Chapter 38: A Little Gentle Guidance, Uchiha Shisui Falls into Thought

Uchiha Shisui fell silent.

Just as Uchiha Jin had expected, although he had been brainwashed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, that did not mean he was truly stupid.

He had his own judgment on right and wrong.

Especially regarding the example Uchiha Jin had given, he could empathize with it.

Did Hashirama Senju do wrong?

From the Hidden Leaf Village's perspective, absolutely not!

Even if the Nine-Tails had indeed done nothing wrong, its overwhelming power made it an uncontrollable factor in the ninja world.

Leaving aside other matters.

Back then, did not Madara Uchiha capture the Nine-Tails and use it to fight Hashirama Senju?

From this point of view, regardless of whether the Nine-Tails had done evil deeds, at the very least it had the capacity to do so, and kept outside, it might well be exploited by others.

Under such circumstances, imprisonment was quite normal.

Uchiha Shisui understood Hashirama Senju quite well and did not believe the First Hokage had done wrong.

But, similarly.

From the Nine-Tails' perspective, was this damn thing reasonable?

I have done nothing to harm heaven and earth, and have not even interacted with Itachi humans.

Just because I am strong, Itachi want to imprison me?

Any being with normal reasoning ability would absolutely be unable to accept this.

Even he, Uchiha Shisui, could not!

So.

In such matters, there is no right or wrong; it is simply that everyone stands on different sides.

This is merely a story.

But what if it were applied within the Uchiha clan?

It applies just the same!

Just like the Nine-Tails captured by Hashirama Senju, whether Itachi harbor thoughts of rebellion is utterly irrelevant.

What matters is that Itachi possess the capability, and that Itachi are exceedingly disobedient.

So, that is how it is!

To change the Uchiha's dire situation in Konoha, yet for several years, nothing has changed at all.

Only now, after hearing Uchiha Jin's words, did he truly grasp the root cause.

But, similarly.

Only now that he has fully understood the root cause does he realize that all his past actions were merely futile efforts.

Thinking of this, a trace of despair flickered in his eyes.

"Could it be that it truly cannot be changed?"

"No, that's not right!"

"I can still go ask Lord Hokage; surely the old man has a solution."

"Once this mission ends, if I tell Lord Hokage about this, he will surely help find a way."

"He is the Hokage, after all; how could he have no solution?"

Uchiha Shisui murmured to himself.

Yes.

Even though Uchiha Jin said so much, Uchiha Shisui still instinctively placed immense trust in Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Uchiha Jin could not help but frown.

Although he did not speak ill of Hiruzen Sarutobi, every word he spoke revolved around the Hokage and the high command.

Why is this fellow Uchiha Shisui still holding onto this stance?

No, absolutely not!

These words must never reach Hiruzen Sarutobi; otherwise, he will surely find a way to kill me next.

I acted too impulsively.

I should not have told Uchiha Shisui so much!

What should I do?

His mind raced, and after a moment, he suddenly spoke up to ask.

"By the way, Uchiha Shisui."

"What are your thoughts on the suicide of Hatake Sakumo?"

"I would like to hear your opinion."

Uchiha Shisui looked utterly confused.

He was already troubled by the clan's affairs; why bring Hatake Sakumo into this?

However.

Through this conversation, he realized that this younger brother, whom he had silently cared for in his heart, possessed far greater insight than himself.

So he did not refute; instead, he fell silent and began to think.

A moment later.

After taking a deep breath, he finally spoke his true feelings.

"Hatake Sakumo was a great ninja."

"Although the villagers slandered him in every way, it did not stop me from recognizing his worth."

"It is just a pity."

"He clearly had a bright future, yet in the end, he met the fate of suicide."

Uchiha Jin nodded.

Uchiha Shisui's words were not unexpected to him.

Even though Hatake Sakumo had committed suicide, he still had many supporters in Konoha.

Did Itachi not see?

Even after Hatake Sakumo's death, Hiruzen Sarutobi still allowed Minato Namikaze, the future Fourth Hokage in his heart and the legitimate leader of the Hokage faction, to become Kakashi Hatake's teacher. Why?

Why?

On one hand, to soothe the people's hearts.

It was to tell Hatake Sakumo's supporters that he would not secretly target Kakashi; on the contrary, he would directly bring Kakashi into the Hokage faction.

But, more importantly.

He also wanted to use this matter to win over all of Hatake Sakumo's supporters and bring them directly under his control.

After a brief thought, Uchiha Jin continued speaking.

"I have a question."

"The mission Hatake Sakumo undertook back then was, if I recall correctly, a top-level S-rank mission, correct?"

"Under normal circumstances, confidentiality begins with B-rank missions, and the secrecy level of A-rank missions is known only to the high command."

"So how could a mission with the highest confidentiality level, like an S-rank, suddenly become common knowledge throughout Konoha?"

"What happened to the confidentiality protocols? Were they eaten by dogs?"

"Who leaked it, and why has no investigation uncovered the culprit to this day?"

"More accurately, was there even an investigation?"

"Could it be that with the death of Hatake Shisato, this matter simply ends?"

Uchiha Shisui was stunned!

Indeed.

How could a mission of the highest rank become public knowledge so directly?

And within a single day? Even if it were accidentally leaked, it shouldn't have spread that fast, right?

Furthermore.

Just as Uchiha Jin said, for such a high-level leak, why hasn't the village conducted even the slightest investigation?

Faintly.

Uchiha Shisui smelled the scent of conspiracy.

Because of these various irregularities, he understood that the Konoha elders must know the true reason behind this leak.

But they did not investigate.

That in itself was enough to explain everything!

This quietly tore a crack in his trust in the Konoha elders, or even in the 'Will of Fire'.

Recalling how Uchiha Jin suddenly brought up this matter when he mentioned wanting to speak with the Hokage, he vaguely understood what Jin was trying to convey.

Taking a deep breath and wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he shook his head and said.

"Lord Jin, just say it directly."

"Although I trust the Hokage, I also have my own ability to think."

"What exactly are Itachi trying to convey? Just say it directly."

Hearing these words.

Uchiha Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

Good.

Although Uchiha Shisui had sided with the Hokage's faction, his essence was still for the Uchiha.

It was just that his ideals found no support within the clan, and at that very moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi extended an olive branch.

To put it plainly.

He had no choice!

In this regard, he was different from Itachi.

That great filial son, Itachi, had been led astray by Fugaku since childhood.

Once brainwashed by the 'Will of Fire', he, believing he was doing it for the village's good, directly committed a great act of righteousness by destroying his own kin.

His situation was a typical case of unstable foundations.