Chapter Twenty-Four: Analysis

Kakashi glanced at Naruto, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Brats are really bothersome." With that, he ate his bowl of ramen at a speed Naruto couldn't even follow, placed the money on the counter, and left without another word.

"What a strange guy," Naruto said, watching Kakashi's retreating figure. "Yu, did you see how he finished his ramen just now?"

"I saw it. He took off his mask, ate the ramen, and then put the mask back on."

"Huh? Why didn't I see that!"

"Because you're too weak."

"Yu, you’re not lying to me, are you?"

Yu Higashino didn’t answer, merely gave Naruto a look that said it all.

"Then, Yu, what do you think that guy looks like under his mask?"

"Quite handsome."

"Haha, Yu, you slipped up! If he’s not ugly, why would he eat with a mask on?"

"Alright, I didn’t see him either."

"I knew it! Yu, you really like to tease me."

Yu Higashino had no desire to respond further. Just then, their ramen arrived, and the two began eating.

After finishing their meal, they left the ramen shop and walked together for a while before parting ways at a fork in the road.

Yu Higashino returned home, rested for a bit, then took out today’s investigation log, ready to complete the unfinished tasks.

The investigation wasn’t fully done yet; he had only gathered materials so far. Now, Yu needed to compile and analyze them.

Sorting more than a hundred survey results by identity, Yu summarized each group’s view of the Uchiha and distilled the key points.

With so much material, the workload was immense. He finished around midnight.

The night was deep; he went straight to bed. Time passed to the next day.

Just after seven, Naruto woke Yu Higashino up. This time, Yu felt no annoyance at being roused—he was used to it.

He made breakfast, ate, and waited idly for a while. At about the same time as yesterday, Shisui Uchiha entered the shop.

"Yu Higashino."

"Yes, you’re here," Yu greeted him and took out yesterday’s investigation notebook. "I’ve finished the investigation. Overall, the situation isn’t great. Take a look—the front contains people’s specific opinions on the Uchiha, and the back has my summary and analysis."

"Alright."

Receiving the notebook, Shisui stood there and began reading.

After the first survey subject, his expression remained calm, and there was even a trace of anticipation between his brows. But after the second, that anticipation faded. By the third, he frowned slightly. By the fifth, his brows knit tighter. By the seventh, his face had grown grim, and as he continued, his reading sped up.

When he reached Yu’s analysis and summary, he slowed down.

Yu, standing nearby, added a few words:

"From the results, civilians hold significant resentment over the Police Force’s law enforcement; they rarely see Uchiha members, which breeds distance and a lack of warmth. Many shinobi distrust the Uchiha due to the Nine-Tails incident. Children are influenced by their parents. And your clan has a very stern air, which doesn’t leave a good impression."

When Yu finished, Shisui had finished reading as well.

"Yu Higashino, thank you. This investigation is very useful to me!"

Yu hadn’t expected Shisui to thank him so directly. As he did, Yu seemed to hear a faint 'ding'—a new skill had appeared on his skill panel!

"No need to thank me," Yu replied, opening the skill panel as he spoke.

[Swordsmanship lv4]
[Transformation lv3]
[Medical Arts lv3]
[Illusion lv1]

The new skill was indeed Illusion! Though he had expected it, Yu was still pleased. He liked illusion techniques—not just for their usefulness, but for their cool factor.

Shisui, troubled, then asked, "Yu Higashino, do you think my clan really has problems?"

"...Not exactly." Finding Shisui agreeable, Yu elaborated:

"I’ve looked into the Nine-Tails incident—it was the village’s orders that kept your clan away from the beast. The Police Force’s issues stem from imperfect laws, which are partly related to the Uchiha. But since the Police Force handles arrests, they’re bound to offend people. Your clan’s territory is so far out, so we rarely see Uchiha around..."

As he spoke, Yu suddenly paused, and Shisui’s expression changed.

"It seems someone is targeting your clan," Yu said calmly.

Yu had always known the Uchiha were being targeted, but he hadn’t intended to tell Shisui directly before—after all, as a civilian, his words might not be taken seriously, and it was best not to invite trouble.

But as he spoke, Yu realized the investigation results themselves pointed to this conclusion, so he mentioned it.

Judging by Shisui’s expression, he had already begun to realize it himself.

"Yu Higashino, do you really think it’s true?" Shisui’s face was complicated, his thoughts tangled—he was desperate to confirm something.

"...I’m just a civilian who can’t use ninjutsu. How would I know what you shinobi are up to?"

Yu still didn’t want to get involved. He wasn’t afraid, but he preferred a peaceful life.

With surveillance around and conversations possibly overheard through lip-reading or special techniques, it was best not to say too much.

Seeing Yu’s response, Shisui seemed to realize something, and he forced himself to suppress his emotions, not pressing further.

"Yu Higashino, here’s your commission fee," Shisui said, handing over the money.

Yu took it. "Thank you."

"Why is there 1,200 ryo?" Yu counted the money and noticed something was off.

"This is what you deserve," Shisui replied vaguely.

Before Yu could ask more, Shisui made as if to leave.

"Yu Higashino, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll go now. Oh, can I take this notebook?"

"You can."

"Thank you," Shisui bowed, then departed.

Yu watched Shisui’s hurried figure disappear, glanced at the 1,200 ryo in his hand.

No way, could it really be that old-fashioned? Could the 1,200 ryo mean Shisui would come to him at midnight tonight?