c26: Ideological Education Class
"Okay, if you want to apologize, just apologize."
"But if I don't accept it, how would you respond?"
Uchiha Shisui: "..."
Seeing Shisui's bewildered expression, Gen Uchiha chuckled and said with a grin, "Alright, I'm just teasing. Of course I accept it."
"Now let me tell you about Minato-senpai, Kakashi, and Rin. What I say might not be completely accurate, but treat it as supplementary intel."
"I understand. Thank you."
Uchiha Shisui nodded solemnly. As a shinobi, it was essential to process intelligence and judge its reliability for oneself.
Gen Uchiha then shared his thoughts about the three, offering praise overall. Given the context, it would be inappropriate to criticize his former teammates.
After listening, Shisui formed a preliminary impression of the trio. He felt more at ease especially about Minato, the current Hokage, whom he'd never interacted with personally.
The young clan heir had pinned considerable hope on this initiative. If Shisui could become a direct subordinate of the Hokage much like Uchiha Kagami, his own grandfather had been to the Second Hokage it would be a major win for the Uchiha clan. He couldn't afford to fail.
"By the way, Shisui, how's the situation on the Kirigakure front?"
Shisui snapped back to the present and responded with a shake of his head. "The losses are significant. When I left, the stalemate hadn't broken yet."
"I don't understand why Hokage-sama dispatched only a small elite unit instead of deploying a full-scale support force..."
Most likely, it was to curb the influence of Konoha's major clans. Still, the move shouldn't be overdone. Reinforcements would likely be sent before long.
While Konoha's overall military power was depleted following the Iwagakure and Kumogakure conflicts, it could still muster a sizable force if necessary.
Realistically, the war could be won not through numbers but through Konoha's elite jōnin and high-level combatants—like Hatake Sakumo once had been, or now Sannin-class fighters such as Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Gen offered a measured response: "The leadership probably has its own long-term calculations. We should place our trust in the Hokage's judgment."
"Gen, you're right."
"We're not in a high enough position to see the full picture. It's easy for us to miss certain variables and make incomplete assessments."
"The Hokage operates from a broader perspective and has access to far more intelligence. Naturally, he can evaluate situations more holistically."
Gen Uchiha: "???"
I only said that to sound diplomatic, and you're already internalizing it like gospel?
At this rate, he'll be groomed by Danzō into another pawn—completely ignorant of the Will of Fire's darker interpretations.
No... I have to redirect him now. While there's still time.
"Shisui, are you saying that the village leadership is always right?"
Shisui looked up. "Not exactly. I just mean they likely take more into account than we can see."
Gen exhaled quietly in relief. Good he hasn't drunk all the Kool-Aid yet.
"What if, to maintain stability, the higher-ups decide to sacrifice a particular group say, the Uchiha clan? Would that still be acceptable?"
Shisui fell silent, visibly deep in thought, then answered: "If the benefit to the village truly outweighed the sacrifice… then yes, it could be justified. What's your take?"
Gen smiled faintly. "My view?"
"I believe sacrificing specific groups isn't automatically 'for the greater good.' But if the benefit is marginal, it's unjustified even for Konoha."
Shisui laughed softly. It seemed they weren't so different after all.
"So long as it's for Konoha and not just Konoha's ruling class."
Shisui froze slightly, looking at Gen with growing realization.
"Shisui, it's crucial to understand this distinction: The village itself is not identical to its leadership."
"The interests of the Hokage's advisors or council do not always align with the interests of Konoha as a whole."
"Do you follow what I'm saying?"
Shisui nodded, hesitating briefly, then shook his head. It wasn't that simple.
"Imagine a clan filled with talented ninja, pushing the family toward prosperity. But those same ninja begin threatening the authority of the elders or patriarch."
"Even though the clan would flourish, the elders fearful of losing power might suppress the younger generation."
"In that case, the leadership's interests clash with the clan's future."
Shisui, his voice serious, said, "They might suppress or even eliminate those talents to preserve control, sacrificing the clan's long-term strength."
"Exactly. That dynamic plays out on every level clan, village, even the nation."
"So, now do you understand my earlier point?"
Shisui responded earnestly, "I do."
"Then let me ask: What would you choose to do?"
"I'll tell you my answer first."
"For the collective good, I'm willing to give up personal interests. But for the sake of preserving the ruling elite's position? I won't give up anything."
"Because when leaders stop serving the group's interest and begin serving only themselves, they're no longer leaders. They're betrayers of the group."
Shisui carefully considered Gen's words. After a long pause, he answered, "Gen, you're right. I'm willing to give my life for the village but never for a corrupt leadership."
Gen nodded approvingly, then pivoted. "Shisui, you've heard of the Will of Fire, haven't you?"
"Of course. It's the cornerstone philosophy at the Academy. We're taught about it every year."
"The phrase is: Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and new leaves shall grow."
"Its meaning: The younger generation is our future. The older generation must believe in and protect them. Their sacrifice inspires the next to carry on."
"And its extended interpretation: Protecting Konoha means protecting its people even at the cost of our lives. Sacrifice is a noble virtue."
Shisui delivered the lines fluently, without pause, like he had countless times in school.
Gen looked at him seriously. "Do you believe that?"
Shisui hesitated this time, then slowly nodded. "Yes, I believe it."
"I believe it too," Gen replied, watching him closely.
Shisui exhaled in relief, glad his response was accepted.
"The Will of Fire says personal interest must be subordinate to the group, right?"
Shisui nodded again.
"Then Shisui, what's the actual relationship between personal and collective interests?"
Shisui thought carefully, then answered, "They're interdependent, I think?"
"Yes. That's exactly it. You really are smart, Shisui."
Shisui smiled bashfully, slightly embarrassed by the praise.
"In general, individual interests and collective interests should reinforce each other.not contradict. That's how a healthy system functions."
"For example, if the village thrives, its shinobi will naturally have more opportunities to grow stronger. Do you understand?"
"I understand. But... why is it that this is only likely, and not certain?"
"Because sometimes, even when the collective suffers, individuals still benefit or even rise higher. Just like the example I gave you earlier."
Shisui nodded thoughtfully, showing that he understood the nuance.
"When personal interests come into conflict with collective ones, the larger and long-term perspective suggests that collective interests should generally take precedence."
"That is to say, individual gains should be willingly given up when necessary. But…"
Gen Uchiha leaned forward slightly and stressed, "But there's a limit to such sacrifice. Sacrificing endlessly in the name of the collective eventually flips the very purpose of that sacrifice."
"When personal interests are endlessly drained to 'benefit the whole,' the balance collapses. That kind of collective will inevitably fall into darkness."
"Shisui, do you know why Konoha was founded in the first place?"
Shisui shook his head slowly. "I haven't really had time to study our village's founding. I never asked the elders or looked into it much."
"I checked through the clan records," Gen said. "And I asked some of the older members. The original reason for forming the village was to stop children from having to fight in constant clan wars. Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha wanted peace."
"But if one day, people start using that idea of 'peace' as a slogan to seek more power and influence and children are once again sent off to die on the battlefield…"
"Wouldn't that be the exact opposite of the founders' ideals?"
"Yes!" Uchiha Shisui's eyes lit up with clarity, his tone firm.
"Um… Xuan, do you have something against the Konoha leadership? It feels like you've been dropping hints all this time."
Shisui scratched his head, slightly puzzled by Gen's intensity.
"I have no issues with Hokage-sama," Gen said with sincerity in his voice.
"My issue lies with the one often called the Darkness of the Shinobi World."
He didn't need to say the name Shisui already knew who he meant. The founder of Root, the shadowy faction beneath ANBU—Shimura Danzō.
"I hope you're more aware of Root's operations and motives than you let on, Shisui."
"The truth is, the Uchiha clan is only left untouched because we're powerful, and our clan head, Fugaku-sama, still commands respect. If not…"
"Even geniuses like us might have been removed from the clan under the pretext of maintaining stability."
Shisui's expression darkened as realization dawned. "So that's it… You're right. Root really isn't a place that aligns with the Will of Fire."
"Alright. That's enough for today."
"Then I'll head out. I'll come again when I get the chance. You really do know a lot."
"You're always welcome. I'll walk you out."
"Thanks."
The two left the main room. Gen watched Shisui walk away, a thoughtful look flickering in his eyes as possibilities ran through his mind.
After this ideological talk, Dai or anyone from Root should think twice before treating Shisui as a pawn, right?
From this point forward, he'd keep a close watch. If needed, he'd nudge things directly. If nudging didn't work, he'd learn from Danzō except instead of a subtle push, he'd deliver a full-powered kick.
Gen turned around and went back into the house. He practiced, meditated, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
The next day came, quiet and uneventful. Gen Uchiha followed his usual training and routine, refining his chakra control and polishing his kenjutsu techniques.
The third day passed much the same.
It wasn't until the fourth day that a message arrived Anko brought word that Orochimaru had summoned him.
Gen went home, cleaned himself up, and headed straight to the designated meeting point.
The writer's depth is what it is. If something doesn't feel logical, just treat it as entertainment. No need to take it too seriously. Constructive feedback is fine, but don't resort to personal attacks.
---