The Past Is Already Past

"Grandpa Hokage, how did you know Sasuke invited me over?"

This question caught the Third Hokage off guard, but Naruto did not seem to dwell on it. He eagerly began recounting what he had seen at the Uchiha Clan Compound, telling the Third Hokage everything except for the genjutsu attack.

After listening, the Third Hokage stroked his beard. He had heard a different account of the Uchiha from Naruto.

Naruto thought the Uchiha were no different from the other villagers. They all wore cold expressions and kept their distance from him.

After a moment of thought, the Third Hokage said, "Then why did you go to Sasuke's house instead of visiting Shikamaru or Choji?"

Naruto answered without hesitation, "They didn't invite me. If they had, I wouldn't have refused. But only Sasuke ever invited me, so I went."

"I see..."

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment before saying, "Still, if Sasuke invites you over again in the future, you'd better refuse. It wouldn't be good to keep troubling his family."

"No, Sasuke's mom said I'm welcome to visit again."

The Third Hokage's expression darkened, and his tone brooked no argument. "You are not allowed to go to the Uchiha Clan Compound again. They want to use the Demon Fox's power inside you. Their invitation was not sincere."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Use the Demon Fox's power... Aren't they comrades from the village?"

Then, Naruto seemed to remember something. His expression dimmed as he said, "Grandpa Hokage, why is there a Demon Fox inside me? And who exactly are my parents?"

The Third Hokage looked at Naruto. "Why are you asking that?"

Naruto raised his head and stared at the Third Hokage, his tone growing firmer. "Because I want to know who I am. Sasuke's parents must know my parents, which is why they were so friendly to me."

"But they refused to tell me. No matter how I thought about it, only you, Grandpa Hokage, could tell me."

Once he confirmed that Naruto's identity had not been exposed, the Third Hokage sighed in relief. Then he said coldly:

"What good would it do to tell you? Your parents are already dead. They won't come back to life just because you learn about them, and knowing this now won't do you any good!"

Naruto watched the Third Hokage prepare to leave and lowered his head. "Then when will I be able to learn the truth? I can't live in lies forever, can I?"

The Third Hokage had already walked out of the apartment, his voice drifting back from afar:

"Wait until you become a ninja and can stand on your own. What you need to do now is make friends and grow quickly at the Academy."

After the Third Hokage left, the gloom on Naruto's face vanished, replaced by a mocking smile.

Making that old man's face look so ugly that he stormed off in anger meant he had passed this test. He no longer needed to worry about the old man becoming suspicious of him.

He was merely a pitiful child who had been kept in the dark and knew nothing.

At the same time, a gathering was also being held at Naka Shrine.

As a clan of "love," the Uchiha always enjoyed holding gatherings. They summoned every clansman who had awakened the Sharingan and made inappropriate remarks within Naka Shrine, voicing their grievances against the Konoha High Command.

Of course, they had no choice.

The Uchiha's words were too dangerous. If spoken elsewhere, they could easily reach the high command and be taken out of context.

However, today's gathering was not the monthly routine meeting. It was an emergency meeting concerning the Anbu assembly that afternoon, specifically called to discuss how to respond to the high command.

Fugaku, the clan head, stood before the statue with an ugly expression and announced the start of the clan meeting.

An extremist Jonin immediately stood up and said excitedly, "What happened today was a provocation from the high command against the Uchiha. They sent the Jinchuriki here to gather intelligence in preparation for dealing with us."

As soon as he finished speaking, another Uchiha stepped forward.

"I can testify to that. The Jinchuriki appearing in the clan compound was a trap set by the high command. He placed a restriction on the Jinchuriki that could reflect genjutsu, leaving Yuan Tai unconscious even now."

"And, and—the Jinchuriki had barely arrived at the clan compound before the Hokage showed up outside... If that wasn't a trap, then what was?"

"..."

As they listened to their clansmen's impassioned speeches, Shisui and Itachi's expressions grew increasingly grim.

They knew the truth. This was not a trap. It had merely been an invitation between two children born of friendship, yet it had been interpreted as a plan by the high command targeting the Uchiha.

Their clansmen were far too sensitive toward the high command. It seemed more like they were venting the dissatisfaction in their hearts.

At that moment, Shisui seemed to remember something and whispered into Itachi's ear, "Itachi, I remember Clan Head Fugaku knows this is all a misunderstanding. Why doesn't he explain it? Why is he letting the misunderstanding deepen instead?"

Itachi remained silent, only staring intently at Fugaku on the platform.

Shisui noticed Itachi's gaze. After pausing in surprise, he said, "It's not entirely Clan Head Fugaku's fault. Lord Hokage is just as sensitive. He nearly believed our clan was going to release the Nine-Tails."

"All of this is because neither side has communicated properly and neither is willing to trust the other."

"As long as we continue serving as a bridge between the high command and the clan, one day, both sides will be able to let go of their prejudices and understand each other."

Itachi still said nothing. Seeing this, Shisui could only sigh helplessly.

After every Uchiha had vented the resentment in their hearts, the clan meeting came to an end. Opposing the high command was merely a slogan; what they really wanted was a better life. They still had to get up early tomorrow and report to the Military Police Force.

After the meeting ended, Fugaku glanced at Shisui and Itachi in the corner, then called several trusted confidants into a room deep within the shrine.

Truly important matters often needed only a few people to discuss before they could be decided.

Shisui and Itachi noticed Fugaku's actions as well. They did not go over to eavesdrop. Instead, they walked shoulder to shoulder out of Naka Shrine. After traveling for a while, they arrived at a secluded cliff.

This remote cliff was not covered by any barrier, so they could speak freely and say what was truly on their minds.

Listening to the wind rustling through the leaves, Itachi let out a soft sigh.

"Father really hasn't given up on the idea of a coup. Not only is he secretly preparing supplies like Explosive Tags, he is also using the Jinchuriki incident at the clan meeting to stir up the people."

"This time, he must be discussing the coup behind our backs again. Why can't they understand the village?"

Shisui patted Itachi on the shoulder and comforted him softly. "If Clan Head Fugaku truly intends to launch a coup, I will stop them before they do."

"How will you stop them?" Itachi was somewhat curious. He did not think Shisui had that kind of strength.

Although Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he was only marginally stronger than Itachi. Meanwhile, his father had the clan's elites on his side, Jonin with Triple Tomoe Sharingan.

Shisui pointed at his eyes. "Of course, I'll rely on these eyes. As long as I change Clan Head Fugaku's way of thinking and make him abandon the idea of a coup, peace will naturally come between the village and the clan."

"But he is your father, after all. Until the very end, I don't want to use this power."