"So nice." Yamato said, a bit envious.
He also wanted a Summoning Beast, even if it wasn't as powerful as Kakashi's.
As Obito and the others diligently cultivated, time swiftly passed, and the blazing sun in the sky soon started setting in the west, leaving only traces of twilight shining on the earth.
Seeing dusk arrive, the disciples stopped their cultivation and prepared to go home for dinner.
"Little Charizard, once I learn the Fire Release Ninjutsu taught by Teacher Mokgetsu, then let's see if you dare to act so arrogantly." All Obito wanted now was to fast-forward to the day after tomorrow to learn Green Flame from Mokgetsu.
Charizard was truly arrogant; Obito felt he needed to master a ninjutsu that would make Charizard calmly listen to his reasoning.
"Grrrr."
"Growl, growl."
Since Shisui and Obito were walking the same way, Charizard stayed with Zorua as the two discussed their strategy meeting against Obito for tonight.
Charizard: "To deal with an evil Uchiha brat like Obito, we must strike with fierce claws."
Zorua: "That's not right; Shisui is really nice."
Charizard: "Then he's an evil Goggles brat."
Obito suddenly felt a chill down his spine and suspiciously glanced toward Charizard's direction but couldn't quite decipher their encrypted exchange.
"Zorua, time to go home for dinner." reaching the fork in the road, Shisui waved to Zorua.
"Yeah, yeah."
Excitedly, Zorua leaped trying to land on Shisui's shoulder, but Shisui mercilessly caught him in his arms.
Having cultivated for most of the day, Shisui was quite tired now, and in this state, his shoulder couldn't withstand the pressure from Zorua.
After all, there wasn't anyone at home who would prepare meals for him to come home to; if he tired out his shoulder, the result would be that Zorua would have to eat dog food from the Inuzuka Clan, and Shisui would have instant noodles.
After a simple dinner, Shisui took Zorua for a walk outside.
Halfway through the walk, Shisui headed towards Uchiha Fugaku's home.
Uchiha Fugaku was quite concerned with the Youth Martial Arts Tournament, and Shisui felt that Uchiha Fugaku likely knew the final outcome of the tournament.
"With Obito adding me to the mix, along with Charizard, we're already a significant force within the Uchiha Clan," Shisui thought to himself.
In Shisui's plans, reforming the Police Department was a necessary step to solve the Uchiha problem.
This was why earlier Shisui had laid his plans on the table with Uchiha Fugaku, hoping he would stand beside him.
However, at that time, Shisui underestimated the allure of the Police Department to the Uchiha, and overestimated Uchiha Fugaku's resolve.
He thought that his and Obito's performances would be enough to make Uchiha Fugaku decide, but was ultimately politely declined by Fugaku.
Now things were different, though their personal abilities hadn't progressed much, Obito's Pokemon evolved, giving Charizard strength not inferior to Obito's.
Combined with the tournament enhancing their reputation, Shisui was eager to know if now he weighed more in Uchiha Fugaku's mind, enough to change his stance.
When Shisui arrived at Uchiha Fugaku's home, they had just finished dinner not long ago, and everyone was sitting in the courtyard.
"Brother Shisui." Uchiha Itachi's eyes slightly brightened upon seeing Shisui.
"Shisui, congratulations on your achievement of making it to the top four in the Martial Arts Tournament," Uchiha Fugaku said with a smile.
Fugaku's original expectation for Obito and Shisui was top four and beyond, as in his eyes, Shisui and Obito were the most outstanding geniuses the Uchiha had seen in decades.
However, as the performances of various competitors spread, Uchiha Fugaku realized that the Youth Martial Arts Tournament was truly a fierce competition fraught with difficulty, far more challenging than he imagined, and with rankings carrying more weight.
"Actually, a part of achieving this result was due to luck during the draw; more cultivation is needed going forward," Shisui said humbly.
Both Kakashi and Sasori were stronger than him, if Shisui had met them before reaching the top four, he likely would have been eliminated.
"Itachi, this is something you should learn from Shisui; even being so outstanding, Shisui remains humble, continuously striving to improve," Uchiha Fugaku expressed his appreciation while looking at Itachi.
Though humility wasn't particularly important to Fugaku, effort was a valuable trait.
Even in the Uchiha Clan, which emphasized power, not everyone diligently cultivated daily.
Uchiha Itachi nodded; while there were many things he didn't fully understand, he certainly thought Shisui was excellent and subconsciously felt admiration.
"Fugaku-uncle, you've praised me; Itachi might exceed me in the future," Shisui smiled as he moved beside Uchiha Itachi.
Shisui was sure Uchiha Itachi would become a genius ninja.
If he wasn't a genius, how could he possess the power to destroy the Uchiha Clan in his youth and join the strong throngs of the evil Akatsuki organization?
Whether or not he could surpass Shisui was hard to say, after all, he was the unprecedented eight-year-old Jonin in Konoha's history.
Shisui simply felt that complimenting Itachi might make him happy.
Sure enough, Itachi showed a smile.
Being praised by the brother he admired was indeed joyful.
"Not about surpassing; if Itachi possesses the same talent as you, Shisui, I'd be very delighted," Uchiha Fugaku found this gratifying too.
Who wouldn't want their child to be more outstanding?
"Fugaku-uncle, I have some family matters I'd like to discuss with you," Shisui stated his intention after some pleasantries.
He didn't come today just to guide Uchiha Itachi; his main purpose was to probe Fugaku's thoughts.
"Mikoto, look after Itachi."
After reminding Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Fugaku got ready to take Shisui to the study room.
"Itachi, Zorua is entrusted for you to take care of for now."
Shisui guided Zorua to Itachi's side.
"Even Shisui shouldn't underestimate me; I'm supposed to be the one taking care of him, right?" Zorua puffed up his cheeks slightly.
"The fox...spoke..." Uchiha Itachi's eyes widened in shock.
Although it wasn't his first time seeing Zorua, this was Zorua's first time displaying telepathy abilities before Itachi.
Zorua's 'speaking' was essentially mental communication, used only with companions or when encountering interesting creatures, not continuously using telepathy.
"Turns out to be a little brat who needs care, such a fuss," Zorua remarked slyly.
Fugaku also curiously glanced at Zorua.
Though he had seen talking Summoning Beasts before, rare but not too uncommon, Zorua's method of communication reminded Fugaku of the Secret Technique of the Yamanaka Clan.
Being someone who had witnessed turbulent times, Fugaku quelled his curiosity and invited Shisui into the study for discussion.
"Hope it's not about that matter again," Uchiha Fugaku guessed the reason for Shisui's visit, a bit concerned.
Though he valued Shisui greatly, reforming the Police Department involved too many intertwined interests.
Even if Fugaku, the biggest beneficiary of the Police Department, was willing to reform, other upper echelon Uchiha or lower-level Uchiha Ninjas mightn't concur.
"Zorua is quite adorable, may I hold him?" Looking at the cute Zorua, Uchiha Mikoto asked gently.
Regardless of being young or mature, it's hard for adorably charming things to be resisted.
"Humph, I'm not someone Zorua allows just anyone to hold, but considering you can speak, I'll make an exception allowing you to hold me for a minute," Zorua grumbled and agreed considering Mikoto's charm.
Uchiha Mikoto hugged Zorua in both arms, gently stroking the fur on Zorua's back.
Then like petting a cat, she scratched Zorua's chin.
Zorua squinted his eyes, thinking it felt quite cozy.
"Let Shisui try this too later," though he was enjoying the affection, Zorua didn't forget about Shisui.