Sima Yi smiled and asked, "Have you ever attended a banquet in Konoha?"
"Of course I've attended, but those kinds of banquets..."
Kai seemed to picture something unpleasant and said with a look of disgust, "If I could avoid it, I wouldn't want to go to that kind of banquet!
"The Clan Head and the Elders do the same routine every year: everyone gathers to eat meat and drink wine. They barely take a few sips before starting to talk about the Uchiha's past glory, then they begin to criticize the Konoha Elders, and then a few others stand up to condemn the speaker."
The two sides began to argue like this. When their actions become more intense, Clan Leader Fugaku stands up to stop them, and everyone finally quiets down. However, no one'swilling to back down, so they just continu discussing their family matters."
Kai's annual experiences made him almost memorize this process, and his disdain was nearly overflowing.
Sima Yi was taken aback; could this really be considered a noble banquet?
Wasn't this just country bumpkins bickering?
He could understand their grievances, but shouldn't such matters be discussed privately in a small room rather than out in the open like this?
This was the first time he learned about the Uchiha family from a perspective other than Shisui's, and it seemed there were many things he didn't know.
"Has this situation always been like this, or has it only started since the new Clan Head took over?"
"I'm not sure. It has always been like this since I can remember, so it shouldn't be something that started after Clan Leader Fugaku took over."
As Kai explained, he suddenly realized and quickly asked, "Uncle Yi, have you never attended a banquet?"
Sima Yi replied calmly without changing his expression, "How could an old man like me, who hasn't even awakened his eyes at fifty, attend such a banquet?"
Kai suddenly understood and awkwardly scratched his head with a smile.
"Let's talk about tonight's banquet. Arrange it according to this list, and go back and remind the clan members to be more open and talk about battlefield matters with those around them."
Having pointed this out, Kai quickly connected it to Shisui's recent actions and understood Sima Yi's intention, nodding repeatedly.
"Then, Uncle Yi, can I participate in the final event?"
Kai rubbed his hands together, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Unfortunately, Sima Yi decisively shook his head to refuse him. If it were another Uchiha, he might have agreed, but he had heard of Uchiha Kai's strength.
"However, you can participate in the opening performance!"
"Opening performance?"
"That's right!"
"Who will I perform with?"
"Shisui."
In the blink of an eye, night had fallen, and the entire camp came alive. Aside from the necessary guard Ninjas, the news of tonight's banquet had been communicated to everyone, including the Ninjas who had just arrived to change shifts and were also invited.
With the year's end approaching, it was easy to imagine the resentment of those who had been pulled away from Konoha to guard this place.
However, after receiving the invitation, everyone couldn't help but feel excited, even if it was to make light of their situation.
At eight o'clock, after a patrol, Shisui finally returned to the camp. Looking at the changes in the camp, his expression froze.
The original row of tents had been moved aside, and the cleared space had been elevated with Earth Release Ninjutsu to create a square high platform.
Stone steps extended from the platform, with nine steps on each level, totaling five levels. Each level was furnished with tables and chairs, serving food and drinks, while his seat was at the very top.
When he saw Sima Yi making gestures towards him from the side, Shisui felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.
Am I supposed to sit there?
Gazing at the elevated position, Shisui felt as if his legs were weighed down with lead, making it difficult to move.
Sima Yi simply stood at a distance, calmly watching him without urging him on.
For a power to succeed, many conditions are needed, but the foremost and indispensable requirement is always a perceptive and wise leader.
Sima Yi made no movements, yet he exerted a mountain-like pressure on Shisui. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he focused his gaze, noticing that everyone was silently watching him.
They didn't understand the significance of this high platform, yet for some reason, they felt a sense of dignity and pressure in this setting. They remained silent, not daring to speak.
After an unknown amount of time, Shisui finally moved. He even scolded himself in his heart for hesitating.
Since that night when he responded to that voice, he had been mentally prepared for everything.
For Konoha!
For Uchiha!
He stepped over the high platform, ascending the steps, and stood there under the gaze of everyone, standing at the very top. Everyone looked up at him and, inexplicably, let out a sigh of relief.
The banquet has begun!
Everyone took their seats, including the Uchiha, reinforcements, and the changing guard, as the selected squad captains orderly ascended the high platform to take their places.
Among them were civilian Jonin, Special Jonin, Chunin, and Ninjas who had come from the clans; no one knew the basis for such selections.
Koizumi Satsuki was also among them, though he was seated in the middle tier.
As soon as they sat down, everyone noticed the hundreds of Ninjas seated in a circle below the high platform. For some reason, a sense of pride welled up in their hearts, and they all straightened their chests.
Sima Yi did not go up; he remained seated in a corner below to avoid drawing attention.
Once everyone was seated, Shisui picked up his cup and slowly stood up, his expression solemn as he made an effort to appear dignified.
"We are all here for Konoha. For the first toast, I raise my cup to Konoha!"
His voice was calm, yet it carried a peculiar strength that resonated in every corner of the camp.
After Shisui finished speaking, he downed his drink in one go. Everyone on the platform and below stood up, raised their cups, and shouted in unison, "For Konoha!"
Someone finished their drink and paused, clicking their tongue as they looked at the cup in their hand with a strange expression.
"The Third Hokage is stationed in Konoha and has bravely appointed us to defeat the Four Nations once again. This cup is to honor Lord Third!"
"To Lord Third!"
"If it weren't for everyone's sacrifice in this battle, how could we have achieved today's victory? This cup is to honor all those present!"
As the words fell, everyone was moved and tightened their grip on their cups.
"To Shisui-sama!"
Koizumi Satsuki exclaimed excitedly, unable to hold back his voice.
The entire venue fell silent for a moment before erupting into cheers, shouting, "To Shisui-sama!"
"To Shisui-sama!"
The cheers continued for several moments before gradually subsiding. Shisui suppressed his own rising emotions and looked down, noticing that many of his clansmen in the crowd had involuntarily activated their Sharingan.
At that moment, Kai flickered onto the stage, looking up at Shisui and forming hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
In the blink of an eye, two fire dragons took shape and charged up the steps.
The ninjas on both sides were shocked, but they saw that although the fire dragons were powerful, they brushed past them perfectly without any impact.
Shisui understood and clapped his hands together to form seals in response.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
Using the same ninjutsu, Shisui unleashed three fire dragons that dove forward, intertwining with the two that Kai had summoned.
In almost an instant, Kai's fire dragons transformed into fireworks and vanished, leaving only Shisui's three fire dragons soaring over the arena, dancing above the crowd.
It wasn't over yet; Shisui formed seals again!
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Like a cloud of fire pressing down, even more overwhelming than a sea of flames, the exaggerated flames engulfed the area and ignited above everyone, almost illuminating the entire sky.
It was a force that left them breathless and filled them with despair.
"Is this the power of Uchiha?"
The entire venue fell silent, staring in astonishment at the boy, Uchiha Shisui!
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