Anbu?

"We understand!"

Shisui and Itachi exchanged a glance. Too many things had happened today, and events had moved too fast, yet neither of them felt any discomfort—only the relief of finding a pillar of strength when they had been powerless.

Uchiha Siming had cut through the chaos with bold, decisive action and found the right path!

They saw hope for the Uchiha!

Root.

In this sunless underground, only a small bulb hung above, casting a faint glow.

"What nerve!"

Shimura Danzō slammed the teacup in front of him to the ground, his gaze icy. "That wicked Uchiha Clan dares to lay hands on my Root!"

Those Root Ninja were all jonin!

Losing four at once hurt him more than death itself.

"Lord Danzo, should this be reported to the Hokage?"

A Root Ninja quickly said, "The conflict between the Uchiha and the village is escalating. Why not impeach the Uchiha Clan at the council meeting?"

"Fool!"

Shimura Danzō slapped the Root Ninja before him hard, sneering coldly, "Impeachment is for when the Uchiha Clan hasn't shown rebellious intent. Right now, the Uchiha and the village could break into battle at any moment."

"Do you want to push the Uchiha into open rebellion now!"

Impeachment had to be used in the right context.

Impeaching now would undoubtedly ignite the Uchiha Clan like a powder keg, and he wanted no connection to that affair.

Best case—

Hiruzen Sarutobi dies in this Uchiha rebellion!

"Since I can't kill Uchiha Siming, I'll try to recruit him instead."

Shimura Danzō's eyes were sinister, glinting with cunning. "A man who kills four jonin alone is no ordinary Uchiha. Uchiha Siming carries no small secret. Hiruzen Sarutobi has Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi under him—why can't I have Uchiha Siming?"

An Uchiha.

He, Shimura Danzō, wanted one too!

Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Fugaku was deeply troubled, wondering if he had been wrong.

"Mikoto, do you think I shouldn't have agreed to let Itachi join the Anbu?"

Ever since Itachi joined the Anbu, he could feel his son gradually drifting away from him. No matter how subtle the change, how could he, as a father, not sense it?

"Don't worry, Fugaku. Itachi is a child with his own convictions. Perhaps we adults should be happy for him."

Uchiha Mikoto was always gentle in nature, which eased Fugaku's heart somewhat. "Still, it's good that Sasuke is a very kind child, and his talent is quite remarkable."

Thinking of this, the corner of his mouth lifted, as if recalling something pleasant.

"I'm home, Father, Mother."

At that moment, the door slid open, and Uchiha Fugaku's face instantly turned expressionless. "Mm, let's eat first!"

Huh?

Something was off.

Today, his eldest son hadn't used honorifics when speaking—it sounded warm, like when his eldest son was little.

He really did miss those days.

"I'm full, Father."

Normally, after saying this, his eldest son would leave. Uchiha Fugaku had grown used to it. But today, Itachi suddenly spoke again: "Father, Danzo's Root has been making suspicious moves lately. They might act against the Uchiha Clan. Please be cautious."

"I'll take my leave."

With that, Itachi left.

"???"

Huh?!

Uchiha Fugaku's chopsticks clattered onto the table. His breathing quickened, and he turned to his wife in disbelief, seeking confirmation.

"Mikoto, Mikoto! Did Itachi just report to me?!"

"Yes, dear."

Uchiha Mikoto hid a smile.

"Hahahaha, that Itachi—looks like he still has the Uchiha Clan in his heart after all!"

Uchiha Fugaku's lips curled upward, impossible to suppress. But soon he frowned: "Still, how did Itachi change so suddenly? Who's he been in contact with lately?"

He could sense it.

His eldest son... seemed to be tilting the scales back toward the Uchiha Clan.

"Itachi and Shisui have been in touch with Siming lately."

Uchiha Mikoto thought for a moment.

Though she had long stopped taking missions, she still kept a close eye on the clan's internal movements.

"Uchiha Siming? That half-breed of the Uchiha and Senju Clans?"

Fugaku's gaze was heavy.

Many Uchiha were hostile toward mixed-blood members, but he wasn't. It wasn't something they could choose for themselves—why should it be forced upon them?

"Hurry, call Siming here. I need to ask if Itachi's change has anything to do with him!"

Heavens above.

Earth below.

Ever since he realized his eldest son might have gone astray, how desolate his heart had been, how painful, how full of regret. But now, he found that everything could start over!

Start over.

He would take back his lost eldest son!

Soon.

A Uchiha ninja from the Police Department arrived, but behind him was no one.

Uchiha Fugaku asked anxiously: "What's going on? Where's Siming? Why didn't he come? If you can't find him, go look for him in the Senju Clan! I want him to join the Police Department!"

"Clan Head, he probably can't join the Police Department."

The Uchiha hesitated for a moment before saying: "He... seems to have already joined the Anbu."

"Huh?"

Uchiha Fugaku stood frozen, still dazed.

Wait.

Was this right?

An Uchiha joining the Anbu, and he didn't even know?!!!

Forget it!

For the sake of his eldest son, he could accept anything. Uchiha Fugaku forced himself to stay calm: "Alright, I understand. Have Siming come see me when he returns, no matter how late it is tonight!"

Earlier, he had been curious about Uchiha Siming as a person.

He couldn't yet confirm whether the other party was the one who had changed Itachi, but now he was certain.

Heh.

That old fox Hiruzen Sarutobi was as sly as they came—how could the person he set his sights on be wrong?

His eldest son had already been led astray.

"I absolutely cannot let Uchiha Siming be fooled by Hiruzen Sarutobi either."

Uchiha Siming felt his heart racing: "Finally, I see the possibility of Itachi returning to the Uchiha's fold!"

Uchiha Siming became an Anbu.

And with Asuma's strong recommendation, he became a squad leader—all about that network!

But.

It was a bit different from Shisui and Itachi.

For now, he didn't have to execute any missions, nor did he have to stay in the Anbu every day. In other words, he had the title of Anbu, and the salary of Anbu, but no Anbu missions. If he had to name one mission, there was only one!

Teach Asuma to master Sage Mode.

Here's how it went.

When Uchiha Siming first joined, Hiruzen Sarutobi's demeanor was calm and unconcerned.

But when he found out that Hiruzen Asuma had sworn brotherhood with him—

Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious!

"Wait, Uchiha Siming? Your teacher?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt like his son had lost his mind.

"Asuma, before I get angry, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation!"