A Letter

Even if Itachi could not win, his performance after that round of observation was enough to astonish the Third Hokage.

Just as Orochimaru had said, he was a true heaven-sent prodigy. If someone like him trained under him, his achievements would be far from insignificant.

For the first time, the Third Hokage was genuinely interested. He was no longer watching with the mindset of fulfilling a task, but carefully observing every aspect of Itachi's performance.

Every response he made against his opponent contained many moments that made the Third Hokage want to pound the table in admiration.

He was this formidable at only six years old?

He could not help thinking of another genius in Konoha who had broken records.

He wondered what that other genius was truly made of.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi's memories placed clear emphasis on that other genius, giving him a fairly concrete understanding, it still felt as though there was a barrier between them.

As he watched, Itachi seemed to be showing signs of defeat.

And then—

"Itachi! You absolutely can't lose! You beat even me, so how can you lose to a guy like this?! I won't allow it!"

Anko suddenly sprang out, hopping about and shouting in great agitation.

She immediately drew the attention of quite a few people present.

When Orochimaru saw this, he turned to the Third Hokage with an expression that said, Please excuse her.

Soon, Orochimaru noticed something and immediately looked back toward the field.

Itachi, who had appeared to be on the verge of defeat, had finally lured his cautious opponent into the trap he had laid out long ago.

The victor had been decided.

"Orochimaru, have Itachi meet me by the river near the Ninja Academy after school."

With those words, the Third Hokage turned away.

There was nothing left worth watching.

Yakushi Nonō hurriedly followed after him.

Watching his teacher and Nonō leave, Orochimaru also lost interest and continued watching the training on the field.

There really was nothing left to see. Although Yamato was also due to take the field, the academy had no one who could match him, so no special arrangements had been made for him.

His opponent had been chosen at random.

After Yamato stepped onto the field—

This fellow, who came from Root and followed its principle of secrecy, concealed his true abilities and was easily defeated by his opponent, a young brat who looked rather frivolous.

Not bad acting.

Orochimaru found it even more boring.

But he was the Hokage.

And this was his first day visiting the academy as Hokage. He still had to pay attention where appropriate.

"Orochimaru-sensei, please guide my training." Itachi respectfully made his request to Orochimaru, who was preparing to leave the academy.

The practical sparring had already ended. Itachi, who had been injured during the match, had long since had his wounds treated by the Medical Ninja arranged beforehand.

During that hard-fought battle, Itachi had felt his own shortcomings, which gave him an even stronger drive to improve.

Though he could receive suitable instruction from his clan after returning home—

He still greatly looked forward to the guidance of his Hokage teacher.

In truth, Orochimaru had already seen this coming. The moment he showed signs of leaving, Itachi indeed could not hold back and ran over to seek him out.

For Orochimaru, who enjoyed manipulating people's hearts, he preferred it when others came to him of their own accord. It gave him an even stronger sense of holding the initiative.

Of course, he bore no ill will. It was simply his habit.

He looked at Itachi with great interest, and his gaze unconsciously shifted to Itachi's eyes. He wondered how magnificent the Sharingan awakened by an Uchiha with such talent would be.

"Itachi, you greatly desire to become stronger."

"I want to be like Shisui, capable of helping my teacher."

Itachi honestly spoke of what now drove him to grow stronger.

"Shisui-kun..." Orochimaru sighed with feeling. "He truly is an outstanding person."

As a descendant of Kagami Uchiha, who belonged to the Hokage's faction, Shisui had deep ties to that faction. Influenced by his senior Kagami, he could be considered one of the moderates among the Uchiha.

From the information gathered during the investigation, it was clear that Uchiha Shisui's thinking was quite sound for a Konoha ninja.

It was not a bad thing for Itachi to be close to him.

"Itachi, you must spend more time with someone as outstanding as Shisui."

Itachi nodded. He wholeheartedly agreed and felt that his teacher was completely right.

Orochimaru's smile grew gentler.

"As for asking me for guidance, Itachi, you should know that I have only just become Hokage. The village's affairs are a tangled mess, and I do not have time to personally guide you in the near future. Please forgive me."

Though Itachi was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this, he could understand.

He also felt that the village's affairs were more important. Orochimaru-sensei's choice was the right one.

For the sake of the village, he could not trouble Orochimaru-sensei.

Just as he was about to take his leave—

"However, while I cannot guide you myself, there is someone who can teach you well."

"Sensei, who do you mean?"

Itachi asked curiously.

"Of course, my teacher—the village's Third Hokage. I believe he can teach you properly."

"Would that trouble Lord Third?"

"I am your teacher."

As Orochimaru spoke, he placed a hand on Itachi's head and said gently, "For the sake of my disciple's future, it is only natural that I trouble my own teacher a little. For my sake, Sarutobi-sensei will teach you with care."

Itachi was clearly moved, touched by his teacher's concern.

Afterward, Orochimaru wrote him a letter.

Handing the completed letter to Itachi, he said, "If nothing unexpected happens, Sarutobi-sensei will be by the river near the academy after school. When you get there, give this letter to him. He will understand."

Itachi solemnly took the letter. After Orochimaru-sensei patted his head, he watched the Fifth Hokage-sama turn and leave the academy.

After school, Itachi hurried to the river near the academy.

Sure enough, when he arrived, he saw a figure in loose robes standing by the river with his hands behind his back. It was the Third Hokage.

Itachi came up behind him and respectfully spoke at once. "Lord Third, this is the letter Orochimaru-sensei asked me to give you."

Turning around, the Third Hokage looked in surprise at the small figure before him, head lowered as he offered up the letter.

What was Orochimaru playing at now?

He accepted the letter and opened it.

After reading it, he could not help sighing that Orochimaru was truly skilled at manipulating people's hearts. They had clearly discussed it beforehand, yet Orochimaru had acted as though the letter was what convinced him, all so he could earn the gratitude of his disciple, Itachi Uchiha.

Still, Itachi Uchiha was indeed an important disciple. Since Orochimaru wanted to exert a better influence on him, the Third Hokage could not say much.

He could only play along.

"Since Orochimaru has earnestly asked this of me, I will teach you properly."

"Yes."

Itachi answered respectfully.

The Third Hokage said, "First, show me a set of Taijutsu you are skilled in."

Wasn't he going to teach Ninjutsu? Lord Third was the renowned Professor of Ninjutsu, wasn't he?

Though he had doubts, Itachi did not show them. He obediently did as he was told.