Chapter 72: Shisui: I Am Gradually Understanding Everything

Hui patted his chest, a self‑satisfied look on his face, and explained, "Uncle Sima Yi kept me watching the villagers' reactions, so I knew the news even before the first pilgrimage ceremony ended."

The next day, when I visited your house, Uncle Sima Yi saw you were busy and pulled me into the study. He told me to go back to the Police Department to spread the word while a few squad leaders were away, so I left in such a hurry that day.

I get along fine with everyone normally, so once I spoke, most people believed me. Then Uncle Sima Yi had people spread the news within the clan lands, and the two sides' reports cross‑verified each other, so the whole clan quickly learned about it.

"So you're saying Grandfather deliberately directed the resentment toward the Third Generation."

Shisui's eyes flickered, and he quickly caught on. He murmured, "Grandfather once asked me to lobby the Third Generation for the clan's benefit. Judging from the Third Generation's recent reactions, if the clan's resentment gets too high he'll likely make concessions. Could this be Grandfather creating an opening?!"

As Shisui spoke, his gaze grew brighter, as if he understood everything! "Ah? Um… is there? Is there?"

Hui scratched his head; as he listened to Shisui's analysis his mind went blank. He tried to recall Sima Yi's recent arrangements, sensing a vague connection but unable to grasp it clearly. After a moment he gave up and said, "Truly, Shisui lives up to his name!"

"Eh? Hehe~"

Shisui's face flushed; after the two exchanged a glance he asked, a little hesitant, "Shall we go back and ask Grandfather?"

"Then let's ask him."

Since they'd already seen what Sima Yi wanted them to know, Shisui and the other simply turned back home.

"Lobbying for the clan's benefit?"

In the study, after Sima Yi finished sorting internal and external clan reports, he remained steadfast, continuing his research on sealing techniques.

Seeing the two rush in to inquire, his gaze revealed a hint of oddity.

He saw the expectation in Shisui's eyes; although he never discourages others, regarding this matter he thought, "The timing isn't right—why undertake such a thankless, labor‑intensive task?"

Shisui paused, his expression puzzled, "But didn't Grandfather previously ask me to lobby for the clan's benefit? Now the clan's resentment is high; bringing it up with the Third Generation now might succeed."

Hui also nodded; on the way here he had been thinking and increasingly felt Shisui's words made sense.

"Acting with public opinion isn't about lobbying for benefit; it's a coup. Doing it this way will backfire."

Seeing their confusion, Sima Yi set the scroll aside and explained patiently, "Now you're relying on the trust of both sides. Neither the clan members nor the Third Generation constitute your base. You don't need to secure concrete benefits for either party; you only need to promise outreach, grant modest favors, and maintain trust."

"Only when you become clan head will the clan become your foundation; then you'll need to guarantee their interests."

Shisui nodded, a little dejected, "I understand. For now, I'll prioritize the Third Generation's trust."

The women's conversations and the sight of clan members scrambling back to the clan lands made Shisui feel uneasy.

Hui merely nodded; although these matters left him a bit resentful, he knew it was all Sima Yi's design, and the Uchiha would eventually see dawn.

Sima Yi, seeing this, gently reassured, "No need to feel down; it won't be long."

Shisui smiled at the words, thinking Sima Yi was comforting him, and was about to speak when he saw the other raise a hand to count, muttering something under his breath.

"Calculate the time—about half a month. It's perfect that you two are free today, so bring Jin Huo and the others and move the stuff out of the warehouse."

"Here's the roster; it contains each family's situation. Follow the list house by house to deliver."

Without waiting for a response, Sima Yi added another sentence at the end.

"Remember to bring Itachi."

"Great, thank you Grandfather, I'm off!" Shisui was delighted, instantly grasped the meaning, hurriedly took the list, turned excitedly, and left.

"Huh? Another thankless job!" Hui grimaced, a bit displeased, but his body obediently turned; as he was about to leave, Sima Yi called him back.

Sima Yi's lips buzzed, Hui's expression shifted and he nodded repeatedly, then finally left the study.

After the two departed, Sima Yi shook his head and sighed, "Still not steady enough, can't control his temper."

But Shisui is still young and can understand; he just needs to keep honing his skills. As for Hui… let him be.

Ignoring the two, Sima Yi's gaze returned to the scroll, where the characters Barrier were boldly written on one side.

Based on Sima Yi's recent study of sealing techniques, he categorized them into four types and seven stages according to difficulty and function.

They are, respectively, Alert, Isolation, Barrier, Sealing (inanimate objects), Sealing (chakra and aberrant chakra), Sealing (space), Sealing (living beings). Being able to use sealing techniques for Alert indicates entry‑level mastery.

Isolation includes the five senses and is used for counter‑Alert.

Barrier's function is more varied and complex, often employed for restriction.

Sealing difficulty varies drastically with the target; sealing inanimate objects is the most basic.

Of course, this classification follows the existing sealing techniques within the Uchiha clan.

What surprised him most was a record of living beings being sealed within the clan, though the description was vague, which he found regrettable.

Additionally, he lamented that the clan lacked a method to seal souls alone, only some related notes remained, which even mentioned the nearly extinct Whirlpool clan.

"The clan's Barriers are too dilapidated, riddled with gaps; senior members of the Leaf Village can come and go freely, and the clan lands have no privacy at all."

Fugaku and several clan elders compromised, allowing them this freedom, but whatever Shisui must do later requires secrecy, so preparations must be made in advance, and the training of the younger generation must keep pace.

Sima Yi, while organizing, also schemed, keeping all these matters in mind.

While he was busy, Shisui and the others arrived at the warehouse.

"So many items?"

Yu Zhibo Xuehua led several people to the warehouse; when it was opened, Shisui couldn't help but exclaim.

The warehouses were all makeshift, packed with rice, flour, oil, salt, and cotton coats.

The last time he was in the courtyard he'd only seen the tip of the iceberg; now that the warehouse was opened, he realized how thorough Sima Yi's preparations were.

After inspecting, Shisui created a clone to fetch Itachi, while his main body led Hui, Jin Huo, and others to start moving supplies. Yet Sima Yi had prepared enough provisions for at least six hundred people for half a month; even with eight ninja, they could not extract much at once.

Reluctantly they gave up, taking out only a portion, then loaded it onto carts. When Itachi arrived as invited, several of them pushed the handcart to depart.

"Everyone pair up, split into alleys and act separately; Itachi, come with me."

Itachi didn't understand what was required, but he still nodded obediently.

"What about me?"

Hui's expression froze; he looked around—there were nine ninja here, six attendants already assigned to squads, and he was the only one alone.

"Um, hehe, Brother Hui, you join as well."

Shisui gave an awkward smile, having been focused on Itachi and hadn't thought of Hui.

"If you don't want to, no need to force it." Hui rolled his eyes, saying irritably.

However, even though he said so, Hui thought about Sima Yi's instructions and still pushed the cart and followed.

The three of them pushed the cart to the edge of the clan lands; this was a relatively secluded alley that Shisui had deliberately chosen.

"Shisui brother, are we going to sell something?"

The sight of the three pushing the cart attracted many clan members' gazes along the way; it truly resembled merchants, and Itachi couldn't help but ask curiously.

"No, some clan members are currently facing hardships; I want to deliver some items to help them. Itachi, would you be willing to join us?"

Facing Itachi's doubt, Shisui explained gently.

"Hmm, let's go."

Since Sasuke was born, Itachi has come to realize that the meaning of life may lie in protection; he agrees with Shisui's intention to protect the clan.

"But the clan members are so proud; will they accept Shisui brother's goodwill?"

In Itachi's view, this act can be politely called assistance, or bluntly called charity; he doesn't think those clan members will accept just a few bags of rice.

(End of chapter)