Seeing the Anbu members appear.
The Root Organization Ninja were also startled.
Evidently, none of them had noticed Uchiha Itachi until now.
"Everyone, leave."
"If you need to find Uzumaki Naruto, please have your superior speak to Hokage-sama."
Uchiha Itachi spoke coldly.
At the same time, he drew the short sword from his back.
A sharp, icy aura emanated from him.
Are you kidding? Hiruzen Sarutobi could ask him to kill his own parents, and Uchiha Itachi wouldn't hesitate.
Let alone facing these mere grunts from the Root Organization now.
That's right, just grunts.
Naruto is just a child right now, and the ones sent to capture him are merely four low-ranking members of the Root Organization.
"This is a direct order from Danzo-sama; we cannot disobey."
"Please step aside."
"Danzo-sama is not someone you can afford to offend."
Clearly, these individuals had no idea of Uchiha Itachi's identity.
Hearing such words, the aura around Uchiha Itachi grew even colder.
Hokage-sama had already warned him that Danzo was problematic and needed to be watched.
He hadn't expected that even members of the Root Organization would now openly challenge Hokage-sama's authority.
"If you don't leave now..."
"If you insist on making a move... then you won't be leaving at all."
Uchiha Itachi's eyes beneath his mask transformed into a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
He held his short sword horizontally in front of him, adopting a combat stance.
"Just one person..."
The leading Root Organization Ninja instantly attacked.
In their eyes, Danzo's assigned mission was paramount.
Even when facing Anbu, they would not give up.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes were cold as shurikens shot out in rapid succession.
His masterful shurikenjutsu blocked and intercepted the Root Organization's attack routes.
While the Root Organization was stalled, Uchiha Itachi instantly moved to attack.
"Ding! Observing shurikenjutsu, comprehended Throwing Mastery."
"Ding! Observing Uchiha Style Kenjutsu, comprehended Advanced Kenjutsu."
Watching the battle unfold, Naruto's eyes lit up.
Wow, you can gain skills just by watching a fight!?
Come on, Root Organization members, put in more effort!
It would be best if you could force Uchiha Itachi to use Ninjutsu, or even his Mangekyo Dojutsu.
Then, who knows, he might comprehend something incredible!
"You should go home quickly."
"It's very dangerous outside."
Just as Naruto was envisioning comprehending the Eternal Mangekyo, Uchiha Itachi's voice reached him.
As expected of the Uchiha's super genius, he quickly defeated these weak Root Organization members.
"Okay."
Naruto nodded and frantically fled the scene.
As a child, this was the appropriate reaction.
Watching Naruto leave, Uchiha Itachi once again vanished from the area.
Three hours later.
"Anbu must have made their move."
"Our superior says we don't need to interfere with this matter anymore."
"Let's go."
A Root Organization member looked at the corpses on the ground, then threw a fire tag, incinerating them.
If they could capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, then they would.
If not, then so be it.
They had many other things to do next... In an apartment within a dilapidated cluster of buildings in the Village.
Naruto sat inside his room.
What he hadn't expected was that Uchiha Itachi had actually followed him back here.
Why was this guy here instead of being busy making his move against the Uchiha?
To avoid being noticed as unusual, Naruto simply washed up and went to bed.
He had just closed his eyes.
The surrounding environment instantly changed.
It was as if he had entered a sewer-like space, damp and dark all around.
He focused his gaze forward.
A giant cage appeared in his line of sight.
This is... Naruto was startled. How did he get here?
This was the place within his body where the Nine-Tailed was sealed.
"Heh heh..."
"You brat, you actually dare to come here?"
A muffled voice rang out.
Inside the cage, a pair of crimson vertical pupils appeared.
Nine-Tailed, Kurama!
"Ding! Exposed to Nine-Tailed Chakra, comprehended Chakra Control Method."
"Ding! Exposed to Nine-Tailed Chakra, comprehended Chakra Fusion Method."
"Ding! Exposed to Nine-Tailed Chakra, comprehended Nine-Tailed Chakra Compatibility."
...Before Naruto could even speak, the system's notification sounds popped up one after another.
The chaotic feeling of Chakra within his body suddenly vanished.
Vast Chakra began to flow through his meridians.
Each time it flowed, Naruto could feel his mastery grow stronger.
Seeing Naruto remain silent, the Nine-Tailed felt bored.
It closed its eyes and continued to sleep.
The Nine-Tailed had no interest in a mere child.
By the time Naruto opened his eyes, it was morning.
Looking at the faintly lit Sky, Naruto rolled out of bed.
After washing and changing his clothes, he rushed out of the door.
Outside the Ninja Academy.
A large crowd of people had gathered.
There were people from Ninja clans, as well as commoners.
But without exception, they were all accompanied by their parents.
Among the crowd, Naruto immediately spotted the other protagonist of this world—Uchiha Sasuke!
At this moment, Sasuke stood beside Uchiha Mikoto, smiling and talking about something with his mother.
At this time, Uchiha Sasuke was still an adorable, innocent little boy.
After all, he had the love of his parents and older brother.
He hadn't gone astray yet.
Sasuke seemed to sense something and looked in Naruto's direction.
As their gazes met, Sasuke's heart seemed to stir.
He looked up and said something to Uchiha Mikoto.
Uchiha Mikoto also looked in Naruto's direction, her beautiful eyes trembling slightly.
Then, she took Sasuke's hand and walked towards Naruto.
"Hello, my name is Uchiha Sasuke."
"Are you... here by yourself?!"
Sasuke's eyes widened as he looked at Naruto with curiosity.
Because the Uchiha Clan had moved away from the Village center, and Sasuke also didn't have the habit of playing with other children.
He didn't know about Naruto's reputation as the Demon Fox.
In the original story, it was only after entering the Academy that he understood this show-off, weak kid was the Demon Fox Brat people talked about.
Of course, none of this concerned Sasuke.
At that time, he had only one thought: to kill Uchiha Itachi and avenge his clansmen!
"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Naruto."
"I don't have a mom or dad; I came to register by myself."
Naruto said, flashing a big, sunny smile.
Hearing Naruto's words and seeing his smile, Sasuke was startled.
How could this guy... say such things with a smile?
Is he... using a smile to hide his emotions?
"Sasuke, you should get along well with Naruto and be his friend."
Uchiha Mikoto forced a smile and spoke gently.
Looking at Naruto, she thought of her old friend.
A pang of sorrow went through her heart.
But... there was so little she could do.