Uchiha Clan District.
Shisui arrived outside Itachi Uchiha's house.
Before even stepping into the courtyard, he could already hear laughter coming from inside.
"Itachi."
Standing at the open gate, Shisui called out softly.
Inside the living room, Itachi Uchiha stood up from the tatami mat and stepped away from his mother and younger sister.
Shisui nodded politely toward Mikoto Uchiha in greeting before pulling Itachi Uchiha aside.
"Good morning, Itachi…"
After exchanging a few casual greetings and briefly discussing the arrival of the Kumogakure diplomatic delegation later that day, Shisui finally voiced the question that had been on his mind.
"Your sister Sasuke seems to have made acquaintance with quite an extraordinary person."
Looking toward Sasuke, who was chatting happily with their mother in the living room, Shisui described what he had witnessed earlier that morning.
From Shisui's account, Itachi Uchiha immediately confirmed the identity of the person who had been spending time with his sister.
Naruto Uzumaki.
The boy whom the villagers called the "demon fox."
Naruto Uzumaki's identity was extremely sensitive.
As a mere genin, Itachi Uchiha did not know the truth about Naruto Uzumaki.
Shisui had not yet joined the Anbu either, so he was equally unaware.
"That demon fox kid showed strength far beyond ordinary shinobi. Even a typical chunin probably wouldn't be able to defeat him…"
Shisui shrugged.
And that was already a conservative estimate.
It was almost unimaginable.
In fact, Naruto Uzumaki might possess more chakra than any shinobi Shisui had ever encountered.
After all, who could possibly develop such overwhelming power at such a young age?
"Shisui… are you suggesting that Naruto Uzumaki approached Sasuke with some hidden motive?"
"Who knows…"
Shisui gave an ambiguous answer.
Naruto Uzumaki's identity was simply too sensitive.
This was not something to treat lightly.
"You should keep a close eye on things. You are her brother, after all."
Because of the Uchiha Clan's precarious situation in the village, Shisui had always been extremely cautious in matters involving Konoha.
Perhaps a little overly cautious.
"I will pay attention to it."
Itachi Uchiha nodded, committing the matter to memory.
Afterward, the two of them entered the courtyard together.
"Big brother! Let's go already!"
Sasuke, who had already finished preparing, could barely contain her excitement.
She had been eager all morning to see what foreign shinobi looked like.
Today would be a grand celebration throughout Konoha.
Both Itachi Uchiha and Shisui would have time to attend the diplomatic event.
—
"Mikoto, the weather is quite nice today…"
As they walked together, Shisui chatted casually with Mikoto Uchiha.
Beside them, Itachi Uchiha understood his friend's hint.
So he turned to his sister.
"Sasuke, how are things going with your friend?"
"I told you already, we're not friends yet!"
Sasuke immediately shook her head in denial.
She was wearing a brand-new outfit today, giving her a particularly spirited appearance.
From her tone and expression, Itachi Uchiha could clearly tell that she held a very favorable impression of that "friend."
Naruto Uzumaki.
"I believe his name is Naruto Uzumaki, correct?"
"Huh? Did I ever mention his name before?"
Sasuke scratched her head.
"That friend of yours… he seems rather unusual. Very strong."
Itachi Uchiha began probing for information.
"That's impossible!"
Sasuke immediately made a face as if the idea were ridiculous.
Then she blinked thoughtfully, as if recalling something.
"Well… he's not bad. Among people our age, he's pretty outstanding…"
"But honestly, that guy is kind of an idiot."
Watching the smile unconsciously appear at the corner of his sister's mouth, Itachi Uchiha was already certain of something.
If what Shisui had said was true…
Then Sasuke had no idea about Naruto Uzumaki's real strength.
Perhaps…
He needed to personally visit the demon fox boy.
"For Sasuke's safety," Itachi Uchiha thought to himself.
—
Konoha Village Entrance.
The massive gate known as the Meeting Gate was already filled with noise and excitement.
Early in the morning, both sides of the road had become crowded with villagers and lower-ranking shinobi.
Members of the Uchiha Police Force, led by Fugaku Uchiha, were nervously maintaining order.
Hidden Anbu sentries were stationed throughout the area to prevent any sabotage.
The Uchiha Clan, the Sarutobi Clan, the Ino–Shika–Cho alliance, and countless other shinobi clans and civilians stood along the road waiting to welcome the Kumogakure delegation.
With such overwhelming crowds, Itachi Uchiha had no choice but to hold tightly onto his sister's hand to prevent them from getting separated.
While observing the surroundings—
On top of a nearby building, Naruto Uzumaki was watching everything unfold.
The Kumogakure delegation would arrive in about ten minutes.
Excitement among the crowd was steadily building.
Naruto Uzumaki had deliberately come here to observe them.
Once he memorized everyone's faces, he could respond instantly if anything unexpected occurred.
"A wise man does not stand beneath a collapsing wall," Naruto Uzumaki murmured.
"What does that mean?"
Kurama could not understand the phrase at all.
Their cultural backgrounds were completely different.
Especially since Naruto Uzumaki had spoken the proverb in another language.
To Kurama, it sounded like meaningless nonsense.
"Kurama, you should read more books."
Kurama fell silent.
You're the one who can't even pronounce chakra properly and you're lecturing me…
Back when the Sage of Six Paths was alive, Kurama had actually been taught writing and knowledge.
While Kurama was silently complaining, something else happened in the crowd.
"Itachi!"
A beautiful girl suddenly appeared, waving excitedly.
She had large, bright eyes like those of an elf.
A tear-shaped beauty mark beneath her right eye gave her an especially charming look.
Her pure and youthful aura was unmistakable.
Her jet-black hair hinted clearly at her lineage.
She was a half-blood member of the Uchiha Clan.
Izumi Uchiha.
Her mother, Hazuki Uchiha, was a civilian member of the clan.
Years ago, she had married a man from outside the clan, and their union had been warmly accepted.
During the Nine-Tails Incident, Izumi Uchiha's father died protecting his young daughter.
Witnessing his death caused her to awaken the Sharingan.
When the Uchiha Clan relocated to the outskirts of Konoha, Izumi Uchiha returned to live among them with her mother.
Even though she was only half Uchiha, no one in the clan treated her as an outsider.
Partly because she possessed the clan's Sharingan—
But also because the Uchiha Clan shared a unique bond among its members.
During their time at the Ninja Academy, Itachi Uchiha and Izumi Uchiha had been students in neighboring classes.
They had known each other for years.
Faced with Izumi Uchiha's cheerful greeting, Itachi Uchiha hesitated slightly.
Then his friend gave him a push.
"Itachi, a girl is calling out to you so enthusiastically. Ignoring her would be rude."
With a teasing tone, Shisui nudged him toward Izumi Uchiha.
"Who is she…?"
Sasuke blinked in confusion.
The Uchiha Clan had many members.
As a young child, Sasuke could not possibly recognize everyone.
"She's your brother's girlfriend. So what do you think, Sasuke?"
Shisui ruffled her hair playfully.
Sasuke froze.
Girlfriend?
Did that mean she might become her sister-in-law in the future?
"Young people really are wonderful…"
Watching her son interact with Izumi Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha smiled gently.
Above them, Naruto Uzumaki was also observing everything.
But his gaze was fixed firmly on the Uchiha girl.
The moment he recognized Izumi Uchiha, many thoughts flashed through his mind.
"Hey! Naruto Uzumaki!"
Sasuke pushed Shisui's hand away and accidentally glanced upward.
She immediately spotted Naruto Uzumaki standing on the rooftop above them.
His expression was calm.
Far calmer than she had ever seen before.
Without his usual foolish grin, Naruto Uzumaki's face looked unusually composed.
Sasuke blinked.
A strange feeling stirred inside her.
Was it her imagination?
Or…
"OHHHHHH!"
Suddenly, thunderous cheers erupted across the entire gate.
The arrival of the Kumogakure delegation triggered a wave of excitement among Konoha's citizens.
The crowd surged.
Flower petals rained down like colorful snow.
The one-eyed Kumogakure shinobi leader stepped through the gate first.
He raised a hand to greet the people lining the road.
Although he was smiling, a fierce aura surrounded him.
Naruto Uzumaki ignored Sasuke's call.
Or perhaps he pretended not to hear it.
His eyes quickly scanned the one-eyed shinobi's face.
Then the rest of the Kumogakure shinobi and the officials from the Land of Lightning.
"One… two… three…"
Including the shinobi leader, there were eight shinobi.
Together with the leading official and three assistants—
Twelve members in total.
After memorizing each face, Naruto Uzumaki nodded.
Then he stepped away, leaping across the rooftops of nearby buildings.
"Hey! Naruto Uzumaki—!"
The crowd surged violently around Sasuke.
By the time she pushed her way through—
Naruto Uzumaki had already disappeared.
—
At the same moment.
Hyuga Clan District.
Standing before a mirror, Hinata Hyuga wore no makeup.
Yet she had been carefully dressed.
Her hair had been neatly arranged.
She wore a brand-new kimono.
Hinata's attendant, Natsu Hyuga, finished adjusting everything and gave her a final inspection.
"All finished, Lady Hinata."
Today was the birthday of Hinata Hyuga, the eldest daughter of clan head Hiashi Hyuga.
The entire Hyuga Clan was preparing for the celebration.
Because of this event, the Hyuga Clan was the only major clan that had not gone to welcome the Kumogakure delegation.
There was also a special reason behind that decision.
Many children from the branch family had grown older.
Yet the Caged Bird Seal had not been placed upon their foreheads.
Taking advantage of the main family heir's birthday celebration, the branch family children would undergo the ceremony that would determine their status.
This had been the Hyuga Clan's tradition for generations.
It was also a demonstration of authority by the main family.
"Naruto…"
Lost in her thoughts of Naruto Uzumaki, Hinata Hyuga didn't hear her attendant calling.
Only after Natsu Hyuga repeated herself several times did Hinata Hyuga snap back to attention.
"Lady Hinata, you've been distracted a lot these past two days…"
Natsu Hyuga frowned slightly.
"Please focus. If Lord Hiashi notices, you will surely be punished."
"Oh… yes…"
Remembering her father's strict demeanor, Hinata Hyuga quickly nodded.
Soon after, she left the room together with Natsu Hyuga.
—
In the hallway outside.
"Clan head, Lady Hinata is ready."
Natsu Hyuga respectfully reported to Hiashi Hyuga and the other members of the main family.
Hiashi Hyuga nodded.
Then he instructed Natsu Hyuga to go to the village entrance and attend the welcoming ceremony.
Although the Hyuga Clan itself was unable to attend due to the birthday celebration, they still needed someone to observe events.
Such diplomacy was necessary for a clan's survival.
"Yes."
Natsu Hyuga nodded and immediately departed.
"Then… let us go as well."
Hiashi Hyuga led the clan members out of the main residence.
—
When Natsu Hyuga arrived at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan district—
A hidden gaze from outside suddenly caught her attention.
No one surpassed the Hyuga Clan in visual perception.
Sensing the suspicious observation, Natsu Hyuga immediately glanced toward it.
"Hm?! That is…"
In her line of sight, a suspicious figure was secretly watching the Hyuga Clan compound.
"Naruto Uzumaki?!"