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[NTU] [ARC-17] Chapter : 208
🕑 Added 2024-11-13 17:27:37 +0000 UTCTime passed, and a soft breeze stirred, leaving Toshiro standing alone. In his hand, he held scrolls containing the copy of the original Flying Thunder God Jutsu, First Hokage cells, and information on curse marks—an impressive haul that left him thoroughly satisfied.
The First Hokage cells were especially valuable to him. His eyes were currently in a delicate state, requiring constant use of White Zetsu’s branded eye drops for maintenance. But now, with these First Hokage cells, he could significantly upgrade his eye drops.
Orochimaru had left without even reclaiming his prized Kusanagi—not out of carelessness, but because the information Toshiro had shared had utterly stunned him. The revelation of manipulating gravity, controlling various summons, absorbing chakra, and controlling souls had left Orochimaru too shaken to linger.
One revelation after another stirred Orochimaru's heart deeply.
He hadn’t anticipated that the Rinnegan would possess so many extraordinary abilities. This newfound understanding compelled him to strategize carefully if he hoped to one day acquire the Rinnegan from Pain. A pang of regret also surfaced—he recalled seeing Pain years ago, when he and Tsunade had encountered that young boy. Back then, he’d never imagined the potential locked within those eyes.
**Meanwhile in the Tsuchikage’s office**
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, received a report through his shinobi.
“Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, and Uchiha Toshiro spotted near the border—and they engaged in a fierce battle?”
Onoki studied the report carefully, a deep frown settling on his face. The war had barely ended, so why would two such formidable Shinobi suddenly cross paths in this way?
“Could Konoha be scheming something?”
Onoki’s suspicion grew. “Send our elite scouts to assess the nearby area! Increase village security—especially against unfamiliar faces lurking around.”
As he ordered his hidden subordinates, his gaze hardened, memories of an Uchiha stirring unpleasant thoughts.
Meanwhile, at the gates of Konoha Village, a team of eight shinobi approached. Leading them was a young man with short, slightly wavy hair, a button nose, and sharp yet handsome features. He studied the gate in front of him, a smile of nostalgia spreading across his face.
“Thank you all for your hard work on this border mission!”
“Once I report to Hokage-sama, let’s regroup—how about a barbecue at Yakini Q’s?”
Shisui’s warm smile and sunny demeanor shone with rare gentleness, a contrast to the typical reserved nature of the Uchiha clan.
"Ah, how embarrassing! Without Shisui turning the tide during this mission, we might have faced serious casualties. We don’t deserve to be treated to food!”
The shinobi in a green vest looked flustered, humbled by Shisui’s offer, and declined repeatedly. He nearly made a grave error, and if not for Shisui stepping in, he would feel compelled to atone for the mistake with his life. How could he accept such an invitation after committing such an error?
“If anyone’s footing the bill, it should be Pinto, not Shisui!” chimed in another teammate. “Pinto almost ruined the mission with his recklessness. Let him cover it—it’ll teach him to be more careful next time!”
The group laughed, nodding. They knew Pinto could use the lesson.
"Exactly! Pinto, you owe Shisui a proper barbecue for saving the day!”
One of the chunin, quick to praise Shisui, added, “And Shisui truly lives up to his name, ‘Shisui of the Body Flicker. ’ Those tough opponents didn’t last more than a few seconds against him!”
Following this, the others joined in, rallying for Pinto to treat everyone. Some of the female ninjas, in particular, cast admiring glances at Shisui, their eyes gleaming with admiration.
Shisui smiled humbly. “You’re all too kind! It wasn’t as impressive as it sounds. I have no doubt that even without me, everyone here would’ve completed the mission just fine. We’re all comrades, and looking out for one another is what being a Konoha ninja is all about.”
As Shisui received everyone’s praise, a shy smile crept onto his face. The gratitude in his fellow male ninja's eyes felt natural to him, as they were comrades on the battlefield. But the gazes of the female ninja were something else entirely—intense and a bit unnerving, as if they were scrutinizing his every move even more keenly than the enemies had.
“It’s settled! No one is skipping out later—Barbecue Q it is!” Pinto, teased by his friends, decided to go all in, cheerfully inviting everyone to celebrate. Partly, it was for the camaraderie, but mostly, it was his heartfelt thanks to Shisui for saving him on the mission.
Talking and laughing, the group of ninja entered Konoha’s gate together.
After Shisui finished reporting on the mission and had dinner with his teammates, he finally returned to the clan compound—it was already past nine o'clock.
"Home at last," he murmured, gazing at the red torii gate at the entrance with the clan’s symbol proudly displayed. With a sigh of relief, he started toward it.
“Shisui!”
Just as he crossed the gate, a slightly childish voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Itachi! Still up this late?”
Seeing the familiar figure, Shisui’s tone softened. In a few strides, he reached Itachi’s side, glancing to measure how tall he’d grown.
“It’s amazing—you’ve grown taller again!”
At eleven and a half years old, Itachi was already taller than Shisui’s shoulders, now looking more like a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy.
“Did you wait for me to come?” Shisui asked, smiling at Itachi, who seemed a little embarrassed by his actions. It was heartwarming to have a friend like a younger brother.
“I heard you returned from your mission, so I waited for you here,” Itachi explained. “There’s something I want to ask you about, Shisui.”
Shisui was the only friend Itachi had in the clan. Whenever he had questions, whether about missions or more personal matters, Shisui would patiently explain everything in detail—be it ninjutsu or other things. Itachi felt he could always turn to him for guidance.
Shisui’s home was a traditional Japanese-style house set in a lush bamboo grove, exuding a quiet, timeless beauty. The structure was built from natural wood that had deepened in color over the years, giving it a rich, earthy warmth.
A polished, lacquered coffee table gleamed under the light, with smooth, rounded edges. The wooden, hand-painted screens adorning the walls, along with the old-fashioned tatami mats, created an atmosphere of calm and harmony.
"So, you're saying you've been on several missions in a row, and each time there were casualties?" Shisui asked, looking across at Itachi, who sat cross-legged before him while holding a cup of hot tea.
"Yes," Itachi replied solemnly. "Not only were there sacrifices, but each of them fought tirelessly to complete the mission and protect the village. It left a lasting impression on me."
"This..."
Wiping his nose, Shisui's expression shifted slightly.
"Itachi! Have you encountered this type of missions often?"
If it had happened only once or twice, it might be a coincidence.
"In the past two months, I've been assigned this kind of mission four times!"
"Itachi!"
"Have you mentioned this to Lord Fugaku?"
Even for ANBU, this mission rate with such high risks of sacrifice seems abnormal. If it’s as I suspect... the implications could be serious.
"...No."
He has to admit, Fugaku's approach to guiding his kids falls short; his son harbors doubts and doesn't share them with him at all.
"I see."
"Don't overthink it. This could very well be a strategy from the village to influence the Uchiha—to encourage you to identify with the village and appreciate the value of peace."
With a slight frown, Shisui shared his theory with Itachi, trying to convey his thoughts.
This child is very perceptive and sensitive. If things are kept from him, he may appear unchanged and still interact with you as usual, but don’t expect him to confide in you again.
“Is that really what’s happening…”
Isn't it a bit excessive for the village to pay such a price just to influence me?
"Itachi, you’re the son of Captain Fugaku, and very likely the future head of the Uchiha clan. While I don’t fully agree with the village’s approach here, I understand..."
Yet Shisui felt at a loss for a solution. The relationship between the Uchiha and the village was too complex, and he could see why the village might resort to this.
"But… once I reach my goal, these kinds of situations will never happen again!"
Seeing Itachi’s confusion, Shisui briefly explained his reasoning, then added with a touch of wistfulness.
"Situations..?"
"Shisui, what kind of situations are you talking about? Are there more?"
