16 Branded criminals!

Back at the Uchiha hideout, Shisui and Arashi ate the roasted fish.

They were inside the building, inside a big meeting hall that had the Uchiha clan symbol above and a throne in the middle.

The throne had the Uchiha symbol on both sides and two tomoe-like patterns below that.

Shisui sat on the throne and I sat on a small table opposite him.

"Big brother, are you sure no one will find us?" I asked as I ate the fish.

Shisui nodded.

"Only the Uchiha clan knows about this place, Fugaku-dono would never want an outsider to know this place, it's safe."

I nodded.

"Do you think the Hokage knew mum and dad?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure.

All I know is someone else knew all along.

If no one knew our parents, then you wouldn't have to be an orphan all along."

"I think the Hokage knows.

He knows about Naruto's parents, so I wouldn't put it past him to know mine."

Sigh.

Shisui sighed and continued eating.

'If the Hokage knows, then that only complicates things further.

Because…

The only reason he would hide such a thing is if he knew that Tsuki- no, Arashi would have such power.

But he wouldn't know that by then.

Arashi's Rinnegan was awakened when he was four.' Shisui was contemplating everything he learned.

They filled his head with so many questions and barely any answers; he appeared to be frustrated, a rare look on his usually laid-back face.

"Big brother, I'm sorry I did all this.

If it wasn't for me, you'd still be with Big brother Itachi, and you wouldn't be wasting your time on me.

Please accept my apology." I say and bowed.

"Arashi you…"

'How could he think that?'

Shisui gestured for me to come closer.

"Come here."

I stood up and walked up to Shisui, I couldn't stop worrying. My fingers were fidgeting, and I couldn't even look at Shisui.

Once I got there, Shisui put his arm around me and said,

"Don't think like that again.

None of this is your fault, the real ones to blame are…"

Shisui looked away.

His Sharingan activated, and he struggled to say something.

'I can't believe I'm about to say this but…'

"The hidden leaf and its officials are the ones to blame," he said firmly, clenching his other fist and holding me with his other arm.

"None of this has ever been or will ever be your fault, Arashi Uchiha.

I only wish that everyone could see the truth." Shisui's Sharingan turned off as he closed his eyes and brought me up to his seat.

"I already know already know a lot about you, but I want to know more, tell me what I missed all these years."

"Alright!"

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Meanwhile, in the village, Fugaku held a secret clan meeting during the night.

Presenting the clan's questions was a man who had ash-grey hair and squinted eyes.

He wore the standard Uchiha clan outfit, which comprised a short-sleeved, high-collared purple shirt that bore the Uchiha crest on the back, along with a pair of brown pants.

He also wore a pair of black arm guards, bandages around his legs, and a light-colored obi with a dark line running through it.

This man was Yashiro Uchiha a Konoha shinobi and one of the police force members.

"Shisui Uchiha has abandoned the village.

He took the child with the Rinnegan with him and now more problems have emerged for the clan.

Captain, what are we supposed to do with the village on our back again?"

Fugaku didn't respond, he sat in silence with his eyes closed, listening and contemplating.

"Captain, with Shisui gone, there's no one sustaining the Uchiha clan's image."

"Shisui's not gone." Yashiro looked behind him after hearing a cool and deep voice stating that Shisui wasn't gone.

"You're the last person I'd expect to be hearing from.

You and Shisui were close, you should know where he is and why he did what he did, instead, you're here sitting and listening to the clans' complaints without a care in the world."

Yashiro spoke to Itachi.

'Shisui, you better have a solid reason you've abandoned me like this.

The clan and the village need you.

You and I are supposed to stop a coupe.

But maybe you know something I Don't…

You shouldn't have left to see the evidence without me.

Could it be that Tsuki is your brother?

His name would be Arashi, won't it?

I suppose you'll have to tell me when we meet again.'

Itachi ignored Yashiro's complaints and thought to himself.

Seeing Itachi ignore him, Yashiro continued ranting.

"The moment I saw that kid and Shisui, I knew they would punish the clan for it.

If this isn't proof of mistrust, then I don't know what is." Yashiro stated.

Murmuring could be heard in the room, one voice over another, but they all spoke the same thing.

The clan, the village, and the coup.

Those were the topics they discussed.

"For now," Fugaku spoke.

He stopped mid-sentence to wait for them to quiet down.

The voices started fading away as Fugaku spoke.

"For now, all we can do is try to help the village find Shisui and Tsuki, anything else is prohibited by the Hokage.

I understand our frustrations and I share them as well, that's why once the Uchiha clan finds out where Shisui and Tsuki have gone we won't tell anyone.

At least, not until the Hokage makes up his decision."

The members of the clan all had a negative response to this by the looks on their faces.

Itachi's face showed concern more than anything.

A few minutes later, everyone in the meeting started departing.

Itachi and Fugaku were the only ones left.

"Itachi." He looked up.

"If you have any idea why Shisui did this or where he'd be, now would be the right time to tell me."

"Father, I don't know why he did this, nor do I know where he is or where he could be."

"I see…" Fugaku closed his eyes and folded his arms.

"That child, Tsuki, why would Shisui risk his entire career as a shinobi for him, do you think there's a connection between them?"

"I… I'm not sure, I hope to find out once we find Shisui, he would never do something like this for a foolish reason." Fugaku nodded.

"Foolish reason or not, Shisui has put a target on the clan, especially now when things between the clan and the village aren't good."

Fugaku opened his eyes.

"Itachi, you will tell me if you have some idea of where Shisui is, won't you?"

Itachi nodded.

"Yes, father."

"Good." Fugaku stood up and left the room.

Later that day, Itachi was sitting on a tree near the Uchiha training grounds.

Sasuke followed him there. He climbed onto the tree and tugged on Itachi's shirt.

"Big brother, are Tsuki and Shisui going to be alright?"

"Of course, he is, what makes you think he won't be alright?"

"Well, people in the village have called him a criminal, they say that the Hokage should kill him and get over it."

Itachi looked at Sasuke's eyes, they were filled with sadness and uncertainty.

"Is it true he's a criminal?" Itachi shook his head.

"No, he's simply misunderstood, he's gifted, often gifted people get punished for their gifts because people are afraid of those gifts." Sasuke nodded.

"You're gifted too, you're a genius, right big brother?" Itachi looked at Sasuke.

'What kind of genius can't even save his friend?' He asked himself.

Itachi jumped back down from the tree, avoiding the question.

"Come down Sasuke, let's train a little." Sasuke's face lit up as he got excited to train with Itachi.