Chapter 69: Caught in a Dilemma

Sima Yi knew a bit about the divination arts of his past life, but the ninja world's divination he had only seen in some miscellaneous books, so he could only claim a slight understanding.

Itachi led Sasuke in first, and after paying respects to the River God, quickly obtained two spirit lots from Fugaku.

Sima Yi and Shisui followed closely behind, entering in turn.

When it was Shisui's turn to enter the main hall, he happened to see Fugaku secretly slipping paper balls into the lot tube.

The two exchanged a glance; Fugaku's expression froze, then he straightened up, his face stern as if nothing had happened.

Shisui twitched his mouth corner, trying to control his expression; after paying respects to the River God and receiving his spirit lot, he dared not linger, gave a quick greeting and left swiftly.

"Shisui bro, what did you draw?" As Shisui just left the hall, Itachi, clutching a slip of paper, walked up and asked curiously.

"This year is 'Eleven,' what about you, Itachi?" Shisui smiled, spread out his spirit lot, which prominently bore the character eleven.

"I got 'Fifty‑eight,' and Sasuke's is 'One.'"

The two looked at each other, then wore puzzled expressions, because they had no idea what the numbers meant; after all the draws differ each year, and to understand their significance they would need to consult a specialist.

"Grandpa, what did you draw?"

Shisui stared for a while without seeing anything, then hurried over to Sima Yi and asked.

Sima Yi spread out his spirit lot before Shisui's eyes, showing the characters 'Forty‑seven.'

"What does all this mean? Can't it just be written plainly?" Shisui scratched his head, complaining.

"Forty‑seven signifies blessings, prosperity and official luck, and also the saying of a late bloomer; though not precise, it's somewhat related."

Sima Yi suddenly offered an explanation, and Shisui, with a strange expression, asked, "Grandpa even knows this?"

Sima Yi stroked his beard and laughed lightly, "Hahaha, a slight understanding."

"Impressive! What about mine and Itachi's?" Shisui, a bit excited, asked eagerly.

"Eleven represents good luck, a flourishing family, smooth career—considered great auspice; as for fifty‑eight…"

Sima Yi paused mid‑sentence, looked at Itachi and explained, "Fifty‑eight denotes a dilemma, meaning you're caught between a rock and a hard place; it's inauspicious."

Shisui's complexion changed, and he immediately turned to Itachi, who simply tilted his head and met Shisui's gaze calmly.

"Grandpa Yi, is Sasuke's 'One' a great auspice?"

Itachi didn't care about his own spirit lot; instead he lifted Sasuke's and asked.

"One means success and good fortune; his whole life will be smooth, it's a great auspice."

Sima Yi nodded, confirming Itachi's guess; Itachi's face brightened, and he turned to Sasuke, saying, "How nice~"

Seeing Itachi's smile, Shisui exhaled in relief yet felt a pang of guilt.

"A dilemma? 'Dad and Mom might not return until noon today; can Sasuke and I go to Shisui's place?'"

While pondering, Itachi suddenly spoke, pulling Shisui back to reality; Shisui smiled warmly, replying, "You're always welcome; hang the spirit lots on the tree and we'll head back."

Itachi smiled, nodded in agreement, casually hung his own, then tiptoed to hang Sasuke's spirit lot above it.

All this fell into Sima Yi's sight; his eyes flickered slightly as he noted it silently.

Not long after the four left, two more figures approached—the Uchiha Righteous Governance and his son Wise.

The two entered the main hall to pay respects to the River God; then Righteous Governance signaled Fugaku, swung a bamboo stick violently, and shouted, "Marriage, marriage!"

The shout made Hui instinctively step back; he looked at his father with a helpless expression.

Only when a paper ball flew out did Righteous Governance stop; he spread his spirit lot and asked Fugaku, "The number is so small; it should be great auspice, right?"

Fugaku, maintaining a solemn face, shook his head lightly without answering; he was only a part‑timer, how could he know the meaning of these spirit lots?

Hui raised an eyebrow and stepped forward to look.

"Three?"

At noon, Yu Zhibo Qianxia and Xuehua and others, having rushed back from Nanhe Shenshe, ended their vacation and returned to Shisui's house to prepare a sumptuous lunch for everyone. This made the Shisui who had just been ready to show off feel both regretful and relieved.

Later, prompted by Sima Yi, he gave everyone a big red envelope, including Itachi and Sasuke.

"I'm full, thank you for the hospitality."

Itachi set down his chopsticks, clasped his hands together, then lifted the liquid food that Yu Zhibo Qianxia and the others had prepared for Sasuke, feeding Sasuke attentively like an adult.

It really is hard work. No matter how many times he sees this scene, Shisui can't help but feel moved.

"Itachi, Clan Leader Fugaku and Aunt Beautiful Jade should be back soon; later I'll go back with you. On the first day of the new year I'd like to visit your house."

Itachi looked up at Shisui upon hearing this, and without hesitation nodded, "Yeah, Dad and Mom will probably be very happy to see you, Shisui."

Sima Yi remained silent throughout their conversation, and only after the meal did he advise, "If there are other places to visit, don't delay too long."

"Alright!"

Shisui nodded in response, then took the prepared gifts and headed back together with the two brothers, Itachi and Sasuke.

At Itachi's home, Fugaku and the other had just returned, and Beautiful Jade entered the kitchen to prepare lunch.

"Dad, Mom, I'm back."

Itachi, carrying Sasuke, entered the living room first; Fugaku turned his head, looked past the two, and saw Shisui behind them.

"Clan Leader Fugaku, Happy New Year."

"Hmm, Happy New Year, Shisui, thanks for handling Itachi's matters."

After a brief greeting, Shisui set down the gift box and exchanged a few words with Fugaku, while Itachi, carrying Sasuke, went to the kitchen.

Beautiful Jade, seeing the two, approached with a gentle expression, and immediately spotted a red envelope in Sasuke's collar.

"What's this?"

"This is from Shisui, and I also have one here."

Facing his mother's curiosity, Itachi naturally produced the red envelope and explained; both envelopes were hefty, and Beautiful Jade could tell just by holding them that each contained at least fifty thousand taels.

"I see, but it's not good for kids to have too much money. I'll keep the red envelopes for now, and when you're grown, I'll give them back to you, okay?"

"Hmm, thank you, Mom."

Itachi

Mei Qin still had to be busy, Itachi handed over a red envelope and then took Sasuke back to the living room, only to find that Fugaku was the sole person left there.

"Has Shisui already left?"

"Hmm, he still has to visit other elders."

Fugaku's tone was flat, but his gaze lingered on the gift box Shisui had sent, revealing a hint of oddness.

Shisui, that kid, when did he learn this sort of thing?

On the other side, after Shisui left Fugaku's house, he went on to visit several elders separately.

The Second Elder and others were very hospitable to him, but the Grand Elder, although he took the gift, wouldn't even let him step inside.

"The Grand Elder shouldn't be malicious, right?"

Holding the gift box, Shisui came to the outskirts of the Sarutobi Clan, recalling the earlier scene of being denied entry, and muttered to himself.

"Lord Shisui, the Third Generation Elder invites you in."

Seven thousand, I think. I've pushed past my limits; my eyes feel like they're about to explode. This chapter got a bit fuzzy; I need to get some sleep and read it again tomorrow. Any issues will be fixed tomorrow.

I'm asleep, really asleep! (End of chapter)