It's worth remembering that while the Sarutobi and Shimura clans weren't as dominant as the Senju or Uchiha during the Warring States Period, they were still considered powerful and influential.
When Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha forged their alliance to found Konoha, both were pleased to have the Sarutobi and Shimura join them.
If the clans had been minor, their joining wouldn't have merited such enthusiasm.
They weren't equals to Senju or Uchiha, but they were still among the pillars that helped give birth to the village.
"It's a happy event, but I missed it," Gen said.
"I'll visit Mikoto-nee tomorrow morning."
Itachi smiled. "Mother will be happy when she hears you're coming, Brother Gen."
Gen nodded slightly. "You two just came to see me tonight; no other reason?"
"Yeah," Shisui replied. "I heard you were back. It's been a while."
"Thanks. How's life in the Anbu?"
"Good."
Gen raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're still only a team leader after half a year?"
Shisui gave a wry smile. "No room to move up."
Gen's face darkened. "The Hokage's disciple, a talented Uchiha jōnin with an excellent record and still stuck as a squad leader? Outrageous."
He leaned back, voice flat. "I'm already deputy captain of the Police Force, commanding jōnin. And you didn't fight for promotion?"
Shisui froze, mouth opening but no words coming out.
His hesitation was answer enough.
"So the Anbu Commander and Deputy are Sarutobi Shinnosuke and his wife?" Gen asked.
"Yes."
"Have they been holding you down?"
"No…" Shisui trailed off.
"Really?"
Shisui hesitated, then asked quietly: "Does being buried in missions count as being valued… or suppressed?"
Gen's expression hardened. "If you're promoted after proving yourself, it's being valued. If you're worked endlessly with no recognition, you're being suppressed. Unless your mission record is terrible. How's yours?"
"…I've never failed," Shisui admitted, head lowered.
Itachi frowned. He understood immediately, this was suppression.
"Shisui," Gen said, "you don't see the bigger picture. The clan put you in Anbu hoping you'd rise through the ranks, expand your influence, maybe even contend for Hokage one day. The Hokage placed you there for two reasons; first, to deepen ties with Uchiha, second, to raise you as a trusted commander under him. But neither happens if you don't fight for it."
Shisui blinked. "So that's what it was. But… the two never budge when the Sandaime gives orders."
"That's normal. But what happens if the Third and Fourth Hokage disagree? Who do you think Shinnosuke and his wife will follow?"
Shisui opened his mouth, ready to answer, then stopped.
Following only the current Hokage was unrealistic.
The Third's authority was too deep-rooted.
"Listen," Gen continued. "Power isn't defined by a position. It's defined by how much you can influence and control others. Even without the title, a man who commands loyalty and shapes outcomes wields power equal to Hokage."
"The Sandaime doesn't override Minato because he chooses not to. Minato's tenure is short, his foundation shallow. Even with Uchiha support, it'll take time before he rivals the Sandaime's influence across clans and shinobi.
"Your role, as Minato's disciple, is to keep him from being sidelined. The possibility of conflict may be slim, but we Uchiha support Hokage-sama. His teacher is not included in that support."
Itachi listened intently, admiration flickering in his eyes. He had learned more from this talk than from months of watching silently.
Shisui let out a bitter laugh. "Gen, I get it now. Politics is too complicated. I wish I had your insight. Why didn't the clan leader or Hokage explain it this way? If they had…"
Gen chuckled. "Because superiors thrive on vagueness. Ambiguity keeps them flexible. If everything was spelled out, they'd be bound by their own words."
"…You're right."
"Then it's not too late. Start pushing forward."
Shisui straightened. "I will."
They talked of lighter things until evening. Around nine, Shisui and Itachi took their leave.
The next morning, Gen arrived at the clan leader's home with two boxes of tonics.
Itachi welcomed him inside.
"Just you coming is enough," Mikoto said, cradling a swaddled infant. "Why bring gifts?"
Gen smiled. If I came empty-handed, people would whisper that I don't know manners.
"The clan head and Mikoto-nee have cared for me so much. It's only right I repay you, even with a small gesture."
"Don't next time." She sighed, then called: "Itachi, take this."
Gen handed the gift to Itachi and stepped closer. "So this is Sasuke?"
Mikoto's smile softened. "Cute, isn't he?"
She wore a dark, loose-fitting top with a square neckline that revealed her slender neck and collarbone, paired with a knee-length skirt that showed pale, shapely calves. A faint scent of milk and fresh fragrance lingered around her.
"Want to hold him?" she asked.
"May I?"
"Of course. Support his neck and back; he's only two months old."
Gen carefully took the infant. Sasuke blinked up at the unfamiliar face, mouth starting to tremble into a wail.
"Hey now…" Gen whistled lightly to distract him. At the same moment, Mikoto leaned closer, entering the baby's field of vision.
Sasuke's tension broke. He let out a soft giggle instead of a cry.
Both adults smiled at the small victory.
From across the room, Itachi, having just set the gift box aside, watched silently.
For a split second, an unsettling thought flashed across his mind: They look… matched.
Startled, he shook the thought away. But the truth lingered, Gen's striking looks beside his mother's quiet beauty made them seem a perfect pair.
Father wasn't unattractive, but he lacked Gen's presence.
Itachi knew he himself was fortunate to have inherited Mikoto's refined features.
He glanced at his baby brother and thought, half-serious; I hope Sasuke takes after Mother too. Otherwise, chasing girls later won't be easy.