Makoto Ito's Journey

Different from Yamato.

Danzo decided to send his two "sons," Haku and Kimimaro, to the Ninja Academy.

In his plan, Yamato was the shackle that Kazashiro would use to control the Nine-Tails after he became Hokage.

Haku and Kimimaro are Kazashiro hands.

As for Kakashi, that kid is very smart, so he's perfect as an assistant.

Obito... he served as a link between the village and the Uchiha, used by Kazashiro.

Although the entrance examination for this year has ended, when the Ninja Academy received the application form from Danzo, they promptly included Haku and Kimimaro in the list of those who passed the exam.

The next day, a teacher from the Ninja Academy personally visited Kazashiro to deliver the good news and inform him to attend the entrance ceremony.

It is customary for family members to attend the Ninja Academy's entrance ceremony. However, when Kazashiro enrolled, Danzo only sent one of his subordinates to accompany him.

This was the first time Kazashiro had ever attended a school admission ceremony as a parent.

"Ninja Academy?"

Bai, who was working on a puzzle, put down her pen and looked at Kazashiro with her bright eyes.

"Yes, the Ninja Academy."

Kazashiro, who was searching for suitable clothes in the closet, answered in a muffled voice.

Wearing a Jonin vest on such an occasion would be too deliberate; even the head of the Uchiha Clan wouldn't wear casual clothes with the clan crest on that day.

How's this outfit?

He found a black sweatshirt he had bought three years ago and tried it on Kazashiro. As expected, it fit him perfectly.

"It's quite beautiful."

Bai smiled and gave his evaluation, then picked up his pen and continued working on the problems in front of him.

Time quickly came to the day when the two enrolled in school.

Waking up at the same time as usual, after eating the breakfast prepared by Bai, Kazashiro elegantly picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth and walked to the center of the living room.

"Is there still enough time, brother?"

Kimimaro glanced at the clock on the wall and was somewhat puzzled.

"Don't worry, preparations are complete. Now just watch your brother's performance."

Kazashiro gestured for the two to come closer. The next second, the scenery in front of the three of them changed instantly, and they found themselves directly in front of the school gate.

To ensure he got enough sleep, Kazashiro specially arranged for Yamato to arrive at the school gate early with the Flying Thunder God Kunai, waiting for his arrival.

"Yawn, big brother, next time something like this happens, why don't you go find Shisui?"

Kazashiro got enough sleep, but Yamato was clearly struggling to stay awake.

During this time, he had to both expand the room size and study architectural structures, fearing that he might collapse the Shimura Residence.

"Oh, really? Then I won't look for you next time."

Kazashiro nodded in agreement.

Just as Yamato was wondering why this brat was being so easy to talk to today, Kazashiro's next words startled him so much that he covered Kazashiro's mouth with his hand.

"In that case, I'll go find Itachi and Kabuto, and while I'm at it, I'll tell them about you getting a girlfriend—"

"Brother, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Forcibly dragging Kazashiro to a dark place where no one could see him, Yamato let go of his hand while complaining incessantly.

"Ptooey, ptooey, did you wash your hands, you brat?"

Kazashiro gave Yamato a disdainful look, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "How am I talking nonsense? These past few days you've been spending all your time in Orochimaru's Research Bureau, dating a girl named Yukimi, haven't you?"

Iburi Yukimi

The Iburi Clan is a ninja clan living in the Land of Fire. They have the ability to turn their bodies into smoke, but this ability is extremely unstable, and they will die from the wind after turning into smoke.

Therefore, they lived in windless caves for a long time.

Hiruko their abilities, Iburi Clan also wanted to live openly in the Land of Fire. The two sides hit it off immediately, and after receiving Sakumo's approval, the clan was brought to Konoha by the Research Bureau in a very safe manner.

"Yukimi and I are just friends!"

Yamato blushed, a rare occurrence for him. He hadn't expected Kazashiro to know such a private matter. But honestly, they hadn't done anything else besides chatting in the Research Bureau.

"Hmm, a friend, a close friend of the opposite sex with whom you can talk about anything, tsk tsk tsk, I never expected you, Yamato, to use such an irresponsible way to shirk responsibility."

Kazashiro's face was full of disappointment. "How did I raise you into such a despicable ninja who dares to do things but not to take responsibility?"

"Aren't ninjas inherently despicable? No, there's really nothing Yukimi and me!"

Yamato was bewildered. Wasn't the world of ninjas full of lies and deception? How could it sound like such an unforgivable crime in Kazashiro's words?

"Anyway, you can go in peace. I will explain this to Itachi and Kabuto, and I will never ask you for help again."

"No, Brother Kazashiro, I was wrong. Please be sure to ask me to do this kind of thing again in the future!"

Yamato slid to his knees and hugged Kazashiro's thigh tightly, refusing to let go.

He could already imagine the smug look on Kabuto's face when he found out about this.

I absolutely cannot let this happen!

"Not forcing me?" Kazashiro tried to move his legs, but found that Yamato was holding him very tightly.

"No forcing anyone, absolutely no forcing anyone."

"Alright, let's talk about your problem with Yukimi."

Ultimately, this conversation, which could be described as an interrogation, was interrupted by the arrival of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Yamato, feeling greatly relieved, fled the area.

Kazashiro also joined the parents' group.

Surrounded by strangers, he lost interest in striking up a conversation and quietly waited for Hiruzen Sarutobi to speak.

"Congratulations on your successful enrollment. From now on, please strive to uphold the ninja way and work hard to make Konoha even more prosperous..."

The lengthy conversation finally ended with the usual "Will of Fire," and as Hiruzen Sarutobi left, the parents went up to take their children's hands and visit their children's teachers.

"I never expected to have the honor of teaching Danzo's two children. Please Kazashiro assured, I Funano Daihoku, will certainly not fail in my mission."

Funano Daihoku

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Professor Funano." Looking at the teacher in front of him, whose attitude was so good that no one could find fault with him, Kazashiro glanced around and asked a question.

"Where is Professor Makoto Ito? I haven't visited him since graduation."

Upon hearing the name Makoto Ito, Funano Daihoku's expression changed noticeably.

With a sigh, Funano Daihoku lowered his voice and whispered in Kazashiro's ear, "It's said that he had some arguments with his girlfriend over relationship issues, and after leaving behind a letter that said 'I'm going on a trip,' he and his girlfriend disappeared without a trace."

Sweat beaded on Kazashiro's forehead.

Does the trip they're talking about include physical travel or not?