Two days later, inside the meeting room of the Hokage Tower.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo—who had his right arm and eye socket wrapped in bandages—sat in their seats.
Before them, Itachi Uchiha knelt on one knee.
Itachi reported, "Shisui Uchiha was a central figure among the younger generation of our clan. His suicide has caused the morale and combat effectiveness of the Uchiha to drop drastically."
Koharu sighed, "In the end, though, it stopped the rebellion before it could grow."
Hiruzen cast a sidelong glance at Danzo before turning his eyes back to Itachi, sighing again. "Did Shisui really have no choice but to take his own life? Was I pushing him too hard... Sigh."
Danzo looked at Itachi and said, "Apparently within the Uchiha Clan, some suspect you killed Shisui."
To this man responsible for Shisui's death, Itachi replied expressionlessly, "Like Shisui, everything I've done is for the sake of the Uchiha. Only those who fail to understand this would say such things. Also, Shisui never showed up at the location where we were supposed to meet."
"So then, shall we let Anbu officially announce his suicide? No problem with that, right, Hiruzen?" Danzo turned his head toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat separated by Koharu.
Hiruzen nodded, "Hmm, do as you wish. Itachi, I hope you can inherit Shisui's will and continue seeking a peaceful coexistence between the Uchiha and Konoha."
Itachi lowered his head, "Understood!"
...
The following days passed quietly.
Chinya returned once again to his idle routine.
That promise made by Hiruzen that day had long since been swept under the rug.
Chinya couldn't be bothered chasing after Sarutobi for an explanation anymore—he didn't have much time left in Konoha anyway.
After [Massacre Night], he planned to leave Konoha.
Right now, Chinya just waited for events to unfold.
Shisui Uchiha's suicide indeed dealt a serious blow to the entire Uchiha Clan.
After all, Shisui was a legend within the Uchiha.
Known during The Third Great Ninja War as "Shisui Uchiha the Body Flicker," he possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Shisui Uchiha was looked up to by many of the younger Uchiha as a role model.
Although Shisui officially committed suicide, there were still many within the clan who suspected Itachi.
At this moment, Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha sat at the entrance.
Sasuke complained to his older brother, "Father keeps worrying about you all the time."
Looking at the setting sun, Itachi asked, "Do you hate me?"
Sasuke looked at Itachi, momentarily speechless.
Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared into the fading light. "It's only natural for a ninja to live in the shadow of others' hatred," he said.
"Nothing like that," Sasuke muttered.
Itachi gave a faint, knowing smile. "A man who stands out too much invites scrutiny and consequences. Power isolates you, breeds arrogance—even if your original intention was simply to pursue it.
But you are my irreplaceable little brother. I will exist in this world as the standard you must surpass. Even if you hate me, this is my duty as an older brother."
Sasuke gazed at Itachi, stunned into silence.
Just then, the main door swung open.
"Is Itachi home?"
Standing at the entrance were three people: Yashiro Uchiha, Inabi Uchiha, and Tetsumi Uchiha.
Yashiro glared at Itachi sitting by the doorway. "Come out here. We need to talk."
Itachi stood up, ushered Sasuke inside, then approached the trio. "What's going on? Why have you all gathered here?"
"There were two people absent from the meeting that day. Why weren't you there?"
"Don't give us excuses about top-secret missions. We know you've been sent to deal with troublesome matters since joining Anbu. Your father uses the same excuse to protect you."
"We don't intend to show you any special treatment!"
The three confronted Itachi.
Itachi remained silent for a moment before closing his eyes. "I understand. I'll be more careful in the future. Please go back now."
Yashiro replied coldly, "Of course we'll leave—but first, we need some answers from you! About the matter of Shisui Uchiha throwing himself into the Nanakawa River that night."
Inabi pressed sharply, "You used to admire Shisui like an older brother, right?"
Itachi responded indifferently, "Is that so… I hadn't seen him at all during that period. What a shame."
Kotetsu said solemnly, "Our Police Force has decided to fully investigate the truth."
Itachi frowned slightly. "Investigate?"
Yashiro held out a slip of paper. "This is Shisui's suicide note. Handwriting analysis has confirmed it's definitely his writing."
Taking the note from Yashiro, Itachi asked, "If there's no suspicion of murder, why investigate further?"
Itachi read Shisui's final message:
"I no longer wish to participate in missions. If things continue like this, the Uchiha Clan has no future—and neither do I… I can't betray my Ninja Way anymore." [Ninja Way – one's personal code and philosophy as a ninja] "Nor do I want to continue down this path anymore."
Inabi spoke aggressively, "For someone with the Sharingan, replicating handwriting wouldn't be hard at all. He was regarded as the top warrior of the Uchiha Clan—Shisui Uchiha the Body Flicker, who always led by example in every mission he undertook for the clan!
How could such a person commit suicide leaving behind words like these?"
Shisui's suicide is just one-sided hearsay, and his body has still not been found. In other words, if someone was after Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan..."
Itachi Uchiha cut Inabi Uchiha off mid-thought: "Maybe you should stop judging people based on looks or gut feelings."
Pointing at Itachi, Inabi Uchiha said, "Anyway, we'll leave the will with you for now! Use this to submit a request to the [Anbu] for an investigation!"
Yashiro Uchiha, Inabi Uchiha, and Tetsumi Uchiha walked outside.
Itachi tightly gripped Shisui Uchiha's will in his hand, barely containing his anger as he said, "Why don't you just come out and say it! You're accusing me, right?!"
Itachi's eyes had unconsciously activated his [triple tomoe Sharingan].
The three of them—Yashiro, Inabi, and Tetsumi—also activated their [triple tomoe Sharingan] and simultaneously turned to glare at Itachi.
Glaring at Itachi with pure hatred, Inabi spat, "Damn right, you brat!"
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