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"Cloud Village was in the wrong just now. I'll apologize on behalf of Omoi," Darui stepped forward and bowed his head, setting aside his pride.
After all, Shisui of the Body Flicker—Shisui Uchiha—was standing right here.
If things really escalated…
The three of them from Kumogakure wouldn't stand a chance.
And it wasn't just his speed. What made Shisui truly terrifying was his genjutsu. One glance from him could trap you instantly.
There was no defending against it.
Better to back down now than suffer later.
"It's nothing. Kids getting into little scuffles is normal," Shisui replied with a gentle smile, completely unfazed by what had just happened.
After the three left, Shisui turned his gaze toward Ken and let out a sigh.
"Lord Fugaku said you're reckless. I didn't believe him before… but now I do."
They were envoys from the Cloud Village, after all.
Yet Ken hadn't given them any face at all. He'd nearly started a fight on the spot.
This cousin of his… really was something else.
"With you here, Big Brother Shisui, even if the Fourth Raikage showed up, I'd still dare to walk up and yank his beard. What's there to be afraid of?" Ken grinned, acting all bold and fearless.
Shisui rolled his eyes. "Don't drag me into that."
The Fourth Raikage's temper wasn't exactly gentle.
If someone actually pulled his beard… things would get ugly fast.
"Are you really Shisui of the Body Flicker? I heard you made incredible contributions during the Third Great Ninja War! Grandpa Hiruzen even praised you as a true inheritor of the Will of Fire. I can't believe I finally get to meet you!"
Sarutobi Kei practically jumped forward, starstruck.
"You're too kind. Lord Hokage overpraises me," Shisui replied, still smiling, not the least bit arrogant.
"I'm going to learn from you, Big Brother Shisui! I'll protect Konoha in the future!" Kei clenched his fist, full of determination.
"Konoha is lucky to have young people like you," Shisui said warmly, then asked, "So, what were you all planning to do just now?"
"We were heading to eat at Ichiraku Ramen," Ken answered with a grin.
Shisui thought for a moment. "How about this? Let's go together. My treat."
At that, Ken and Hitomi's eyes lit up instantly.
"Big Brother Shisui, Ken and Hitomi eat a lot. You shouldn't be the one paying, let me do it!" Kei hurriedly stepped in.
Shisui was his idol. He couldn't just watch him walk into financial disaster.
He had seen firsthand how terrifying those two could be when it came to food…
"Don't worry about it. You're all still kids. You can't eat that much."
Including Itachi, there were only four of them.
Eight or nine years old at most.
Two bowls each, maybe.
For someone like Shisui—an elite ANBU with a solid salary—that was nothing.
No big deal.
Half an hour later…
Shisui walked out of Ichiraku Ramen, tilted his head up toward the bright sky, watching clouds drift by. For some reason, he looked a little… troubled.
Kei had eaten one bowl.
Shisui and Itachi had two each.
Hitomi… seven.
And Ken…
Fifteen.
They were still just kids.
How could they eat that much?
Ken noticed the look on Shisui's face and said, "Sorry, Big Brother Shisui. I ate too much."
Shisui forced a stiff smile. "It's fine. I've got a salary. You're growing, so you should eat more."
"Oh," Ken nodded, then added, "Big Brother Shisui, can you treat me to Ichiraku again sometime?"
Shisui: "???"
He thought Ken was going to say he'd treat him next time.
Instead… he wanted another free meal?
That's pushing it!
After saying goodbye to Kei and Hitomi, Shisui, Ken, and Itachi headed deeper into the village together.
Ken studied Shisui quietly.
The number one genjutsu prodigy of the Uchiha clan.
A man willing to sacrifice himself for the Will of Fire.
Someone who held firmly to his beliefs and his ninja way.
Even later, after having one eye taken by Danzo, he chose to end his own life rather than let conflict between the village and the Uchiha escalate into war.
An idealist. A true believer in peace.
Even if things never turned out the way he hoped…
There was no denying it.
Shisui was sincere.
A genuine lover of peace.
Suddenly, Shisui stopped and turned toward Ken with a smile.
"Ken, I've heard your taijutsu and ninjutsu are both impressive. How about we spar?"
He'd heard from Fugaku, Yashiro, even Itachi, that Ken was an exceptional talent.
And Shisui wasn't the type to feel jealous of talent within the clan.
He just wanted to see it for himself.
Maybe guide Ken onto the right path—protecting the village, the ninja world, and the Uchiha.
If Ken really was outstanding, Shisui might even recommend him as an ANBU candidate after graduation.
That was the real reason behind this spar.
Itachi gave a wry smile. "Big Brother Shisui, you're an elite jonin. Isn't this a bit unfair?"
"I won't use my full strength," Shisui said lightly.
"But—" Itachi started, only to be interrupted as Ken grabbed his arm, smiling.
"Big Brother Shisui, you're a genius of the clan. It's an honor to fight you. Just go easy on me."
He wanted to see just how strong the "Body Flicker Shisui" really was.
"Who knows? Maybe you'll surprise me," Shisui replied.
The three of them arrived at the Uchiha training grounds.
"Been a while since I've come here," Shisui said, taking in the fresh air.
He used to train here all the time.
But after joining ANBU, missions kept him too busy.
This place held a lot of memories.
"You should come back more often," Ken said casually. "The clan's a nice place. Good people, nice scenery. Great for relaxing."
Shisui smirked. "Wow, listen to you. Pretty refined for a kid."
"Well, you've gotta learn to relax sometimes," Ken shrugged helplessly.
"Alright, enough talk. Let's start," Shisui said.
Ken nodded and grabbed a set of practice ninja tools from a nearby stone platform.
They weren't sharpened, but if you weren't careful, you could still get hurt.
Both sides would control their strength during sparring to avoid serious injury.
They stood five meters apart.
Shisui's expression sharpened instantly. His eyes turned cold and focused, like a hawk locking onto its prey.
"Ken, I'm coming. Show me everything you've got!"
"Got it!"
Even facing Shisui of the Body Flicker, Ken felt no fear.
"Here I come!"
Shisui formed hand seals at lightning speed.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
The moment the words left his mouth—
He vanished.
As if he'd evaporated into thin air.
In Shisui's hands, the Body Flicker had reached perfection.
And he was holding back, worried that ending things too quickly wouldn't let him gauge Ken's true strength.
Even so…
His speed was terrifying.
In less than half a second, Shisui appeared right in front of Ken, striking toward his neck with a sharp chop.
"Big Brother Shisui is so fast…" Itachi murmured from afar, full of admiration.
Ken moved too.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
Just as Shisui's strike landed—
It hit nothing but an afterimage.
Ken had already vanished.
"....."