Itachi's Thoughts

Ever since Shisui Uchiha was transferred from the Military Police Force to the Fourth's direct Anbu unit, Danzo's vigilance toward the Uchiha had become even more intense than before.

This was the reason Shisui had set up a simple barrier inside the Yakiniku Restaurant; regarding high-level politics, Shisui and Itachi had already developed fundamentally different perspectives.

Root Division...

Kneeling on one knee, Itachi thought back to not long ago, shortly after his application for early graduation had been submitted... when this high-ranking Konoha official named Danzo had sought him out.

The conversation from that time still echoed clearly in his ears.

"Itachi, you are a genius of the younger Uchiha generation. Having just awakened your Sharingan, you should not yet be consumed by evil. So, in your eyes, which is more important: the village or the clan?"

"Do you not know how to answer?"

"The Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan awakens due to the loss of love. When the Sharingan is awakened, the evil that accompanies that loss takes hold of a person's will, causing their temperament to change drastically."

"It is precisely for this reason that the Second originally arranged for the Uchiha compound to be located outside the center. But today, the ambition of the Uchiha is gradually growing. Even the descendants of my own teammate, Kagami Uchiha, have begun to harbor thoughts of rebellion."

"And what about you? Itachi?"

"I have reviewed your file, and I have always believed that you are different from other Uchiha, possessing a foresight that transcends the narrow-mindedness of your clan. Itachi, I need you to help me, and in doing so, help all of Konoha."

"Foolish! The Fourth is ultimately too young. Whether it is the Third and the Advisors or my Root Division, we all exist for the sake of Konoha. But you should be clear about the voices within the Uchiha clan, Itachi—that is rebellion!!"

"The thoughts of Shisui Uchiha, and the thoughts of the entire Uchiha clan today—what they desire is nothing more than to overthrow Konoha to ensure the success of an Uchiha coup."

"The Fourth is merely of commoner origin, and Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, is also frequently absent from the village. Once their plans succeed, the Fourth alone will not be able to stop the Uchiha..."

Kneeling on one knee, Itachi clenched his fists; the words Yun had spoken at the Yakiniku Restaurant earlier today surfaced in his mind once again.

Suppress the faction within the clan that wants to revolt, unite with the faction that wants to coexist with the village. Then, stand on the side of the Fourth to consolidate the power of all the families in the village, and finally, clear away the rotten roots beneath the great tree that is Konoha.

Who are the rotten roots?

Danzo's Root Division, the two Advisors, and also... the Third!

And in the end?

Is it truly the end?

After clearing away the decaying roots of Konoha, would the Uchiha not simply become the new decay?

Shisui and Yun, what exactly are they trying to do?

"Itachi?"

Danzo's questioning voice came from the seat again. Itachi closed his eyes and replied: "Uchiha Yun seems to have guessed that you would come to find me, Danzo-sama, so he gave me some warnings."

Danzo was stunned. Uchiha Yun?

That genius who was second only to Itachi Uchiha—an Uchiha who hadn't awakened the Sharingan could hardly be called a genius.

But how could he have known that he would come to find Itachi?

"What kind of warning did he give you?"

Itachi replied: "Uchiha Yun said: If one day I become a lunatic, he will be the first to kill me. He does not approve of my choices regarding early graduation or the darkness of the Root Division."

After a long silence, Danzo asked in a low voice: "Has Uchiha Yun awakened the Sharingan?"

Itachi shook his head slightly: "No. Although Yun's reaction speed and strength are very high due to his talent, he has not awakened his eyes."

For a time, there was a long silence.

After a long while, Danzo said: "Think carefully about what I have said. The great tree of Konoha has the Hokage who carries the sunlight, and it has the roots buried deep underground that absorb nutrients. Everything I have done has been for Konoha alone!"

"Go back. After you graduate and are assigned to a team, I will give you one year. To join the Root Division, you must become a Chunin."

Itachi rose silently and left. The voice behind him sounded once more: "The Root Division has intelligence regarding Uzumaki Sora."

After those words fell, there was a long silence before Itachi finally departed.

In the empty, dark space, Danzo raised his hand and looked at his own arm.

Uchiha Yun, is it?

An Uchiha who has not awakened the Sharingan is not worthy of being called power.

And Itachi Uchiha, grow quickly.

Using your teammates as your bonds, after one year, the awakening of that power should be enough, right?

As long as one possesses the power of the First and Madara Uchiha, the Hokage... is merely a power waiting to be seized.

Even if it meant unifying the Five Great Shinobi Villages, what would that matter if one possessed such power?

Returning home, Itachi had just pushed open the door when he discovered that his nearly two-year-old brother, Sasuke, was still waiting for him.

"This child insisted on waiting for you, otherwise he wouldn't go to sleep," Mikoto Uchiha said with a troubled expression.

Itachi smiled and nodded, picking up Sasuke: "Be good. Wait for big brother to wash up, and then I'll take you to bed. But you can't wet the bed tonight, okay?"

Little Sasuke nodded with a dazed, adorable look: "Okay..."

Night fell, and as Itachi lay in bed, he didn't feel a hint of sleepiness.

Uzumaki Sora—this person definitely possessed information about the murderer of his father.

But the Root Division, that organization buried deep underground to absorb nutrients, a Root that never saw the sun?

What exactly were Shisui and Yun thinking?

A coup d'état? Or were they truly trying to assist the Fourth Hokage and help the Uchiha reintegrate into Konoha?

Danzo, who understood the Sharingan so well, would likely have his eyes on Yun starting today. But there was no other way; the conversation within the barrier had to touch upon some secrets. That was the technique Yun had mentioned.

Three parts truth, seven parts deception.

Until he could confirm the true intentions of Shisui and Yun, Danzo could not be trusted either.

Turning his head to look at little Sasuke, who was already fast asleep beside him, Itachi revealed a smile.

No matter what happens, big brother will never let you come to harm.

At the home of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.

"Teacher, are you going out to gather material again after returning this time?"

Jiraiya put his hands on his hips and laughed: "That's a given! Across the entire ninja world, my countless fans are eagerly awaiting my new work."

Kushina, who was bringing dishes out from the kitchen, curled her lip: "What fans? They're all just perverts. Minato!"

The shout startled Minato, who immediately looked over with a fawning smile.

Kushina set down the plate in her hand and took Naruto from Minato's arms: "You and Naruto must not learn bad habits from Master Jiraiya. If Naruto can't find a wife in the future, it'll be Master Jiraiya's fault."

Jiraiya, standing to the side, was stunned: "I... I only just met Naruto today..."

Kushina retorted: "Exactly because it's the first time you've met him, I have to say it in advance. If you dare bring those books of yours that aren't suitable for children into this house... hmph hmph!"

Watching her soft red hair show signs of a gradual transformation, Minato quickly changed the subject: "Um, Kushina, what is Naruto eating today? Is it the same as what we're having?"

"Ah!"

With a startled cry, Kushina quickly handed Naruto to Minato and ran back into the kitchen: "My baby food is still simmering!"

"Phew..."

Jiraiya let out a long sigh of relief: "Kushina is still as fiery as ever, huh? Ha... haha..."

Minato smiled apologetically: "Ever since little Naruto was born, Kushina has been extra sensitive about the child. My apologies, Teacher."

Jiraiya waved his hand, unbothered: "She's a mother now; that kind of reaction is perfectly normal. But Minato, time really flies, doesn't it..."