Uchiha Jin stumbled to the door, yawning and scratching his head. When he saw Uchiha Shisui standing there bright and alert, he couldn't help but complain.
"I swear, Shisui… do you ever sleep?"
He gestured toward the faint light outside.
"Look at the time—it's barely six in the morning!"
Shisui blinked, momentarily speechless.
He glanced between the half-asleep Jin and the other Uchiha already up and training in the courtyard. The training grounds were bustling with early risers, all perfecting their jutsu and taijutsu drills.
Shisui's lips twitched. Is this guy really an Uchiha?
It's six in the morning—most of the clan has already been training for over an hour. Why does he look like he just crawled out of bed?
Suppressing a sigh, Shisui got back to the point.
"First of all, it's late," he said seriously.
"Most civilian shinobi wake up at five to train. Our clan gets up at 4:30."
He added, almost as if lecturing, "Even Might Guy, Konoha's taijutsu specialist, wakes up at 3:30."
Shisui's tone softened.
"Jin-kun, you need to work harder too. You're going to be assigned to a team the day after tomorrow. There's a chance you could be sent straight into combat."
Shisui's words were sincere, filled with a mixture of guilt, concern, and hope.
They had played together often as children, but after his grandfather Uchiha Kagami's death, Shisui had thrown himself into training and gradually lost touch with Jin.
And because of what had happened to Jin's parents, Shisui felt personally responsible for not being there sooner. He saw Jin as more than just a clansman — he treated him like family.
So yes, he had expectations.
Shisui believed Jin's laziness was just a reaction to being wronged by the clan. If Jin could be inspired to fight again, he might become one of the Uchiha's strongest pillars.
If we unite the clan and work toward peace with Konoha, we can change everything, Shisui thought.
But Jin… didn't seem interested.
"Alright, Shisui," Jin said casually, waving him off.
"No need for a pep talk. I'm just a good-for-nothing. Working hard is tiring — it's way more comfortable to lie down and enjoy life."
He stepped aside.
"Come in first."
Jin had worked hard to cultivate his lazy, non-threatening image. There was no way he was going to throw that away so easily.
The two of them went to sit in the living room.
Shisui looked troubled, but not defeated.
It's going to take time to light a fire under him, he thought.
But that's okay. I know he'll come around eventually.
After a pause, he smiled brightly.
"Jin, I actually have good news for you."
He sat upright, looking excited.
"When Patriarch Fugaku heard about your situation, he flew into a rage and harshly rebuked the radical elders."
"From today onward, all clan resources will be distributed to you fairly, as befits the descendant of my grandfather's subordinate."
He leaned forward eagerly.
"The pensions and resources that were withheld all these years will also be fully compensated. You just need to say what you want, and the clan will provide it."
"And there's more — the Third Hokage knows about this too. He won't interfere with clan matters, but he has agreed to personally allocate village funds to compensate you and other clansmen who were wronged."
Shisui's eyes were shining, his face lit with satisfaction.
But Jin only sat there silently, his expression unreadable.
Inside, he was sighing.
He could tell Shisui was being completely sincere. He really did care — not just as a friend, but as family.
And that was what made this so painful.
He's a good kid. Too good for this clan, too good for what's coming.
If Jin got too involved, he'd inevitably be dragged into the Uchiha's doomed coup.
"Shisui's still only thirteen," Jin thought to himself.
"In my previous life, this guy would be an elementary schooler. What was I doing at that age? Copying homework, fighting with classmates, skipping classes… definitely not plotting clan reform."
His heart softened for a moment.
But the Uchiha situation is a mess, he reminded himself. If I get too involved, I'll only make things worse.
At worst, I'll backstab Danzo when the time comes, save Shisui, and make him 'disappear' so he doesn't lose his eyes.
As for Fugaku's and Hiruzen's "offers"?
Tch. Spare me. That's just pretty talk to pacify people like Shisui.
Still… there was no reason not to take advantage of the opportunity.
"I want Izanagi and Izanami scrolls," Jin said calmly, "plus a katana and sword techniques. The rest, just give me in detonating tags and military ration pills."
Shisui blinked.
"..."
He hadn't been expecting that answer.