Thinking of Stopping Water
After finishing his day's work, Shisui Uchiha left the Uzushiogakure administrative office and walked toward the new Uchiha district.
It was called a district, but in reality, it was just a cluster of a dozen buildings. There were no formal borders, no walls to enclose it—only a shared space to facilitate communication among the clan. Unlike the segregated Uchiha Compound in Konohagakure, this place had no signs of forced isolation.
As for why no strict boundaries were drawn, it was partly because the Uchiha were still outsiders in Uzushiogakure.
On the other hand, the clan had a deep-seated aversion to designated territories. In Konoha, the Uchiha were forcefully relocated to the outskirts of the village by Tobirama Senju's policies, effectively alienating them. The ANBU, under direct orders from Danzo Shimura, monitored their every move.
Had Shisui not miraculously survived his supposed death and escaped Konoha with his clansmen, the Uchiha would likely have been eradicated—wiped out by Itachi's hand under the command of the village elders.
Sighing softly, Shisui walked home, passing familiar faces of clansmen returning from work. When they spotted him, they greeted him warmly, some inviting him to dinner.
Shisui declined politely, offering a faint smile.
Despite the exhaustion visible in their expressions, there was a light in their eyes—a rare hope that had not existed in Konoha.
Leaving Konoha had not been solely an act of defiance against the village's leadership; it was also a decision made for the sake of Uchiha itself.
Naruto Uzumaki—whom the villagers now addressed as Mianma, the leader of Uzushiogakure—had once pointed out an undeniable truth: the Uchiha were not merely victims of Konoha's suppression. Their own rigid pride played a role in their downfall.
Tasked with leading the Konoha Police Force, the Uchiha had become enforcers rather than protectors. They failed to understand the needs of the common villagers and viewed everything from a law enforcement perspective. Over time, resentment built. With the village leadership intentionally fostering distrust, the Uchiha were denied any path to the Hokage seat.
But now, stripped of their once-feared status, the Uchiha were forced to integrate into Uzushiogakure, contributing to its reconstruction. In a way, this allowed them to build genuine relationships with others, something that had never happened in Konoha.
Yet, despite seeing this newfound unity, Shisui remained cautious.
This situation eerily resembled the early days of Konoha—when Uchiha and Senju fought side by side, believing in a shared future.
So when had it all begun to unravel?
Was it when Madara Uchiha abandoned the village and turned against Hashirama? Or was it when Tobirama placed the Uchiha in charge of the Police Force, solidifying their isolation?
Shisui didn't know. But finding that answer was crucial. Only by understanding the past could he prevent history from repeating itself.
Soon, he arrived at his doorstep, reaching for his key when—
"Shisui, you're back."
Uchiha Mikoto, who lived nearby, peeked out with a gentle smile. "I made dinner for Izumi. Would you like to join us?"
Shisui hesitated only briefly before accepting.
It wasn't just about convenience—though he hadn't had time to cook. It was also about ensuring Mikoto's safety.
Though she was a victim in her own right, she was still Itachi's mother. Many of their clansmen resented her husband, Uchiha Fugaku, for what they saw as weak leadership, which had nearly doomed their clan. The weight of such disdain, even unspoken, could break a person.
Over dinner, Shisui smiled. "Your cooking is just as amazing as ever, Mikoto-san."
Mikoto blushed lightly. "Mianma-sama said the same thing, but I think I just know how to pick the right ingredients."
"Choosing ingredients is a skill in itself," Shisui replied, amused.
Then his expression turned serious. "Have those… stubborn members of the clan been reaching out to you again?"
By stubborn, he meant the radical Uchiha who had refused to follow him during their escape. Loyal to Fugaku until the end, they had chosen to fight to the death rather than abandon Konoha. Now, they operated from the shadows of the Land of Fire, seeking a way to strike back.
Mikoto nodded slightly. "They've sent messages through my summoning cats."
Shisui sighed. "I won't force them to join us, but under no circumstances can they learn our exact location. If they do, I'll have no choice but to eliminate them."
"I'll make sure the summoning cats don't reveal anything," Mikoto assured him. Then, after a pause, she asked, "But… is there truly no hope for the Uchiha to return to Konoha? I just want to see Sasuke again."
Shisui put down his chopsticks, his gaze steady. "Perhaps one day. But that decision isn't mine to make. It belongs to Mianma-sama, the leader of Uzushiogakure."
Mikoto murmured the name under her breath.
When she had first heard it, she assumed he was merely a kind-hearted doctor who had saved her. But Naruto Uzumaki—Mianma had done far more than that. He had given the Uchiha a second chance.
And that, she knew, was no simple act of kindness.
Just then, rapid footsteps approached.
Uchiha Izumi, now a patrol captain, rushed in. The once-gentle girl had hardened after the Uchiha Massacre, awakening her Sharingan's third tomoe through sheer survival.
"Shisui-niisan!" she called urgently. "A group of unidentified ninja has landed on the coast near Uzushiogakure! Should we inform Mianma-sama?"
Shisui immediately straightened. "Unidentified ninja?"
"They're concealing their headbands," Izumi explained, "but based on their jutsu, they're likely Kirigakure shinobi. Their Water Release techniques are too refined for mere wanderers."
"Kiri-nin?!"
Shisui's calm demeanor finally broke.
Kirigakure's brutal Hidden Mist Technique and Water Release were particularly dangerous for the Uchiha, whose Sharingan relied on sight-based combat. If this was merely a scouting party, they could handle it. But if it was a full-fledged infiltration…
"Gather the clan's warriors," Shisui ordered. "Be ready for immediate deployment. I'll alert Mianma-sama and Homura. Stay sharp."
With that, he vanished in a blur, his Body Flicker Technique propelling him toward Uzushiogakure's command office.
Izumi and Mikoto exchanged a glance before moving swiftly.
This was the first battle where the Uchiha would fight under Uzushiogakure's banner.
Their future in this village depended on its outcome. Failure was not an option.
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