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If Shizune intended to tail Uchiha Itachi, then she had chosen the wrong person to follow.
As a prodigy of the Uchiha clan, Itachi had graduated from the ninja academy by the age of seven. Detecting someone tracking him was hardly a challenge.
Sure enough, the places Itachi led them to grew increasingly remote, clearly intending to lure his pursuers into a secluded area.
As for whether Itachi had noticed him and Orochimaru, that was harder to say.
Upon entering a small grove, Uchiha Itachi suddenly halted, turning to face the empty space behind him.
"Come out," he said.
Hidden behind a tree, Shizune tensed at Itachi's voice. Chiding herself for failing to conceal her presence properly, she stepped out from behind the trunk.
"Hello."
"I've seen you before," Itachi said, his gaze fixed on her.
"Oh?"
"A few days ago, I encountered Lady Tsunade. You were standing beside her," Itachi explained.
"Ah…" Shizune recalled the moment.
Itachi had paused, offering Tsunade a respectful bow. That must have been when he noticed her.
"Lady Tsunade is remarkable."
"Th-thank you."
Itachi's words disrupted Shizune's plans. She hadn't expected a member of the Uchiha clan to be so composed in conversation. "Lady Tsunade sent me to—"
"Wait." Itachi raised a hand, cutting her off as his eyes shifted to the space behind her. "I said, shouldn't the rest of you come out as well? My earlier remark included you."
"What?!" Shizune whirled around, stunned.
Meanwhile, Midorima glanced at Orochimaru and whispered, "We've been spotted."
"No need to state the obvious. I'm not deaf."
"What now?"
Without hesitation, Orochimaru turned and fled.
Midorima was curious about what Tsunade's return to Konoha would entail, but with Orochimaru retreating, he had no choice but to follow.
Itachi didn't pursue them, suggesting his only intent had been to drive them away—likely because the upcoming conversation was meant to be private.
Did that mean Tsunade was planning to establish contact with Uchiha Itachi?
Though Midorima didn't know why Tsunade had chosen Itachi, she had undoubtedly found the best possible candidate.
Not that Itachi could single-handedly resolve the Uchiha clan's predicament. In truth, the situation was far too complex for Itachi alone to handle—perhaps even beyond Tsunade's capabilities.
After all, the fallout from the Nine-Tails incident was immense, and the fact that the rampaging beast had been controlled by the Sharingan only deepened suspicions.
Investigations would inevitably point toward the Uchiha clan, making it nearly impossible for them to clear their name.
Moreover, many within the clan were already restless, their resentment simmering.
So, could Tsunade really break the deadlock?
It wouldn't be easy.
Midorima was eager to see how the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha clan would unfold.
Orochimaru led Midorima straight back to Danzo's residence, his mood visibly uplifted. Upon seeing Danzo, he even greeted him cheerfully.
"What's gotten into you?" Danzo frowned at Orochimaru's uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
"I've found my target," Orochimaru replied with a smile.
Midorima stared at him in surprise.
Wait… don't tell me he's set his sights on Uchiha Itachi?
Though young, Itachi's combat prowess was undeniable. Orochimaru's eye for talent was as sharp as ever.
In the original timeline, Itachi had soundly defeated Orochimaru after joining the Akatsuki. But now, with Orochimaru taking notice of him so early, the future was anyone's guess.
"Who is it?" Danzo's guard went up.
Anyone Orochimaru took an interest in was undoubtedly exceptional.
"I…" Orochimaru paused, then admitted, "I don't know his name."
Danzo glared at him in silence.
Then why bring it up at all?!
"However," Orochimaru continued, "I can say this much—the shinobi I've taken an interest in has made contact with Tsunade's apprentice. Speaking of which, what has Tsunade been up to lately?"
"Tsunade?" Danzo's eyes narrowed, his left fist clenching. "That woman is nothing but trouble. Fine, I'll look into that shinobi's identity for you. If he's connected to Tsunade, it shouldn't be too hard to track down."
Listening from the sidelines, Midorima closed his eyes slightly.
So Danzo also held a grudge against Tsunade. It seemed the original storyline wasn't so easily altered.
If Danzo and Tsunade were to clash, Midorima, as an outsider, would be better off staying out of it.
But if he were dragged into the conflict, he'd need a way to protect himself.
Midorima touched his neck. It seemed he'd have to find time to meet with Tsunade and have her seal the "Curse Mark" with the Evil Sealing Method.
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Shizune hurriedly led Uchiha Itachi to Tsunade's temporary office.
Though "office" was a generous term—it was little more than a place where she read reports and caught up on recent events in Konoha.
After briefly conveying Itachi's intentions, Tsunade's expression softened, and she motioned for Shizune to bring him in.
"Lady Tsunade," Itachi greeted with a deep bow. "It's an honor."
Tsunade gestured to the chair opposite her desk. "Have a seat."
Once Itachi was seated, she continued, "I apologize for summoning you at such a time."
"Not at all. I hold the utmost respect for you. Meeting you is a privilege."
"Huh?" Tsunade blinked. She had been away from Konoha for years—long enough that her influence shouldn't have reached someone his age.
"It was your proposal to integrate medical ninja into combat units that saved countless lives," Itachi explained.
Tsunade offered a faint smile, though his words brought back memories of Dan and Nawaki—her lover and her younger brother.
"And yet, I couldn't save the people closest to me…" she murmured.
"My apologies," Itachi said quickly.
"It's fine." Tsunade waved a hand. "I'm not one to dwell on tears. The past may be painful, but we must keep moving forward… if only to ensure such tragedies never repeat."
"Understood." Itachi lowered his head.
Given Tsunade's history, his words were natural, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that she was implying something deeper.
"Do you know why I've returned?" Tsunade asked.
Itachi shook his head.
"I encountered Kakashi outside the village. He told me something—that Uchiha Shisui, the genius of your clan, is dead. His eyes were gouged out, and his body was found by the Naka River."
Tsunade's tone was calm, but to Itachi, the words struck like a blade.
His fists clenched, struggling to suppress his emotions.
Shisui had been his closest friend—and he had died right before his eyes. Yet as his friend, Itachi had been powerless to save him.
What a failure.
"Are you alright?" Tsunade asked, noticing his distant expression.
"I'm fine." Itachi took a deep breath and met her gaze. "And then?"
"Then, I heard a rumor…" Tsunade's eyes bore into him. "Shisui's death wasn't as simple as it seems. As his friend, do you know anything about it?"
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