"Itachi, it's been a while since we last talked, hasn't it?" Shisui said with a smile.
"Yes, ever since your eyes were taken, we haven't really spoken," Itachi replied.
Hearing Itachi bring this up, Shisui shook his head helplessly. The events a few days ago had revealed many people's true colors, and during his spare time, he'd looked through old case files left by the Police Force. The secrets hidden beneath the village's seemingly bright surface had shaken his worldview.
He realized that Seiryu taking his eyes was actually to protect the clan, the village, and even himself. Shisui understood now that he'd been too naïve in the past. Had Seiryu not intervened and let him use Kotoamatsukami recklessly, both the clan and the village might have been doomed, and the village's darkness would have remained buried.
Seiryu was right. The answer he'd given himself—Kotoamatsukami—was too arrogant and naïve. For him, wielding Kotoamatsukami was like a child holding a sharp blade—dangerous and uncontrollable.
Now, even if Seiryu placed those Mangekyo Sharingan in front of him, Shisui wouldn't have the courage to take them again.
Seeing Shisui fall silent, Itachi finally asked, "What really happened in the village recently?"
"So you've heard?" Shisui sighed and then recounted the entire rumor incident in detail—something he, as a Police Force member, had a much clearer perspective on than Sasuke, who only heard rumors.
After hearing it all, Itachi's brows furrowed deeply. After a while, he said, "No matter what, the Police Force shouldn't have used violence against the villagers."
"Itachi, I know what you mean. Seiryu was already very restrained in this matter," Shisui said, fully understanding his friend's thoughts. "He originally wanted to solve it through legislation, but things spiraled out of control thanks to some people's manipulation. I don't think Seiryu wanted it to turn out like this, either."
"Brother Shisui, you…" Itachi was surprised to hear Shisui speak in defense of Seiryu, who had forcefully taken his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"But this will only deepen the divide between the clan and the village! Hasn't Brother Seiryu ever thought about integrating the clan into the village? Have you forgotten our dream?" Itachi demanded.
"Itachi, you misunderstand Seiryu too much. He's always tried to integrate the clan into the village! The Police Force recruiting civilian ninja is the best proof," Shisui said. "But after thinking it over, I realized—the clan can integrate into the village, but the Police Force cannot."
Shisui's words left Itachi momentarily confused, but Shisui quickly explained, "The Police Force is the village's law enforcement. Its job is to ensure justice, not to curry favor with the villagers. In this, Seiryu is far clearer than we ever were."
"Shisui, have you forgotten the Will of Fire?" Itachi stared at Shisui in disbelief. How long had it been, and even Shisui, who had always believed in the Will of Fire, seemed brainwashed by Seiryu.
"Itachi, doing our duty in the Police Force is the true practice of the Will of Fire," Shisui said sternly, seeing Itachi so agitated.
The two fell silent again. After a while, Shisui sighed and continued, "Besides, Itachi, some people in the village aren't as sincere about the Will of Fire as they claim."
"Shisui, don't forget what Brother Seiryu said about starting a war!" Itachi gritted his teeth.
"I think Seiryu only said that to shake me. He didn't want to kill me—otherwise, with his ocular powers, he could have killed me a thousand ways," Shisui said, shaking his head.
"Enough! You've been completely brainwashed by him. You've forgotten our dream and the Will of Fire!" Itachi slammed the table and left angrily.
Their conversation ended badly. Shisui could only watch Itachi's retreating back with helplessness, thinking, "Seiryu once called me arrogant, but Itachi's arrogance may surpass mine."
If he could, he'd show Itachi the shocking evidence, but confidentiality rules didn't allow him to do so.
"Looks like I'll have to ask Seiryu tomorrow to see if Itachi can be shown the truth," Shisui thought as he returned to his study and picked up the files again.
…
Wandering aimlessly after leaving Shisui's house, Itachi felt lost. Why did it feel like the world had left him behind after just a short absence? His beloved little brother and his mentor-brother were both drifting away from him.
Itachi found himself at his favorite spot for thinking—on the cliff by the Naka River.
The night wind ruffled his hair as he stood atop the cliff, feeling every breeze and reconsidering the relationship between the clan and the village.
Of all the Uchiha—who were mostly muscle and obsessed with family honor—Itachi was one of the few who could really think. As Sarutobi Hiruzen said, Itachi could see things from the Hokage's perspective and could see the problems in the clan's relationship with the village. But how to solve those problems? If even Hiruzen, who actually sat in the Hokage's seat, couldn't fix them, how could Itachi, who could only think like a Hokage, hope to?
In other words, Itachi had the brainpower to ask the right questions, but his experience and knowledge couldn't support answers at that level.
If Seiryu were here, perhaps he'd guide this lost soul. But arrogance and prejudice led Itachi to make what he thought was the right choice.
The last leaf of early winter fell. Itachi's Sharingan snapped open, three tomoe slowly spinning. The falling leaf was set alight by chakra, and through the flame, he gazed at Hokage Rock, the four Hokage faces clear in his eyes.
"The Will of Fire cannot be wrong…" Itachi murmured as the leaf's ashes drifted on the wind.