NARUTO- CH-123. Tragedy and Tension

Just moments ago, Itachi returned home, but in less than half an hour, three people arrived at the doorstep: Yashiro, Tetsuka, and Inahime—jonin of the Uchiha clan and members of the Konoha Police Department.

Under normal circumstances, it would have been unthinkable for them to appear at the patriarch's home uninvited.

Mikoto overheard fragments of their conversation.

Shisui had left a final note before choosing to end his life. His body was discovered, his eyes gouged out.

Shisui was widely regarded as the Uchiha clan's greatest genius—possibly its strongest member. His death was an enigma.

No one could believe he would commit suicide, and the loss of his eyes only deepened the mystery.

Who could have killed him? With his immense strength, it seemed impossible.

Unless, of course, it was Itachi.

Their close friendship would have made Shisui vulnerable to betrayal.

But Mikoto refused to believe it. How could her son commit such an unforgivable act?

As she fretted over the situation, the sound of a door opening broke her thoughts.

"Brother?"

Sasuke immediately set down his chopsticks and hurried out. Mikoto stood as well.

It was Itachi, his expression numb. Even when he saw Sasuke, he showed no reaction.

"Brother!"

Only after Sasuke called out several times did Itachi seem to snap out of it.

"I'm late, Sasuke." He said, reaching out to gently pat his brother's head.

"It's fine." Sasuke replied, shaking his head, though his eyes betrayed his concern.

"Come eat." Mikoto said with a gentle smile. If Itachi had returned, it surely meant Shisui's death wasn't his doing.

"Brother, will you walk me to school later?" Sasuke asked hesitantly.

"I will." Itachi said after a brief pause.

"Okay!" Sasuke exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up his face.

Itachi's heart warmed at the sight of his younger brother's happiness, though the warmth did little to dispel the confusion weighing on him.

His best friend, Shisui, had died under mysterious circumstances. Itachi could never have imagined that Danzo was behind it.

Just two days earlier, Shisui had confidently outlined his plan: confronting Konoha's leadership and using Kotoamatsukami to prevent the Uchiha coup. He had been certain they would agree, even Danzo.

After all, despite his ruthlessness, Danzo claimed to act for Konoha's benefit.

Instead, he had turned on Shisui and taken his life.

Did the Hokage know?

"What kind of gift do you want for your first day of school?" Tsunade asked, watching Shiki as he changed his shoes. The events of the previous night still weighed on her.

It was embarrassing, really—owing a student 10 million ryo as a teacher. She felt she had cared far too little about Shiki.

"No need." Shiki replied, waving her off, "I'm not a child."

"Oh? Then what are you?" Tsunade teased, stepping forward and extending her hand.

Shiki paused, startled. Why was she acting so strange? It was unsettling.

"Shy?" Tsunade asked, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"No." Shiki said, hesitantly taking her hand.

"Have you figured out a solution?" She asked, her tone unusually serious.

"I was planning to look through some medical books." Shiki said, surprised, "Do you know where I could find them?"

"Konoha Hospital has plenty." Tsunade replied, "But I doubt you'll find a solution there."

She had already read every medical text in the village and found nothing about hemophobia, let alone a cure.

"When a car reaches the mountain, there's always a way. When a boat reaches the bridge, it'll go straight." Shiki said casually.

"That's interesting." Tsunade remarked, raising an eyebrow, "Where'd you hear that?"

"School." Shiki said, deflecting the question.

"Have you thought about graduating early?"

"No." Shiki said, "I like my companions. They're... interesting."

"I see." Tsunade said, her suspicions confirmed. No hope of recruiting him, then.

She glanced at the Hokage Rock in the distance, her expression softening.

She'd never imagined her own portrait on the monument, but she had often dreamed of her brother, Nawaki, achieving that honor. If he were alive, he might have become Hokage.

"When you graduate, I'll give you a gift." She said suddenly.

"What kind of gift?" Shiki asked, curious.

"It's a secret." Tsunade replied with a smile, "But I think you'll like it."

Shiki narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Could it be the First Hokage's necklace?

Who could bear to wear such a cursed item? It had brought doom to everyone it was gifted to. Even Naruto had only survived because of his protagonist's plot armor.

As they walked, Tsunade abruptly stopped. Shiki followed her gaze to see Itachi and Sasuke ahead.

His expression shifted, and his thoughts churned.

[Uchiha Itachi.]

[Current achievement: "What Can I Do to Save You, My Love."]

[Passive achievement: Unknown.]

Shiki's gaze lingered on Itachi. The achievement's appearance following Shisui's death made sense.

But how to resolve it? That was the question.

The Uchiha clan's hawks were far too stubborn.

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