"Lord Shisui, after repeated probing, we've confirmed that all Mist shinobi have withdrawn from their camp. There are no signs of them in the surrounding area either."
At noon the next day, Koizumi Satsuki returned from reconnaissance and delivered the report.
"Thank you for your hard work. Hui still has other matters to handle, so these tasks fall to you for now."
Though Satsuki appeared to be around thirty, he was only slightly older than Uchiha Hui. Hearing this, he grew visibly flustered.
"N-No, this is our duty. If anything, we were the ones who held you back, Lord Shisui. I'm sorry."
He bowed deeply.
He had done so countless times before. Even though Shisui was far younger than him, he felt no discomfort lowering his head.
Shisui held the report, watching him from behind the desk. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
Then, as if recalling something, he abruptly set the report aside and stepped around the desk.
In Satsuki's startled gaze, Shisui walked up and gently helped him straighten.
"Jōnin Koizumi, please don't do that. Here, we are comrades—fellow shinobi of Konoha. Protecting you is the Uchiha's responsibility."
"Comrades…"
"The Uchiha's responsibility…"
Satsuki's heart trembled.
Born a civilian, the last time he had been called a "comrade" by someone powerful had been back in the Academy, when noble-born classmates still used the word freely.
In the cruel world of shinobi, he had long since understood his place.
"I… someone like me can truly be Lord Shisui's comrade?"
The question slipped out unconsciously.
"Of course."
Shisui's gaze was steady.
"You came here risking your life to support us. If that doesn't make you my comrade, what does?"
"That's not it… I only…"
Satsuki's expression shifted. He lowered his head, unable to meet Shisui's eyes.
He wanted to explain.
To confess the brutal truth behind his "willingness."
Suddenly—
Shisui grabbed him firmly by the shoulders.
"What are you feeling guilty about?" he demanded, voice ringing clear. "Look at me. I only know that you're standing here now. Isn't that enough?"
Satsuki froze.
His body trembled slightly.
Under Shisui's sincere gaze, something inside him wavered.
His eyes reddened.
Slowly, he nodded.
"…Sorry. I'm a grown man, and yet here I am making a fool of myself."
He let out an awkward laugh, wiping at the corners of his eyes.
"No," Shisui replied softly. "The fact that you're willing to show me your true self—doesn't that mean you already see me as a comrade?"
Satsuki laughed again, this time more freely.
"Perhaps you're right. Thank you… Lord Shisui."
"This is still a military camp, so formalities are unavoidable. But when we return to Konoha, just call me Shisui."
"Yes!"
Composing himself, Satsuki exited the tent.
Outside, he noticed the elderly Uchiha who had been staying with Shisui—Sima Yi—standing quietly nearby, as if he had been there for some time.
Realizing the old man may have witnessed everything, Satsuki flushed in embarrassment and forced a sheepish grin. They exchanged nods and passed one another.
Ahead waited his three subordinates—two boys and a girl, fresh genin barely a year out of the Academy.
"Sensei, you're slow!"
"Huh? Sensei, why are your eyes red?"
"No way—was our intel wrong? Did Lord Shisui scold you?"
"Seriously? He just said a few words and you cried? Sensei's so lame!"
"Hey! Don't talk to Sensei like that—apologize!"
"Shut it, you brats! What do you know? Go patrol!"
"Ehhh~"
Their voices faded into the distance.
Outside the tent, Sima Yi stood still, expression calm—yet his thoughts were complicated.
He replayed Shisui's words in his mind.
He wasn't sure whether to feel gratified or resigned.
The techniques had been learned, yes—but far too crudely applied. Listening from outside had made his toes curl and his skin prickle. It had taken effort not to walk away from the tent altogether.
And yet—
Watching Koizumi depart, Sima Yi frowned slightly.
The effect had been… surprisingly strong.
Stronger than he had anticipated.
Inside the tent, Shisui was already standing with a smile, clearly aware of his teacher's presence.
He looked at Sima Yi expectantly.
Sima Yi stroked his beard and nodded.
"You did well. The Uchiha are fortunate to have you."
"Hehe, really? No, no—it's all thanks to your guidance, Teacher."
Looking at the boy's sincere expression, Sima Yi was momentarily reminded of someone else—
A figure he had never directly served, yet whose name he had heard all his life.
A lord his lifelong rival had acknowledged.
Only then did Sima Yi fully understand—
What had produced such results today was not merely technique.
"Teacher? Teacher, are you alright? Do you need to rest?"
"Hmm? Ah—nothing. Just remembering old times."
He waved it off lightly.
"But what I said was no exaggeration. Your presence is a blessing to the Uchiha—and to Konoha."
Shisui scratched his head, embarrassed, unsure why his teacher stressed that point.
Still, he nodded firmly.
"Yes, Teacher. I'll keep working hard."
"Oh—take a look at this."
Sima Yi drew a scroll from his sleeve. It was one of the ninjutsu scrolls Shisui had provided, containing various techniques.
"After studying it these past few days, I've managed to extract chakra. Last night, I even awakened these eyes."
Chakra gathered at his gaze.
A single tomoe rotated in each pupil.
One-Tomoe Sharingan.
"The first stage of the Sharingan… Teacher, that's incredible!"
Shisui was genuinely astonished. Awakening the Sharingan at fifty? He had never heard of such a thing.
Sima Yi shook his head.
"It wasn't my doing. Once I extracted chakra, the eyes awakened naturally. It should be…"
He paused.
"The panel?" Shisui finished.
He summoned it in his mind.
Points: 0
Strategist: Sima Yi
He remembered clearly—points could enhance a strategist's strength.
"I gain one point per year. Perhaps I could use it to strengthen you… maybe even evolve your Sharingan."
Sima Yi considered, then shook his head.
"My personal strength will not significantly alter the broader situation. Points must be used with caution."
He tapped the scroll thoughtfully.
"But this, however, interests me."
He pointed to a section detailing sealing techniques.
"How proficient are you in sealing arts? Does the Uchiha clan possess a complete inheritance?"
Shisui hesitated.
"I only know the basics. Few in the clan show interest in sealing techniques. But we do have many related scrolls. If I request them from Clan Head Fugaku, he'll agree."
That was the advantage of a great clan.
One never lacked for techniques—only aptitude and interest.
Yet Sima Yi did not look pleased.
Instead, his eyes sharpened.
"You're saying… few within the clan are interested in sealing arts?"