“To leave here, you need to be able to see or sense the flow of Natural Energy… If you can do that, then you can leave, but If you can not do that, then you will never be able to leave this domain.” Said Kuroka.
Shisui asked again, “Is there no other way?”
Kuroka shook her head, “I am afraid not.”
Shisui sighed, he had expected this outcome and was prepared to face it, but when it really happened, he can’t help but sigh.
After some time of thinking, Shisui looked at Kuroka, and asked, “Then Kuroka-sama, can you teach me… um… how to perceive Natural Energy? And well… Senjutsu?”
“Indeed, I can help you master Senjutsu… but of course, it would completely depend on your talent whether you can truly master it, or not. If there is no talent in this field, then even if I teach you, it would be impossible for you to learn Senjutsu.” – answered Kuroka without hiding.
Shisui knew this is true… Senjutsu is not something that just anyone can learn… And he is not sure whether he is talented in this field or not… but Shisui has no other option… he must find a way to get out of Nekomata Domain and return to the Village as soon as possible… because his instincts are telling him that something bad is about to happen in the Village.
So after making up his mind, Shisui looked at Kuroka with a determined gaze and asked. “Kuroka-sama, what are your conditions for teaching me Senjutsu?”
Kuroka looked at Shisui with a hint of surprise on her face. She didn’t expect Shisui to be so straightforward with his request, but she likes straightforward men, therefore, she smirked slightly, and said, “I have only but one condition… you need to mate with me!”
“Huh?” – Shisui looked at Kuroka as if he was doubting his ears, “I am sorry, I didn’t hear you quite clearly… Can you please… repeat that?”
“As I said, I want you to mate with me.” Repeated Kuroko.
This time Shisui heard her clearly, but when he heard her, his eyes turned into buttons, his expression was a baffled one, and his brain seems to have stopped functioning and can’t help but ask with a strange expression, “Are you… Are you being serious?”
He had expected and thought up a lot of conditions that Kuroka might present, but never did he expect her to present such a bizzare condition.
Kuroka nodded, “I am completely serious, Nya~”
…
Uchiha Patriarch’s Mansion.
“Nii-san, wake up, it’s time for breakfast.”
In the bright morning light, 13 or 14 years old Itachi slowly opened his eyes upon listening to the familiar voice and saw the familiar face of his cute and innocent little brother, Sasuke.
Itachi subconsciously raised his hand and flicked Sasuke’s forehead with a smile, “Good Morning Sasuke.”
Sasuke pursed his lips and said, “Nii-san, you slacker… get up quickly, or else, Tou-san will nag you all day.”
Itachi smiled slightly and nodded, “Yes-yes.”
Then after getting fresh, he followed Sasuke to the dining room where he found that his always serious Tou-san seems to be having some kind of pleasant conversation with his Oka-san who was preparing breakfast for the family of four, and both of them had a smile on their faces.
Soon, his Oka-san set up the fragrant breakfast on the dining table, and Itachi who was sitting next to Sasuke clapped his hand after the prayer, “Itadakimasu!” and then began to have the breakfast.
After eating breakfast in warm silence, the family of four had a few casual conversations about various hot topics.
""
The delicious breakfast and pleasant family time made Itachi’s mood better.
Itachi smiled gently while listening to Sasuke’s bragging as he reiterated his academy life which brought forth occasional giggles and chuckles from Oka-san and Tou-san respectively.
Such an ordinary and peaceful daily life are exactly what Itachi has always strived for… and this is exactly the kind of life he has been looking forward to from the bottom of his heart.
While Itachi was silent, his Tou-san suddenly asked, “Itachi, do you remember what day it is today?”
Itachi was taken aback and fell into a short trance.
But Itachi didn’t have to think too much, as Sasuke on the side suddenly said, “Oh, I know, I know Tou-san. Today is Hokage’s Inauguration, a very important day. I heard Shisui-nii-san mention that today Sandaime-Oji-sama will retire and pass on the position of Konoha’s Hokage to his successor!”
Fugaku folded his arms on his chest and nodded with a solemn expression, “Unlike Nidaime and Sandaime, the one succeeding them values our Uchiha Clan very much. This time the entire Clan must attend his succession ceremony to show our support to him!”
Itachi nodded quickly, “Yes, Tou-san!” and thought of the only person who is worthy of becoming Hokage in his eyes.
After a while, the family of four got ready for the upcoming succession ceremony. All four of them were dressed in the traditional clothing that is to be worn on Hokage Inauguration Ceremony. Over their casual clothes, each of them had a white Haori with the Kanji of Fire imprinted on the back.
As soon as the family of four left the Patriarch’s mansion, they encountered Uchiha Izumi, and her Oka-san who were also going to the Hokage building, and soon after met up with Shisui.
When Itachi noticed Shisui, Itachi stepped forward to greet Shisui, “Shisui-san, are you also going to participate in the Hokage Inauguration of Godaime-sama?”
Shisui said with a hearty smile, “Today is the day when he finally becomes the Hokage. How can I be absent on such an important day?”
Itachi said, “In that case let’s hurry up.”
Shisui nodded, “Yes.”
When they left the Uchiha Clan district and went in the direction of the Hokage Building, many other Uchiha Clansmen were also walking towards the Hokage Building to participate in the Inauguration ceremony of Godaime Hokage.
The streets of Konoha are also very lively right now… the villagers flooded the street with enthusiasm and excitement, slowly walking towards the Hokage Building.
The Uchiha Clansmen were also present in the crowd, all had gentle smiles on their faces as they were having some sort of conversation with their friends and acquaintances among the Civilian Shinobi of other major Clans as well as Civilian Class.
There were no boundaries in the heart of people, and everyone accepted the Uchiha Clansmen as an integral part of Konoha.
Itachi’s heart was filled with warmth when he looked at this scene and continued to walk towards the Hokage Building while casually chatting with Shisui, Izumi, Sasuke, and his Tou-san, while Oka-san was having a very important conversation with Izumi’s Oka-san to which Itachi didn’t pay much attention to.
When they arrived at the square in front of the Hokage Building, everyone finally saw the person who would succeed as Godaime Hokage, he stood quietly on the roof of the Hokage Building with his wife who was adjusting his Hokage Haori.
Shisui raised his head and looked at the roof, of Hokage Building, “This day has finally come, I have been waiting for this day for so many years.”
Itachi nodded with a smile, “Yes, there is finally a Hokage who can understand us Uchiha, and control us properly.”
Fugaku who was stern on the side also showed a rare smile, “Itachi, he told me privately that he is very optimistic about you succeeding him as the Rokudaime Hokage.”
Sasuke was surprised, “Nii-san will become the Hokage?”
""
Itachi shook his head a little, “Tou-san, I have much to learn what being a Shinobi means, becoming Hokage is something that I have never even thought of.”
Fugaku glanced at Itachi, and said, “There is no rush, you are still too young and can slowly learn things with time and under his guidance. Besides, he told me that Konoha should also have an Uchiha as the Hokage… And he deems you to be the most capable one of succeeding him.”
Looking at the encouraging and expectant faces of his Tou-san, Oka-san, Otouto, Izumi, Shisui, and other Uchiha Clansmen, Itachi can’t help but question himself, ‘Can I really do it? Can I really be as good as him?’
While Itachi was busy thinking, suddenly the crowd cheered and the Inauguration Ceremony officially began.
The ceremony is hosted by Sandaime Hokage, in the presence of various high-level leaders of the village including Elder Koharu, Elder Mitokado, Elder Danzo, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Kakashi.