The night was deathly still — so still that Shisui and Aozora, sitting face-to-face, could hear each other's breath and heartbeat like drumbeats in the dark.
Aozora heard Shisui's uneven breathing.
Shisui heard Aozora's steady heartbeat.
After a long silence, Shisui snapped back to reality.
Looking at Aozora before him, he smiled warmly, his eyes turning into crescents.
"Aozora, you've really grown up."
This time, Aozora didn't get angry. He could hear the pride and sorrow in his brother's voice—joyful yet bittersweet.
This time, "grown up" wasn't just praise.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Aozora felt a sharp twinge of sadness too.
"Huff—"
Letting out a deep sigh, Aozora pushed aside the strange emotions inside and spoke calmly, "Shisui, you're troubled."
Not a guess, not a question—just a statement.
Shisui hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Aozora continued, "We're brothers, relying only on each other. What could you possibly have to hide from me?"
Shisui shook his head. "I thought it was just troubling matters; speaking them out would only worry you more."
Aozora listened quietly.
"But..."
Shisui gave a bitter smile. "I never imagined you'd become this outstanding. Maybe you're the one destined to lead our clan's revival. Maybe your path is the right one after all."
Aozora just stayed quiet after that.
From an omniscient perspective, Shisui's actions seemed so naively foolish.
Yet whether toward Konoha or the Uchiha, Shisui had never betrayed either side.
After a pause, Aozora said, "Shisui, you're wrong! The Uchiha revival belongs to all of us—it doesn't rely on you alone, nor on me, but on every single Uchiha working together."
Hearing this, Shisui was truly moved. "Your capacity indeed surpasses mine!"
Aozora ignored the praise and pressed on, "Tell me, what exactly happened? If it's a difficult mission, I can help plan it. And if it's something bigger, I can make a suggestion to the clan head."
Shisui looked at Aozora earnestly before proudly saying, "The Hokage has decided to recommend me for the position of Hokage Deputy!"
Upon hearing that, Aozora slammed his hand on the table and stood up, furious. "That old schemer Hiruzen—he hasn't given up his plot to destroy the Uchiha!"
He hadn't seen that coming at all!
Regardless of whether he gets chosen or not, Fugaku has already promised the Hyūga not to run, and informed Ino–Shika–Cho to support Akimichi Torifu. As long as the Uchiha stays out of this election, they gain the solid friendship of two major factions.
But if tomorrow, during the meeting, Hiruzen nominates Shisui, the Uchiha's credibility will collapse completely. Then the Hyūga and Ino–Shika–Cho will believe the Uchiha are colluding with the Hokage Faction, nullifying all efforts made previously.
Shisui was greatly surprised by Aozora's reaction, frowning slightly. "Aozora, don't speak disrespectfully about the Hokage!"
Angry as he was, Aozora originally wanted to let out a string of curses—but seeing the furrowed brow on Shisui's face, he angrily sat back down.
He knew that Sarutobi held great prestige in Shisui's heart. If he insulted him now, their conversation tonight might end right here.
Now that Shisui had opened up, this was a promising start. Ao couldn't afford to let this rare opportunity slip away in a fit of anger.
Ao calmed himself, and in response, Shisui forgave his younger brother's earlier outburst.
Even though he still felt uneasy about Ao's words, how could he blame him? After all, he was his little brother.
With a slightly stern tone, Shisui said, "Ao, why did you speak disrespectfully toward Lord Third? He has shown me great trust by appointing me as Hokage Deputy. That is a goodwill gesture toward the Uchiha Clan."
He continued with determined eyes, "Once I officially become the Hokage Deputy, the villagers will surely change their views of us. As the bridge between the Uchiha and the Village, misunderstandings will fade. The Uchiha Clan will fully integrate into the Village, and then our clan will definitely rise again."
As he spoke, brilliant light shone from his eyes.
Ao understood—it was the glow of unwavering dreams and unshakable belief.
He also knew that directly asking Shisui to give up the position of Hokage Deputy at this moment would only result in refusal.
After working toward it for years, who would just walk away from a dream now within reach?
Even if Ao told Shisui right now that the title was created specifically under his own pressure on the Third, Shisui wouldn't believe it.
Still, Ao didn't give up. His mind quickly raced to find the right words.
At present, Shisui was undoubtedly the strongest among the Uchiha—even possibly stronger than the clan head Fugaku, whose battle experience had grown rusty over time.
If Shisui stood by the Uchiha, then at least within Konoha, they would be safe. However, if he opposed them, the Clan would once again be on the brink of disaster.
Soon enough, Ao made up his mind.
He didn't intend to question Shisui directly. When dealing with someone with strong convictions, the best approach was to go along with their reasoning.
First, Ao smiled and nodded. Then he said, "I also believe the Uchiha need communication with the village."
Hearing that, Shisui nodded happily.
"However…" Ao continued, "I don't agree with your idea of being the sole bridge of communication."
Shisui frowned slightly, puzzled. "Is there anyone more suitable than me? Although I've left the Police Force, I still share deep bonds with many of the clan's captains. Besides, who in the Uchiha does Lord Third trust more than me?"
Ao affirmed, "Indeed, if a bridge of communication is needed, you are undoubtedly the most suitable candidate."
Shisui puffed out his chest proudly. His brother's approval meant just as much to him as the Hokage's trust.
"But…"
Ao paused deliberately, ensuring Shisui was fully focused.
"Isn't more communication better? Why must we insist on a single path?"
Shock washed over Shisui. For the first time, doubt crept into his certainty.
Ao continued, "Last week during the meeting, I proposed allowing non-Uchiha ninja to join the Police Force. It's been approved! In the future, the Police Department will include many new faces—they will become bridges of communication between the Uchiha and the Village."
Shisui anxiously replied, "But they're just ordinary ninja!"
Ao shook his head and asked, "What does Konoha truly belong to?"
"Is it the Konoha leadership seated solemnly in the Hokage Tower, or all the villagers living in Konoha?"
It was a question he once asked Itachi, and the impact had been enormous.
Now Aozora raised it again, and it worked just as well.
Shisui wasn't stupid. He immediately understood Aozora's meaning and lowered his head in thought.
Aozora stared at him seriously and asked, "Shisui, do you want to become the Hokage Deputy to resolve the misunderstanding between the village and the Uchiha, or for the power it brings?"
"Of course to eliminate misunderstandings!" Shisui answered earnestly.
Nodding, Aozora continued solemnly, "Are you willing to sacrifice for your clan, and for the Village?"
Although somewhat puzzled, Shisui still replied firmly, "Of course I am! I'd gladly give everything if it's for the clan or the Village!"
"Good!" Aozora praised, then advised, "Then you'd better refuse the Hokage's 'kind offer,' and don't even attend tomorrow's high-level meeting."
A trace of unwillingness flickered in Shisui's heart as he couldn't help asking, "Why?"
Thinking for a moment, Aozora explained, "The Hyūga Family helped us before, so this time we'll support them for one of the Hokage Deputy positions."
Exchanging glances with Aozora, Shisui knew that Aozora wasn't lying to him.
He didn't dig further but asked, "But there are two deputy positions!"
Sighing, Aozora said, "If both Hokage Deputy positions end up occupied by noble families, how much criticism would the Uchiha and Hyūga face? Perhaps it will even reignite tensions between commoners and noble families!"
Shisui fell silent.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn ever bright. The flames will continue illuminating the Village, allowing new leaves to sprout. For the stability of the Village, we Uchiha painfully withdrew from this selection."
Shisui remained quiet.
Finally, Aozora comforted him, "Don't worry, we've found a suitable candidate. If he becomes the Hokage Deputy, not only will the situation stabilize, but it can also reduce the misunderstanding between the Village and our Uchiha clan!"
He ran through every name he could think of, yet still couldn't figure out who it was. Puzzled, he asked, "Who is he?"
Smiling, Aozora replied, "Torifu Grandfather!"
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