Having no opinion was naturally a lie—without opinion, he wouldn't have researched the Uchiha's predicament.
But Shuji always remembered one principle: chasing after people isn't good business.
He wanted to help, but that didn't mean he'd grovel. Letting them come willingly—that mattered.
Shuji strolled home.
Granny Momoka had returned but wasn't sitting on the veranda sipping tea as usual, nor tending flowers. She simply stood beneath the tree, lost in thought.
"Granny."
"Shuji." The elder didn't turn. "You're back."
"Yes."
"Today," Senju Momoka's voice was soft, "I met Kachi and Hayami. Mission Center's Torei said your Team Five completed an S-rank mission—quite outstanding."
Shuji first puzzled, then suddenly understood.
"You, can't let go?" Tsunade had asked this; he hadn't answered.
"Nothing to cling to, Granny. It's just not the time to do nothing." He approached Momoka, voice exceptionally sincere.
He wasn't the original, truly treasuring Senju glory, determined to prove anything. Just the situation demanded it. Wake up in Boruto's era? He'd slack off.
This Ōtsutsuki, that god—incomprehensible. Nothing matters anyway; wait for Boruto to save the world.
At most, try becoming Naruto's brother-in-law—sister-in-law, nice.
Now opportunity remained; something could be done.
Senju Momoka lowered her head, aged fingers unconsciously rubbing rough bark. Receiving Shuji's mission brief from those people, she understood.
That dormant flame deep in this child's eyes hadn't extinguished; he ultimately didn't choose her hoped-for uninvolvement.
Live well, safely—find a cushy village post, isn't that fine? Those around this old woman—only you remain.
Long silence permeated the courtyard; only autumn insects chirped in corners.
Long after, she finally said: "Tomorrow, Kachi and Hayami return. Meet them—they wrote that recommendation letter last time."
Finished, Senju Momoka shuffled toward the lit washitsu, back appearing particularly frail and lonely in corridor shadows.
Shuji stood rooted, throat choked tight—couldn't even manage "Rest early."
—
Uchiha district edge; towering walls cast heavy night shadows.
"Itachi, why so dispirited?"
Itachi didn't step straight through that familiar gate as usual. He simply stood outside, gazing up at that closed, strict silhouette outlined by lamplight.
This was a cage, a prison.
When another figure appeared beside him, Itachi didn't greet, only remained silent.
Uchiha Shisui didn't press. He silently approached Itachi, likewise stopping, following Itachi's gaze to the same scenery.
From within the district came faint children's laughter, adults' muffled conversation—making the two outside more silent.
Time flowed soundlessly, until Shisui almost thought Itachi wouldn't speak tonight, when a low hoarse voice like sleep-talk broke in night wind:
"Shisui... I see no hope."
"What happened, Itachi?"
Shisui's heart tightened, immediately turning to face Itachi. But found in Uchiha Itachi's eyes, previously only two-tomoe pupils, now displayed three tomoe.
Three-tomoe Sharingan!
Itachi's mission went smoothly, right? The clan even spread exciting news: "Eight-year-old Uchiha completes S-rank mission."
Did someone else die?
"What... happened?" Shisui's voice sank.
"Father hoped I'd quickly understand senpai's thoughts. Earlier, I asked his view..."
Result unsatisfying?
Shisui sighed inwardly. Uchiha's path seeking external understanding and support remained long, arduous.
"It's fine, Itachi." Shisui pressed Itachi's shoulder hard, trying to transmit confidence. "Shuji-kun... ultimately open-minded. Future changes will come."
"Not so, Shisui." Itachi interrupted Uchiha Shisui.
"Senpai showed no malice. He just unveiled reality."
Itachi closed his eyes.
"He hoped I'd find the path, but I can't, Shisui."
So senpai already warned me. Back at the barbecue shop, he'd said it—but I couldn't understand then.
Still time now? Itachi didn't know, held no hope.
Thus he stood here, not returning, never telling father Fugaku tonight's words.
Useless—Father couldn't change anything.
Every clan meeting, he clearly saw Father's silence and powerlessness before impassioned clansmen.
Itachi understood earlier than other children: Father wasn't omnipotent. That man tried solving problems, yet always dragged along by clansmen.
Seeking village compromise yielded nothing.
Uchiha Itachi's father was excellent, powerful ninja, mature steady man—but not a clan head turning desperate tides, solving problems.
Shisui likewise understood. Otherwise, he wouldn't avoid excessive clan head communication, preferring independent efforts.
But now, seeing that deathly stillness in Itachi's eyes, feeling that crushing weight, Shisui knew: couldn't continue thus.
Tonight, he must take Itachi home—and meet Uchiha Fugaku.
Shisui hesitated no more, hand tightly gripping Itachi's cool wrist, pulling him toward the estate symbolizing clan head authority.
Itachi didn't resist, only obediently followed.
Head lowered, letting Shisui lead through familiar alleys, avoiding possible clansmen. Shisui's movements swift, silent—keeping anyone from seeing Itachi now.
Until reaching that solemn clan head estate.
"Brother..." A small figure joyfully rushed from the corridor, freezing upon seeing elder brother clearly.
Sasuke was about to pounce, but mother Uchiha Mikoto pulled him back.
"Mom, brother's back..." Sasuke struggled, confused.
"Sasuke, good," Mikoto's voice trembled imperceptibly, gaze never leaving Itachi. "Brother's very tired today. Mom will take you to your room, okay?"
"But..." Sasuke wanted to say more, but mother gently yet firmly led him from the entrance.
Only door-mountain-solemn Uchiha Fugaku remained.
He looked at Shisui, then Itachi held by Shisui.
Never seeing his proudest eldest son thus, he asked nothing, only turning wordlessly toward inner room, sitting formally on tatami.
Shisui pulled Itachi in, sliding paper door shut, isolating outside.
Shisui didn't speak—didn't know what Shuji told Itachi.
After brief suffocating silence, Itachi slowly raised his head.
Crimson eyes, three tomoe slowly spinning.
"As Father requested, I learned senpai's attitude..."
Directly meeting Father's likewise three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Below, senpai's response..."
Reference Glossary:
Washitsu – Traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, sliding paper doors, and minimal furnishings, common in older estate .
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild