章 14: Chapter 14: Colt in Shisui's Words, Meeting Itachi
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Konohagakure has two prestigious clans - the Hyūga and the Uchiha.
The Hyūga compound was located in Konoha's inner circle, not far from the Hokage Residence, referred to as the village's Inner domain.
The Uchiha, however, suffered a less enviable fate. Due to the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage, many bore witness to its pair of menacing Sharingan eyes.
Fugaku ordered his clansmen to stand down and avoid rash action that night, intending to await the Fourth Hokage's return for an explanation.
Yet the Fourth tragically perished, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi to reassume leadership.
The villagers resented the Uchiha's perceived inaction, while the higher-ups grew suspicious of their potential involvement with the masked man controlling the Nine-Tails.
Facing animosity from both fronts, the desperate Uchiha had no choice but to relocate to the village outskirts, far removed from Konoha's political center.
Shisui sat atop his roof, gazing up at the brilliant moon hanging in the night sky.
Though not yet an adult, his burdens weighed heavier than most full-grown men.
The Uchiha clan, the village, the Hokage, Danzō, the clan head - a tangled web of complex relationships left Shisui struggling to navigate a precarious middle ground.
Konoha grew increasingly disgruntled with the Uchiha, while rebellion simmered fiercely within the clan itself.
Even Shisui found himself assigned by the Third Hokage to monitor his dear friend Itachi.
"My apologies for the delay, Shisui-san. Sasuke insisted I accompany him," a youthful voice reached his ears.
Pulling from his contemplation, Shisui offered a warm smile in greeting.
"Itachi, there's no need for such wariness between us."
The newcomer was none other than the legendary Uchiha prodigy who had begun questioning the meaning of life at the tender age of six - Itachi Uchiha himself.
Shisui's purpose in summoning his friend was to glean any intelligence about the clan's internal affairs.
However, the news Itachi brought proved anything but encouraging.
At the recent clan meetings, the hardline hawk faction had utterly dominated proceedings, even swaying the pragmatic clan head Fugaku with their inflammatory rhetoric.
The Uchiha could now be aptly described as a powder keg - the slightest spark threatening to ignite a catastrophic detonation.
"Shisui-san, if this continues, open conflict between the clan and village seems inevitable," Itachi cautioned, clearly discerning his father's wavering resolve.
Yet the harsh truth remained - the Uchiha stood no chance against the full might of Konohagakure!
"Don't panic, Itachi. A solution is already formulating in my mind," Shisui reassured, giving the kid's head an affectionate ruffle as he admired the boy's poise.
Simultaneously, a pivotal decision solidified within him.
He would leverage his own strength to suppress the clan's growing insurrection!
However, he would still need to consult the Third Hokage to determine the best course of action.
After discussing the weighty topic, Shisui regaled Itachi with an amusing anecdote from his latest mission outside the village.
Mentioning Colt toward the end piqued Itachi's keen interest.
"That boy will be five years old this year, then? It seems he will enter the Academy alongside Sasuke next year."
"Is his healing ability truly as formidable as you claimed?"
A hint of skepticism tinged Itachi's voice regarding Shisui's lofty assessment.
For a five-year-old to have mastered medical ninjutsu seemed an astronomical exaggeration, but to be compared to Tsunade-sama herself, no less?
Shisui understood his friend's doubts all too well, having initially struggled to believe it himself before witnessing the feat firsthand.
His expression grew grave. "One does not exaggerate such things, Itachi. Colt's healing prowess was the greatest I've ever laid eyes upon in all my years."
"According to ANBU intelligence, he can even mend the deepest, most hidden wounds. Do not underestimate him."
Itachi, the vaunted genius since childhood, faced his own unique burdens as well.
Awakening the Sharingan far too prematurely incurred grave physical tolls, evidenced by Itachi's increasingly frequent coughing fits as his eyes now bore the Sharingan.
Seeing Shisui's adamant sincerity finally convinced the younger Uchiha of the gravity behind his claims.
Itachi knew his dear friend's unshakable care and concern for his wellbeing.
"I understand, Shisui-san. I shall visit Konoha's Hospital tomorrow to seek out this kid."
...
"So, Shisui Uchiha recommended you seek me out?"
Early the next morning, Colt's shadow clone greeted its first patient of the day - Itachi Uchiha himself.
The stoic youth gave an affirmative nod. "Brother Shisui praised your medical ninjutsu prowess, claiming you could aid my own condition."
A flicker of amazement graced the ANBU's features as he beheld Colt's youthful visage.
Truly, all manner of geniuses could emerge from the Hidden Leaf's ranks.
Colt understood the situation and didn't bother talking anymore, proceeding directly with his treatment.
Placing his hands firmly upon Itachi's chest, he channeled his green healing chakra.
This case proved particularly taxing - a full two minutes elapsed before the system's prompt finally manifested.
[Healed Uchiha Itachi: gain +1.5 Spirit, Fire Nature Transformation +36, 8 Points.]
It seemed his effortless shadow clone stratagem proved a resounding success.
Elation swelled within Colt as visions of his indolent future danced enticingly before his mind's eye.
Lounging idly by Hinata's side, savoring her tender ministrations as a clone selflessly mended the village's ailing at the hospital.
While another ventured deep into the Forbidden Forest, meticulously culling the local beasts to farm their attribute enhancements.
Such utter perfection!
As for Itachi, his outward expressions betrayed nothing of the tempest raging within.
One knew their body's condition better than any outsider could discern.
He clearly felt the debilitating fatigue plaguing him gradually lift, the dull ache behind his eyes fading into soothing coolness.
"Am I... fully healed?" he dared to inquire tentatively.
Catching his words, Colt waved his hand dismissively. "What thoughts are occupying your mind now?"
"You were merely my first patient to require such an extensive treatment period. Your condition proved far graver than initially anticipated."
Witnessing the youth analyze his symptoms with such clinical detachment and maturity caused Itachi's brow to furrow unconsciously.
Compared to this composed, almost unnaturally self-possessed child, his own beloved little brother Sasuke seemed painfully clingy and... well, childish.
"Very well, should any lingering effects trouble you in the coming days, feel free to return," Colt stated officiously. "However, if this treatment proved complete, I cannot currently provide further care."
With those words, he brusquely dismissed the elder Uchiha from his presence.
An inexplicable sense of disquiet nagged at Itachi as he departed - something about the healer's demeanor struck an odd discordance from Shisui's glowing recommendation.
He couldn't shake the uncanny feeling that Colt harbored some manner of veiled dislike toward him specifically.
Regrettably, Itachi's intuition was true.
For all his prodigious intelligence and formidable strength, Colt found it difficult to feel anything but revulsion toward one who could so callously sacrifice his own clan to protect a single sibling.
Itachi chose to slaughter his entire clan to protect his younger brother Sasuke.
In contrast, Shisui's self-sacrifice to avert the coup carried immeasurable nobility in Colt's eyes.
Their principles were worlds apart in Colt's eyes.
Thus, despite Itachi's vaunted genius intellect and formidable strength, Colt found it difficult to regard the Uchiha prodigy as anything but warped.
Yet he inwardly scoffed at Itachi's twisted ideals of brotherly devotion taken to such an abhorrent extreme.
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