Konoha Year 54

Tetsuo and Shisui caused a commotion at the border and received praise from everyone. The village of Konoha held a grand ceremony to commend their heroic deeds and promote them to the entire village. From that moment on, their names became widely known in the village.

Later, Tetsuo was transferred to the Konoha Police Force and promoted to the squad leader. At the same time, Shisui also achieved a promotion to Jonin.

After becoming Jonin, he had more freedom in performing missions, but unless there were special circumstances, he could take long breaks in the village. Shisui made full use of this precious free time by staying in the village to train with Itachi.

At this time, Itachi had entered the ninja academy, but the courses were useless to this gifted young man.

As a result, he often used clones, leaving shadow clones at the academy while he secretly sneaked away to train alone.

Coincidentally, Shisui was also recovering in the village. The two had known each other since childhood and understood each other well, so it made sense for Itachi to train with Shisui.

As time passed, Itachi's strength increased rapidly, and their friendship deepened. Though they weren't brothers by blood, they felt like siblings.

Years passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was Konoha's 54th year. For the past three years, the border wars continued, but the village remained calm, with nothing major happening, and everything proceeded step by step.

There was no need to elaborate on the battle situation at the border, as the war had reached its final stalemate. It wouldn't take long before Konoha, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure reached a ceasefire.

Itachi, blessed with extraordinary talent, graduated from the academy early. His achievements were comparable to Kakashi's, making him a prodigy in the ninja world.

After graduation, he successfully joined a ninja team and began various missions. With his intelligence and talent, he naturally integrated quickly into the role of a ninja and overcame various challenges with ease.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last long, and a tragic disaster suddenly struck. During a particular mission, two of Itachi's comrades were killed by a mysterious masked man. This event left him heartbroken and furious. Amid this great pain, he awakened his Sharingan.

When Itachi returned to the village with a heavy heart, his father, Fugaku, learned that his son had awakened the Sharingan. Instead of showing sorrow or concern, he congratulated him. This indifference disgusted Itachi, and he grew more repulsed by his father.

He felt burdened, as if an invisible weight was suffocating him. In despair, he decided to seek out Shisui again, hoping for comfort and enlightenment from him.

The two went to a clear river on the outskirts, found a flat stone, sat down, lit a bonfire, and roasted fish. In this peaceful natural setting, they opened their hearts, freely conversing while enjoying the grilled fish.

"Brother Shisui, you know that I awakened the Sharingan. It came at the cost of my friends' lives, but my father seems only to care about my growing power." Itachi said, bowing his head, confusion evident in his eyes.

Faced with Itachi's pain, Shisui felt sympathy. However, after careful consideration, he knew he needed to offer the right comfort and guidance. So, he spoke softly: "Itachi, I'm sorry for your loss, but embrace the lesson."

He slowly set the grilled fish aside, looked into Itachi's eyes, and said sincerely: "The world we live in is filled with cruelty and helplessness. Sometimes we must make difficult choices. Although losing your friends brings you great sorrow, it is this experience that makes you grow stronger. Perhaps your father doesn't value others' lives, but in his eyes, strength is the key to preserving the village's peace."

Itachi slightly lifted his head, looking into the distance while pondering.

Shisui continued: "However, we can't just pursue greater power; we also need to value those around us and protect what matters. Only by doing so can we truly become quality ninja."

Itachi nodded silently, signaling that he understood Shisui's words. Though his heart still ached, he realized he couldn't continue drowning in sorrow. He had to face reality with courage and take on responsibility.

"In fact, this is the unavoidable fate of our Uchiha Clan! The blood running through our veins seems destined to awaken the Sharingan when we face the loss of our closest relatives and companions."

"It may seem like a cruel curse, but from another perspective, isn't it a precious gift? This power is a valuable legacy left by our departed friends and relatives, giving us the strength to survive in this harsh world and press forward with their hopes and strength on our backs."

Shisui, having witnessed the brutal border wars and seen many Uchiha join the battlefield to protect their homeland and honor, had a deeper understanding of the clan's fate, with his thoughts being more mature and stable compared to Itachi's.

Itachi listened quietly, his heart stirred. He bowed his head in silence, as if trying to hide the tears in his eyes. But the tears still flowed down his cheeks.

At that moment, he realized his father knew everything. Fugaku understood the pain and inner struggle of his son, yet chose to guide him forward in a profound way. Fugaku wanted Itachi to gain strength from his comrades' deaths, turning the sadness into motivation to press forward in the harsh and cruel ninja world.

Shisui looked at Itachi and couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion. He once had a negative bias toward the clan, believing there was an irreconcilable conflict between the clan and the village.

But after the thrilling war in the Land of Lightning, he slowly realized that the relationship between the clan and the village wasn't necessarily adversarial, and the leaders' commands didn't fully represent the village's interests.

If that were the case, he should be at the Fire Country's border now, engaged in life-and-death battles with Kumogakure ninjas. But instead, here he was, sharing thoughts with Itachi.

Shisui's words pierced the fog in Itachi's heart, revealing a new world.

Itachi had always believed he possessed wisdom beyond his family's, thinking his father focused only on power and dismissed friendships. But now, it seemed those ideas were too biased.

True strength lay not only in one's own power but also in the ability to protect those around you.

As his mind gradually cleared, Itachi's eyes grew more determined.

It was sad to lose his friends, but the spiritual wealth they left behind would always stay with him. From now on, he would face future challenges with a renewed attitude and prove his worth through action.

Itachi's heart seemed to be lightly touched by something, causing ripples to form. At this young age, he was in a critical period for shaping his views on life, the world, and his values.

Shisui's words were like a bright light, illuminating the path ahead for Itachi and drastically changing his view of the clan. At the same time, it also subtly altered the fate of the entire Uchiha Clan.

At this moment, the sudden clash of metal broke the tranquility. The sound came from the river not far away, and it seemed a fierce battle was taking place.

Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances, both startled. Although this place was relatively secluded, it was still within Konoha's jurisdiction. How could such an intense fight suddenly break out?

However, both were seasoned individuals, and they quickly regained their composure after the initial shock.

Shisui's eyes sharpened. His strong sense of justice and passion would never allow him to stand by and watch a fight unfold before him.

So, he sprinted toward the sound without hesitation. Seeing this, Itachi followed closely behind.

What they saw were three Root Organization members working together to surround an ANBU ninja. The ANBU was clearly at a disadvantage and about to be defeated.

At this critical moment, Shisui rushed forward without hesitation, successfully blocking the fierce attacks from both sides, and quickly asked about the situation: "What's going on? You're both ninja from Konoha. Why are you killing each other?"

Facing Shisui's question, one of the Root members, holding a long blade, responded gruffly: "This person holds important information about a traitor, directly related to the village's security and stability! I must retrieve the information and eliminate the traitor! Get out of the way, kid!"

At this moment, the ANBU ninja lying on the ground quickly defended himself: "That person may indeed have unspoken difficulties. Even if the traitor really needs to be executed, the issue must first be reported to the Hokage."

Itachi, observing from the sidelines, thought to himself that what the Root member said made sense—ensuring the village's peace was far more important than dealing with a mere traitor.

However, Shisui held a very different view.

He stepped forward and said without hesitation: "Root ninjas are nameless individuals supporting peace in the shadows. But using violence to force submission and maintaining order through violence cannot be called peace."

After Shisui finished speaking, his eyes sharpened, and the three-tomoe Sharingan appeared instantly. Holding a short blade tightly, he leaned forward, ready to attack.

Hearing what Shisui said, Itachi now understood what decision he had to make. He quietly resolved to protect the ANBU behind him, firmly believing that only by doing so could he meet the expectations of the village and his brother.

"I am Uchiha Itachi, and I am willing to fight alongside Shisui!"

"Itachi." Shisui was moved upon hearing this.

Seeing the situation, the ANBU did not hesitate to use [Shunshin no Jutsu] in their attempt to escape the scene. But before they could fully vanish, both Shisui and Itachi moved to confront the enemy.

In an instant, swords flashed, and a fierce, thrilling battle began.

The three mysterious figures from the Root Organization opposite them all wore masks to conceal their faces, making it difficult to see their true identities.

Two of the men were tall and strong. One had straight ear-length hair and held a pair of very sharp sickles over his head. Holding a large machete, it was clear that the two would join forces to fight Shisui.

As for the remaining female member of the Root Organization, she had long, shiny black hair braided and hanging down her head. She wielded a ninja sword and actively attacked Itachi.

Itachi engaged in a tense and fierce fight with the female ninja. During the battle, he opened his double magatama Sharingan.

The kunoichi prided herself on using shuriken and wire tactics, but she did not realize that she was merely playing with herself. When faced with the Uchiha Clan and their Sharingan, what she called her skills seemed as childish and silly as a children's playhouse.

After an intense confrontation, Itachi leaped lightly under the moonlight like a graceful dancer, skillfully avoiding several fierce attacks.

Soon after, he threw his ninja sword and accurately pinned several flying shurikens to the ground. Then, Itachi landed steadily on the handle of the ninja sword, the entire movement executed smoothly in one fluid motion.

At this moment, however, the arrogant female ninja mistakenly believed that Itachi had fallen into the trap she had carefully set, so she cut the wire in front of her without hesitation.

Unexpectedly, this movement triggered more hidden wire mechanisms, instantly binding her tightly, leaving her unable to move. She was ultimately defeated.

On the other side, Shisui, seeing Itachi's easy victory, knew the time had come, so he no longer held back his strength.

He quickly formed a seal and performed the astonishing [Shunshin no Jutsu], moving between enemy formations like a ghost. In the blink of an eye, two enemies were effortlessly defeated by him.

The three members of the Root Organization fell to the ground in disgrace, their bodies covered in scars, their eyes filled with despair and fear.

However, Shisui and Itachi did not kill them, merely looking at them indifferently. Shisui waved his hand slightly, signaling Itachi to lower his weapon.

"Leave." Shisui said calmly, his voice so serene it made people shiver. "Consider this a lesson for today."

As if they had been granted amnesty, the three members of the Root Organization struggled to rise from the ground and fled the scene in a hurry. They were secretly relieved that these two hadn't killed them, or else they might not have been able to save their own lives.

Watching their retreating figures, Shisui frowned slightly and said to Itachi, "These people are becoming more aggressive, openly provoking fights in the village."

Itachi was silent for a moment before slowly replying, "But this is good. Let them know how strong we are, and they'll hold back in the future."

The three returned to the Root Organization's headquarters and reported the matter to Danzo.

Danzo was furious, and after venting his anger, he dismissed everyone.

He sat in his chair with cold eyes and said grimly, "It's Uchiha Shisui again. It seems I'll have to take action."