Anbu?

"We understand!"

Shisui and Itachi exchanged a glance. Too much had happened today, and events had unfolded too quickly, yet neither of them felt the slightest discomfort. When they had been helpless, they had found someone they could rely on.

Uchiha Akira had cut through the chaos with swift, decisive action and found the right path!

They had seen hope for the Uchiha Clan!

Root.

In this sunless underground place, only small lightbulbs hung overhead, giving off a faint glow.

"How dare they!"

Shimura Danzō smashed the teacup before him to the floor, his gaze chilling. "Those evil Uchiha dare lay their hands on my Root!"

Those Root Ninja had all been Jonin!

Four of them had died at once. It hurt him more than if he himself had been killed!

"Lord Danzo, should we report this to the Hokage?"

One Root Ninja hurriedly said, "The conflict between the Uchiha and the village is escalating. We might as well impeach the Uchiha Clan at the council meeting!"

"Idiot!"

Shimura Danzō viciously slapped the Root Ninja in front of him and said coldly, "Impeachment is only for when the Uchiha Clan has no intention of rebelling. Right now, a battle could break out between the Uchiha Clan and the village at any moment."

"Do you want the Uchiha Clan to rebel right now?!"

Impeachment had to be used at the right time.

Impeaching them now would undoubtedly set off the Uchiha Clan, that powder keg, completely. And he did not want to be connected to this matter in any way.

Ideally...

Hiruzen Sarutobi would die in this Uchiha rebellion!

"Since we cannot kill Uchiha Akira, then we should try to recruit him."

Shimura Danzō's eyes were sinister, gleaming with calculation. "He killed four Jonin by himself. He is absolutely not an ordinary Uchiha clansman. Uchiha Akira carries quite a few secrets. Hiruzen Sarutobi has Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi under him, so why can't I have Uchiha Akira under me?"

An Uchiha clansman.

Shimura Danzō wanted one too!

Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Fugaku was deeply worried. He wondered whether he had made a mistake.

"Mikoto, do you think I should not have agreed to let Itachi join the Anbu?"

Ever since Itachi had joined the Anbu...

He had been able to sense that his son was gradually growing distant from him. No matter how subtle the changes in his son were, how could he possibly fail to notice them?

"Don't worry, Fugaku. Itachi has his own mind. Perhaps we adults should be happy about that."

Uchiha Mikoto had always been gentle.

That eased Uchiha Fugaku's heart somewhat. "Still, Sasuke is a very kind child, and his talent is quite good too."

Thinking of that...

The corners of his lips curled up, as though he had thought of something happy.

"I'm back, Father, Mother."

At that moment, the door was pushed open. Uchiha Fugaku immediately became expressionless. "Mm. Eat first."

Huh?

Something was off.

His eldest son had not used honorifics today. It sounded so close and familiar, like how his eldest son had spoken when he was little.

He really missed that.

"I'm full, Father."

Normally, after saying that, his eldest son would leave. Uchiha Fugaku had already grown used to it. But today, Itachi suddenly spoke again. "Father, Danzo's Root has been making unusual moves recently. They may take action against the Uchiha Clan. Please be careful."

"I'll take my leave."

After saying that...

Itachi left.

"???"

Huh?!

The chopsticks in Uchiha Fugaku's hand clattered onto the table. His breathing quickened as he incredulously sought confirmation from his wife.

"Mikoto, Mikoto! Did Itachi just give me intelligence?!"

"Yes, dear."

Uchiha Mikoto secretly smiled.

"Hahahaha! Itachi still cares about the Uchiha Clan after all!"

The corners of Uchiha Fugaku's mouth rose, impossible to suppress. Soon, though, he frowned again. "But why has Itachi changed so suddenly? Has he been in contact with anyone recently?"

He could sense it.

His eldest son's inner scales seemed to be tilting toward the Uchiha Clan...

"Itachi and Shisui seem to have been spending time with Akira recently."

Uchiha Mikoto thought for a moment.

Although she had long stopped taking missions, she still kept a close eye on changes within the clan.

"Uchiha Akira? That mixed-blood child of the Uchiha and Senju Clans?"

Fugaku's gaze darkened.

Although many Uchiha were unfriendly toward mixed-blood Uchiha, he did not reject them. That was not something they could decide for themselves, so why should it be forced upon them?

"Quick, quick, quick! Call Akira here! I want to ask whether Itachi's change has anything to do with him!"

Heavens above.

Earth below.

Ever since learning that his eldest son might have gone astray, his heart had been filled with desolation, pain, and regret. But now, he discovered that perhaps everything could be started over!

Start over.

He would reclaim his precious eldest son!

Very soon...

An Uchiha ninja from the Police Department arrived, but no one followed behind him.

Uchiha Fugaku anxiously asked, "What's going on? Where is Akira? Why didn't he come? If you can't find him, then go to the Senju Clan and find him! I want him to join the Police Department!"

"Clan Head, he may not be able to join the Police Department."

After hesitating for a moment, the Uchiha ninja said, "He... seems to have already joined the Anbu."

"Huh?"

Uchiha Fugaku stood frozen in place, still somewhat bewildered.

No.

Was this right?

An Uchiha had joined the Anbu, and he did not even know?!!!

Forget it!

For the sake of his precious eldest son, he could accept anything. Uchiha Fugaku tried hard to remain calm. "Fine, I understand. Have Akira come see me once he returns, no matter how late it is tonight!"

Just now, he had merely been curious about Uchiha Akira.

He had not been certain whether the other man was the reason Itachi had changed, but now he was certain.

Heh.

That old thief Hiruzen was so cunning. Could there be anything wrong with someone he had taken a liking to?

His precious eldest son had been completely led astray.

"Uchiha Akira absolutely cannot be led astray by Hiruzen Sarutobi too."

Uchiha Akira only felt his heart pounding rapidly. "After so much trouble, I finally saw the possibility of Itachi returning wholeheartedly to the Uchiha Clan!"

Uchiha Akira became an Anbu.

And with Asuma's strong recommendation, he became a squad captain. Connections really did make all the difference!

But...

He was a little different from Shisui and Itachi.

For the time being, he did not need to carry out any missions, nor did he need to stay in the Anbu every day. In other words, he now had the title of Anbu and the Anbu salary, but no Anbu missions. If he had to name one mission, there was only one!

Teach Asuma to master Sage Mode.

This was how it happened.

When Uchiha Akira had first entered, Hiruzen Sarutobi had looked natural and unconcerned.

But when he learned that Asuma Sarutobi had acknowledged him as his big brother...

Hiruzen Sarutobi flew into a rage!

"Wait, Uchiha Akira? You're calling him your teacher?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that his own son had lost his mind.

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