Uchiha Patriarch !

"Since your small sword broke, use this Kusanagi sword as a replacement," Sōgen said, flipping the Kusanagi Sword, Sky Blade, in his hands. He erased his control over the blade and handed it back to Shisui. "I've removed Orochimaru's summoning seal from it. All you need to do is establish a new summoning connection to fully master it."

Ninja tools can also be bound by summoning contracts.

A typical example is the Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist Village. Hozuki Mangetsu had a scroll that allowed him to summon all seven swords. His title of "prodigy" was tied to the Seven Swordsmen. At around age seven, he was already able to control all seven swords with ease, even taming the notoriously picky Samehada, which obeyed him without question.

Thus, he was called "The Prodigy Loved by the Swords."

Unlike the contracts for summoning creatures, ninja tool contracts are quite rare. While many ninjas who can master summoning techniques are considered skilled, the techniques for binding ninja tools are not as widespread.

However, the Uchiha Clan certainly doesn't lack the techniques for contracting ninja tools.

Even though Shisui hadn't mastered the related techniques, Sōgen was undoubtedly an expert in this field.

"Sōgen, if you like these special tools so much, just keep it! I'm used to using a smaller sword, and this Kusanagi sword is a bit too long for me," Shisui said, looking at the handle offered to him but not reaching out to take it.

Shisui had always believed in Sōgen's love for special ninja tools. After all, he had hidden the giant sword Samehada before, and after recovering the clan's lost treasure, the Flame Fan, he practically never let it out of his sight. Anyone could see how much he cherished it.

And during this secret mission, Shisui was convinced that Sōgen's fondness for special ninja tools was genuine, which was why he had sealed the Kusanagi Sword, Sky Blade, and brought it back with Kimimaro. Even though the mission to retrieve the Six Paths tools had failed, bringing something back was better than returning empty-handed.

"Don't give me that nonsense. Save that for the idiots who believe you. You can't fool me. When has Uchiha swordsmanship ever been limited by the length of the weapon? Whether it's a small sword, a regular sword, or a large sword, it depends on the user. I don't recall Uchiha swordsmanship differentiating between short and long blades," Sōgen said, firmly pushing the Sky Blade into Shisui's hands.

If asked whether he liked the Kusanagi Sword, Sky Blade, Sōgen would undoubtedly say yes. However, liking it didn't mean he needed to keep it. With the Flame Fan in hand, the Samehada had already become more of a chakra-charging tool than a weapon. The Sky Blade, which was purely a battle tool, would probably just gather dust in Sōgen's possession.

His main purpose in collecting the Six Paths tools wasn't for combat but for research.

Letting the Kusanagi Sword, Sky Blade, sit and collect dust in Sōgen's study would be a waste.

Rather than letting a famous sword go unused, it was better to hand it to Shisui. As one of the only two Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, Shisui was the second-strongest in the clan after Sōgen. It was foreseeable that Shisui would often act on behalf of the clan head, who couldn't always be in the field himself.

As the saying goes, a good horse needs a good saddle.

A talent like Shisui deserved a top-tier weapon.

"But..." Shisui hesitated.

"Enough! No more 'buts.' This is an order from your clan head. Instead of arguing with me, you should think about how to integrate the Sky Blade into your fighting style," Sōgen said with an air of finality, leaving Shisui no choice.

Shisui reluctantly accepted the nearly three-and-a-half-foot-long Kusanagi Sword, Sky Blade. He started to think about how to best adapt his fighting style to this longer blade, as his usual small sword was only about two feet long. He realized he'd have to spend some time adjusting his tactics.

"Oh, by the way, Shisui, do you know how to use the summoning technique for ninja tools?" Sōgen asked, not forgetting this important detail.

"No, I've never studied it before," Shisui replied honestly, shaking his head.

"All right. Go rest up first. You should also see a medical ninja about that shoulder injury. Be careful not to let it cause any long-term issues. I'll write down the summoning technique for ninja tools and give it to you later. I don't have a scroll for it handy."

"No rush. I can't practice swordsmanship in my current condition anyway," Shisui replied, not in a hurry.

Though, as Sōgen had said, Uchiha swordsmanship was not limited by the length or form of the weapon. As long as the tool wasn't something absurd like a one-legged bronze man, even a kunai could be used with the Sharingan-enhanced sword techniques.

However, adjusting to a new fighting style wasn't something that could be done instantly. Even with Shisui's talent, it would take time to fully adapt to a new weapon.

Carrying the Kusanagi Sword, Shisui headed for the door.

But just as he was about to leave, Sōgen noticed something and called out, "Wait a minute, Shisui. Did you forget something?"

"No... I don't think so," Shisui said, shaking his head as he continued toward the door. One foot was already out the door when a long, gourd-shaped fan suddenly blocked the way, stopping him in his tracks.

"Shisui, being forgetful is not the behavior of a ninja. Look at the sofa—aren't you forgetting something you brought back?"

Sōgen said with a not-so-genuine smile.

On the sofa, Kimimaro sat upright and still.

"Sōgen, that boy was brainwashed by Orochimaru. To prevent him from going astray, he needs guidance and education..." Shisui began.

"Is that so? But why did you leave him in my office?" Sōgen asked.

"Well... Sōgen, if you can calm down the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, teaching this boy should be easy for you," Shisui replied with an innocent smile, while Sōgen looked ready to explode with frustration.

What a move.

Shisui had just turned the head of the Uchiha clan into a kindergarten principal! Between Fujika, Yakumo, and Naruto, the three were already giving Sōgen enough headaches. He didn't have the energy to deal with a fourth little troublemaker.

"Shisui," Sōgen said, placing a hand on Shisui's left shoulder and looking him seriously in the eye, "I have an important mission for you."

"What is it?" Shisui asked, confused, trying to figure out what this important task could be.

"Kaguya Kimimaro, the last descendant of the Kaguya clan who inherited the Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse). I'm entrusting you with the responsibility of correcting his misguided beliefs and leading him down the right path. Remember, this is not just about educating Kimimaro. It's also a test of your own growth and resilience."