Gekko Chizan's stream of analysis almost made Chōmei's bug-brain crash on the spot.
He didn't understand. Not at all.
He couldn't make sense of it even by looking. Forget it—why torture himself? Chōmei simply logged off and went to sleep.
While Gekko Chizan was surprised, Uchiha Shisui was equally shocked.
His short blade wasn't some legendary sword, but it was still a good weapon. Yet no matter how he slashed, chopped, or stabbed, he couldn't inflict the slightest damage on the crystal clone before him.
So this was Gekko Chizan's Crystal Release? What a terrifying ability.
"Shisui, your Body Flicker is indeed impressive, but you lack offensive methods."
"If you run into an enemy with tremendous defense, Body Flicker alone won't solve anything."
Gekko Chizan waved his hand, leaving only one clone behind. The rest shattered into crystal fragments and vanished.
The remaining clone's forearms began to change as its hands joined together, forming a shield in an instant.
Hearing Chizan's voice and seeing the clone's movements—
Uchiha Shisui sheathed his short blade and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Fire Style! Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared forward, slamming straight into the shield.
The fireball was so powerful it forced the clone backward purely from impact.
"Not bad."
"Alright, that's enough."
"Shisui, tomorrow morning at the village gate—bring your luggage. We're heading to the daimyō's mansion."
As the clone shattered and the flames dissipated, Gekko Chizan chuckled lightly. In the next instant, using a Body Flicker, he appeared behind Shisui.
A heartbeat later, the two of them were already back in front of the Ninja Academy.
Before Shisui could react, Gekko Chizan disappeared again.
Shisui could only mutter, "So fast… I couldn't even react…"
After leaving, Gekko Chizan kept thinking about Uchiha Shisui.
"Chizan, you look troubled."
"What is it? Just because of that kid earlier?"
"An Uchiha isn't worth worrying about, right?"
Chōmei munched on his tasty bugs as he questioned Chizan. In his eyes, even if the boy was a talented Uchiha, that shouldn't be enough to make Chizan this concerned.
Hearing his companion, Gekko Chizan shook his head.
It wasn't Shisui's strength. It was his stance.
As a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, Shisui would definitely side with the Hokage.
The Uchiha were proud—none of them bowed to anyone.
Someone like Shisui, an outlier, was a fatal threat to the entire clan.
And the key problem was that the kid wasn't rebellious alone—he even dragged Uchiha Itachi with him. Tsk, tsk… If this wasn't handled properly, it would be trouble.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking."
"Hm?"
Chizan had just spoken when he saw a familiar silhouette at his door.
"Hey! Chizan-sensei, you're finally back!"
"Can you bring me along on this mission?"
"I know the clan head let Uchiha Shisui go with you, but I'm strong too!"
"I have the three-tomoe Sharingan."
Uchiha Obito looked at his teacher with hopeful eyes. He'd been stuck in the village for so long.
He wanted action too.
"Oh, Obito."
"This mission was personally named by the Hokage. You understand—it's not something I can decide."
Gekko Chizan gave his disciple a small smile. Uchiha Obito, the original biggest future boss, was now his student—what wasn't possible anymore?
Even if Shisui still ended up opposing the Uchiha clan, so what?
"Aw, sensei, come on, let me go!"
"Kakashi, that bastard, who knows where he went! Rin joined the hospital's medical team."
"My whole squad is gone—it's just me. It's boring!"
Obito really hadn't had it easy lately. Since the war ended, missions increased, but his teammates were either missing or busy. He was the only one left.
"I see…"
Suddenly Chizan felt a bit awkward.
Kakashi missing? Yeah—that was because he sent Kakashi to the Land of Frost to bond with Terumi Mei.
Rin joining the hospital? Also because he'd recommended her to Tsunade to learn medical ninjutsu.
Poor Obito—his sensei completely forgot about him.
Seeing Obito's pitiful face, Chizan couldn't help softening. He nodded.
"Alright, you'll come with me tomorrow. As for your mission status, I'll explain to the Hokage."
"Come on, you're here anyway. Stay for dinner."
The moment Obito heard he could join, he practically burst with joy.
Chizan only shook his head helplessly.
...
The next morning.
At the Konoha village gate.
"Yo, Shisui—Obito, you know him."
"I already got approval from the Hokage. He'll be coming with us."
Chizan explained as Shisui and Obito exchanged looks.
Then he eyed Obito.
"You didn't help an old lady cross the street today?"
Obito rolled his eyes immediately.
Great. Looks like this topic would follow him forever.
"Since Captain Chizan has the higher-ups' approval, I have no objections."
"Obito-senpai, please guide me."
Shisui, of course, knew Obito. His reputation was… average. But he was Chizan's student, after all.
Hearing him, Obito was instantly unhappy.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Don't think that just because people call you a genius, you really are one."
"I've seen plenty of geniuses. Kakashi, you know him? He's someone I've beaten!"
"If you're not convinced, we can spar later!"
Hearing Obito's loud bragging, Chizan nearly stumbled.
Good grief, Obito—since when were you this bold?
Kakashi is your defeated opponent? Since when?! How come your teacher never heard of this?!
"Hehehehe…"
Shisui let out a strange laugh completely unfitting for a child, turning his head away, not even looking at Obito.
This irritated Obito instantly. He was about to explode when Chizan blocked him.
"Enough, you two."
"We're heading out for a mission. Teamwork, understand?"
"Let's move!"
After stopping the two Uchiha brats, Chizan finally announced their departure.
The three of them ran toward the Land of Fire's interior.
This trip to the daimyō's residence was nothing like the previous one. The stakes were far higher. After all, the daimyō's mansion now—tsk, tsk.
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