Chiya left Fugaku's home and headed straight back to the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters.
He pushed open the office door and found a small figure sitting quietly in a chair in the reception area, holding a copy of Fundamentals of Chakra Theory, completely absorbed in it.
"Shisui?"
Hearing his voice, Uchiha Shisui looked up. His large, dark eyes carried a composure far beyond what any child his age should have.
Most children this age were still throwing tantrums and rolling around in front of their parents. Someone like Shisui was truly rare.
Even Kakashi at this same age had not been this steady and sensible.
Shisui closed the book and stood, giving a respectful bow.
"Sensei."
Chiya smiled and pulled a key from his pocket, tossing it to him.
"That is the key to the study. Take whatever you want to read today."
Shisui caught it cleanly and nodded.
"Thank you, Sensei."
He turned to leave, but Chiya called out to stop him.
"Wait."
Shisui turned back, a questioning look in his eyes.
"Starting today, you no longer need to spend your afternoons in the study reading."
Chiya walked over to him and ruffled his hair.
"I will take you to the training ground. Your formal training begins now."
Shisui's eyes widened slightly, and a rare trace of excitement crossed his face.
That was the expression a child his age ought to have.
Chiya smiled as he looked at him.
Shisui noticed the shift in Chiya's gaze and immediately caught himself. A small flash of embarrassment passed over his young face.
He quickly composed his expression and replied in a serious tone.
"Yes!"
"Go on then!"
After Shisui left, Chiya walked to the desk and picked up a scroll that had just been delivered.
He unrolled it. It was intelligence sent back from the border by Hatake Sakumo.
In recent weeks, Chiya and Sakumo had been exchanging information regularly.
Having access to firsthand intelligence was crucial for the village and the clan alike.
"Border patrol encountered a small group of Iwa-nin. Both sides engaged briefly before withdrawing. No casualties at this time."
Chiya's eyes grew slightly darker.
'As expected. The friction has begun.'
He set down the scroll and tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
Going by the timeline of the original story, the Third Shinobi World War was drawing near. And for Konoha, that war would be a brutal war of attrition.
'When war sweeps in, the Uchiha will not be spared either.'
He immediately summoned the vice-captain of the Military Police Force and gave his orders in a low, steady voice.
"Starting today, all Military Police Force members will extend their training time by one hour. The intensity of combat sparring is to be increased by one level."
The vice-captain was taken aback.
"Clan Head, this is...?"
"War is coming."
Chiya's tone was calm but carried an unmistakable firmness.
"The Uchiha must be ready."
A flash of excitement crossed the vice-captain's eyes and he nodded firmly.
"Yes!"
After he left, Chiya quickly wrote out two scrolls.
The first was for Hatake Sakumo, its contents brief and direct.
"Border situation is tense. ANBU and the Military Police Force are to strengthen intelligence sharing and may carry out joint operations when necessary."
The second was an invitation to Tsunade.
Once finished, he called two trusted subordinates and sent each scroll on its way.
He then glanced at the towering pile of internal clan affairs reports on his desk. Most were trivial matters, things like someone causing trouble while drunk, a scuffle between members, a dispute over a shop...
With a sweep of his arm, Chiya pushed the entire pile into the waste bin.
"No time for any of this right now."
He walked to the window and looked out. Most of Konoha stretched out before him.
The shadow of war was quietly closing in.
Every village was no doubt already sharpening its weapons.
Especially those war-crazed people from Kumogakure.
But Chiya was not afraid.
On the contrary, he saw an opportunity.
A chance for the Uchiha to make their name known once more.
...
The morning passed quietly.
Chiya had someone go to the study to fetch Shisui, then brought him along as they left the Military Police Force headquarters and walked toward Konoha's most popular barbecue restaurant.
Shisui followed behind Chiya, his small figure moving with steady steps, curiosity in his eyes.
"Sensei, where are we going?"
Chiya smiled.
"Taking you out for a good meal."
Shisui blinked. He did not understand why, but he asked nothing more.
Soon the two arrived at the barbecue restaurant.
Chiya pushed open the door to a private room and a rich, savory scent of grilling meat swept over them.
Inside the room, a familiar figure was already seated, laying slices of meat across the grill with gusto.
Golden long hair, an impressive figure, and that signature white coat worn by medical ninja.
"Tsunade."
Chiya greeted her with a smile.
Tsunade looked up, saw Chiya and Shisui, and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, brought a little one along?"
Shisui immediately bowed.
"Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade waved her hand.
"No need to be so stiff. Sit down."
Chiya sat down with Shisui and picked up the tongs to start turning the beef on the grill.
"Been waiting long?"
"Just got here."
Tsunade gave a hum.
"You calling me here out of nowhere means you are definitely up to something."
Chiya smiled and placed some of the grilled meat into her bowl and Shisui's.
"Eat first. We can talk while we eat."
Tsunade did not stand on ceremony and dug right in.
Shisui carefully took a small bite, and his eyes immediately lit up.
"Is it good?"
Chiya asked.
Shisui nodded eagerly.
"Yes!"
Tsunade looked at Shisui and suddenly asked.
"This kid is the disciple you mentioned taking on?"
"That's right. Uchiha Shisui."
Chiya nodded.
"Good talent. Just too mature for his age. Does not act like a child."
Tsunade let out a snort.
"Learned it from you, I would guess."
Chiya shrugged without comment.
After the drinks had gone around a few times and most of the meat had been eaten, Chiya finally got to the point.
"Tsunade, I imagine you have received the border intelligence as well?"
Tsunade's expression turned noticeably more serious.
"Yes. The small provocations from Iwagakure have been getting more frequent."
"War is almost here."
Chiya looked her directly in the eyes.
"This time, the Uchiha will not stand on the sidelines."
Tsunade was quiet for a moment, then said in a low voice.
"What do you want to do?"
"Cooperate."
Chiya's tone was firm.
"The Medical Corps, the Military Police Force, and ANBU working together. Coordination and restructuring across every area, especially in terms of personnel, so that we are fully prepared before the war arrives."
Tsunade stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.
"You certainly get straight to the point."
Chiya smiled too.
"With you, there is no need to talk in circles."
Tsunade lifted her cup and drained it in one go, then set it down with a solid thud.
"Fine. I agree."
Chiya raised his cup and tapped it against hers.
"A good partnership."
Shisui sat quietly to the side, watching the two of them, a thoughtful flicker passing through his eyes.
When they left the barbecue restaurant, Shisui was walking behind Chiya when he suddenly spoke up.
"Sensei, will war... really come?"
Chiya glanced down at him and said quietly.
"Yes."
Shisui clenched his small fist.
"Then... what can I do?"
Chiya stopped walking and crouched down to meet his eyes.
"Get stronger."
"Strong enough to protect the people you want to protect."
Shisui's eyes were steady and he nodded firmly.
"I understand."
Chiya ruffled his hair, stood back up, and looked out toward the Hokage Rock in the distance.
The shadow of war was gathering. But Chiya had long since begun to prepare.
This time, he would hold the Uchiha, and Konoha itself, firmly in his hands.
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