The warm morning sun, carrying the moisture of dew, quietly spilled over Konoha Village.
Yet, at this moment, Itachi could not enjoy the tranquility of dawn like an ordinary boy.
His figure moved like the wind as he sprinted swiftly across the rooftops of the clan district, his footsteps heavy… just like his heart.
That heaviness did not stem solely from the exhaustion of a sleepless night, but also from the unease brought by Hikari and Shura's secret visit the previous night.
And his father's plea, which is laden with desperation and helplessness.
Concealing the existence of those two mysterious, immensely powerful individuals, whose intentions toward Konoha were unknown, was undoubtedly a betrayal of his duty as a Ninja, as an Anbu, and of his core mission to protect the village's peace.
But would revealing the clan's secrets to the village's leaderships trigger unforeseen consequences, pushing his already precarious clan one step closer to the abyss?
The eight-year-old Uchiha Itachi was very confused. He needed someone to confide in, someone who could understand him and offer him the right guidance… Uchiha Shisui.
Shisui's residence was as neat and simple as ever.
He knocked lightly on the door, using a coded signal only a Ninja would recognize.
Soon, the door opened silently, revealing Shisui's face. He was slightly surprised at first, but quickly settling into calmness.
Dressed in simple homewear with his left eye covered by a black eyepatch, it was clear that Itachi's sudden visit had disturbed his peaceful morning.
"This early… what's happened?" Shisui's voice carried a trace of drowsiness, but his right eye was already sharp and alert.
Without wasting words, Itachi gave a slight nod, signaling Shisui to let him in.
Once inside, after confirming no one was eavesdropping, Itachi recounted everything that had transpired since his return home that morning… including Hikari and Shura's unexpected visit the previous night, how his father, Fugaku, seemed to have engaged in a battle of Sharingan prowess with them, though the outcome appeared unfavorable.
As for what they had discussed, Itachi did not know.
Finally, he also told Shisui in detail about Fugaku's request for him to keep it all a secret.
His tone was calm, but his deep eyes betrayed an irrepressible struggle and pain.
Shisui listened quietly, his expression shifting from initial surprise to solemnity, until finally, his brows furrowed tightly, his gaze filled with unprecedented vigilance.
When Itachi mentioned the name 'Uchiha Hikari', Shisui's heart skipped a beat.
He was almost certain that this was the same girl who had called herself 'Nanashi' during their encounter in the Land of Stars.
Recalling that day, the hollow socket of his left eye still ached faintly. Shisui understood better than anyone-
This woman's strength was anything but ordinary.
In just a few exchanges, he had been defeated and paid the price of losing one Mangekyo Sharingan!
And Shura!
He repeatedly appeared within Konoha Village, attacking the Hyuga Clan twice, and just days ago, gouging out the eyes of four Hyuga Clan's elders!
Though Shisui had been stationed on the village's outskirts at the time, responsible for patrols and security under Fugaku's orders and thus absent from the battle in the Hyuga Clan's compound, many Jonin had participated… including some close to Shisui, who had shared details of that day's events.
"She's actually working with Shura-"
"And the two of them sought out Fugaku-sama-" Shisui murmured to himself, his voice tinged with worry.
He walked to the window, his remaining right eye gazing into the distance as his thoughts raced.
"Itachi, you made the right decision." Shisui turned to look at him, his eye filled with affirmation and understanding.
"I know how hard this is… torn between the bonds of family and your father's request on one side, and the safety of the village on the other."
"But you must understand, the appearance of Uchiha Hikari and Shura has far exceeded what our Uchiha Clan alone can handle."
Though Shisui had never fought Shura directly, the fact that the latter could freely enter and leave Konoha Village and Kumogakure unchallenged made it clear… this was likely another powerhouse on par with Uchiha Madara.
However, in this era, there is no one as strong as the [God of Ninja] who can suppress him.
"Their very existence is a tremendous challenge to Konoha Village… no, to the entire Ninja World's current order."
Shisui paused, his tone growing even graver: "Fugaku-sama asked you to conceal this out of a desire to protect the clan. He fears escalating tensions and suspicion, pushing the Uchiha Clan into an even worse position."
"But precisely because the enemy is so powerful, we absolutely cannot hide this. If the village leadership remains unaware, and the situation spirals out of control, it will be a disaster for all of Konoha… and the Uchiha Clan will be the first to suffer."
Shisui stepped closer to Itachi, a trace of doubt in his eyes: "For some reason, I've always felt they aren't the masterminds behind the Nine-Tails Rampage. I suspect there are other mysterious shinobi lurking in the shadows."
Hikari's arrogance had left a deep impression on Shisui, and he still didn't know her true identity or origins.
To him, she seemed like a girl around his own age… meaning she would have been even younger during the Nine-Tails Rampage.
Finally, Shisui gently patted Itachi's shoulder: "We need the village's strength to investigate this further. By reporting to Hokage-sama, you're not just fulfilling your duty to Konoha… you're acting for the sake of the clan's future."
Itachi looked at Shisui, and the weight in his heart eased slightly.
His dear friend's understanding and support gave his tormented mind a moment of peace.
He knew that he was not an outlier in the Uchiha Clan, and Shisui had the same idea as him.
"I understand." Itachi nodded, his gaze firm once more.
After parting with Shisui, Itachi's figure blurred into motion, streaking straight toward the Hokage's office.
When he stood before Hiruzen, the air in the room was thick with the scent of tobacco and ink.
He incorporated Shisui's words into his report, emphasizing the urgency and gravity of the matter.
Hiruzen listened in silence, his eyes deep and unreadable, the embers in his pipe flickering faintly.
"Haaah-"
As Itachi finished, Hiruzen exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his voice low and weathered by time: "Itachi, you've done well. Your judgment was correct… it reflects both your loyalty to the village and your care for your clan."
Hiruzen slowly stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the village gradually bathed in morning light.
His voice was filled with a hint of worry, yet also filled with the calmness of a wise man, "We can now be certain that Shura and this 'Uchiha Hikari' are the masterminds behind the rebellion in Hoshigakure and the upheaval in the Land of Bears."
"As for Shura... his methods are enigmatic, his strength unfathomable. Even Kumogakure has suffered at his hands… He gathers powerful individuals, topples nations, and establishes new ones… what is his true goal?"
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened.
The battle from days ago was still fresh in his mind… Shura hadn't even fought personally, merely using an unknown Dojutsu to disrupt the Hyuga Clan.
Those nine mysterious summoned creatures alone had pinned down Hiruzen and Konoha's elite Ninjas, allowing Shura to pluck the Byakugan from four Hyuga Clan's elders right before their eyes!
"And Uchiha Hikari..."
Hiruzen was half-convinced she might be some secret descendant of Madara.
If it weren't for the information reported by Shisui that the other party was not very old, Hiruzen might have suspected that she was the one who caused the Nine-Tails Rampage a few years ago.
Shura and Uchiha Hikari's emergence had given Hiruzen a new perspective.
'Perhaps the Uchiha Clan truly hadn't been involved in the Nine-Tails Rampage after all.'
Turning back to Itachi, his gaze was filled with trust and expectation: "Itachi, you must take part in the follow-up to this matter… discreetly monitor whether Shura and Uchiha Hikari have deeper ties to the Uchiha Clan."
"At the same time, surveillance on the Uchiha must be intensified. But remember: all of this must be done in secret. We cannot risk unnecessary panic or escalation."
"Understood."
Itachi knelt on one knee, the shadows beneath his eyes deepening with silent sorrow.