The rain came suddenly.
Just as Kazama Shin returned home, a torrential downpour crashed down from the sky.
Tap… tap… tap…
Raindrops the size of beans struck against the window, producing a crisp, rhythmic sound.
Outside, the sky was dark and heavy.
"…I wonder if Shisui and Itachi are still in the forest."
Shin gazed into the distance, the thought surfacing unbidden.
…
"Have you really decided?"
Itachi Uchiha stood in the rain, letting it soak through his clothes as he looked at the man before him.
"I have."
Shisui Uchiha gently touched his eyes, his voice low.
"I'll protect both the village and the Uchiha clan with my own power."
A pause.
"And if the clan elders refuse to back down…"
His gaze sharpened.
"I'll use that technique."
…
Silence followed.
Itachi didn't know what to say.
As a member of the Anbu under the Hokage, his heart leaned toward the village.
But at the same time—
He was also an Uchiha.
The son of the clan leader.
If conflict broke out between the village and the clan… where would he stand?
For the first time, even Itachi felt lost.
"I'll help you."
After a moment, he spoke.
Trying to stop such a massive conflict alone was nearly impossible.
But Shisui shook his head immediately.
"No, Itachi. Don't get involved."
His tone was firm.
His eyes serious.
This time, Shisui had already made up his mind.
He planned to meet someone in the village—someone in the upper ranks.
Someone who could sometimes do things even the Hokage couldn't.
But that person…
Was extremely dangerous.
That was why Shisui didn't want Itachi dragged into this.
…
Itachi fell silent.
He respected Shisui's decision.
But what Shisui didn't know—
Was that the person he intended to cooperate with…
Wasn't interested in the Uchiha clan at all.
He was interested in something else entirely.
Shisui's eyes.
…
The next day, the sky cleared.
Shin headed to the ninja academy as usual.
The moment he stepped into the classroom—
"Shin, sit here!"
Ino Yamanaka waved enthusiastically.
Shin didn't mind and walked over.
Ino beamed with happiness.
"Troublesome… women…"
Behind them, Shikamaru Nara muttered lazily, his chin resting on his hand.
Crunch… crunch…
Beside him, Choji Akimichi kept eating snacks.
"Want some?"
Shin casually took a bite before scanning the room.
…
"Sasuke Uchiha, fight me!"
"Not interested, dead last."
Naruto Uzumaki was once again pestering Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't even spare him a second glance.
"Naruto, stop bothering Sasuke!!!"
Sakura Haruno snapped, veins popping on her forehead.
"Ahhh, Sakura—!"
Naruto's miserable scream echoed through the classroom.
…
Shin shook his head.
This dynamic… hadn't changed at all.
His gaze shifted slightly—
To Hinata Hyuga quietly watching Naruto from the back.
"…What a strange set of relationships."
…
After class—
"Shin, do you want to go out with us? Shikamaru wants to—"
Ino gathered her courage and invited him.
She even dragged Shikamaru into it for cover.
"…When did I say that?"
Shikamaru raised his head, confused.
But Ino shoved him back down.
"Sorry, Ino. I've been busy lately."
Shin declined politely.
He understood her feelings.
But he preferred to let things take their natural course.
"I-I see… your work is more important…"
Ino's ears turned slightly red as she lowered her voice.
…
After Shin left—
"Weren't we going shopping?"
Shikamaru blinked.
"And Ino… why are your ears red?"
"A-Ah! You two go by yourselves!"
Ino covered her ears and ran off.
Leaving Shikamaru confused—
And Choji still eating.
…
Walking down the street, Shin headed toward his training ground again.
The reason he rejected Ino…
Was simple.
Something was about to happen.
He could feel it.
"…It's almost time."
The moment of Shisui's death.
And more importantly—
Shin had already confirmed something.
His training ground…
Was not far from the original location of that incident.
The storm from last night—
Might not have been the only one about to fall.