Back at the Uchiha hideout, Shisui and Arashi sat in the grand meeting hall, the remnants of their roasted fish meal scattered on the small table between them. The Uchiha clan symbol loomed overhead, a silent reminder of their shared heritage.
"Big brother," Arashi began, his voice laced with worry, "are you sure no one will find us?"
Shisui nodded reassuringly. "Only the Uchiha clan knows about this place. Fugaku-dono would never allow outsiders to discover it. It's safe."
Arashi relaxed slightly, but his brow furrowed as a new concern surfaced. "Do you think the Hokage knew about Mom and Dad?"
Shisui sighed, leaning back in the ornate throne. "Honestly, I'm not sure. All I know is that someone else knew all along. If no one knew about our parents, then you wouldn't have been an orphan all these years."
"I think the Hokage knows," Arashi insisted, his Rinnegan flickering with a knowing light. "He knows about Naruto's parents, so I wouldn't put it past him to know about mine."
Shisui fell silent, his thoughts echoing Arashi's suspicions. 'If the Hokage knows, then that only complicates things further. Because... the only reason he would hide such a thing is if he knew that Tsuki—no, Arashi—would have such power. But he couldn't have known that back then. Arashi's Rinnegan didn't awaken until he was four.'
The weight of unanswered questions pressed down on Shisui, a rare frown marring his usually carefree expression.
"Big brother," Arashi's voice broke the silence, "I'm sorry I did all this. If it wasn't for me, you'd still be with Big Brother Itachi, and you wouldn't be wasting your time on me. Please accept my apology." He bowed his head, his voice thick with guilt.
"Arashi, you..." Shisui's heart ached at his brother's self-blame. 'How could he think that?'
He beckoned Arashi closer. "Come here."
Arashi hesitantly approached, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He couldn't meet Shisui's gaze.
Shisui pulled Arashi into a gentle embrace. "Don't think like that again," he said firmly, his voice filled with warmth. "None of this is your fault. The real ones to blame are..."
Shisui's voice trailed off, his Sharingan activating, its pattern swirling with a complex mix of emotions. 'I can't believe I'm about to say this, but...'
"The Hidden Leaf and its officials are the ones to blame," he declared, his voice unwavering. He tightened his hold on Arashi, his other fist clenching at his side. "None of this has ever been or will ever be your fault, Arashi Uchiha. I only wish that everyone could see the truth."
Shisui's Sharingan deactivated as he closed his eyes, a profound sadness etched on his face. He lifted Arashi onto his lap, holding him close.
"I already know a lot about you," he said, his voice softening, "but I want to know more. Tell me what I missed all these years."
Arashi nodded, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes. "Alright!"
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Meanwhile, under the cloak of night, Fugaku Uchiha presided over a clandestine clan meeting within the Uchiha compound. The air crackled with tension as clan members voiced their concerns and anxieties.
At the forefront of the gathering stood Yashiro Uchiha, a seasoned shinobi with ash-grey hair and piercing eyes. He wore the traditional Uchiha attire, his presence exuding a quiet authority.
"Shisui Uchiha has abandoned the village," Yashiro declared, his voice grave. "He took the child with the Rinnegan with him, and now the clan faces even more scrutiny. Captain," he addressed Fugaku directly, "what are we supposed to do with the village breathing down our necks again?"
Fugaku remained silent, his eyes closed in contemplation. The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon him.
"Captain," Yashiro continued, his tone urgent, "with Shisui gone, there's no one left to uphold the Uchiha clan's image."
"Shisui's not gone."
The voice, cool and resolute, came from behind Yashiro. He turned, his eyes widening in surprise. Itachi Uchiha stood there, his expression unreadable.
"You're the last person I'd expect to hear from," Yashiro challenged, his voice laced with a hint of accusation. "You and Shisui were close. You should know where he is and why he did what he did. Instead, you're here, sitting and listening to the clan's complaints without a care in the world."
Itachi remained silent, his gaze distant.
'Shisui, you better have a solid reason for abandoning me like this,' he thought, his mind racing. 'The clan and the village need you. You and I are supposed to stop a coup. But maybe you know something I don't... You shouldn't have left to see the evidence without me. Could it be that Tsuki is your brother? His name would be Arashi, wouldn't it? I suppose you'll have to tell me when we meet again.'
He pushed aside his personal concerns and focused on the matter at hand.
Seeing Itachi's silence, Yashiro's frustration mounted. "The moment I saw that kid and Shisui," he continued, his voice rising, "I knew they would punish the clan for it. If this isn't proof of their mistrust, then I don't know what is."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room, the tension palpable. The clan, the village, the looming coup - these were the topics that dominated their whispered conversations, each voice a thread in a tapestry of growing discontent.
"For now," Fugaku finally spoke, his voice cutting through the murmuring like a sharpened blade.
The room fell silent, every eye on their leader.
"For now," he repeated, his tone measured and deliberate, "all we can do is try to help the village find Shisui and Tsuki. Anything else is prohibited by the Hokage."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in.
"I understand our frustrations," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the assembled faces. "And I share them. That's why, once the Uchiha clan discovers where Shisui and Tsuki have gone, we won't tell anyone. At least, not until the Hokage makes his decision."
The announcement was met with a wave of discontent. Faces hardened, whispers turned to mutters of protest. But Fugaku's authority held them in check, their defiance simmering just beneath the surface.
Itachi, observing the scene, felt a growing sense of unease. His concern wasn't for the clan's anger, but for Shisui and Tsuki. He knew his friend wouldn't have acted without a reason, but the consequences of his defiance could be dire. And Tsuki, caught in the middle of this brewing storm, was in an even more precarious position.
A few minutes later, the meeting room emptied, leaving only Itachi and Fugaku in the hushed atmosphere.
"Itachi," Fugaku's voice broke the silence, "if you have any idea why Shisui did this, or where he might be, now would be the right time to tell me."
Itachi met his father's gaze, his expression resolute. "Father, I don't know why he did this, nor do I know where he is or where he could be."
"I see..." Fugaku closed his eyes, his arms folded across his chest. "That child, Tsuki... why would Shisui risk his entire career as a shinobi for him? Do you think there's a connection between them?"
"I... I'm not sure," Itachi admitted. "I hope to find out once we find Shisui. He would never do something like this for a foolish reason."
Fugaku nodded slowly. "Foolish reason or not, Shisui has put a target on the clan, especially now when things between the clan and the village aren't good." He opened his eyes, his gaze piercing.
"Itachi, you will tell me if you have any idea of where Shisui is, won't you?"
"Yes, father," Itachi replied, his voice firm.
"Good." Fugaku stood and left the room, the weight of his responsibilities heavy on his shoulders.
Later that day, Itachi sought solace in the familiar surroundings of the Uchiha training grounds. He perched on a sturdy branch, lost in thought. Sasuke, ever eager for his brother's attention, followed him, climbing up the tree and tugging on Itachi's shirt.
"Big brother," Sasuke's voice was small, filled with worry, "are Tsuki and Shisui going to be alright?"
"Of course they are," Itachi replied, forcing a reassuring smile. "What makes you think they won't be alright?"
"Well, people in the village have called him a criminal," Sasuke explained, his eyes downcast. "They say that the Hokage should kill him and get over it."
Itachi looked into his brother's eyes, seeing the sadness and uncertainty reflected there. "Is it true? Is he a criminal?" Sasuke asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Itachi shook his head. "No, Sasuke," he said gently. "He's simply misunderstood. He's gifted, and often gifted people get punished for their gifts because people are afraid of them."
Sasuke nodded slowly, absorbing his brother's words. Then, a spark of admiration lit up his eyes. "You're gifted too, you're a genius, right big brother?"
Itachi's expression faltered. 'What kind of genius can't even save his friend?' he thought bitterly.
He jumped down from the tree, avoiding the question. "Come down, Sasuke," he said, his voice gruff. "Let's train a little."
Sasuke's face brightened as he eagerly followed his brother, the momentary sadness replaced by the excitement of training with his idol.
(Edited on: 21/09/24)