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Chapter 136 - Chapter 136 - Brothers' Night Talk

The bright moon hung high, while the stars paled in comparison.

Despite talking himself hoarse, Shisui still couldn't get an audience with the clan head.

In the quiet night, he dragged his weary body home, heart filled with bitterness and a sense of injustice.

For the clan's sake, he had given up a secure life and hard-earned position. After risking his life repeatedly and finally achieving results, the clan members still didn't understand him, and the clan head wouldn't even grant him a meeting.

Along both sides of the road, soft lights glowed, but on the path stood only him, all alone.

Soon, Shisui finally located the new house mentioned in the letter.

Just like their old home, this new place was somewhat remote as well. However, unlike the former residence, three other households now surrounded it.

All four estates—his new house and the three adjacent residences—were brightly lit, illuminating the area as if it were daytime.

Seeing the warm glow from his new home, the coldness in Shisui's heart softened slightly.

"Thud! Thud!"

Aozora, practicing [Embryonic Breathing] in his bedroom, heard the knocking. Surprised, he stopped his cultivation.

He went downstairs and opened the door, finding a gaunt-looking Shisui standing there.

"Aha—hey there, bro! Welcome home!"

At first delighted, Aozora prepared to tease his older brother as usual but stopped himself when noticing the exhaustion etched across Shisui's face.

Hearing those words, Shisui blinked in surprise, then broke into a happy grin, his eyes narrowing into crescent moons filled with warmth.

Seeing him like that, Aozora couldn't help rolling his eyes—he really was treating him like a kid again!

Turning around and walking inside, Aozora casually said, "Could've at least warned me before coming back!"

After sitting down in the living room, Aozora asked, "Hungry?"

Then he noticed the dust on Shisui's clothes and shook his head. "Too bad—it's pretty late. Not much food left. Wait, I'll cook you some noodles!"

With that, Aozora headed toward the kitchen, and shortly afterward, Shisui followed him in.

Picking up a precious sword, he looked eager to show off.

"Don't!" Aozora quickly stopped him. "That blade of yours just chopped someone days ago; who knows what germs are on it!"

Seeing disappointment flicker briefly in Shisui's eyes, Aozora sighed helplessly. "How about knives? Do you know how to use a chef's knife?"

Nodding eagerly, Shisui grabbed a chef's knife and spun it with flair.

"Slice some beef—not too thin!"

Before long, the brothers had cooked up two huge bowls of beef noodles. Calling them bowls was a stretch—they were practically small basins. Each overflowed with a mountainous pile of noodles: red from chili peppers, green from coriander, brown beef broth, and slices of beef swimming in meaty juices.

Why make two bowls? Meals always tasted better with someone to share them with, especially considering Aozora had the gift of [Never Getting Fat No Matter How Much He Eats].

Shisui couldn't wait for it to hit the table—he inhaled the rising steam right away.

The aroma slammed into him—salty broth, rich noodles, fresh beef, and crisp greens all rising in a savory cloud.

"Bro, you're practically a master chef!"

"Master chef? Shouldn't that be god of cooking?"

"Right, Chef God!"

"..."

After a playful squabble, they carried their noodles to the dining table.

Clasping his hands together, Shisui pinched the chopsticks between his fingers with excitement, saying, "I shall begin!"

"Aozora also chimed in, 'Let's dig in! Dig in!' 

As soon as the words fell, both of them were like competitors, opening their mouths wide and devouring the feast before them. 

Although both large bowls of beef noodles had been generously prepared, they didn't stand a chance against the two young men's healthy appetites. Within three or five minutes, everything was completely devoured. 

In the end, Shisui finished his broth first, wiping his bowl clean to claim victory. 

After polishing off their meals, the two brothers sprawled on the floor, arms behind their heads and stomachs full, basking in the familiar comfort—just like six months ago. 

However, Shisui now carried something on his mind and didn't take the initiative to start a conversation this time. 

Still, there were always two people inside the room. Eventually, someone would speak first. 

"Brother, you have something on your mind." 

Aozora had already sensed that something was troubling Shisui the moment he walked through the door. 

Previously, whenever Shisui returned home, he would disguise his feelings well. He buried all his suffering, exhaustion, and sadness deep inside, presenting only a gentle smile for his younger brother. 

But today, Shisui seemed too drained to maintain the pretense. Feelings of despair, disappointment, weariness, and bitterness poured out from within him constantly. 

Seeing how miserable Shisui looked, even Aozora felt reluctant to tease him! 

Upon hearing Aozora's words, Shisui glanced at him in surprise, offering a bitter smile afterward. 

Moments later, he managed a gentle smile and said, "Nothing serious—just a difficult mission." 

Aozora turned his head away, unimpressed. 

Staring at the ceiling, he asked, "Brother, do you remember the very first thing I told you on graduation day?" 

Shisui thought for a moment before replying with a smile, "I remember—you said you'd already become an independent man." 

Hearing the pride and affection in Shisui's voice, Aozora could finally contain himself no longer and sat up straight with serious determination. "Shisui Uchiha, stop acting like some old father!" 

Feeling his younger brother's anger, Shisui immediately sat up straighter and nodded seriously to acknowledge his mistake. 

Seeing this, Aozora only got more upset—he was still being treated like a child! 

"Huuuh—in—"

Anger wouldn't help solve anything! 

"Huuuh—in—" 

Mastering one's emotions is the mark of maturity! 

"..." 

After several deep breaths, Aozora finally calmed himself. 

Observing this, Shisui's expression became more serious, his eyes growing sharper with intensity. 

Aozora knew that unless he could change how Shisui saw him—as nothing more than a child—nothing he said would truly impact his older brother's mindset. 

After a brief pause, Aozora calmly spoke again, "I was promoted to chunin two months ago." 

Delighted, Shisui replied, "You mentioned it in your letter—I never expected you to have such great ninja talent!" 

Aozora continued, "Since becoming a chunin, I've accepted the clan head's invitation and am now serving as his assistant." 

Nodding, Shisui said, "It looks like the clan head really sees potential in you." 

Aozora kept his tone steady, "So far, I've personally eliminated at least four jonin—all done alone." 

This time, Shisui did not respond immediately. 

Jonin are the elite ninjas—top-tier warriors in any village. When it comes down to it, the only one who can take on a jonin in a fair fight is another jonin. There's just no way someone below that rank could beat one. It's like comparing a seasoned general to a rookie soldier. 

They sat face to face, almost level in height, but the silence between them carried an intensity far greater than their physical presence.

Shisui couldn't help but admit—his younger brother had truly grown.

He said seriously, "Aozora, you're truly strong!"

No longer was there any talk of talent or unfulfilled expectations—Aozora had won his respect purely through strength.

Aozora's face finally showed a trace of a smile. He pressed forward triumphantly, "It was me who discovered and exposed Danzo's secret collusion with rogue ninjas that harmed innocent villagers!"

Hearing this, Shisui revealed surprise in his eyes—"You... are truly clever!"

Since the matter was too complex, Aozora was too lazy to write a long letter to Shisui, which is why he didn't know the details.

"I've reclaimed the Authority of Patrol and Defense that the Uchiha lost!"

"…"

"I proposed allowing non-Uchiha ninja to enter the Police Force, and it passed!"

"…"

Hearing everything Aozora had accomplished in just six months, Shisui fell silent.

He was sure his brother's abilities still hadn't matched his own—but what Aozora had done stunned him deeply.

At this moment, he realized his brother had also seen the clan's crisis.

Yet unlike himself, Aozora had chosen an entirely different path.

A wave of mixed emotions swelled in Shisui's chest.

He had walked his path for six long years, enduring countless hardships, and was finally nearing its end.

His brother's journey had only just begun—where everything once seemed lost, hope was now blooming and light beginning to show.

What awaited at the end of his road?

Was it genuinely a bright future?

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