive for them!"

Shisui felt uneasy, "It's easy with the others, but the Second Elder and the Great Elder have very different, stubborn personalities; I fear they are hard to persuade."

Sima Yi was unconcerned, "People always have demands. Those who want peace get promises of peace; those who want status get promises of status. Now the clan head is amid turmoil, his prestige diminished, making it increasingly hard to subdue the clan. Seizing an excuse to step in now has a high chance of success."

"As for whether those promises can be kept, that's a matter for later; first, secure the clan head position."

"Promise peace for peace, promise status for status?"

Shisui frowned, pondering the sentence, and suddenly recalled the scenes where the Third constantly made promises to them, a feeling he couldn't quite describe.

"Isn't this exactly what Konoha's higher‑ups often do? Though they've never actually fulfilled them."

"Besides a few clan elders, I'll have Hui approach the four captains of the Guard Division; as for the rest within the clan, I've already made arrangements, awaiting the annual meeting to bestow generous favors."

"Grandfather."

Shisui was moved, opened his mouth, not knowing what to praise, and could only say, "Thank you, Grandfather!"

"No need for that; small favors only merit temporary gratitude; we still need lasting benefits, and that still requires you to fight for personally."

"From where to fight for it?"

"The Third!"

Shisui's eyes flickered slightly, thoughtful; the two talked until noon, until mealtime.

He left Itachi behind, and the three ate lunch together. Halfway through, Shisui recalled Sima Yi's suggestion, and, with Xuehua and a few others screened back under Sima Yi's watchful eye, asked directly, "Itachi, do you think that if we change the clan head, we could lead the clan out of this crisis?"

"Hm?" Sima Yi raised an eyebrow, immediately looking at Shisui; he knew this was a deliberate test, but the test was rather obvious.

A heaviness settled in his heart, his gaze shifted sharply; he lowered his hand slowly, and runes silently spread from beneath him, countless hidden runes in the courtyard resonating faintly.

"Shisui brother, do you think father did a bad job?"

Itachi blinked slightly, set down his chopsticks, sat upright, and asked curiously.

"No, I just think Lord Fugaku finds being clan head quite arduous, and he doesn't seem adept at handling these matters; making him clan head wastes Fugaku's talent."

Itachi, seeing Shisui's serious expression, smiled faintly, didn't hesitate, nodded, and said, "If anyone can help the Uchiha, I believe that person is definitely Shisui brother!"

I spent the whole day researching Japanese mythology, setting some parameters for the Kaleidoscope's ability, though I'm not sure if they're appropriate.

(End of Chapter)