After finishing his work for the day, Shisui Uchiha left the Uzushiogakure office and headed toward the clan district.
Calling it a "clan district" was generous. In reality, it was just a dozen houses built next to each other with no clear boundaries. The area was simply designated to make communication among the Uchiha easier.
As for why there were no walls or fences?
First, they were technically outsiders in Uzushiogakure.
Second… the Uchiha had a bit of trauma regarding "designated clan areas." Back in Konohagakure, the higher-ups had pushed them to the edge of the village and stationed ANBU to monitor them like suspicious pets that might bite at any moment.
If not for Shisui's "resurrection from the dead" and his escape with part of the clan, the Uchiha might have been wiped out completely—crushed between Itachi Uchiha and Konoha's leadership, erased from the shinobi world like an inconvenient typo.
Shisui let out a quiet sigh.
On his way home, he encountered many villagers who had just finished work. When they saw him, they greeted him warmly and even invited him over for dinner.
Shisui declined with a gentle smile.
Though the clan members looked tired from labor, their eyes shone with hope—real hope for a better future. That light was something Shisui had rarely seen in Konoha during the clan's final years.
Master Mianma had once said that the Uchiha's marginalization wasn't solely due to high-level suppression. The clan had also isolated themselves by clinging stubbornly to their position in the Konoha Military Police Force.
The Police Force existed for the villagers, yet the Uchiha rarely understood what the villagers truly wanted. They thought from a law-enforcer's perspective, not a citizen's. Add the Hokage line's subtle manipulation of public opinion, and the Uchiha had completely lost their chance at producing a Hokage.
Now, stripped of their former prestige and forced to participate in farming, construction, and daily village affairs, the Uchiha had ironically grown closer to ordinary people.
It was almost funny.
Lose your superiority complex, pick up a shovel, and suddenly everyone likes you more.
Still, Shisui remained cautious.
The current harmony reminded him of the early days of Konoha—when the Uchiha and Senju had first joined hands to build the village. Back then, the relationship must have felt just as hopeful.
So when had things begun to rot?
When Madara Uchiha left the village?
Or when the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, assigned the Police Force exclusively to the Uchiha?
Shisui didn't know.
But one day, he would find the answer. Only then could history avoid repeating itself.
Not long after, Shisui reached his house and was about to take out his key when he heard footsteps.
Mikoto Uchiha, who lived nearby, leaned out and smiled.
"Shisui, you're back. I've prepared dinner for Izumi. Would you like to join us?"
Shisui accepted without hesitation.
Partly because he genuinely didn't have time to cook.
Partly because Mikoto needed support.
Though she was a victim, she was still Itachi's mother. And her husband, Fugaku Uchiha, had been viewed by many in the clan as indecisive—blamed by some for pushing the clan toward destruction.
In such an environment, even a former jōnin like Mikoto could become weighed down by guilt and public pressure.
After a few bites, Shisui smiled.
"Senior Mikoto, your cooking is as good as ever. It hasn't declined at all."
Mikoto blushed slightly.
"Master Mianma praised it too. Honestly, I think my cooking is average. I just know how to pick good ingredients."
"Choosing the right ingredients is a skill in itself," Shisui replied.
After a bit more light conversation, his expression turned serious.
"Senior Mikoto, have those radical clan members contacted you recently?"
He was referring to the die-hard Uchiha loyal to Fugaku—those who had refused to leave with Shisui. They would rather have died covering a retreat than abandon Konoha.
Now, they operated in the underground black market of the Land of Fire, secretly plotting revenge.
Mikoto nodded.
"They've been contacting me through contracted ninja cats."
Shisui sighed.
"I won't force them to follow me. But they must not learn our exact location. If they bring Konoha here… I won't hesitate."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.
Even if they were clan members, he would kill them.
"I'll instruct the ninja cats to remain silent," Mikoto said quietly.
After a pause, she asked softly, "Is there truly no chance for the Uchiha to return to Konoha? I… still want to see Sasuke."
Shisui set down his chopsticks.
"Maybe one day. But the decision won't be mine. It will depend on Uzushiogakure's leader—Master Mianma."
"Master Mianma…" Mikoto repeated thoughtfully.
When she first met him, she thought he was merely a skilled doctor who had saved her life. She hadn't expected him to become the person who gave the Uchiha a second chance.
As for his occasional jokes about "world domination being fun," neither she nor Shisui ever truly took them as jokes.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed outside.
The door slid open to reveal Izumi Uchiha, now the patrol captain. After surviving the Uchiha massacre, she had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and matured rapidly.
"Brother Shisui," Izumi said urgently, "several shinobi have landed on the coastline near Uzushiogakure. Should we notify Master Mianma?"
"Strange shinobi?" Shisui frowned. "Can you confirm their identity? Missing-nin? Or spies from another hidden village?"
Izumi shook her head.
"They're wearing blank forehead protectors, but judging from their techniques… it's highly likely they're from Kirigakure. That level of Water Release isn't common."
"Kirigakure…"
Shisui's expression darkened.
Water Release and Kirigakure's assassination techniques were naturally troublesome for Uchiha. If it was only a small group, they could handle it.
But if this was a vanguard force…
Trouble.
"Gather the clan's shinobi immediately," Shisui ordered. "Heighten vigilance. I'll notify Master Mianma and Huomen. Be ready to mobilize at any moment."
With that, he used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished.
Izumi and Mikoto exchanged a glance before moving to contact the other Uchiha.
This would be the Uchiha's first true battle since joining Uzushiogakure.
And whether they rose in status—or remained cautious outsiders—would be decided here.
No mistakes were allowed.
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