"Since you have business, then come out and speak openly—Uchiha's descendant."
In the direction the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had glanced toward, a figure gradually revealed himself.
A high-collared clan outfit, the red-and-white fan crest on his back, a Konoha forehead protector tied among short hair that curled slightly, and a broad nose—
It was none other than Uchiha Shisui, the man who had briefly crossed paths with Sasuke and Naruto during the Chunin Exams.
Shisui performed a ninja's formal salute, kneeling on one knee before the Second Hokage, head lowered.
"Deceased shinobi, Uchiha Shisui, reporting for reinstatement."
Being able to meet the legendary Second Hokage was completely unexpected for him.
Originally, he had intended to argue his case with the Third Hokage over Itachi's situation—at the very least, he should have been the one to bear those burdens instead of Itachi.
If nothing else, he needed to fulfill his vow: never betray Itachi, and always fight by his side.
Yet upon seeing the Second Hokage—his grandfather's teacher—Shisui, who had already lost hope of reconciling the Uchiha clan with Konoha, felt a new spark ignite in his heart.
So it wasn't just him. Far from it—many had been revived by that mysterious power.
In that case, even if only a handful of the Uchiha remained, preserving the clan's name would be enough.
Within the Uchiha clan, opinions of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had never been particularly favorable. People said he suppressed the Uchiha, that he lacked the First Hokage's broad-mindedness.
But Shisui's grandfather, Uchiha Kagami, had deeply respected his teacher.
According to his father, Kagami used to tell stories when Shisui was young—about the Second Hokage's glorious achievements, political acumen, extraordinary ninjutsu talent, and how he cared for his subordinates and students…
And when he ran out of things to praise, he'd even compliment his looks.
Today, after hiding in the shadows and suppressing his presence and chakra, Shisui finally saw the Second Hokage in person.
Isn't he… way too young?!
He doesn't look that much older than me!
If Tobirama had also been revived by that strange quiz, then why did it come with a reverse-aging effect?!
Forget it. That wasn't important right now.
What mattered was Danzo.
Itachi's final act—the massacre—Danzo had absolutely used despicable methods behind the scenes. If Shisui's guess was correct, the annihilation of the clan had been a mission assigned to Uchiha Itachi by Konoha itself.
Including Itachi's defection—it was to infiltrate and gather intelligence on an organization called "Akatsuki."
Shisui had always treated Itachi like a real younger brother, and he held a very high opinion of Itachi's talent and ability.
Even so, he knew all too well that Itachi alone could never have carried out the clan massacre.
Not to mention the clan head, the elders, and the elite—none of them were pushovers.
And with such a massive commotion, how could Konoha not have known?
How could the ANBU and Root, who had been monitoring the Uchiha all along, not have known?!
…
Unlike Shisui, the Third Hokage and the advisory council were stunned the moment he appeared.
They all sucked in a sharp breath.
"Shisui, you—"
Senju Itama had seen this Uchiha before. Though he hadn't injured him back then, Shisui might not have known he was a Senju.
So the moment Itama saw Shisui, his body tensed, and he stepped behind his second brother, ready to fight.
Tobirama patted Itama on the shoulder.
"Do you remember what I said? There are no Senju and no Uchiha here. There is only Konoha—and the Hokage's responsibility to protect everyone in Konoha."
Hearing this, Shisui's heart finally eased by more than half.
"Second Hokage-sama, I am Uchiha Shisui. My grandfather was your student, Uchiha Kagami-sama," Shisui introduced himself. "I was fortunate enough to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan before my death, like my grandfather. But… I failed to preserve those eyes."
The Third Hokage sighed.
When Shisui's body had been found, both of his Sharingan had been gouged out.
If they had only been three-tomoe Sharingan, that would be one thing—but who could have taken the eyes of an Uchiha with the Mangekyō?
Even he—Hiruzen Sarutobi, the so-called Professor of Ninjutsu—would have found it difficult…
Unless the perpetrator had struck by surprise.
Which meant Shisui had trusted that person.
A chill suddenly ran from the soles of the Third Hokage's feet straight up to his scalp.
"Haa…" Thinking of Uchiha Sasuke's hatred toward Danzo during the Fourth Shinobi World War, the Second Hokage understood everything.
"Come. Let's go talk at the Senju compound first."
Then he turned to his three students and issued an order.
"The revival of Uchiha Shisui is not to be disclosed to anyone. Including… Danzo."
Shisui lowered his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Second Hokage-sama."
…
The six of them arrived at the Senju compound.
The Third Hokage and the two advisors had already been baffled by the child Tobirama had brought back.
The boy's hair was half black and half white—strange beyond belief.
He clearly wasn't a child of Konoha, yet he stuck close to Tobirama like glue, clutching at his clothes and refusing to let go. What was going on?!
Homura Mitokado pushed up his glasses. "Tobirama-sensei, may I ask who this child is?"
Though his tone was respectful, his attitude toward the suddenly appearing child was anything but friendly.
The Third Hokage coughed, trying to remind Homura—what if this child was important…
"My younger brother. Senju Itama," Tobirama said calmly. "One of the most important people to me and my elder brother."
Right. What if he's Tobirama-sensei's important little bro—
Huh?!!!
"Sensei, perhaps I'm getting old—my hearing must be going," the Third Hokage laughed awkwardly.
Homura's glasses slipped off his face. Koharu Utatane stared blankly.
Shisui, sitting seiza to the side, was also stunned. Due to the urgency earlier, he hadn't taken a proper look at the black-and-white-haired child.
To think he was the Second Hokage's younger brother?!
Then, just like himself, he must have been revived by that strange quiz as well?!
Tobirama patted his younger brother's back. The seven-year-old Senju, facing a group of strangers far older than him, began his self-introduction in a proper, composed manner.
"Nice to meet you. I am the fourth son of Senju Butsuma, head of the Senju clan. My name is Itama—Senju Itama."
He paused, glanced at his second brother's face, then continued.
"I died during the Warring States Period, in a mission against the Uchiha clan. I was killed by five adult Uchiha. I died at the age of seven."
At the age of… seven…
A child that young, dying in war—how could it not leave an impact on those who had only graduated from the Ninja Academy after Konoha was founded?
Even during the Shinobi World Wars, even when freshly graduated genin were assigned logistics duties,
no one would ever send a seven-year-old child into battle, clad in heavy armor, to fight enemies head-on.
Yet Itama himself seemed unconcerned.
"There's no need for everyone to be so surprised," he said calmly. "After all, whether it was me, or Kawarama who died in battles between the Senju, Uchiha, and Hagoromo clans, or even Brother Hashirama and Brother Tobirama—we all went to the battlefield at six."
He followed the teachings of his father, Senju Butsuma.
"Once on the battlefield, a shinobi is a tool that does not fear death. As long as you remember the honor of your clan, there will be no burden."
"Haa…" Tobirama sighed. He never wanted his brothers to be bound so tightly by clan identity. A village should be a whole—the village should come first.
"All right, Itama—and Kagami's grandson," Tobirama said. "Tell me first how the two of you were revived."
—