When asked by Chiri about the result of their spar, the two merely exchanged glances and then fell silent, clearly having some unspeakable secrets they didn't want Chiri to hear.
"So mysterious. Never mind, I won't ask." Chiri prepared to go to the Akimichi Clan's BBQ restaurant to book tomorrow's banquet.
Kakashi and the other two, however, went their separate ways, returning home to their mothers, or rather, agonizing over what gift to give Chiri tomorrow.
Shisui, who had already prepared, was not flustered at all. He stayed by Chiri's side and went with her to order the meal. Even for a short time, he didn't intend to give up being with Chiri.
Otherwise, once Chiri's birthday passed, he would have to start busy with the Uchiha Police Force, and Chiri would be back to clocking in at the Anbu.
As they parted, Kakashi gave Shisui, who was beside Chiri, a meaningful look. He could tell Shisui liked Chiri, but for some reason, he felt a bit annoyed.
The two of them had merely intended to spar, but gradually, it turned into a full-blown fight. They were indeed evenly matched. Although he had a slight upper hand, Shisui was more than two years younger than him.
Shisui excelled at Fire Release Ninjutsu, such as the Sword Leap Flame, while he specialized in Lightning Release Ninjutsu, the White Fang Sword Art. Although Shisui was slightly inferior in swordsmanship, the gap was closed with the enhancement of his Sharingan.
Shisui was skilled in Fire Release Ninjutsu and Crow Body Replacement, while he was proficient in Five Release Ninjutsu. Neither could gain an advantage over the other, and their tolerance for error was high.
Although they almost truly fought, neither was injured, just looked a bit disheveled. He had come to view Shisui as a rival.
Arriving at the BBQ restaurant, Chiri took out one million Ryo to book tomorrow's gathering. One million Ryo, with more to be refunded or less to be supplemented, was enough for Chiri to eat to her heart's content.
Although Shisui felt that one million Ryo was a bit much for barbecue, he thought of Chiri, Uzumaki Kushina, and Tsunade, three exceptional eaters, and then it didn't seem like much at all.
"Shisui, want to come to my place for lunch? My Shadow Clone should have prepared lunch by now."
Chiri looked at the lost-in-thought Shisui and decided to invite him to her house for a meal, mainly to deepen their relationship.
She was afraid that if Shisui suddenly awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan one day, he might hit her with a Kotoamatsukami. Would she still be herself then?
"Okay, I haven't had Chiri's cooking in a long time, and I really miss it." Chiri's words were exactly what Shisui wanted; he was eager to spend more time with Chiri.
Chiri hadn't checked the number of her stable emotion providers in a long time. Previously, she had blocked notifications of numerical growth, focusing on her experiments.
Chiri looked at the number, which was as high as one hundred sixty-six, and felt that the world instantly became beautiful. She thanked Danzo and his Anbu, as well as the Anbu members he saved and the disabled Ninja from enemy villages who hated her.
However, she planned to draw tomorrow. Perhaps there would be a special bonus on her birthday, and if she drew a formidable Jutsu, she would be soaring.
Shisui looked at Chiri, who suddenly became happy, without understanding why. He guessed it might be because he agreed to Chiri's request to have lunch with her.
What did that mean? It meant Chiri also really wanted to be with him! It was just that he was too dull and slow to have noticed before.
This was a mutual journey! Now, there was no way he could lose; it was a guaranteed win. How could Kakashi, with his poker face and dead fish eyes, compete with him? This time, he was on a higher plane.
Yes, Shisui, with a fellow's intuition, instantly sensed that Kakashi also had feelings for Chiri. It made sense; how could anyone not like Chiri, who was so talented, cute, and beautiful?
He also noticed that Rin Nohara, who was with Obito, admired Kakashi, but Kakashi seemed oblivious, only paying excessive attention to Chiri.
Compared to Kakashi, his advantages were too great. Firstly, he was young, almost the same age as Chiri. Secondly, he and Chiri were of the same clan, and he was someone Chiri trusted. Thirdly, Chiri was happy because he agreed to have lunch with her.
If it weren't for their young age, and Chiri being so engrossed in training that she hadn't awakened to such feelings yet, he would have planned to confess on Chiri's birthday tomorrow.
However, thinking of what Jiraiya-sensei wrote in his books—that a confession is not a bugle call for a charge, but a triumphal song of victory—he held back.
As a Ninja, what he lacked least was patience. When he and Chiri were fifteen or sixteen, how beautiful and powerful would Chiri be then?
In his mind, Shisui thought of Uchiha Chiri. Although she was quite old, her beauty remained at its peak. As her granddaughter, Chiri should have even greater charm when she grew up.
And by then, the Uchiha Clan would have integrated into Konoha, and the world would be at peace. When these two wishes of his and Chiri's were fulfilled, that would be the time to confess.
He still remembered Chiri's dream when she introduced herself in school. Although world peace was difficult, as long as they worked hard, they would surely succeed.
"Shisui, Shisui! We're here. Why are you spacing out? Did you not rest well yesterday?"
Chiri looked at Shisui in confusion, unaware that Shisui was already planning how to propose. If she knew, she'd probably hit Shisui with an Izanami to make him give up that idea.
Among the strong in the Ninja World, how many who married and had children had good endings? Besides, she preferred women; she couldn't accept becoming a bride.
Just think of the oldest and most tragic, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. After marrying and having children, she was backstabbed by her husband, then backstabbed by her two good sons, and is now sealed on the moon, still unable to get out.
Next was Otsutsuki Hagoromo. His two sons turned against each other, their grievances unresolved for a thousand years, leaving him unable to rest in peace even in death.
Then came Senju Hashirama. His son died young, he himself died not long after killing his best friend, his grandson died tragically, and his granddaughter always lost money and never married even in old age.
Then came the Third Hokage. His eldest son died tragically, his youngest son died tragically, and he himself died at the hands of his disciple.
After that was the Fourth Hokage. His wife died tragically, he himself died tragically, and his son became a reviled monster.
Finally, there was Uchiha Fugaku. He and his wife died tragically at the hands of their eldest son, their eldest son was killed by their youngest son, and their youngest son, all alone, married a girl he didn't love, had a daughter, and then the Uchiha line ended.
It was too tragic. Chiri felt that all these tragedies were caused by Black Zetsu. She would definitely kill Black Zetsu if she had the chance, even though he was a filial son.
Returning home, Chiri dismissed dozens of Shadow Clones, allowing the experience to return to her. Her progress was good; the Wind Release: Spiraling Compression Storm Rifle also had a prototype.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was still at the stage of how to establish contact with the Flying Thunder God Mark. The Wind Release Chakra Mode was still lagging, only able to last for half a minute.
The lunch prepared by the Shadow Clones tasted very good, and Shisui also found it delicious. Watching Shisui happily run off to wash the dishes, Chiri felt Shisui was very sensible.
However, Shisui, looking at Chiri sitting on the sofa while he washed dishes, felt a sense of warmth, very much like the married life he envisioned with Chiri.
Looking at Shisui's gentle gaze, Chiri felt something was off, but she didn't know what it was.
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