Young Weasel

The next morning, at dawn.

The streets of Konoha were much better than they had been the night before; most of the rubble had been cleared, and the bodies of the fallen were being prepared for burial. I accompanied the Third Hokage to the funeral, where I was introduced to several key figures from the plot—Kakashi, the "Copy Ninja"; Might Guy, the "One-for-One" specialist; Asuma, the "Love-struck" brother, and so on.

I also saw the heads of other ninja clans. It was only after the Third introduced me to them that I understood his true purpose in dragging me along.

He wanted me to mingle and get familiar with these clans, as the strength of the Konoha clans was not to be underestimated.

Among them, three gazes were fixed firmly upon me.

One belonged to the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Fugaku. Another was Danzo Shimura.

The last one was someone Hise hadn't expected: Itachi Uchiha!

Tsk! A child should just do what children do; why live with such a heavy burden?

Itachi Uchiha, much like the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was a character surrounded by endless controversy.

Some called him great, claiming he prevented civil war and further conflict single-handedly.

Others argued that even if it was for the peace and stability of the village, he should never have killed his own parents.

Hise didn't want to dwell on that now. He used to watch this from behind a screen, but now he was in the real ninja world.

Everyone has different ways of handling things, and everyone has different considerations. Besides, the Itachi before him was only a five-year-old child, a firm believer in the Will of Fire.

It would be a waste for Itachi to keep supporting the Will of Fire. Hise planned to pull Itachi Uchiha into his own camp, along with the master of the strongest genjutsu and Itachi's mentor, Shisui Uchiha. These two could become the most powerful tools under his command.

They were rare talents indeed; he was determined to poach them from Konoha.

A week later, Hise was riding his bicycle through the streets of Konoha. He stopped when he reached a dessert stall, having spotted that "long-awaited" tool: Itachi Uchiha.

Seeing Itachi eating sweets with his childhood friend Izumi Uchiha at the stall, Hise couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment. A five-year-old kid has a girl keeping him company, so why don't I?

Jealousy really makes one look pathetic.

Deep breath, deep breath, deep breath.

A five-year-old kid can't do anything even with a girl around, so what am I jealous of?

After composing himself, he approached the stall where Itachi and Izumi were sitting:

"Boss, give me a bowl of Three-color Dango. No, make it two. Thanks." After saying this, he glanced at Itachi Uchiha.

This kid had been observing me in secret ever since I arrived. As expected of the man fans called "Itachi-god"—so excellent even from a young age.

But well, hehehe.

"What are you looking at!"

Hise shouted at Itachi with feigned annoyance.

Itachi hadn't expected his secret observation to be discovered. On the surface, he remained as steady as an old dog, but inside, he was panicking. The clan was still investigating Hise's identity, and he had only heard of this person by chance. Seeing him in person today, he had been curious about what made this man worth such discussion within the clan, never expecting to be caught.

"Hahaha, not bad, not bad. Panicking on the inside but not showing it—good mental fortitude."

"Hm? Big brother, do you know me?"

"Well, I've noticed you. The young master of the Uchiha clan, Itachi Uchiha. And this little sister, what is your name?"

He looked at Izumi beside him, asking a question he already knew the answer to.

"I... I'm Izumi Uchiha. Please, please treat me well."

"Hahahaha, Izumi Uchiha, what a cute little girl, and a lovely name."

Itachi Uchiha then spoke up:

"May I ask what this big brother's name is?"

눈_눈

Always looking for an opening, pushing forward, never missing a chance. You really are a clever little devil, aren't you? So eager to know my identity?

Well, I might as well say it; I never intended to hide it anyway.

"Hahaha, come to think of it, my grandfather was once a member of your Uchiha clan. You can call me Brother Hise, Uchiha Hise."

Young Itachi Uchiha took Hise's words to heart. His grandfather? He must have been in the Uchiha clan around a dozen years ago and left later; otherwise, he wouldn't have said he was "once" a member.

"Big brother, who was your grandfather?" Itachi couldn't help but ask. His father had said this man might be able to help the Uchiha clan, but when he asked his father, he wouldn't tell him, saying he was too young to worry about such things.

Heh, greedy, aren't you, kid?

"Heh, children shouldn't ask so many questions."

Hise activated his Sharingan and glanced at Itachi Uchiha, causing the hair on Itachi's arms to stand on end.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

He kept warning himself internally: This man is dangerous, get away from him, or you'll die.

He realized he had been too impatient. Or perhaps the other party... had known his intentions all along.

What terrifying vigilance, being on guard even against a child.

Hise: "..."

I've known your background for ages, you idiot!

"Tch! Don't be so greedy. You'll encounter far more cunning and avaricious people in the future; be careful when dealing with them. One slip-up, and you could end up without a grave to call your own."

Itachi Uchiha didn't quite understand, but he nodded in gratitude nonetheless, seeing as the other party hadn't taken offense at his probing.

Furthermore, he had been given an inexplicable warning. Though he didn't grasp the meaning now, he felt he might understand once he grew up, so he made sure to commit it to memory.

"Oh, and tell your father that while I am of the Uchiha clan, my grandfather is that Asura. Don't let him waste his efforts for nothing."