Shisui's father had passed away. Hearing this wouldn't surprise anyone—his frail, sickly body surviving this long was already a medical miracle.
Although Shisui's grandfather Kagami was famous, Shisui's father had been born weak and practically useless, so the family's standing within the Uchiha wasn't high at all.
Would the death of the obscure, sickly father of Shisui really attract the attention of the entire Uchiha clan?
Of course not.
There was only one reason the whole clan was stirred up—Shisui awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan because of his father's death.
Only the appearance of the second Mangekyō in the clan—besides Kuugetsu—could make the Uchiha this tense.
Normally, Hoshiyomi should have gone to offer condolences, since he knew Shisui personally. But after seeing Uchiha Kō's reaction—and those of the other Uchiha clansmen on the way—Hoshiyomi hesitated.
Most Uchiha didn't recognize him anymore, but the clan's upper ranks certainly knew who he was.
If he appeared right at the moment Shisui awakened the Mangekyō, would the Uchiha high council get ideas?
The current balance between Konoha and the Uchiha was exactly how Hoshiyomi wanted it. He didn't want unnecessary suspicion over something so trivial.
But Kuugetsu suddenly grabbed his arm:
"Sensei, let's go see Shisui. Didn't you always think highly of him? Since we're already here, you should go comfort him."
Hoshiyomi explained his concerns, but Kuugetsu looked straight at him and said:
"That's exactly why you should show up. On the surface the Uchiha have fully integrated with Konoha, but in secret there are still old relics even Fugaku can't control.
Those stubborn old fools suppressed their ambitions only because of the larger political situation. If they suddenly learn there's another Mangekyō in the clan—something that could instantly elevate someone to Kage-level—they might start having dangerous thoughts again.
This is precisely the time you need to come forward on behalf of Konoha. Show your closeness with Shisui. On one hand, you're warning them. On the other, you're showing that Shisui is already tied to Konoha's upper leadership. That way they'll stop fantasizing about pulling him to their side."
Hearing this, Hoshiyomi suddenly understood.
He had overlooked something important.
To him, a Mangekyō was something he could practically manufacture at will. But to normal people, a Mangekyō was something powerful enough to change the entire fate of the Uchiha clan.
The birth of another Mangekyō would certainly make some of those old fossils recall the glory days under Madara's leadership.
Thinking of this, it became clear—he should go see Shisui.
Having made up his mind, Hoshiyomi and Kuugetsu headed straight toward Shisui's home.
The place was already packed with Uchiha clansmen.
But when they saw Kuugetsu approaching, the crowd automatically parted, forming a path for her and Hoshiyomi.
Neither Hoshiyomi nor Kuugetsu paid any attention to the respectful gazes. They walked right into Shisui's courtyard.
Inside, a bunch of old men surrounded Shisui, talking over one another. Fugaku stood to the side with Itachi, looking helpless.
Fugaku's expression was weary, but there was a hint of contemplation behind it.
Itachi, however, was openly furious. If not for his strict upbringing, he would have thrown those babbling old men out right then and there.
Seeing this, a trace of mockery flashed in Hoshiyomi's eyes.
So Kuugetsu was right—there were still some senile fools in the Uchiha dreaming of dominating Konoha.
Seeing the situation, Hoshiyomi didn't bother being polite. He cleared his throat loudly twice and directly pushed one of the old men aside.
The old man—spittle flying everywhere—had been speaking passionately. Suddenly being shoved nearly sent his dentures flying, and he was furious. He turned around, ready to curse out the "little brat" who dared disrespect him.
But the moment he saw who it was, he froze.
Ordinary clan members might not know that Hoshiyomi had long since returned to Konoha, but as an Uchiha elder, how could he not know?
Seeing Kuugetsu and Hoshiyomi standing side by side, the old man's lips trembled for a long moment, but in the end he didn't dare say a word. He quietly moved aside.
And so, under the stunned gazes of the surrounding Uchiha, Hoshiyomi casually brushed past the elders—who normally had to be looked up to—and walked straight to Shisui.
In the center of the courtyard, Shisui was holding his father's corpse helplessly, his newly awakened, eerie Mangekyō staring blankly at the lifeless body.
Beside him, his father's stiffening corpse still leaned over the table, the tea cup beside him untouched. It looked like he had died suddenly from his illness.
Seeing Shisui's empty gaze and the stiff corpse beside him, Kuugetsu pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with both anger and heartache.
Kuugetsu didn't want to break decorum and confront the elders, but Hoshiyomi didn't care about such things. His expression turned icy as he swept his gaze across the old men and sneered:
"People say we should respect the dead, yet all these clan elders and high-ranking members are gathered here—and not one of you thought to help lay the deceased to rest. Did you live all these years just to feed the dogs?
Or is this the Uchiha tradition? Is this how you'll be treated when you die?"
At those words, the elders' faces turned as ugly as if they'd swallowed shit.
The surrounding Uchiha looked embarrassed—both ashamed and angry.
They cursed Hoshiyomi in their hearts for meddling in Uchiha internal affairs, but none of them dared speak up and be the first to step forward.
After the tense silence dragged on, Fugaku finally sighed, shame written across his face. He stepped forward and scolded:
"What are you all standing around for? Do you want to embarrass yourselves further?"
Then he bowed toward Shisui and said:
"Shisui, what happened today was my oversight. If you must blame someone, blame me."
Only when a few familiar clan members stepped forward and carried his father's body inside did Shisui finally come back to his senses.
He didn't respond to Fugaku. Instead, he turned and bowed deeply to Hoshiyomi.
Hoshiyomi rested a hand on his shoulder and said:
"Don't be too overwhelmed with grief. Life is long. You must use these eyes to keep moving forward—don't let what's happening now trap you."
Shisui, whose mind had been in turmoil from his father's death and the sudden awakening of the Mangekyō, jolted as if struck. It was as though the chaotic noise in his mind suddenly vanished, and his heart calmed.
Filled with gratitude, he wiped his tears and nodded firmly:
"From now on, I will inherit the will of my grandfather and my father. With these eyes, I will clear every obstacle for Konoha!"
Hearing this, the elders felt as though they could hear the sound of their own hearts shattering.