Koizumi Satsuki chuckled awkwardly; it was somewhat embarrassing to say this, but it was the truth.
"I only have fire attribute Chakra, so all the money I've saved over the years has been used to exchange for a few Fire Release Ninjutsu. The Great Fireball is already the most proficient and powerful Ninjutsu I can master."
Koizumi Satsuki knew that if it weren't for the war, the prices of many Ninjutsu would have decreased, but given his situation, he couldn't wait.
"I see!"
Shisui realized this. After pondering for a moment while holding the materials, he took out a scroll in response to the other person's puzzled expression.
"This is the training method for B-rank Ninjutsu, Intelligent Hard Work. I've always carried it with me but never had the time to study it. Since there's an opportunity today, I'll lend it to you."
Shisui wanted to give it away directly, but doing so would make the gift too significant for Koizumi Satsuki.
According to Konoha's regulations on the sale of Ninjutsu, once purchased, Ninjutsu is generally prohibited from being circulated; even direct relatives of the buyer cannot learn it.
If one wants to purchase Ninjutsu for inheritance, the price is extremely high.
However, this scroll is different; once given away, it could even become a family heirloom for Koizumi Satsuki!
"B-rank Ninjutsu!"
Koizumi Satsuki's heart raced, and his breathing became increasingly rapid.
"This subordinate has no achievements and does not deserve such generosity from Shisui-sama!"
Though he verbally declined, his gaze couldn't be torn away. For a commoner Ninja like him, mastering a powerful Ninjutsu could almost change his fate.
"Since you call yourself my subordinate, how can you refuse my command? Take it!"
Shisui suddenly changed his expression and said firmly.
Koizumi Satsuki's pupils constricted as he stepped forward uncontrollably, taking the scroll from Shisui's hand, his eyes revealing complex emotions.
Shisui noticed his struggle and said, "But you have a point. How about this: I'll consider it a rental. You pay me a thousand ryō each month until you learn it."
A thousand ryō—barely enough for a meal of barbecue—could grant him a B-rank Ninjutsu.
Koizumi Satsuki understood Shisui's meaning immediately, and without further hesitation, he stuffed the scroll into his clothes and knelt on the ground to express his gratitude.
"Thank you, Shisui-sama. I will never forget your kindness. It is an honor for me to work under you!"
"Get up quickly. Just remember not to forget your mission after receiving the Ninjutsu."
"Yes!"
Shisui nodded in satisfaction, then briefly assigned tasks before letting him leave.
Koizumi Satsuki walked out of the tent with the scroll, chest held high. The others finally relaxed their tense expressions upon seeing his demeanor.
"Koizumi, what does Shisui-sama want from us?" someone asked, unable to contain their curiosity.
"This is a secret; you'll find out soon enough. I have to go carry out a mission, so I won't tell you," he replied.
After saying this, he left impatiently, leaving a group of people looking at each other in confusion.
Sima Yi stood quietly on the side, observing, and nodded slightly at the scene.
Then another Ninja's name was called, and he entered the camp, full of curiosity.
Shisui followed the same approach; the Ninja willing to wait while looking at the materials was given the prepared scroll, while those unwilling to wait were simply assigned a task and sent away.
This continued until noon. After the last Ninja left the tent, ecstatic with a scroll that could change his fate, Sima Yi slowly walked in.
"How does it feel?"
"Strange," Shisui replied, not feeling any joy. He carefully recalled each person's expression from that morning.
He could easily see through their emotions and manipulate their feelings of joy and sorrow with his own words.
Yet what he offered were merely a few Ninjutsu, which even the Uchiha clan rarely practiced.
Especially considering the Uchiha's thousand-year history and heritage, these Ninjutsu were just the tip of the iceberg, yet they made these people ecstatic and anxious.
"What's so strange about that?"
"It's just an ordinary Ninjutsu, yet it can make these people so happy. Is it really that hard to obtain Ninjutsu in the village?"
Sima Yi was at a loss for words. During this time, he had learned some aspects of Konoha's system from Shisui, particularly about the Ninja Academy. When he first started to understand it, he couldn't help but marvel at how remarkable the Second Hokage was.
After further exploring the content of the Ninja Academy's curriculum, he felt even more impressed. The Second was indeed impressive for coming up with a method to cultivate cannon fodder in this way.
"You stand too high, yet you don't realize that knowledge itself is a barrier, a means to isolate and restrict development beneath it."
The Uchiha Clan had a special bloodline and wasn't too concerned about this, but for those families with Secret Jutsu, the spread of Ninjutsu was like digging their own graves, undermining their foundations."
Shisui was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Is it really that serious?"
From his perspective, teaching Ninjutsu to these people would naturally enhance Konoha's strength if they could learn it, which he thought was a good thing!
Sima Yi waved his hand, unwilling to explain further to avoid confusing Shisui. He simply warned, "Today is just to let you practice. Such things must not happen once you return to Konoha.
Otherwise, if discovered, the Uchiha will become enemies of all Konoha Elders and the Ninja clans, and at that point, we will truly be powerless against them."
Seeing his sensei speak so seriously, Shisui didn't dare take it lightly and nodded repeatedly, "I understand, sensei. I will be careful."
"Mm."
Although they had only been in contact for less than a month, Sima Yi still felt very reassured about Shisui's abilities.
"You give me the army roster, and I'll take care of the arrangements for tonight's banquet."
"Arranging a banquet is just about gathering to eat together, right? Why do you need the roster?" Shisui certainly wouldn't refuse and pulled out the roster, but his curiosity got the better of him.
"Hahaha, look more, learn more, think more," Sima Yi laughed heartily without explaining. He took the roster and added, "Call Kai over to help me."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Shisui looking puzzled.
"Why call Kai? I'm available too," Shisui murmured softly, but Sima Yi had already departed and couldn't hear him.
In the evening, Sima Yi and Kai walked around the camp, directing a group of Ninjas to prepare for the banquet that night.
"Uncle Yi, it's just one seating arrangement; why go through all this trouble? Everyone can just sit wherever they want; what's the big deal?"
After an entire afternoon, Uchiha Kai was exhausted. If they were doing something meaningful, it would be one thing, but most of the time was spent on investigating Ninjas, and the purpose of the investigation was merely to arrange the seating.
Facing Uchiha Kai's confusion, Sima Yi was very patient. He clearly understood one thing: the great building is about to collapse; one tree cannot support it.
The Uchiha needed more than just Shisui to turn the situation around; he had to help Shisui select suitable assistants for training.
Uchiha Kai was the first person he chose!
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