The concepts of political demands and action plans were entirely foreign to Shisui—perhaps to most people in the shinobi world as well. Even if they were already acting on those principles, they likely lacked the terms or frameworks to articulate them.
Take the Akatsuki, for example. They had both a clear political goal and a well-defined strategy.
Their goal? Peace for the shinobi world.
Their plan? Use overwhelming force to scare the major villages into uniting—creating peace through deterrence.
Sure, their internal membership was chaotic—everyone had their own motives—but under Nagato's leadership, they had stayed on track toward that mission.
So when Yuhara laid these concepts out plainly, Shisui was left both stunned and—more importantly—increasingly respectful.
To Shisui, it was clear: Yuhara had thought long and hard about all of this. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, and why. That clarity of vision left Shisui deeply impressed.
"My thinking really has been too narrow," Shisui thought. "Yuhara… he's already looking down from a higher level."
From that moment on, Shisui stopped asking questions. The information Yuhara had given him was already more than enough. Now, he needed time to digest it all—and to reflect.
If he were clan head… what kind of goals would he have? What would his own political platform and strategy look like?
Yuhara noticed Shisui had gone quiet, and he didn't press him. Honestly, he was glad. If they'd kept the conversation going much longer, Shisui might've had a mental breakdown.
He'd already asked what Yuhara would do if he were the clan head. What else could he ask?
It's not like Yuhara could just say, "Anyone who listens stays. Anyone who doesn't gets sent straight to the Pure Land."
Even though, in truth, if he had to deal with some of the more extreme elements of the clan… well, preemptive action wasn't off the table. Especially those "spiritual leaders." They were dangerous.
If they couldn't accept his vision—if they insisted on dragging everyone into some foolish war—then Yuhara wouldn't have much choice.
"Some truths aren't meant for those who haven't steeled their hearts," Yuhara muttered inwardly.
The rest of the journey passed mostly in silence. Though Shisui did occasionally ask questions, Yuhara, with the benefit of a modern education, always answered directly and clearly. Each answer left Shisui more thoughtful.
By the time they reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, Shisui was practically looking at Yuhara like he was a prophet.
"This should be the place," Yuhara said, surveying the nearby terrain.
Their target was a missing-nin from the Hidden Cloud. A dangerous one—high-level, skilled in Lightning Release. The reason for his defection was unknown.
Konoha's ANBU had spotted him crossing into the Land of Hot Water, but up to now, no one had acted. He'd taken control of a small village, even attacking passing merchants. It had caused enough panic that several trade groups submitted requests to Konoha to have the matter resolved.
Thanks to Shisui's ANBU intel, Yuhara had gathered more detailed information. This Cloud defector was his first target.
But as they approached the village, both of them instinctively tensed.
It was too quiet.
Not just peaceful—unnaturally still. And underneath the silence, a faint metallic tang clung to the air. Blood.
"This place is compromised," Shisui whispered, drawing a kunai. "Looks like someone else got here first."
Yuhara's expression darkened. "Damn it. That target is mine."
This rogue ninja was crucial—perhaps even the key to awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan. If someone had killed him already, that was a serious problem.
"You think it might be Hidden Cloud?" he asked, forcing himself to stay calm. "He was their defector, after all."
"If it is Cloud… that complicates things," Shisui replied, his own tone grim.
The relationship between Konoha and Hidden Cloud was already on a knife's edge. The Second Hokage had died at their hands. Then came the Third Shinobi War, where they attacked Konoha again.
Five years ago, Hidden Cloud even threatened war unless Konoha handed over Hiashi Hyuga. Though Konoha faked compliance by giving them Hizashi's body instead, the damage was done.
Konoha's reputation had taken a massive hit—and Cloud, riding the PR wave, had overtaken Konoha to become the strongest village in the eyes of the world.
"They stepped on Konoha to climb to the top," Yuhara muttered. "We were the ladder."
Which is why his next words caught Shisui off guard.
"If it is Cloud, that might actually work in our favor."
"…What do you mean?" Shisui asked, eyebrows furrowed. "This is Hot Water territory."
"Exactly," Yuhara said quietly. "And that makes them intruders."
Shisui's eyes lit up in realization. "So if we kill them here, no one can say anything… unless we get caught."
"Then we don't get caught."
Yuhara's voice was flat, but resolute.
"First, we scout. Figure out how many there are. You take out the small fry—quick and clean. I'll hold off their leader. Once you're done, back me up."
Shisui hesitated only for a second before nodding firmly. He might be a pacifist, but he wasn't naïve. He'd seen real war. He knew what was necessary.
Together, they approached the edge of the village.
And what they saw made their blood run cold.
Corpses littered the streets—men, women, children. All slaughtered without mercy. From their twisted, broken positions, it was obvious they'd tried to flee. But whoever attacked hadn't given them the chance.
Even now, unfamiliar shinobi were dragging the bodies toward the village square, likely to dispose of them en masse.
Shisui clenched his jaw, the rage in his eyes barely restrained. But he didn't move—not yet.
They needed intel first.
After some careful recon, they confirmed it: four shinobi, one of them clearly the leader.
But that leader… was a problem.
"I'm pretty sure that's Troy," Yuhara muttered. "He's a Hidden Cloud jonin—wields Magnet Release."
A difficult opponent.
But that didn't matter.
They were going to die here.