Time flew by quickly, and soon it was the end of the school day.
Teacher Shinichi on the podium waited for the students to leave one by one, then packed up his things and prepared to head home.
On the way back, Shinichi noticed that Uchiha Shisui was following him the entire time. After giving it some thought, he spoke up:
"Shisui, is there something you need?"
Hearing Shinichi call out to him, Shisui quickly emerged from the shadows and came up beside him.
"Teacher Shinichi, please forgive my intrusion. I came here today to ask for your guidance on a few matters."
Shisui took a moment to compose himself before speaking to Shinichi respectfully.
"Guidance? Is this about training or about the Uchiha Clan?"
Hearing this, Shisui fell silent for a brief moment before answering:
"Well... it's about my clan."
After thinking for a moment, Shinichi led Shisui in the direction of his home.
Hearing that it concerned the Uchiha Clan, Shinichi cast a casual glance into the distance.
Ever since his strength had increased, his sensory perception had improved dramatically, so he had naturally sensed someone following him all along.
Given his current identity, Shinichi guessed it must be an ANBU operative. Since he was currently just an ordinary Chunin and a Konoha teacher, he naturally wouldn't attract Danzo's attention.
"Shisui!"
"Let's save this discussion for a little later. It's dinnertime now, so let me cook you a meal first, and we can talk about everything else afterward. How does that sound?"
Naturally, Shisui had no objections.
Seeing that Shisui agreed, Shinichi first went to his room to show Shisui the notes on Fire Release nature transformation he had just written, and then returned to the kitchen to start cooking.
Seeing the contents on the paper, Shisui instinctively took a deep breath. Was this kind of material something that could just be handed over so casually?
As if knowing what Shisui was thinking, Shinichi remarked offhandedly:
"Shisui, these are just some of my own perspectives on training. They might be of some help to you, so don't be shy about it."
Hearing Shinichi put it that way, Shisui finally began reading the notes. The more he read, the heavier his gaze grew when he looked at Shinichi.
Although this world still retained certain customs of a feudal or even primitive society, it already possessed modern conveniences such as gas stoves, refrigerators, and air conditioning.
For Shinichi, who was accustomed to modern society, this was a tremendous plus.
Before long, Shinichi had prepared a few simple dishes.
After serving the food on the table and sensing that the ANBU ninja had departed, Shinichi unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
Although Shinichi figured that the ANBU operative couldn't really do anything to him, having someone watch him constantly was naturally unsettling.
He called Shisui, who had fallen deep into thought, over to eat, and the two of them quietly began their meal.
"Teacher, the food you make is so delicious!"
After eating just a few bites, Shisui couldn't help but praise the meal.
"Haha, Shisui, everyone who has ever tried my cooking says that if I were to open a restaurant, it would be an absolute hit."
Seeing that Shisui wanted to chat about something else, Shinichi was more than happy to play along.
Amidst a cheerful atmosphere, the two of them finished dinner. Shinichi was just about to clean up when Shisui stood up and moved first.
Shinichi thought for a moment, then calmly sat on the sofa and watched the busy Shisui.
...
"Shisui, do you know why your Uchiha Clan seems so out of place in Konoha?"
Hearing Shinichi's question, Shisui plunged into deep thought.
"Do you remember when I mentioned Uchiha Madara during our class on the origins of Konoha?"
"He betrayed the village!"
Hearing this, Shisui's face instantly turned pale.
"Then... Teacher, are we..."
It took quite a while before Shisui finally regained his composure.
"It seems I was oversimplifying the problem!"
Muttering to himself, Shisui made a move to stand up and bid farewell; knowing such a heavy secret had left him somewhat depressed.
"Are you just going to give up like this? That's not the Uchiha Shisui I know!"
Seeing Shisui in this state, Shinichi couldn't help but speak up.
Hearing these words, Shisui froze for a moment, and then his face filled with renewed confidence.
"Is 'Talk no Jutsu' really this effective?"
Seeing Shisui's state, Shinichi felt a brief wave of astonishment at the sheer power of Talk no Jutsu.
Seeing that Shisui had recovered, Shinichi continued:
"Shisui, do you know a ninja from your clan named Uchiha Kagami?"
Hearing the name Uchiha Kagami, a strange and brilliant light appeared in Shisui's eyes.
Without paying attention to Shisui's current state, Shinichi went on:
"Uchiha Kagami was a great ninja. He was an Uchiha with the Will of Fire; he acted as a bridge, connecting the Uchiha and Konoha, and easing the conflict between both sides."
"I believe there are many Uchiha in your clan just like Senior Kagami. They are all working hard in silence, just like you are right now, Shisui."
"You should find kindred spirits among the Uchiha Clan and strive together, instead of sitting here alone like a child letting your imagination run wild."
"My grandfather... was a man like that?"
Hearing someone speak so highly of his grandfather, Shisui blurted it out instinctively.
"Grandfather?"
So Shisui was Kagami's descendant! Hearing this, Shinichi let out an exclamation of surprise.
"Yes, Teacher Shinichi. I will inherit my grandfather's will, become an Uchiha with the Will of Fire, and act as a bridge connecting the Uchiha and Konoha."
Hearing Shisui's words, Shinichi wasn't entirely sure whether Shisui forming such a mindset was a good thing or a bad thing, nor what the future would hold.
Thinking of something, Shisui's eyes filled with determination.
He gazed intently at Shinichi, as if making a momentous decision at that very moment—one that would change his life forever.
"Teacher Shinichi, I know full well that you are an extraordinary ninja."
"You have a unique and profound understanding of Fire Release, and your evaluation of my grandfather just now has shown me your respect and understanding of the Uchiha Clan."
Though Shisui's voice still retained the greenness of youth, his tone carried an unquestionable resolve.
He slowly walked over to Shinichi, knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and cupped his hands together in front of him, solemn as an ancient apprenticeship ceremony.
"I, Uchiha Shisui, wish to take you as my master and inherit your legacy."
"Not just to improve my Ninjutsu, but to possess the Will of Fire like my grandfather and become a bridge connecting the Uchiha and Konoha. I believe that under your guidance, I can better achieve this goal."
Watching Shisui kneeling before him, a complex surge of emotions welled up in Shinichi's chest.
Ever since he had acquired the Master-Disciple System, Shinichi had been observing the children around him, thinking about taking on a few disciples to play around with in the future.
Shinichi had always known that Shisui was a child of immense potential, and he had even wrestled internally with whether or not to make a move, but being suddenly asked to take him as a master left him feeling somewhat at a loss.
After a brief hesitation, Shinichi finally said to Shisui: "Shisui, shouldn't you discuss this with your family first? You know there is a big difference between an ordinary student and a formal disciple."
Shisui raised his head and replied: "Teacher Shinichi, I am the only one left in my family. I can make decisions for myself."
Seeing the absolute determination in Shisui's eyes, Shinichi slowly reached out and gently placed a hand on Shisui's head.
"Starting today, you are my disciple."
"I will impart everything I know to you, but the path ahead is still yours to walk. You must always remember your convictions."
Shisui looked up, excitement and gratitude shining brightly in his eyes, and said:
"Yes, Master! I will certainly live up to your expectations."