With matters concluded, Tsunade left without hesitation.
Konoha, having just held a funeral, was still immersed in sorrow, and the deep night was even quieter than before.
But Black Zetsu was in good spirits.
While Uzumaki Mito was alive, his lurking in Konoha had always felt a bit constrained.
Although Mito was largely unable to sense him, he felt like there was a thorn in his side whenever there was even the slightest chance of being exposed.
Now, it was fine.
The only person in all of Konoha who could possibly sense him was dead.
The current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki still needed time to grow, and as long as he avoided the small area where she resided, there was nothing to fear.
He went to the Uchiha compound as usual to monitor Naraku.
Seeing the boy quietly slip out under the cover of night and head straight for the river, Zetsu quickly followed.
Recently, Uchiha Naraku's frequency of searching for the necklace had gradually decreased.
When he did come, he would just stand on the riverbank in despair, seemingly having given up hope.
Seeing Naraku sitting blankly on the withered grass slope again tonight, gazing at the flowing water, Black Zetsu began to consider whether he should reveal himself.
He had been waiting for the brat to leave the village, but Naraku hadn't left for two months, all because he was busy learning Medical Ninjutsu.
Zetsu didn't know how often Naraku would leave the village in the future, or if he would have another chance to act.
Perhaps he could try to entice him now.
The moment Black Zetsu poked his head out from the shadows of the bushes, a string of faint footsteps came from the end of the riverbank path.
He immediately withdrew.
On the other side, Naraku—with his perception ninjutsu active—remained firmly locked onto Black Zetsu's position.
He wondered silently why the fellow still hadn't shown himself.
After waiting for a long time, he saw Black Zetsu about to emerge.
Before he could celebrate for even half a second, he saw the creature retract with lightning speed.
Naraku thought, "???"
Then, a faint chakra signature entered the edge of his sensory range, getting closer and closer.
"Who's ruining my plans!"
When the newcomer drew near, Naraku stood up and walked onto the bank.
Not far away, a small figure, half a head shorter than him, was limping in his direction.
"Hmm?"
"Uchiha Shisui?"
Uchiha Shisui had always had a small wish: to meet the legendary genius, Uchiha Naraku.
It started one day when his father, Uchiha Ento, returned from a clan meeting.
His father had come home exceptionally happy, telling Shisui and his mother over supper about what had been announced.
What impressed Shisui the most was his father's effusive praise for the young man named Naraku.
He called him the pride of the Uchiha, a once-in-a-century genius who had even become the disciple of the White Fang, bringing hope to the entire clan.
Noticing Shisui's bright, wide eyes, his father patted his head and smiled.
"Our Shisui will surely become just as excellent in the future."
The boy nodded vigorously.
From then on, a seed was planted in his heart, beginning to take root and sprout.
Some time later, he learned from other clan members that Naraku had failed a mission and had been brought back to Konoha by the White Fang, severely injured.
He wanted to know exactly what had happened.
Even his father, a Jonin, didn't have much information.
He only heard that Uchiha Naraku had eliminated two full Amegakure Anbu squads while fighting his way out.
"As expected of an Uchiha genius," his father muttered in admiration.
"Even in the Land of Rain, using Fire Style at a disadvantage, he was still that strong."
Later, rumors about the White Fang began to emerge one after another.
Shisui was too young to understand the political intricacies.
He only knew that everyone seemed to believe Naraku's master should not have abandoned the mission to save him.
But when the Hokage gave speeches at the Academy, didn't he always talk about the Will of Fire, comrades, and bonds?
Before he could figure it out, the clan stopped caring about what the ignorant people of Konoha were discussing.
For them, those chaotic rumors were far less attention-grabbing than the bombshell news that followed.
Uchiha Naraku had activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, but suffered from the bloodline limit sickness.
"Nine years old... he's only nine years old."
Shisui heard every clan member who learned the news exclaim those words.
It was unclear whether they were astonished by his extraordinary talent or lamenting that the Uchiha would soon lose him.
His desire to meet Naraku became even stronger.
He knew that Obito-nii was Naraku's classmate; surely he would know him?
"We have a pretty good relationship; could I ask him to take me?"
Before Shisui's small plan could be put into action, another rumor spread through the village.
The White Fang was dead.
No, it seemed he wasn't dead, but in a coma.
All sorts of conflicting rumors flew around, and Shisui couldn't distinguish truth from fiction.
He only knew that Naraku-senpai must be especially sad—even sadder than Shisui had been when he was injured.
Since his father was away on a mission, he confided in his mother.
She gently pinched his cheek and praised Shisui for being a kind child.
"But it's very rude to go uninvited if you don't know the person," his mother said, taking out a piece of paper.
"How about we fold paper cranes to pray for Naraku? Wishing him all the best for the future."
"Okay!"
Shisui folded many paper cranes that night, stringing them into a long chain.
He asked his mother to have the Clan Head's wife help deliver them.
Mikoto, being a warm-hearted person, agreed and later returned to say that Naraku was very happy to receive them.
A few more days passed, and Shisui finally heard good news from the clan.
Uchiha Naraku had moved back into the compound, residing at the Clan Head's home.
The day he learned the news, Shisui ran back to the compound immediately after school.
He headed toward the path where Mikoto was said to often take her strolls.
It was dusk, and the sun was slowly setting.
He ran through the rose-colored light, filled with the joy of finally meeting his idol.
The chirping of birds returning to their nests seemed to carry his happiness.
Then he saw him.
The black-haired young man stood beside Mikoto, his posture as straight as a drawn sword.
Yet his beautiful features softened that sharpness, and his dark eyes held a gentle, profound expression that captivated anyone who saw him.
The young man simply stood there quietly, and the setting sun seemed to draw near, casting a golden halo upon him.
His entire being exuded warmth and tranquility.
Shisui was panting, his heart pounding, and sweat ran down his temples.
Perhaps his gaze was too direct, for Naraku sensed it and turned his head.
Seeing the boy staring, Naraku didn't get angry.
He only offered a slight smile, as if saying "hello."
Shisui immediately stiffened, his mind went blank, and his body reacted instinctively.
He gave Naraku a formal bow and then turned and bolted away.
Naraku: "???"