Chapter Thirty-Two: A Perfect Match for Tonight’s Moonlight

Sighing softly, Shisui then composed himself with renewed determination. Now that he had a direction to move forward, he was resolved to follow it, no matter what. Without lingering any longer, Shisui left the woods. He planned to get something to eat before continuing on to visit the rest of his clansmen.

Meanwhile, on the other side, after leaving, Itachi did not return home. Instead, he hurried toward the Hokage’s office. Recently, Itachi had joined the ANBU, tasked with monitoring the Uchiha's movements. Until now, he hadn’t reported Shisui’s changes, but today, he no longer intended to keep it concealed.

Upon arriving at the Hokage’s office, Itachi truthfully recounted everything that had happened to the Third Hokage. As he listened, Hiruzen’s expression grew increasingly grave. When Itachi finished, the Third remained silent, his face set in seriousness, as if weighing something in his mind.

“Lord Third, I believe Shisui may already be leaning toward the clan’s side,” Itachi said quietly.

“Itachi, perhaps Shisui has simply lost his way for the time being. You know well the environment in your clan—it's all too easy to be swept up by their agitation. It’s not entirely his fault,” Hiruzen replied with earnest gravity.

“Yes.” Hearing this, Itachi’s trust in the Third deepened a little more.

Then he asked, “Lord Third, what should I do now?”

After a moment of contemplation, the Third Hokage spoke. “I’ll have to trouble you to keep watching for now. If anything changes, report to me at once. As for Shisui, I’ll speak with him myself.”

“Yes. Thank you, Lord Third.” Itachi bowed with utmost respect.

“That’s all. You may go.”

“Yes.” With a final word, Itachi vanished from the Hokage’s office.

After he left, Hiruzen gazed at the empty space before him.

“Shisui...” he murmured the name under his breath, his expression betraying nothing of his thoughts.

Bang! The office doors burst open with force.

Who else would dare but Danzo?

“Sarutobi, is this the Shisui you trust so much? Not long ago, he approached the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki, claiming someone was targeting the Uchiha. Now he’s rallying the clan, preparing to make himself their leader. What’s his aim? Is he planning to unite the Uchiha against us?”

Hiruzen didn’t bother to ask how Danzo had received the news so quickly. Instead, he simply replied, “Maybe it’s just as he said—he wants to help the Uchiha integrate with the village.”

“Hah!” Danzo sneered coldly. “He knows full well that Itachi will report to you. Of course he wouldn’t tell the truth. Who knows what kind of evil plot that Uchiha brat is scheming?”

“Danzo, Shisui is Kagami’s grandson.”

“So what if he is, Sarutobi? You’re too soft-hearted. I won’t give him any chance to harm the village.”

“I’ll speak with Shisui. Until then, I don’t want any incidents,” Hiruzen said evenly.

Danzo stared intently at Hiruzen, who met his gaze with equal calm.

“Hmph!” Danzo snorted and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

After his departure, Hiruzen remained as he was, staring into space, his expression as unreadable as ever.

...

In the forest, Yu Higashino sat by a campfire, enjoying his barbecue.

Earlier that afternoon, he had found a small village, but there was little trouble to be found. It was said that bandits used to plague the area, but ever since the villagers began to revere a wandering ninja, the bandits had vanished.

With no commissions to take, Yu retreated to a nearby grove to rest.

“So this is the life of a wandering ninja?” he mused aloud. “Maybe I should write about a wandering ninja tasting the cuisine of every country. A gourmet travelogue, perhaps.”

He took a bite of roasted meat—surprisingly delicious.

After eating, Yu prepared to sleep. He found a suitable spot, then used his transformation technique to conjure a tent. He made the roof transparent on purpose, so he could gaze at the stars and moon later.

But just as he finished, noisy commotion drifted from the distance. Sensing with his mind, he discovered a group of bandits pillaging the village.

Inspiration for a story struck him: a wandering ninja stumbles upon a village oppressed by bandits, steps in heroically, and earns the villagers’ admiration.

As he imagined the plot, Yu set off toward the village.

“Stop!” a loud shout rang out.

But the owner of that voice wasn’t Yu. By the time he arrived, another ninja had already engaged the bandits.

Since his lines had been stolen, Yu said nothing—he simply joined the fight.

As he fought, Yu pondered a question: if the protagonist of his story were to step in and help whenever he could, wouldn’t people call him an idealist?

Even as his mind wandered, his hand didn’t falter. His blade glinted coldly in the moonlight, slicing through the air with a chill that crept into the blood. Drops of crimson scattered in the night.

Beneath the moon, the vivid red of blood and the silvery light wove a strange, seductive beauty.

Yu only wounded his opponents, never dealing a fatal blow. It was simple—the other ninja had done the same. Since it was Yu’s first time in such a situation, he thought it best to learn from a senior.

In fact, the other ninja’s strikes were even lighter; not a drop of blood appeared on that side.

Soon, the bandits were routed, those who couldn’t run dragged away by their comrades.

Yu didn’t stop them, since the other ninja hadn’t either.

With the bandits gone, the villagers emerged from their homes.

“We owe you both so much—without your help, we wouldn’t have known what to do,” the village elder said with heartfelt gratitude.

“I accept your offerings. Protecting you is only right. If you wish to thank someone, thank this young man here,” said the wandering ninja.

Yu now understood—this ninja was the very one the village revered.

“Thank you, young man!”

“There’s no need.”

Yu’s expression remained cold and indifferent, fitting perfectly with the moonlit night. He exuded a kind of chill elegance.

The villagers still saw flashes of his sword in their minds, reflected in Yu’s bearing, lending him a striking, cool allure.

Even though he’d disguised his face to look plain, some of the young women still snuck glances at him.

“Young man, you saved our village. Let us show you our gratitude,” the elder insisted.

Yu said nothing more. He felt a twinge of regret—if only he’d accepted a commission beforehand, he might have gained a new skill. He wondered what kind of skills ordinary people could offer.

“Young man, my name is Kohei Matsuzuki, a wandering ninja currently residing in this village. And you?” the other ninja approached amicably.

“Yu Higashino, also a wandering ninja,” Yu replied in an even tone.