"Kagetsu!" A familiar voice pierced Kagetsu's ears.
Following the voice, Kagetsu quickly spotted Shisui waving at him from within the crowd, holding the hand of a child who looked about four or five years old.
Suddenly, a black-and-blue-striped cat appeared out of nowhere, perching proudly on Kagetsu's shoulder and glaring intently at Shisui as he approached.
The sight of the cat caught both Uchiha Shisui and the child he was holding by surprise, their eyes lighting up in excitement.
As members of the Uchiha clan, who had a long-standing contract with the ninja cats, their love and respect for cats was undeniable.
Even though they knew that the cat in front of them was, in truth, a fearsome tailed beast, its current cute and harmless appearance made it hard to resist wanting to pet it.
But clearly, the cat held an open hostility towards Shisui and the child. Its eyes were fixed on Shisui's hand, lips slightly parted, seemingly waiting for the moment he reached out so it could bite!
"He means no harm to you," Kagetsu said, patting the cat on his shoulder. The cat promptly swatted his hand away with its paw.
"Wretched little Uchiha brat!" the cat managed to growl, its voice gruff yet surprisingly gentle. It hadn't forgotten how many times Shisui's Sharingan had controlled it right after it had gained its freedom.
After being confined for so long, all it wanted was to enjoy its newfound freedom!
Who cared about the Mangekyo Sharingan!
It was a polite, easygoing tailed beast—as long as no one provoked it.
It had come to accept its current life, free to come and go, with Kagetsu feeding it delicious food every day.
Kagetsu's laid-back attitude toward it was quite surprising.
The cat had once thought about escaping for complete freedom. But in its incomplete form, it wasn't as powerful as it imagined. After being repeatedly tracked down and reprimanded by Shisui, it had resigned itself to this life.
According to the contract, it could only stay by Kagetsu's side. But compared to that troublesome fox rumored to be sealed in Konoha, its life was practically paradise.
"This is Itachi, the child of Clan Leader Fugaku. I often bring him along for ninja training when I have time," Shisui explained, noticing the cat's warning glare and awkwardly retracting his hand as he introduced the child to Kagetsu.
"I know; Clan Leader Fugaku has mentioned more than once that Itachi has great talent." Kagetsu looked down at the young Itachi, gently patting his head.
"This is my partner, cat," Kagetsu said, bowing slightly and gesturing to the cat on his shoulder as he introduced it to Itachi. The cat, pleased by Kagetsu's respect, felt quite dignified.
After all, Kagetsu was one of the few humans in its memory who respected tailed beasts and held no prejudice against them.
If it weren't for its overly strong curiosity and constant urge to experiment on him, the Two-Tails would actually be quite satisfied with its current Jinchuriki.
Another individual, upon meeting Shisui, would likely share similar thoughts and feelings.
Though Itachi appeared to be only four or five years old, he was already showing signs of maturity. In the ninja world, smart children, usually by five or six, could understand a great deal. Some could even think about complex issues like death and peace, just as adults do.
After exchanging polite words and parting ways, Shisui noticed Shisui seemed as though he had something to say to him but stayed silent. Shisui didn't ask. If it was important, he trusted that Shisui would come to him eventually.
---
Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Shisui brought Itachi back to his home.
"Clan Leader," Shisui greeted respectfully as he saw Uchiha Fugaku standing under the eaves, his posture firm and his expression serious.
"Father," Itachi, standing by Shisui's side, offered his own greeting with a mature demeanor.
"Did you finish today's training?" Fugaku first acknowledged Shisui with a nod, then focused his stern gaze on Itachi.
"Yes, I did." Itachi nodded.
"I trained with him. His kunai-throwing skills are almost as good as mine now," Shisui added in support.
"The Hokage has issued wartime preparation orders to all the ninja clans. In the upcoming Shinobi World War, the Uchiha clan, as an important part of the village, will also be mobilizing its members to the battlefield.
You should be ready to join me in battle, Itachi!" Fugaku commanded, his expression impassive as he looked at Itachi.
"Wait, Clan Leader!" Shisui raised his head instinctively upon hearing Fugaku's words. "Itachi is still just a child!"
"He is the eldest son of the Uchiha Clan Leader!" Fugaku sighed but quickly regained his firm, cold expression.
Itachi seemed accustomed to this growing responsibility, responding only with a silent nod.
"Don't worry. I'm only taking him to witness the harsh realities of the battlefield. He won't leave my side or my sight," Fugaku reassured, noticing Shisui's hesitation. His expression softened as he tried to put Shisui at ease.
"I understand," Shisui replied, glancing at Itachi, who instinctively grew serious under Fugaku's gaze. Inside, Shisui couldn't help but feel a quiet worry for him.
"The Uchiha clan has established close ties with Lord Orochimaru, but it's not enough!" Fugaku hesitated, turning slightly away before explaining to the two of them. "War is dangerous, but it also brings opportunity.
"If Lord Orochimaru can achieve enough merit in this war, then the position of the Fourth Hokage will be secured for him.
"Once Lord Orochimaru becomes the Fourth Hokage, the tension and misunderstandings between the village and the Uchiha clan will ease—even disappear completely!
"If possible, I want Itachi to become Orochimaru's disciple. But first, Itachi needs to prove his talents, and the Uchiha clan must showcase its strength!
"The future of the Uchiha rests on you and Itachi, Shisui."
Shisui looked up at his clan leader in surprise, then nodded silently.
He loved the village and believed that Orochimaru's rise to the Fourth Hokage was inevitable. It might seem grim, but every Ninja World War had led to the death or replacement of Kage in the five major nations.
The brutal nature of the Ninja World Wars was clear.
...
In the Technology Development Department.
Kagetsu stared at the clone suspended in the nutrient solution, flipping through the test data. Without hesitation, he gave his cold assessment.
"Unqualified."
"Damn it!" Shin, standing nearby, was frustrated. This was the best work he could present, yet Kagetsu dismissed it as unfit.
"Your foundation is too weak. Trying to skip the basics and jump straight to advanced skills is too difficult," Kagetsu said. "Did you read and understand all the books I gave you?"
****
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