Ever since Uchiha Shisui was transferred from the Police Force into the Fourth Hokage's personal anbu unit, Danzō's vigilance toward the Uchiha clan had only grown sharper.
That was precisely why Shisui had set up a simple barrier inside the barbecue restaurant.
When it came to high-level politics, the difference between Shisui and Itachi had already become fundamental.
Root…
Kneeling on one knee, Itachi's thoughts drifted back to not long ago—
to the moment shortly after he had submitted his application for early graduation.
That man—Danzō, one of Konoha's highest authorities—had sought him out almost immediately.
Even now, the conversation remained vivid.
"You're a genius among the younger generation of the Uchiha, Itachi.
You've only just awakened the Sharingan—you haven't yet been consumed by evil."
"In your eyes, which is more important—the village, or the clan?"
"Can't answer?"
"The Uchiha's Sharingan awakens through the loss of love.
And with that loss comes an accompanying evil—one that seizes the will and twists the personality."
"That is why the Second Hokage arranged the Uchiha district away from the village center.
But now… the ambitions of the Uchiha are growing."
"Even the descendants of my former teammate, Uchiha Kagami, are harboring thoughts of rebellion."
"So what about you, Itachi?"
"I've reviewed your file. I've always believed you're different from other Uchiha—
that you possess vision beyond the clan's narrow perspective."
"Itachi, I need your help.
And in doing so, you would be helping Konoha itself."
"Foolish! The Fourth Hokage is still far too young.
The Third Hokage, the advisors, and Root—we are all acting for Konoha's sake."
"But the voices within the Uchiha clan—you know what they are. Rebellion!"
"Uchiha Shisui's ideas, and the current sentiment of the clan as a whole—
they aim to overturn Konoha and succeed in a coup!"
"The Fourth Hokage comes from a civilian background.
And one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, is rarely in the village."
"If their plans succeed, the Fourth alone will never be able to stop the Uchiha…"
Still kneeling, Itachi clenched his fists.
The words Yun had spoken earlier at the barbecue restaurant resurfaced in his mind.
Suppress the faction within the clan that wants rebellion.
Unite the faction that wants coexistence with the village.
Stand with the Fourth Hokage to integrate the clans.
And finally—cut away the rotted roots beneath Konoha's great tree.
The rotted roots… who were they?
Root—Danzō's Root.
The two advisors.
And… the Third Hokage himself?
Finally?
Would it truly end there?
If Konoha's腐朽 roots were removed,
would the Uchiha become the next rot?
What exactly were Shisui and Yun trying to do?
"Itachi?"
Danzō's voice called out again from the seat above.
Itachi closed his eyes and replied calmly:
"Uchiha Yun seems to have anticipated that Lord Danzō would approach me.
He issued a warning."
Danzō paused.
Uchiha Yun?
That boy—ranked only below Uchiha Itachi among the clan's youth—
yet without a Sharingan, he should not even qualify as a genius.
Then how had he predicted this?
"What warning did he give you?"
Itachi answered honestly:
"Uchiha Yun said that if one day I became mentally deranged,
he would be the first to kill me."
"He does not agree with my early graduation,
nor with Root's darkness."
Silence followed.
After a long moment, Danzō asked quietly:
"Has Uchiha Yun awakened the Sharingan?"
"No," Itachi replied, shaking his head.
"His reflexes and strength are exceptional due to talent, but he has not opened his eyes."
A long silence filled the chamber.
At last, Danzō spoke.
"Think carefully about what I've said."
"Konoha is a towering tree.
It has leaves that bask in sunlight… and roots buried deep underground, drawing nourishment."
"Everything I've ever done has been for Konoha."
"Go back. After graduation and team assignment, you'll have one year.
Root's requirement is promotion to chūnin."
Itachi rose and turned to leave.
Then Danzō's voice followed once more:
"Root has intelligence on Uzumaki Kong."
The words echoed.
Only after a long pause did Itachi finally depart.
In the darkness, Danzō lifted his arm and examined it.
Uchiha Yun…
An Uchiha without a Sharingan was unworthy of being called power.
As for Uchiha Itachi—
Grow quickly.
With teammates as emotional anchors,
after one year, that power should awaken.
Once he possessed both the power of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara…
The position of Hokage would be nothing more than power within reach.
Even unifying the Five Great Nations—
with that strength, what would it matter?
When Itachi returned home and opened the door,
he found Sasuke—nearly two years old—still waiting for him.
"He refused to sleep unless he waited for you," Uchiha Mikoto said helplessly.
Itachi smiled and lifted Sasuke into his arms.
"Good boy. Let me wash up, then I'll put you to bed.
But tonight, no wetting the bed, alright?"
Little Sasuke nodded adorably.
"Okay…"
Night fell.
Lying in bed, Itachi found himself unable to sleep.
Uzumaki Kong definitely possessed information about the person who killed his father.
But Root—
roots buried underground, absorbing nutrients, never seeing sunlight?
Shisui and Yun… what were they truly thinking?
A coup?
Or genuinely assisting the Fourth Hokage and reintegrating the Uchiha into Konoha?
Danzō's understanding of the Sharingan was terrifyingly deep.
From today onward, Yun would surely enter his sights.
But there was no helping it.
The barrier-sealed conversation had required touching upon secrets—
as Yun had said:
Three parts truth, seven parts falsehood.
Until he confirmed Shisui and Yun's true intentions,
Danzō could not be trusted either.
Turning his head, Itachi looked at Sasuke sleeping beside him and smiled softly.
No matter what…
Big brother will never let you get hurt.
Fourth Hokage's Residence
"Sensei, are you heading out again for 'research' after this visit?"
Jiraiya crossed his arms and laughed.
"Of course! My countless readers across the ninja world are eagerly awaiting my next masterpiece!"
From the kitchen, Kushina glanced over with a snort.
"What readers? Just a bunch of perverts. Minato!"
Minato flinched and hurriedly smiled in appeasement.
Kushina set down a plate and took Naruto from Minato's arms.
"You and Naruto are not allowed to learn bad habits from Jiraiya-sensei.
If Naruto can't find a wife in the future, I'm blaming Jiraiya!"
Jiraiya froze.
"I—I only met Naruto today!"
"That's exactly why I'm saying it now," Kushina shot back.
"If you dare bring those inappropriate books into my house—hmph!"
Her smooth red hair seemed on the verge of evolving.
Minato quickly changed the subject.
"K-Kushina, what's Naruto eating tonight? Same as us?"
"Ah!"
With a shout, Kushina shoved Naruto back into Minato's arms and dashed into the kitchen.
"My baby food is still simmering!"
"Whew…"
Jiraiya exhaled deeply.
"Kushina's still as fiery as ever… ha… haha…"
Minato smiled apologetically.
"Ever since Naruto was born, Kushina's become extremely sensitive about children.
Sorry about that, sensei."
Jiraiya waved it off.
"That's normal. She's a mother now."
Then he sighed softly.
"Time really flies, Minato…"
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