Young Itachi

The next morning, at dawn.

Konoha's streets looked much better than they had the night before. Most of the rubble had already been cleared away, and the dead were being prepared for burial. I accompanied the Third Hokage to the funeral, where I also met some other important figures from the story, like Kakashi Five-Five-Split, Might Guy, the Love-Lost Asuma, and others.

I also saw the heads of the other ninja clans. After the Third Hokage introduced me to them, I finally understood why he had brought me along.

He wanted me to get acquainted with these clans and make sure they knew my face. After all, the strength of Konoha's clans was not to be underestimated.

Three pairs of eyes fixed on me.

One belonged to the head of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Fugaku. Another belonged to Shimura Danzō.

The last belonged to someone even Fei Shi hadn't expected to see: Itachi Uchiha!

Tsk! A kid should be doing kid things. Why make his life so hard?

Like the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Itachi Uchiha was a controversial character.

Some people said he was great, that he had single-handedly prevented internal strife and war.

Others said that even if he had acted for the village's peace and stability, he still shouldn't have murdered his father and mother.

Fei Shi didn't want to say anything about it now. He'd once watched all this on a screen, but now he was actually living in the ninja world.

Everyone dealt with things differently, and everyone had different considerations. Besides, Itachi was only five years old now, a devoted supporter of the Will of Fire.

It would be a waste to let Itachi devote himself to the Will of Fire. Fei Shi planned to bring Itachi Uchiha over to his side, along with Shisui Uchiha, the strongest genjutsu user and Itachi's guide. The two of them could become the strongest tools at his disposal.

They were both rare talents. He was definitely going to poach them from Konoha.

A week later, Fei Shi rode his bicycle around the streets of Konoha. He stopped when he reached a sweets stall, because he saw the "long-awaited" tool, Itachi Uchiha.

Seeing Itachi Uchiha eating sweets at the stall with his childhood friend, Izumi Uchiha, made Fei Shi feel a little resentful. Even a five-year-old had a girl keeping him company. Why didn't I?

Jealousy really did make people ugly.

Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath.

A five-year-old with a girl could hardly do anything, so what was I jealous of?

Once he'd gotten his feelings under control, he went over to the stall in front of Itachi and Izumi...

"Boss, one bowl of three-colored dango, please. No, make it two bowls. Thanks." As he spoke, he shot Itachi a glance.

That kid had been watching me from the moment I showed up. No wonder the fans called him Itachi-sama. He was exceptional even as a child.

But, well... heh heh heh.

"What are you looking at?"

Fei Shi shouted at Itachi in an annoyed voice.

Itachi hadn't expected his discreet observation to be noticed. He kept a perfectly calm expression, but inside he was panicking. His clan was still investigating Fei Shi's identity. He'd only overheard the name by chance. When he saw Fei Shi in person today, curiosity got the better of him, and he'd secretly watched to see what was so special about him that the clan talked about him so much. He hadn't expected to get caught.

"Hahahaha, not bad, not bad. You're panicking inside, but you haven't let it show. You've got good composure."

"Um, big brother, do you know me?"

"Yeah, I've noticed you. You're the eldest son of the Uchiha Clan, Itachi Uchiha. And what's your name, little girl?"

He turned to Izumi beside him, asking even though he already knew.

"I-I'm Izumi Uchiha. P-pleased to meet you."

"Hahahahaha, Izumi Uchiha. What an adorable girl! That's a lovely name."

Itachi spoke up too.

"May I ask what your name is, big brother?"

눈_눈

Seizing an opening, pressing his advantage, never letting an opportunity pass. You're a clever little thing, aren't you? Really that curious about who I am?

Well, I might as well tell him. It's not like I ever meant to hide it.

"Hahaha, as it happens, my grandfather was once a member of your Uchiha Clan. You can call me Big Brother Fei Shi. I'm Uchiha Fei Shi."

The young Itachi committed Fei Shi's words to memory. His grandfather, huh? He must have been in the Uchiha Clan for around a dozen years after Konoha was founded, then left. Otherwise, Fei Shi wouldn't have said he used to belong to the clan.

"Big brother, who's your grandfather?" Itachi couldn't help asking again. His father had said this man might be able to help the Uchiha Clan. When Itachi had asked him about it, his father hadn't told him anything, only saying he was too young to worry about such things.

Heh, greedy little kid.

"Hehe, little kids shouldn't ask so many questions."

Fei Shi activated his Sharingan and glanced at Itachi. Itachi's hair stood on end.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

His mind kept warning him: this man was dangerous. Get away from him, or he'd die.

Only then did Itachi realize he'd been too eager. Maybe the other man... had known his purpose all along.

What terrifying vigilance, wary even of a child.

Fei Shi: "..."

I already knew all about you, damn it!

"Tsk! Don't be so greedy. You'll meet plenty more greedy, deceitful people in the future. Be careful when dealing with them. One careless mistake could leave you dead without a place to be buried."

Itachi didn't quite understand, but he still nodded to show his thanks. After all, the other man hadn't taken offense at his probing.

And he'd given him a strange warning. It didn't make sense now, but he felt he might understand it when he grew up. He'd better remember it.

"Oh, and tell your father that I'm a member of the Uchiha Clan, but my grandfather was that Asura. Don't let him waste his efforts."