At the same time...
Konoha, Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had sent Kakashi out, took a puff from his tobacco pipe.
Just now, he had finally finished dealing with the turmoil in the village.
"I wonder... how Naruto is doing..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed out the window with a worried look.
Knock, knock, knock...
The sound of a cane came from outside.
Soon, a figure walked in.
It was Shimura Danzō.
After entering, Danzō stood there as still as a mountain.
Regarding the matter they had not finished discussing last time...
"Danzō, just as you said, during all the years since Itachi became a Chunin, he has completed every mission with extraordinary perfection... Even when a mission required him to command Genin, he was able to fully grasp each subordinate's strengths and issue clear instructions that seemed impossible for someone his age..."
"..."
Danzō narrowed his eyes, looking at his nose and nose at his mouth.
He listened to Hiruzen Sarutobi's account without saying a word.
After Uchiha Itachi became a Chunin.
Danzō had arranged for a spy who was a Genin... to join his squad.
The Aburame Clan.
For as long as anyone could remember, the Aburame Clan and Yamanaka Clan had been bound to him by contract.
Every year, or every few years.
They would send over a child to serve as one of his... Root subordinates.
"I received an application from Uchiha Fugaku."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"It asks whether Itachi can join the ANBU..."
"..."
The instant he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
Danzō's heart leaped violently.
However, as someone with an unfathomably deep mind, he showed nothing on his face.
"Is that so..."
He merely said this calmly, then continued waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi to go on.
"According to Fugaku, the Police Force cannot fully bring out Itachi's