Ever since Shisui Uchiha had transferred from the Military Police Force to the Fourth Hokage's personal Anbu, Danzo had become even more wary of the Uchiha.
That was why Shisui had put up a simple barrier in the barbecue restaurant. When it came to upper-level politics, Shisui and Itachi had already developed fundamentally different views.
Root Division...
Kneeling on one knee, Itachi thought back to not long ago. Soon after his application for early graduation had been submitted, the Konoha High Command member known as Danzo had come to see him.
Their conversation from back then was still vivid in his mind.
"Itachi, you're a genius among the younger generation of the Uchiha. You've only just awakened your Sharingan, so you should not yet have been consumed by evil. Tell me, what matters more to you: the village or your clan?"
"Don't know how to answer?"
"The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan awakens through the loss of love. When it awakens, the evil that comes with that loss takes over a person's will, changing their personality completely."
"That was precisely why the Second had the Uchiha Compound placed outside the village center. But now, the Uchiha's ambitions are growing. Even the descendants of my former teammate, Kagami Uchiha, have begun to consider rebellion."
"What about you, Itachi?"
"I've read your file. I've always believed you were different from the other Uchiha, that you had the foresight to see beyond your clan's narrow perspective. Itachi, I need your help—for the sake of all Konoha."
"Foolish! The Fourth Hokage is still too young. The Third, the Advisors, and my Root Division—all of us serve Konoha. But you know what people in the Uchiha Clan are saying, Itachi. They're talking about rebellion!"
"Shisui Uchiha's views, and those of the entire Uchiha Clan today—they want nothing more than to overthrow Konoha and succeed in their coup."
"The Fourth Hokage is a civilian, and Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, is away from the village most of the time. If their plan succeeds, the Fourth Hokage alone won't be able to stop the Uchiha..."
Kneeling on one knee, Itachi clenched his fist. Yun's words from the barbecue restaurant today came back to him.
Suppress the faction within the clan that wanted to rebel, and unite with the faction that wanted to coexist with the village. Then stand with the Fourth Hokage and rally the strength of the village's clans. Finally, cut out the rotten Root Division beneath Konoha's great tree.
Who were Konoha's rotten roots?
Danzo's Root Division, the two Advisors, and... the Third Hokage!
And then?
Would that really be the end?
After clearing away Konoha's corruption, could the Uchiha become the new rot?
What were Shisui and Yun really trying to do?
"Itachi?"
Danzo's voice came from his seat once more. Itachi closed his eyes and replied, "Uchiha Yun seemed to have guessed that you would come to see me, Danzo. He gave me a warning."
Danzo paused. Uchiha Yun?
A genius second only to Itachi Uchiha. But an Uchiha who hadn't awakened his Sharingan could hardly be called a genius.
Still, how had he known the old man would come to see Itachi?
"What warning did he give you?"
Itachi replied, "Uchiha Yun said, 'If you ever go insane, I'll be the first to kill you.' He doesn't approve of my decision to graduate early, or of my involvement with Root Division's darkness."
After a long silence, Danzo asked quietly, "Has Uchiha Yun awakened his Sharingan?"
Itachi shook his head slightly. "No. Yun has excellent reflexes and strength because of his natural talent, but he hasn't awakened it."
Silence fell.
After a long while, Danzo said, "Think carefully about what I've told you. Konoha is a towering tree. Its branches bear the sunlight, while its roots burrow deep underground to draw up nourishment. All I've ever worked for is Konoha!"
"Go home. After the graduation assignments, you'll have a year. Root Division requires you to become a Chunin."
Itachi rose silently and left. A voice sounded behind him once more: "Root Division has information on Uzumaki Sora."
After those words, silence lingered for a long time. Only then did Itachi leave.
In the empty, lightless space, Danzo raised his hand and looked at his arm.
Uchiha Yun?
An Uchiha who hadn't awakened his Sharingan wasn't worthy of being called a force to be reckoned with.
As for Itachi Uchiha, hurry up and grow stronger.
With your teammate as your bond, a year should be enough time for that power to awaken, shouldn't it?
With the power of the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha, becoming Hokage would be little more than a matter of claiming the prize.
And if you had that kind of power, what would unifying the Five Great Shinobi Villages amount to?
When Itachi got home and pushed open the door, he found Sasuke, who was almost two, still waiting for him.
"He insisted on waiting for you. He wouldn't go to sleep otherwise," Mikoto Uchiha said with a troubled expression.
Itachi smiled and nodded as he picked Sasuke up. "Good boy. Let your big brother wash up, and then I'll put you to bed. But you can't wet the bed tonight, okay?"
Little Sasuke nodded adorably. "Okay..."
Night fell, but Itachi lay in bed, wide awake.
Uzumaki Sora definitely had information about the person who killed his father.
But Root Division—the roots buried underground, drawing nourishment without ever seeing the sun?
What were Shisui and Yun really thinking?
A coup? Or were they truly trying to support the Fourth Hokage and help the Uchiha rejoin Konoha?
Danzo understood the Sharingan so well that Yun would probably be on his radar from today onward. But there was no choice. Their conversation inside the barrier had to touch on some secrets. That was the technique Yun had mentioned.
Three parts truth, seven parts lies.
Until he knew what Shisui and Yun really wanted, Danzo couldn't be trusted either.
Itachi turned his head and looked at little Sasuke, already fast asleep beside him. A smile came to his face.
No matter what happened, his big brother would never let anyone hurt him.
At the home of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
"Sensei, now that you're back, are you going out to gather material again?"
Jiraiya put his hands on his hips and laughed. "Of course! My countless fans throughout the Shinobi World are eagerly awaiting my new book."
Kushina came out of the kitchen with a dish and pursed her lips. "What fans? They're all perverts. Minato!"
Minato jumped at her shout, then immediately turned toward her with an ingratiating smile.
Kushina set down her dish and took Naruto from Minato's arms. "You and Naruto can't learn any bad habits from Jiraiya-sensei. If Naruto can't find a wife when he grows up, I'll blame Jiraiya-sensei."
Jiraiya was stunned. "I... I only just met Naruto today..."
Kushina shot back, "That's exactly why I'm warning you in advance. If you dare bring those books of yours that aren't suitable for children into our house... Just you wait!"
Seeing her smooth red hair start to bristle, Minato hurriedly changed the subject. "Um, Kushina, what's Naruto having today? Is he eating the same thing as us?"
"Ah!"
With a cry, Kushina quickly handed Naruto to Minato and ran into the kitchen. "I still have his baby food simmering!"
"Phew..."
Jiraiya let out a long breath. "Kushina's still as energetic as ever, huh? Ha... haha..."
Minato smiled apologetically. "Ever since she gave birth to little Naruto, Kushina's been especially sensitive about the baby. Sorry, Sensei."
Jiraiya waved it off. "She's a mother now. That kind of reaction is perfectly normal. But Minato, time sure flies..."
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