Before leaving, Hyūga Hizashi deliberately approached Uchiha Ju and bowed respectfully. "You were startled!"
Uchiha Ju snapped out of her daze and shook her head. "It's fine, it's fine. I wasn't hurt anyway. Besides, no one could have predicted that guy would suddenly attack on the street!"
Uchiha Itachi remained silent but still nodded. "Yes, Captain Hizashi. This incident isn't your fault."
Seeing that neither Uchiha Itachi nor Uchiha Ju blamed him, Hyūga Hizashi felt a wave of relief.
This Uchiha Ju was the Hokage's only daughter, the princess of the Land of Fire, the apple of his eye.
And Uchiha Itachi was the eldest legitimate son of Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Konoha Military Police Force. Thus, he couldn't afford to offend either of them.
Although Hyūga Hizashi was the deputy clan leader of the Hyūga Clan, he also held the position of a captain in the Konoha Military Police Force. There was no other reason. It was because Ryun had valued him back when he was still a member of the branch family.
Therefore, no matter what, Hyūga Hizashi would not betray Ryun's trust and would continue to serve as a captain in the Military Police Force.
After expressing his stance, Hyūga Hizashi had his subordinates escort the Kumo-nin spy away. He calculated in his heart that he must make this guy pay the price!
His eyes flickered with an indeterminate light as he looked at the spy's retreating back. Uchiha Itachi stood tall and straight, his small ponytail swaying slightly in the wind, a smile on his lips. He stretched out his hand. "Let's go."
Uchiha Ju's fair hand took hold of Uchiha Itachi's as she said with a smile, "Mm-hmm!"
Just like that, the two of them walked together towards the Hokage's residence. Uchiha Shisui followed behind, helping to carry the bags.
Two hours later, Ryun and Tsunade were already standing at the entrance, smiling as they watched the trio approach.
Upon seeing her father and mother, Uchiha Ju immediately called out, "Dad, Mom, I'm back! Itachi bought me lots of gifts!" Uchiha Ju said.
Looking at the happy Uchiha Ju, Tsunade smiled. Ryun, however, gave Uchiha Itachi a nod.
Uchiha Itachi nodded in response, then motioned for Shisui to put the gifts down and prepare to leave. However, Ryun smiled and spoke up, "Little Itachi, come to my study."
Uchiha Itachi was taken aback. He looked at Uchiha Shisui, signaling for him to leave first. Uchiha Shisui gave him a "you're on your own" look before departing.
Uchiha Itachi followed behind Ryun, thinking as he walked. Could it be that his impure thoughts had been discovered by his master's master?
No, that wasn't right. He had always been careful. Aside from Shisui, no one should be able to guess. And Shisui would absolutely never do something like betray a brother.
Then, there was only one thing left: the incident of Uchiha Ju being attacked. Although the duration was short, Ryun's Anbu network was spread throughout the entire village. Such an incident occurring would definitely be reported to Ryun immediately by the Anbu. Otherwise, wouldn't they be slacking off?
Having figured out the reason Ryun wanted to see him, Uchiha Itachi felt relieved. Whatever his master's master asked, he would answer truthfully.
Uchiha Itachi, as expected of the shinobi who planned the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night in the original story and infiltrated the Akatsuki for many years, possessed top-notch logical thinking and reasoning abilities.
Just like that, he and his master's master, Ryun, entered the study. Uchiha Ju, however, was a bit worried.
"Mom, what do you think Dad will ask Itachi? He won't give him a hard time, will he?" Her little face fell as she looked towards the study.
"Silly child, your father watched Itachi grow up. This time, he has something important to ask Itachi. Don't worry." Tsunade smiled and pinched her daughter's smooth cheek, comforting her.
She knew the reason in her heart, but she didn't want to say it and worry her daughter. At the same time, her eyes clouded over as she looked northward.
Kumogakure
The Third Raikage, A, was now showing clear signs of old age. Even though Black Zetsu had become his heart, his age had reached a point where he was about to enter the ground.
This was something even Black Zetsu couldn't reverse. The Third Raikage's current strength, while still at the Kage level, was not what it used to be.
Watching his father grow older day by day, Young Master A couldn't help but sigh. Just then, a shinobi scrambled in, almost stumbling.
"Report! Something terrible has happened!" His voice trembled as he looked at the Third Raikage, A.
Although the Third Raikage, A, was advanced in years, his eyes remained sharp. Seeing the state of the reporting shinobi, he couldn't help but shake his head.
"What's all this panic! If you don't give me a good reason, don't blame me for making you go receive punishment," Young Master A roared.
The shinobi shuddered all over, then lowered his head, realizing his loss of composure, and fell silent.
"A!" the Third Raikage helplessly called out his son's name. His son's strength was passable, but his state of mind and capacity for tolerance were still far from what was required for the position of Raikage.
But there was no other way. The only one in Kumogakure who could shoulder the major responsibilities now was his son. So, the Third Raikage, A, could only educate and advise.
Sure enough, once the Third Raikage spoke, Young Master A immediately settled down. He stopped talking and looked at the shinobi before him.
"Tell me, what happened?" the Third Raikage said slowly. His voice, though aged, carried an unquestionable authority.
"Yes! Lord Raikage, the spy we sent to Konoha acted on his own initiative. He attempted to capture Ryun's daughter, Uchiha Ju!" The shinobi's words had barely fallen.
The Third Raikage, A, no longer cared about demeanor or dignity. He quickly stood up, used a Body Flicker Technique to appear before the shinobi, and grabbed his shoulders with both large hands, shaking him.
"Are you speaking the truth? Is he out of his mind! Daring to lay hands on Uchiha Ju!" The Third Raikage looked as if he had been struck by lightning!
Young Master A was also dumbfounded. Although he was reckless and lacked brains, even he wouldn't do something so earth-shattering!
Kidnapping Ryun's daughter? How many lives do you have to spare?
What was wrong with Kumo's spy department? How could they let someone like that graduate and be assigned to monitor Konoha? Wasn't this just asking for trouble for the nation?
After confirming with the shinobi once more, the Third Raikage staggered a few steps and slumped to the ground!
"Father!" Young Master A stepped forward, wanting to help his father, the Third Raikage, A, up. But the Third Raikage waved his hand.
"The result? I'm asking you about the result!" the Third Raikage urgently looked at the reporting shinobi.
The reporting shinobi lowered his head. "He failed. He was incapacitated by a single blow from Uchiha Itachi. Afterwards, he was captured by Konoha Military Police Force members. He is currently in the Konoha prison!"
"Konoha prison, Konoha prison..." In an instant, the Third Raikage's eyes lit up. He thought of something. "Tonight, have the other moles go for a 'visit'. Make sure that man ends up dead without a trace, smash his brains to prevent Konoha from holding us accountable!"
"Yes!" The shinobi immediately sprang into action!
The Third Raikage looked in the direction the shinobi left. "I hope it's not too late!"
Young Master A also realized what his father intended to do now, marveling at how quickly his father had reacted!
In Ryun's study
Ryun sat in his office chair, then gestured for Uchiha Itachi to sit down. Uchiha Itachi nodded and sat down.
Ryun smiled and poured Uchiha Itachi a cup of tea. Uchiha Itachi was flustered and immediately stood up to receive the teacup. What a joke. How could a 13-year-old child calmly accept the Hokage pouring tea for him?
Seeing this, Ryun didn't say anything. He just smiled. "Little Itachi, thank you for saving my daughter."
Uchiha Itachi had prepared in advance, so he answered without any nervousness. "It was my duty, Lord Hokage!"
"Call me master's master. Sometimes you should learn from your father. He's always calling me master." As he spoke, Ryun took a sip of tea.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes darkened imperceptibly. If he called him master's master, wouldn't that make him a generation apart from Ju? It was at this moment that he resolved to call him Lord Hokage from now on, not master's master!
"Alright, tell me about the situation. I remember you told Hizashi that he was a spy from Kumogakure, correct?" Ryun leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping on the desk.
"How did you determine that?" Ryun looked at Uchiha Itachi, his eyes carrying a sense of assessment and probing. He understood that Uchiha Itachi definitely wouldn't make unfounded claims!
"First, his speed and the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Lightning Release chakra is mostly violent and instantaneous. His jutsu and methods perfectly matched that."
"Second, when I was in the Anbu, I often engaged in combat with shinobi from Kumogakure. I remember their movement habits and Lightning Release Chakra Mode clearly."
"Third, wearing a Konoha headband, using Kumogakure's jutsu, committing an attack on the street without regard for the consequences... this is definitely not something a Konoha shinobi would do."
"Based on the above, deducing the shinobi's identity wasn't difficult."
Uchiha Itachi spoke clearly and methodically, his logic sound. Ryun couldn't help but nod. He truly lived up to the reputation of being hailed as possessing the talent of a Hokage.
"Well done, Itachi. You are much more talented than your father. Although he might be able to think of it, he probably couldn't execute it as well as you have." Ryun said with a smile.
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head, saying nothing. At times like these, saying more could lead to mistakes!
"Guess what they will do next," Ryun said, his eyes glinting.
Uchiha Itachi remained silent. Ryun smiled. "He will silence the witness, believe it or not?"
Uchiha Itachi understood immediately. He immediately thought of the disparity in the comprehensive strength of the two nations and understood everything Ryun was implying.
"Then, should we provide strict protection for the prisoner?" Uchiha Itachi asked.
"You do this... and then this..." After Ryun finished speaking, Uchiha Itachi's eyes lit up. What a great idea!
"Lord Hokage, I will go make the arrangements immediately!" Uchiha Itachi bowed respectfully.
"Go ahead. I'll await your good news, Itachi." After saying this, Ryun patted Uchiha Itachi on the shoulder and then straightened his clothes for him.
"When on missions, don't neglect your appearance like this. You should balance work and rest." After patting him, Ryun smiled.
"Yes! Lord Hokage, I will remember your words!" After saying this, Uchiha Itachi bowed. After Ryun opened the study door, Uchiha Itachi followed closely behind, and the two of them walked out.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━