"The Greater Cause?"
Shisui felt his mind tremble as he repeated the unfamiliar term.
"Understanding the Greater Cause is still difficult for you," Sima Yi said calmly. "For now, think of it as a shared consensus.
"As you said earlier, it is a shinobi's duty to obey the Hokage. If every shinobi in Konoha believes this, then the Hokage truly possesses the authority to command them all.
"Even the powerful clans would not dare openly defy his orders. That is the prestige and power granted by the Greater Cause.
"Of course, such authority is not limitless, nor is the restraint of the Greater Cause eternal. As prestige and strength wane, so too does its binding force.
"Until one day, ritual collapses and order decays—everything overturns. Then another will arise, rebuild order, gather consensus, and form a new Greater Cause."
Sima Yi had witnessed the fall and reconstruction of imperial authority with his own eyes. He spoke from experience.
But Konoha's history was too short; he did not elaborate further.
Shisui was stunned.
The reasoning was too profound. He could not fully grasp it yet and could only commit it to memory, hoping time would grant understanding.
"Remember it for now," Sima Yi said softly. "One day, you will have the chance to comprehend it."
And if that day never came, it would simply mean they had failed—and then there would be no need to understand.
"Yes, Teacher."
"Now, let us speak of why you had to establish prestige tonight."
Shisui straightened instinctively.
Before Sima Yi could continue, Hui clapped his hands loudly.
"I get it, Uncle Yi! It must be so everyone trusts Shisui. When we get back, we'll find a way to make him Hokage!"
Sima Yi fell silent.
Individually, Hui's words weren't wrong.
Put together like that, however, they would only hasten the Uchiha clan's destruction.
"…Was I wrong?"
Hui's confidence deflated instantly.
"Yes. And no."
After a long pause, Sima Yi replied as such. Then, citing the need for rest, he sent Hui away.
"I'll spend more time with him on the road. For now, it seems you two aren't suited to attend the same lessons."
"Haha… Teacher is right."
It was not that Hui was foolish. The teaching method simply required adjustment. And what came next was not yet for Hui's ears.
"Most of what he said is correct," Sima Yi continued once they were alone. "Tonight's display of authority was indeed to make others trust you.
"But your target was not outsiders.
"It was the Uchiha clan."
Shisui's eyes widened instantly.
"So… our next goal isn't the Hokage position, but the clan leadership?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Sima Yi's gaze before he nodded approvingly.
"Good. You are teachable."
"Did you notice the reactions of your clansmen atop the platform?"
Shisui nodded, recalling the Sharingan that had unconsciously awakened in their eyes—recognition, acceptance.
"They will be your foundation. The base upon which you may one day contend for the Hokage's seat.
"You must not treat them as you treat outsiders. You need sufficient prestige to earn their recognition. Only then can you gain the right to command the Uchiha.
"As for outsiders, that is where you grant benefits and show favor to win hearts."
Shisui frowned slightly.
"Isn't that… discrimination?"
"It is discrimination."
Sima Yi did not deny it.
"The Uchiha's interests align with yours. They do not require deliberate courting. If your prestige is sufficient, if your rewards and punishments are clear, they will naturally stand behind you and support you.
"Unless," he added pointedly, "you walk the path of your ancestor."
The ancestor, of course, was Uchiha Madara.
Madara had seen the future awaiting the Uchiha within Konoha—but leaving Konoha conflicted with the clan's immediate interests. Few had stood beside him.
"Shared interests…" Shisui murmured.
His eyes brightened with realization.
"I understand now. Winning over other shinobi is only a means. The ultimate goal remains the betterment of the Uchiha.
"This is what you meant by weighing gains and losses, keeping a long-term vision, and clarifying one's objective!"
Sima Yi laughed heartily.
"Precisely. Establishing authority is a means. Bestowing favors is a means. All methods exist for the sake of the final objective."
Shisui's face lit with joy at the praise.
After a few more brief remarks, Sima Yi felt fatigue settle in. He ended the lesson without delay.
After all, the body was the foundation of all great undertakings.
The next day, the shinobi army set out for Konoha.
More than four hundred traveled light and swiftly.
This proved troublesome for Sima Yi.
Though he could now extract chakra, his training time was short. His speed was slow, and more importantly, his endurance lacking.
Shisui, citing his age, purchased him a horse.
A fifty-year-old elder riding instead of leaping through the trees drew no criticism.
For several days, Sima Yi rode by day and studied sealing techniques by night.
Years in military campaigns had hardened him. This hardship was nothing.
Eventually, he found time after supper to begin instructing Hui.
Without written materials and unfamiliar with this world's ancient history, he instead used Shisui's recent actions as case studies.
"That day I wondered how Shisui suddenly became so clever," Hui said in admiration. "Turns out it was all your teaching, Uncle Yi!"
As Sima Yi recounted the incident of Mizuto Monshō's collusion, Hui vividly remembered that meeting—how he had spoken boldly, cornering Commander Nara into dismissing Mizuto on the spot.
"Study more. Reflect more. I have high hopes for you."
"Oh~ Uncle Yi, you've got a good eye~"
Five days later, they passed Uchiha compound" and drew close to Konoha.
That evening, outside the camp tent, Sima Yi was recounting in detail the rescue of the reinforcement unit when Shisui approached, his tone heavy.
"Teacher, we'll reach Konoha by tomorrow evening. But there's been no reaction regarding that incident. I can't shake the feeling they won't let it go."
Hui nodded grimly.
Tenzō Rikidō had been Tenzō Kaori's nephew. So many days had passed since his death, yet she had made no move.
That in itself was suspicious.
Sima Yi smiled faintly.
The method used that day had not been particularly profound. But with Nara Suzaku bearing responsibility, minor flaws would not matter.
"There is no need for concern," Sima Yi said evenly.
"Everything done that day can withstand scrutiny. You acted under orders. The ambush of the reinforcements was misfortune—what has that to do with us?
"Besides, given your strength and current prestige, unless they are willing to tear off all pretenses, this matter will never surface openly."
Hui had personally retrieved the withdrawal order from Nara Suzaku. The coincidence—receiving the order and the reinforcements immediately falling into peril—could easily arouse suspicion.
But suspicion was all it would ever be.
Unless someone tore apart their minds for proof, no evidence could be found.
Most importantly—
Procedurally, everything they had done was flawless.