Chapter 14: Shisui's Gift
Chapter 14: Shisui's Gift
Itachi was furiously at work tapping his way through another "game" for Izumi. She'd insisted upon it since he'd stood her up yesterday. It didn't bother him though as he had been waiting to get that perfect round. He would not be denied again. He would succeed! He would-
A kettle whistling snapped Itachi out of it. He jumped.
Combo Lost!
He sighed as he paused. After that time he'd forgotten the tea, he'd always made it a point to get the water boiling before he started on the game. He had to admit it was a bit embarrassing that this is what had stopped him this time. He wasn't one to get so involved in his task.
Itachi took the kettle off the stove and started to steep the tea. He'd come back to the game in a few minutes. He didn't feel like playing anymore. Several minutes passed. Itachi knew the perfect timing to get the right flavor for Izumi. She loved to have a really strong, bitter tea.
Cooking's level has increased by one
Right on time. Itachi took a deep breath and assumed a perfect posture. He placed a single cup of tea on a platter and began taking measured paces. Izumi was waiting for him at their usual table. She was slightly hunched forward and was swinging her legs back and forth.
"You don't have to be so formal, Itachi," she said. She was trying to not laugh at what Itachi assumed to be a ridiculous sight.
"I apologize, I just thought this would help make up for throwing a fork at you." Itachi explained to her. Several of the other patrons shot him confused looks. He hoped they didn't go looking for answers.
"Don't be silly. Just this is enough." Izumi said. "Although you trying to make it up is pretty cute." There were more glances from the people around him. Itachi blushed and was glad no one but him would come for dango twice in one day.
"Here is your tea, I will be back shortly," He said quickly, nearly spilling the tea as he set it down. He heard Izumi laugh as he took long strides back to the kitchen. He took another deep breath and hit Resume. He was glad to be playing again; it took his mind off of the embarrassment.
It was a lot more pleasant to play without the pressure of perfection. Itachi rather enjoyed the last song and a half he had to play through. Maybe Izumi would still be hungry afterwards. He made sure to walk out towards her as casually as possible. Unfortunately most of the customers from earlier were still there.
"Hey, what happened to making it up to me?" Izumi asked as Itachi slunk into his chair. He just looked at her. "I'm kidding, come on, you know me," she added, swiping some dango off the plate. "And between you and me," she continued, leaning in close to Itachi, "you make the best dango, even better than some of the more expensive stuff I've had."
Itachi lightened up at the comment. There was a sense of satisfaction that came with the knowledge. He took some dango and enjoyed the fruits of his labour. Both he and Izumi tried to finish quickly so they could escape the patrons who still were looking at them, wondering if anything else was going to happen between them.
They bade each other farewell s at Izumi's house. She'd given Itachi a hug, which put embarrassment at the forefront of his mind. Thankfully, there were no prying eyes in the Uchiha compound. Though that wasn't enough to dissuade Itachi from making a quick departure. He had quite some time before his meeting with Shisui, and a bit of paperwork to do. He'd put it off long enough already.
Itachi began walking towards Hokage tower to get his paperwork done but stopped at the gate to the compound. There was another civilian acting out on his frustration with Uchiha.
"You damn bastards! I didn't want your help!" He was screaming and on the verge of hysterics. He flung a rock at the wall, which bounced off harmlessly and joined the others strewn about at the base of the wall.
"Excuse me, sir, if you have a complaint it would be more effective to file a complaint with the hokage," Itachi told him. The man turned to him, rock in hand.
"You're just like the rest of them, so full of yourself..." He was shaking. He wanted nothing more to fling the rock at Itachi's face.
"I could hear your problem and report it directly. I was headed in that direction anyways," Itachi offered. This only seemed to increase the man's anger.
"Of course you think you can just fix it for me!" He screamed. It was what pushed him over the edge. The rock flew from his hand and Itachi just caught it. The man was breathing heavily, like flinging the rock had taken an enormous amount of effort.
"Sir, if you want me to, I can take your problem directly to the head of the police. He is my father." Itachi wasn't going to give up on him just yet. The man's attitude adjusted rapidly.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that outburst then," he apologized. Even without his power, Itachi could feel the man's fear. "This is just the third time they haven't done anything about the thief plaguing my business."
"Alright, thank you for your cooperation," Itachi said, "I will personally inform him this evening. He is a busy man but I'm sure I could get him to prioritize this."
The man thanked him and ran away. Itachi wondered if he'd actually told the police about the thief. It seemed like more and more crime was being committed without being reported. Many didn't want anything to do with the Uchiha. He hadn't been the first to try and vandalize Uchiha property. Itachi continued on his way.
It was about an hour after sundown when Itachi went out to meet Shisui. Meeting earlier would've been better but it came with being a shinobi. He didn't particularly mind though. It was one of those rare times when both he and Shisui had a moment to spare to talk without mentioning anything about missions or current issues in Konoha.
An hour passed. Itachi just chalked it up to Shisui's mission taking longer than he anticipated. The owner came out with some tea and expressed his hope that Shisui would be there soon. Itachi thanked him and gratefully accepted the tea.
Yet another hour passed.
"Hey, Itachi, walk with me," Shisui said as he approached. Itachi's questions about his tardiness stopped in his throat as he saw that he was bleeding heavily from one of his eyes.
"What happened?" That was the important part. That's what Itachi wanted to know.
"I'll explain on the way. Come on." Shisui urged. There was something that was bothering Itachi. Shisui didn't seem concerned in the slightest about his injury. He used his Observe skill.
Shisui Uchiha:
Your best friend. He's injured but is unperturbed by it.
Feeling: calm, at peace, prepared
His state of mind did not put Itachi any more at ease. He followed him as he began walking.
"Will you tell me what happened? Why are you bleeding? Who did this?" Itachi asked. He tried his best to hide his apprehension. It wasn't like Shisui to be like this.
"I had a plan for averting the coup that the Uchiha elders were planning," he explained. Itachi let out a sigh of relief. Shisui's injury had probably been from whatever he'd done.
"So were you successful?" He asked.
"No, I'm afraid not. There were some complications," Shisui answered without hesitation.
"Well then tell me what happened!" Itachi yelled. He wanted to know who had stopped Shisui. He wanted to know who had hurt him.
"I ran into Danzo. He stole my right eye. Apparently he didn't trust me," he replied. Itachi looked at him. He no longer had his usual mask on. There was only fury. Danzo was not- he took a deep breath. His anger faded. Shisui was his main concern right now.
"Shisui…" He said. Itachi didn't know what to tell him. What he should say. He walked in silence besides Shisui. He just wanted him there beside him.
"Itachi, I have a mission for you. Keep the Uchiha's name honorable, protect the clan. Can I trust you with this?" Shisui asked. They'd stopped walking. Itachi didn't like where they were.
Quest Alert: Honor
Shisui has asked you to protect the clan and keep the Uchiha name as one of prestige
Completion Award: 1,000,000 XP
Legend title for your work
Completion Failure:
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?
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"I accept," Itachi said.
"Thank you. The Uchiha are walking a narrow path right now. It won't be easy and I don't even know if it's possible. But I know that you'll do your best. I'm going to give you this to keep it out of Danzo's hands," Shisui said. He pulled out his remaining eye and offered it to him. "You're the only one I can trust with this. And one last thing."
Item Obtained: Shisui's Left Eye
An eye that bestows you with a powerful genjutsu. You meet the requirements to equip this item.
"What is it, Shisui?" Itachi asked as he stored the eye in his inventory. He felt his heartbeat increase. He didn't like where Shisui was standing.
"Make sure you take extra good care of Sasuke and Izumi," he replied. It was almost as if things were normal. He even smiled. Shisui fell backwards. Itachi realized what was happening a moment too late. Sharingan activated on instinct, he reached out for Shisui as he vanished off the top of the cliff.
Itachi's knees dug painfully into the rocks as he watched Shisui plunge to his death. There was an ungodly sound as he hit the rocks just below the water's surface. He floated away on his back, his last smile permanently etched onto his face.
"Shisui…" Itachi said. His mind supplied him with dozens of other solutions to Shisui's situation. It shouldn't have ended like this. With an effort, he silenced his thoughts. He could only follow through with Shisui's last request now. He opened his eyes and found a text box waiting for him.