Open the door to a new world!

Uchiha Shisui was silent for a moment, his mind swirling with doubt and possibility. "This is too risky, but... what you said is a valid strategy."

After a long pause, Shisui turned his gaze to Shiroishi. "Shiroishi, I need a favor."

Shiroishi raised an eyebrow. "What's the deal?"

Shisui took a deep breath before continuing, "Help me observe Itachi. Your plan, Shiroishi, is something worth trying. If I can gain Itachi's trust and cooperation, it'll be much easier for me to rise to the position of clan leader."

"But," Shisui hesitated, his voice softening, "I'm not fully convinced that Itachi will side with me... not yet, at least."

His eyes clouded with uncertainty. "I don't have enough time to monitor him myself."

Shiroishi's expression shifted subtly, intrigued. "Alright. What exactly do you want me to do?"

Shisui's request was exactly what Shiroishi had hoped for. The more he interacted with Itachi Uchiha, the more opportunities he'd have to get closer to Sasuke Uchiha as well.

"I'll arrange for Itachi to come here regularly," Shisui said, formulating the plan. "This place will become a familiar spot, giving you the chance to interact with him and find the right moment to test him."

Shiroishi chuckled lightly. "Shisui, aren't you worried I might expose your plan?"

Shisui smiled, a hint of fondness in his eyes. "I know your talents well, Shiroishi. You're not as gifted as a ninja, but your intelligence has always surpassed mine."

He glanced away momentarily, reminiscing. "Back at the academy, I could never outsmart you in tactics or strategy."

"If your physical talents were on par with your intellect, you'd be a top-tier shinobi by now." His voice softened. "Even Itachi, as skilled as he is, doesn't think on the same level as you."

Shiroishi's face remained impassive, but there was a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes. "Alright, Shisui. You can count on me to help you test Itachi."

"Thank you, Shiroishi," Shisui said, gratitude evident in his tone.

"Don't mention it," Shiroishi replied casually. "So, what's your plan now?"

"I'm going to join the Uchiha Police Force."

Shiroishi blinked. "The Police Force?"

Shisui nodded. "I've thought it through. My reputation isn't enough, nor are my qualifications, not yet. But now that the wars have ended, the Police Force is the best platform for me to build my status."

He paused, his expression darkening. "The situation there is terrible. The Police Force has a strained relationship with the villagers, and it's not respected by the higher-ups in the village."

"Even within the Uchiha, there are many complaints about it."

Shiroishi listened intently as Shisui outlined his plan. "I'll climb the ranks, and once I'm in a position of authority, I'll begin reforming the Police Force. If I can turn it around, improve its reputation and effectiveness, that will give me the standing I need."

Shiroishi nodded in agreement. He recalled how, in the original timeline, Shisui had also joined the Police Force. However, even with Shisui's brilliance, the situation there was far from easy.

"If you need any help along the way," Shiroishi said, "you know where to find me."

"Thanks," Shisui said, his eyes softening. "I won't hesitate to ask. You're my best friend, after all. We share the same vision for Uchiha and for the village."

A pause, and then Shisui added with quiet intensity, "Perhaps the fate of the Uchiha rests in our hands."

Shiroishi allowed himself a brief smile before saying, "It's getting late."

Shisui stood up to leave but stopped when Shiroishi called after him.

"Shisui."

Shisui turned back, curious.

Shiroishi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Aside from helping you strategize, I can also offer a bit of support in combat situations."

Shisui looked surprised. "Combat?"

"Shinji Hirako, come out for a moment," Shiroishi called.

From the shadows, Shinji Hirako emerged, his form fluid and poised. "Master," he said in a low, respectful tone.

Shisui's eyes widened, his Sharingan unconsciously activating for a split second as he took in the sight of the powerful feline figure. Shinji Hirako wasn't just any ninja cat. Shisui had seen cats from Nekobaa's clan before—imposing, intelligent, and strong—but there was something different about Hirako.

Shiroishi gestured. "This is my ninja cat, Shinji Hirako. He's... quite capable."

Shisui inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "It's a pleasure, Hirako-san. I've heard about the ninja cats trained by Nekobaa, but this... is a first."

Hirako gave a brief nod of respect in return before stepping back.

As Shisui left Shiroishi's home, his thoughts lingered on Hirako. "That cat... left to Shiroishi by Nekobaa, no doubt. Strong enough to protect him, but still... I can't ask Shiroishi to get involved in combat unless I truly have no choice."

Despite this, the presence of Hirako reassured him. At least Shiroishi would be safe, even if things took a darker turn. Shisui had always worried that involving Shiroishi might put him at risk. But now, with Hirako, that fear had eased somewhat.

"The world is so unfair," Shisui muttered to himself as he walked into the night. "If only Shiroishi's talent as a ninja were as great as his mind..."

Shisui sighed. "Together, we could have solved this conflict between the Uchiha and the village more easily."

As Shisui disappeared into the shadows, Shiroishi stood at his door, watching until his friend was out of sight. With a quiet exhale, Shiroishi closed the door, locking it securely behind him.

He washed up, the weight of the night's conversation still lingering in his thoughts. Outside his bedroom, Shinji Hirako took up his post, ever-vigilant.

Shiroishi stood in the quiet stillness of his shop, his thoughts racing. The gears of a plan began to turn in his mind. With Shinji Hirako at his side, providing immediate backup whenever necessary, he felt reassured. But his sights were set much higher.

"With Uchiha Shisui acting as a matchmaker, Itachi shouldn't have too many suspicions," Shiroishi mused, a sly grin creeping onto his face. Shisui's influence was crucial, but Sasuke… Sasuke was the wild card. His thoughts lingered on the youngest Uchiha. Whose favorability would Sasuke attract? The question gnawed at him, but there was one certainty: the stakes were rising, and soon, living ability rewards wouldn't cut it.

Shiroishi glanced at the single magatama in his possession. His current level, chuunin at best, wasn't enough to keep up. Shinji's strength was undeniable, but Shiroishi had ambitions beyond relying on others. He needed to grow. Fast.

The next morning, his chance arrived.

"Shiroishi, good morning," Shisui's voice broke the silence of the shop, and Shiroishi turned to greet him, noticing a familiar figure trailing behind. Itachi.

"Shisui, Itachi, good morning." Shiroishi's tone was casual, but inwardly, his heart quickened. Perfect timing.

But a customer's unexpected appearance pulled him from the moment. Shiroishi slipped into the warehouse, gathering the ninja tools the customer requested with swift precision. After completing the transaction, he turned back to his guests. The customer, now exiting the shop, paused at the door, glancing back in awe. Shiroishi followed the gaze. Of course. It was Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi—the genius pair of the clan.

"You're just in time," Shiroishi said, his grin returning. "Alice just made some breakfast. Let's try it together."

Leading the pair into a cozy lounge, Shiroishi signaled for Mako to manage the shop. The Uchihas took their seats, looking indifferent, but Shiroishi knew better. As Alice's cooking came into view, a savory aroma filled the room, pulling their attention. The air seemed to grow heavier with anticipation.

"Please, help yourselves," Shiroishi encouraged, glancing at Itachi with a smile. "Shisui's a good friend of mine, and that makes you a friend too, Itachi. Think of this place as your home."

With those words, Shiroishi picked up a piece of the meal and took a bite, leading by example. Shisui followed suit, and then Itachi. The shift in their expressions was immediate.

Itachi's dark eyes widened ever so slightly as he chewed. Shisui, too, looked visibly stunned. "Delicious!" Shisui exclaimed, his usual calm demeanor cracking. He turned to Shiroishi, his curiosity piqued. "Shiroishi, what is this? It's incredible. Crispy on the outside, so fresh. It's like all the exhaustion from yesterday is just... gone."

Even Itachi, usually so reserved, seemed captivated. Shiroishi could see it in his face. The boy who once favored simple meatballs now had a new favorite dish.

"This is Rainbow Vegetable Jelly, created by Alice," Shiroishi explained, smiling. "She's the chef here at the Ninja Tool Shop. You won't find this dish anywhere else."

In reality, Shiroishi had borrowed the recipe from the world of Shokugeki no Soma, a dish originally made by Tazoe. Alice had perfected it with the ingredients they'd gathered the day before. The plan was working, and he was just getting started.

The night before, Shiroishi had mapped out a strategy. Shisui was the key to connecting with Itachi. And through Itachi? Sasuke.

Sasuke's favorability was something Shiroishi planned to cultivate later, but for now, Itachi was his focus. Shiroishi had done his homework. In the original timeline, Itachi had a soft spot for desserts, especially meatballs. But Alice's cooking? It was next-level—a dimension-reducing blow to Itachi's tastebuds.

And it was paying off.

"If you like it, feel free to drop by anytime," Shiroishi offered casually, masking his excitement. "I'll have Alice make extra."

Itachi hesitated, his guarded nature briefly slipping. "Is that really okay?"

"Of course," Shiroishi said warmly. "We're all friends here."

As he spoke, Shiraishi's mind flickered to the floating numbers that only he could see. Shisui's favorability had spiked to 92. Itachi's had crept up from 66 to 68.

[68, recognized by senior Shisui, a pretty good person. ]

Just 2 points, Shiraishi thought, a small frown tugging at his lips. Gaining Itachi's favor is no easy task.

The difficulty in gaining their favorability was different, though. Shisui's high base favor made each additional point harder to earn than Itachi's. But Shiroishi wasn't discouraged. He'd come this far and wasn't about to stop now.

"You two can eat as much as you like," Shiroishi said with a friendly smile, leaning back in his chair. "I can have this made every day."

Shisui, clearly exhausted, didn't hesitate. "Then I won't be polite," he said with a slight grin, diving into the meal. The tension in his shoulders eased as he ate, the weight of his responsibilities momentarily forgotten.

Itachi, more reserved, followed suit, taking a few bites. Soon, the rainbow vegetable jelly was gone, and Shiroishi cleared the empty plates. As he returned to the lounge, Shisui turned to Itachi, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"Itachi," Shisui said, "let's make this our new meeting point from now on."

Itachi blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting this suggestion. Shisui hadn't mentioned it before.

"This place is remote and safe," Shisui continued, his tone calm but persuasive. "Our conversations here will be private. No one will overhear us. It's much better than meeting in the woods or near the waterfalls."

Shisui paused for a moment, then added, "And besides, Shiroishi can act as a point of reference for us."

Itachi's expression shifted, unsure of where this was going.

"In terms of ninja talent, Shiroishi might not be as strong as some," Shisui said, tapping his temple, "but up here, I've never beaten him. His insight is something we need."

Shiroishi stood quietly, letting Shisui's words sink in.

Shisui glanced at Itachi, his voice growing more serious. "The Uchiha clan's situation isn't great, and we need to work harder. But we both have our own missions and duties that keep us busy. That's where Shiroishi comes in."

He looked directly at Shiroishi, trust clear in his eyes. "We can meet with Shiroishi separately. He can summarize our discussions and pass them along. It'll save us time. And most importantly, we can trust him."

Itachi was silent for a moment, processing everything. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Good."

The room's atmosphere relaxed, the tension easing as their agreement settled into place. Shisui's goal was clear—he wanted Shiroishi to help observe and test Itachi. And for Shiroishi, this was the perfect opportunity to strengthen his ties to the Uchiha family and, more importantly, to get closer to Uchiha Sasuke.

After a brief discussion of Shisui's plans to enter the Uchiha security department, the conversation shifted to the clan's current situation. Yet, even as Shisui spoke, Shiroishi could tell that something was off. Shisui assumed that Itachi would naturally favor the Uchiha clan over the village. After all, Itachi was the son of Uchiha Fugaku. But Shiroishi knew better. Itachi's loyalty wasn't as straightforward as Shisui thought.

He favors the village over the Uchiha, Shiroishi realized.

Time passed, and Shisui glanced at the clock. Suddenly, he stood up, his eyes widening in alarm. "I almost forgot, I have something important to attend to," he said quickly, brushing off his clothes. "I have to go."

"But we still have a lot to discuss," he added, patting Itachi on the shoulder. "Itachi, I'll leave you and Shiroishi to continue. When I have time, I'll come by again. Whoever's here can catch me up on what we talked about."

Before Itachi could respond, Shisui vanished in a blur, leaving the two alone.

Itachi hesitated, glancing at Shiroishi. "Senior Shiroishi..."

But Shiroishi held up a hand, cutting him off. "Let's not talk just yet. Alice's lunch should be ready soon. Since Shisui's gone, let's eat more. No sense in wasting it. We'll talk after."

Itachi paused, then nodded in agreement. "Okay. I'm sorry to trouble you, senior."

Shiroishi smiled. "You're welcome, Itachi. We're all friends here."

And as they prepared to sit down for lunch, Shiroishi knew that with each meal, each shared moment, his web was tightening.