Chapter 46 – Shisui Joins the ANBU
A short while later, Shisui walked out of the Hokage Tower, his expression visibly uplifted.
"Shisui!"
On the street, not long after leaving the Hokage Tower, Shisui heard someone calling out to him from behind.
"Ryuya."
Turning toward the source of the voice, he saw Ryuya just exiting the Sealing Team's office building on the other end of the street.
"Shisui, did you just come out of the Hokage Tower?"
There was a hint of surprise on Ryuya's face as the two walked side by side, speaking in low voices.
Having stayed with the Sealing Team for so long, it was rare for him to see members of the Uchiha clan coming to the Hokage Tower.
"Yes. Hokage-sama summoned me," Shisui replied.
"Hokage-sama?"
Ryuya's brow furrowed slightly.
For the Third Hokage to summon Shisui, Ryuya instinctively felt that something was off.
"The Third invited you to join the ANBU, didn't he?"
After a brief moment of thought, Ryuya more or less guessed what it was about.
"How did you know?"
Shisui was extremely surprised.
The Third Hokage had only just discussed this matter with him. There was no way Ryuya could have learned about it beforehand—so how did he know?
"A guess."
Ryuya curled his lips dismissively.
As for the Third Hokage's idea and approach, Ryuya had no intention of commenting.
This was a classic example of a ruler's political mindset. The starting point might have been good, but it placed the intermediary—Shisui—in an extremely disadvantageous position.
This decision would also lay the groundwork for the tragic futures of both Shisui and Itachi.
Ryuya had no intention of becoming such a pawn.
However, from the village's perspective, this choice might indeed have been the one with the lowest immediate cost. Yet the long-term accumulation of contradictions would eventually erupt in the most violent way possible.
"A guess?"
Shisui froze, clearly not expecting that answer.
"Shisui, given the current relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan, have you thought about how difficult your position will be if you join the Hokage's ANBU?"
Ignoring Shisui's reaction, Ryuya instead asked solemnly.
Hearing this, the expression on Shisui's face gradually grew serious. He pressed his lips together and did not respond right away.
From Ryuya's question alone, it was clear that he had an extremely deep understanding of the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan.
No matter where his information came from, that level of insight and awareness was already enough to earn respect.
Moreover, from Ryuya's tone and gaze, Shisui could sense genuine concern and worry.
"Ryuya, I understand what you mean. But I've already thought all of this through. I can handle it."
Shisui's expression softened slightly as he spoke with firm resolve.
"Is this something you absolutely must do?"
Ryuya frowned.
"Within the Uchiha clan, there's no one more suitable than me. The village and the clan need a mediator."
Shisui nodded.
Seeing this, Ryuya stopped walking. He turned around and patted Shisui on the shoulder, speaking with a gravity he had never shown before.
"Shisui, since you've already made your decision, I won't say anything more.
But there's one thing I still want to tell you. Don't shoulder everything by yourself. Taking on everything alone isn't necessarily what's best for others. The choice you make might not be the choice they want."
After saying that, Ryuya ignored the stunned Shisui and stepped forward, leaving first.
Behind him, Shisui quietly watched Ryuya's departing figure. Only after several seconds did he begin walking again.
After returning to the clan compound, Shisui did not go back to his own home. Instead, he headed straight for the residence of the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku.
"Brother Shisui?"
The door was opened by Itachi. Seeing Shisui standing outside, surprise was evident on Itachi's face.
Although the two interacted frequently in private, it was rare for Shisui to come directly to Itachi's home like this.
"It's Itachi. Is the clan head at home?"
Shisui's gaze lingered briefly on little Sasuke, who was crawling slowly near Itachi's feet. Smiling, he reached out and gently pinched Sasuke's cheek before speaking.
"Father is inside."
Itachi stepped aside and led Shisui into the house.
"Shisui, you're here."
Inside, Uchiha Fugaku greeted him upon hearing the sound.
Within the clan, Uchiha Shisui was unquestionably the number one among the younger generation. Even Fugaku, as clan head, could not underestimate his talent and potential.
Moreover, Shisui had always been close to Itachi, and Fugaku had long regarded him as a firm supporter of his own faction.
"Clan Head."
After respectfully saluting Fugaku, Shisui knelt down and quietly slid the door shut.
"Shisui, is there something you needed to see me about at this hour?"
Fugaku asked, looking at him.
"Clan Head, Hokage-sama summoned me earlier," Shisui said softly.
"Oh? What did the Third Hokage want with you?"
Fugaku crossed his arms, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Hokage-sama wants to invite me to join the ANBU," Shisui replied.
"Join the ANBU? The Hokage's ANBU, or Root?"
"The Hokage's ANBU."
"You've already agreed?"
Fugaku stared at Shisui for several moments.
After a few seconds of silence, Shisui spoke.
"Yes."
Looking at the young Shisui before him, Fugaku said slowly and deliberately,
"Shisui, do you understand why the Third Hokage wants you to join his ANBU?"
Shisui nodded.
"After the Nine-Tails Incident, the village's strength has greatly diminished. It can't afford another upheaval. Hokage-sama likely wants me to act as a bridge of communication and ease the tension between the clan and the village."
Fugaku's frown eased slightly.
"It's good that you understand this.
You must have already heard the rumors surrounding the Nine-Tails Incident. The relationship between the village leadership and our clan has become extremely difficult to reconcile.
Forced by the current situation, the Third Hokage is trying to stabilize our Uchiha clan for now. He sees you merely as a tool to ease relations between the clan and the village. He will never truly trust you—because you are an Uchiha."
"Clan Head, please rest assured," Shisui replied respectfully.
After that, he stood up, bowed once more to Fugaku, and silently turned to leave.
As Shisui was about to step out the door, Fugaku spoke again.
"Shisui, remember this—no matter how the relationship between the clan and the village ends up, you must always remember that you are a proud Uchiha."
"Mm. I understand."
Shisui stopped in place, paused for several seconds, then answered softly before leaving.
Watching Shisui's departing figure, Fugaku's expression became somewhat complicated.
"Brother Shisui."
In the outer hall, Itachi—now holding young Sasuke in his arms—hurried forward when he saw Shisui come out.
Shisui didn't speak. He simply smiled and reached out to gently pat both Itachi and Sasuke before walking away.
Behind him, a thoughtful look appeared in Itachi's eyes. He felt that the smile on Shisui's face was somehow different from before.
One day later, Uchiha Shisui officially reported for duty in the Hokage's ANBU.