"Shisui-sama, after our repeated probing, we have confirmed that all the Mist Ninja in the Mist Hidden camp have withdrawn, and no traces of Mist Ninja have been found in the surrounding area."
The next day at noon, Koizumi Satsuki returned from a mission and brought the intelligence about the Mist Hidden camp to Shisui.
"Thank you for your hard work. Brother Kai still needs to help me with other matters, so I'll have to entrust these tasks to you."
Although Koizumi Satsuki appeared to be in his thirties, he was actually only slightly older than Uchiha Kai. Upon hearing this, he felt somewhat constrained.
"No, no, no, this is what we should do. If anything, we feel we have burdened you, Shisui-sama. We apologize!"
Koizumi Satsuki bowed in apology, a gesture he had performed countless times. Even though the other party was a much younger boy, he felt no discomfort in doing so.
Shisui stood at the desk, holding the intelligence. Seeing Koizumi Satsuki in such a posture, a hint of something unusual flashed in his eyes. Then, as if remembering something, he immediately dropped the information in his hand and walked around the desk.
He stepped forward with a gentle expression and slowly helped Koizumi Satsuki up, despite the latter's shocked gaze.
"Jonin Koizumi, please don't do that. Here, we are all comrades, all part of Konoha. Protecting you is the responsibility of us Uchiha!"
"Comrades!"
"Uchiha's responsibility!"
Koizumi Satsuki was taken aback. He thought back to his humble beginnings; aside from calling his noble classmates "comrades" during his time at the Ninja Academy, no strong Ninja had ever referred to him as a comrade in over ten years.
Over the years, he had long understood the brutality of the Ninja world and the significance of his existence to the village.
"Can someone like me really be considered a comrade of Shisui-sama?"
He asked, somewhat dazed.
"Of course! You, who are willing to risk your life to support us, are surely my comrade, aren't you?"
"No, that's just—"
Koizumi Satsuki's expression suddenly changed. He couldn't bear to meet Shisui's gaze, lowering his head to explain the cruel truth.
Suddenly, with a loud clap,
Shisui firmly grasped his arms and said loudly, "What are you feeling guilty about? Look up! All I know is that you are standing here, aren't you?"
Koizumi Satsuki was stunned, his body trembling slightly. Facing Shisui's sincere gaze, he faltered, his eyes reddening as he slowly nodded.
"Sorry, I'm already this old, yet I'm still making you laugh at me, ahahaha~"
Koizumi Satsuki chuckled as he wiped the wetness from the corners of his eyes.
"No, the fact that you're willing to show your true self in front of me only proves that you regard me as a comrade, right?" Shisui said sincerely, without mocking him.
"Hahaha, that's true! Thank you, Shisui-sama."
"This is a military camp, so such formalities can't be helped. But if you meet me in Konoha, just call me by my name."
"Understood!"
Regaining his composure, Koizumi Satsuki left the tent. Outside, he saw the elder from the Uchiha Clan who had been in Shisui's tent yesterday.
The elder seemed to have been waiting outside for some time.
Thinking of this, Koizumi's face turned red, and he awkwardly smiled, the two exchanged nods as they passed each other.
As he walked past, he encountered his squad members—two boys and a girl, three Genin who had graduated just over a year ago.
"Sensei, you're so slow!"
"Eh? Sensei, why are your eyes red?"
"No way! Could it be that our intel was wrong and you got lectured by Shisui-sama?"
"Is that true? Just a few words and you're crying? Sensei, how lame!"
"You can't say that, Sensei! Hurry and apologize~"
"No way, you little brats, what do you know? Go patrol!"
"Eh~~"
As their voices faded, Sima Yi stood outside the tent, looking back with a calm expression, though his heart was quite complex.
He recalled Shisui's earlier words, unsure whether to feel comforted or resigned.
While the techniques he learned were correct, they were too superficial. The thought of it made his toes curl in his shoes, and goosebumps rose on his skin; he really didn't want to get closer to this tent.
But
Watching Koizumi Satsuki leave, Sima Yi felt a bit puzzled.
The effect was almost too good, exceeding his expectations.
Upon entering the tent, he found Shisui waiting with a smile, having sensed Sima Yi's arrival.
Shisui stood there, staring intently at Sima Yi, a hint of anticipation visible in his eyes.
Sima Yi stroked his beard and nodded gently, "You did well. the Uchiha are fortunate to have you."
"Eh heh, really? No, no, this is all thanks to your guidance, Sensei!"
Looking at the sincere young man before him, Sima Yi faintly saw the shadow of another person—someone he had not interacted with much but was familiar with, a lord recognized by an old rival he had fought against for many years.
It was only at this moment that he realized the effect achieved might be due to more than just techniques.
"Sensei, Sensei? Are you okay? Do you need to take a break?"
"Hmm? Ah, haha, I'm fine. Just reminiscing about the past. However, what I said earlier is no exaggeration; having you is a blessing for the Uchiha and also for Konoha."
Shisui didn't understand why Sensei emphasized this and felt a bit embarrassed, but since it was Sensei saying it, he chose to believe.
He nodded firmly in response, "Yes, Sensei, I will work hard!"
"By the way, can you take a look at this for me?"
Sima Yi took out a scroll from his pocket; it was a Ninjutsu scroll he had requested from Shisui, which contained numerous Ninjutsu techniques.
"After carefully reviewing it these past few days, I can now extract Chakra. Last night, I even activated this pair of eyes."
As Sima Yi spoke, he concentrated Chakra into his eyes, and a single Tomoe Sharingan appeared before Shisui.
"This is a single Tomoe Sharingan, the first stage of Sharingan. Impressive, Sensei!"
It was the first time Shisui had heard of someone awakening their eyes at the age of fifty, and he couldn't help but feel amazed.
However, Sima Yi shook his head and said, "It has nothing to do with me. After I extracted the Chakra, I awakened these eyes automatically It should be…"
He paused here, but Shisui understood what he meant.
"Is it the Panel?"
Points: 0
Strategist: Sima Yi
He recalled that when the Panel appeared, it had informed him that points could be used to enhance the strategist's strength.
"I can earn one point each year, and I can use this point to enhance your strength, Sensei. Perhaps it could also help your Sharingan evolve."
This guess was acknowledged by Sima Yi, but he refused it.
"My strength increasing won't help the situation much; the use of points should be approached with caution. However, I am quite interested in this."
Sima Yi pointed to the section that recorded Sealing Jutsu and asked, "How is your Sealing Jutsu? Does the Uchiha Clan have a complete inheritance?"
"I only have a slight understanding of Sealing Jutsu, and very few people in the clan are interested in it. However, there are many related scrolls. As long as I go back and apply to Clan Leader Fugaku, he will definitely agree."
This is the benefit of being in a large family; there's no need to worry about Ninjutsu. As long as there's talent and interest, there's always a way for them.
Upon receiving the affirmative answer, Sima Yi did not feel happy; instead, he sensed another concern.
"You mean, very few people in the clan are interested in Sealing Jutsu?"
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