The death of Uchiha Shisui only caused a stir among the Ninja who were paying attention to the Uchiha's situation, but it didn't create too much of a commotion.
Most of Konoha's high-ranking officials were aware of the Uchiha's situation.
But everyone only swept the snow from their own doorstep, paying no mind to others' troubles.
Unless it affected the foundation of Konoha, everyone only dealt with what was in front of them.
The Hyuga were like this, the Sarutobi were like this, and the Shimura were like this…
Only Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two Advisors found themselves in a world of distress and headaches.
How to deal with the Uchiha matter, and how to ensure it wouldn't affect Konoha's foundation, was a huge challenge for them.
They were not radical like Danzo, who only had one thought.
That was to act…
Eliminate any existence that posed a potential threat to Konoha.
They had to consider various implications.
And Satoru's thoughts were the same as those of the heads of the major clans:
The Uchiha's affairs were none of his business.
One's position determines one's perspective.
If he were the Hokage, then it would be his concern.
But he wasn't; he was just the leader of the Analysis Team, and the captain of a barrier development squad.
His job was to gather intelligence,
develop barrier Ninjutsu,
and be a good father, a good husband, a good son, and a good teacher.
If he tried to manage everything, he'd be exhausted to death, and he didn't have much connection with the Uchiha anyway.
His connection with Itachi was merely that they were both members of Konoha.
So, while Satoru paid attention, he wouldn't interfere too much.
…
Time passed.
Everything returned to normal.
The death of Shisui, the Uchiha's strongest fighter, also caused the Uchiha's radical ideology to pause for a period.
Uchiha Itachi still routinely picked up and dropped off Sasuke from school, explaining Ninja techniques to him along the way.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Only Sasuke vaguely felt that his older brother seemed different.
This made him study even harder, striving to surpass Kiba and impress his older brother.
…
Barrier Squad.
"Report, there are abnormal spatial fluctuations within the barrier."
A Ninja wearing a special device, sensing an unknown spatial fluctuation, immediately reported.
The squad leader, Yamanaka Kiri, frowned upon hearing this.
He immediately dispatched people to investigate and personally controlled the barrier to conduct a deeper perception of Konoha.
Countless Chakra signals returned to his mind from the barrier, sensing the nature of various Chakra and various anomalies.
This spatial fluctuation was not the first time they had encountered it.
But every time they sent people, they found nothing; at first, they even suspected there was a problem with Konoha's barrier.
However, they didn't let their guard down; every time it appeared, they would have Anbu dispatch people to investigate.
It was just that each time they returned empty-handed.
Even their Yamanaka clan's Perception Ninja, amplified by the barrier and devices, could perceive the entire Konoha but couldn't find the specific problem.
This also left them with great doubts.
…
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi received the report from the Barrier Squad, his eyes deep in thought.
He recalled the intelligence Satoru brought back after his mission in Hidden Rain Village years ago.
"What, did something happen?" Danzo Shimura looked at his expression.
Now his right eye was bandaged.
He had come to discuss with Hiruzen Sarutobi how to deal with the Uchiha.
"According to the Barrier Squad's intelligence, that spatial fluctuation has appeared again.
I suspect it might be that Ninja, possibly an Uchiha, that Inara had encountered during the Hidden Rain Village mission back then."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Oh? Why would you suspect him? According to the intelligence,
the abilities he displayed were only intangibility, Wood Release, and the ability to absorb people or objects.
It might not necessarily be an ability similar to Flying Thunder God." Danzo slowly spoke upon hearing this.
He had already been investigating this when he encountered it before.
As someone born in the Warring States Period, who had experienced the First and Second Great Ninja Wars, he wouldn't believe there would be inexplicable abnormal spatial fluctuations within Konoha.
It was just that all investigations so far had yielded no results.
Besides the person Hiruzen mentioned, he didn't rule out spies from other Villages.
"Nothing, just a gut feeling." Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
…
"Konoha's security is truly strong!"
The Masked Man with the spiral mask constantly complained as he watched the searching Ninja.
"Just occasional strolls are enough; I'll collect the information. It'll be troublesome if we're discovered." Another playful voice chimed in.
"Hmph, the Uchiha are truly in decline, to be suppressed like this."
"Do you want to help them?"
"Heh, the current Uchiha, just like Konoha, should become the nourishment for reshaping the world.
They no longer need to exist."
…
Midday.
People came and went in Konoha, bustling with activity.
Satoru's House.
Satoru was watching TV with his two children.
It was a passionate Ninja drama about Ninja saving a country.
It told the story of a commoner from a small country who slowly grew into a Ninja amidst the wars of the great nations, finally leading his team to establish his country's standing in the world.
"Dad, are you as strong as the people inside?"
Tenyu watched the characters inside unleash wild winds, defeating enemies who controlled a demonic dragon, feeling his blood boil.
Maki scoffed: "This dragon, never mind that it's fake, even if it were real, Dad could punch it down."
She was a true admirer of her Dad's fists.
"But this dragon is so big, and Dad's fist is only this… big. I reckon it would be good if he could knock off a single scale." Tenyu said, gesturing with his hands.
Indeed, the demonic dragon in the show appeared as large as a mountain from the screen.
His comparison was not wrong.
"Dad, what do you say?"
The two innocent children looked at Satoru.
"Well, you've seen many of Dad's abilities. Analyze it yourselves.
Can Dad take it down?"
Satoru pondered for a moment, then said.
Just as the two little ones were deep in thought, there was a knock at the door.
Tenyu immediately ran to open the door.
Two figures walked in, carrying some items.
"Teacher, long time no see. I truly envy you!" Ibara Keisen looked at the two children and his leisurely teacher, his eyes full of envy.
"Envy? You and Anko should get married quickly, then having a few kids won't be a problem."
Satoru looked at Anko, who had already gained a bit of weight, standing beside him, and teased.
Good boy, you've really taken good care of her!
Compared to Anko during Boruto's time, Anko at this moment, while not as exaggerated, was still plumper than during the Shippuden era.
It was just that she was young now and a Ninja, so she exercised a lot.
Otherwise, she might have been even fatter.
He was already imagining Anko, if she were still Naruto and their proctor, standing plumply in front of the Genin during the Chunin Exams—it would be unbearable to watch.
"Haha, Anko says she's not considering marriage for now. She wants to eat all the sweets she can before getting married." Ibara Keisen scratched his head.
Anko, meanwhile, looked at the surrounding environment and Satoru's face without bandages: "Oh, you look quite handsome with your face exposed.
Why do you always keep it bandaged?"