Itachi had originally wanted to refuse Shalria's invitation, but Izumi Uchiha had been there at the time and agreed to it outright.
She knew very well how obsessed Shalria was with Itachi, but she was already Itachi's girlfriend, and their marriage was more or less settled. They would get married in another two years, once they were a little older.
Most importantly, there was Shalria's identity and background.
As a Celestial Dragon dispatched by the World Government to Konoha Island, Shalria represented the World Government.
And Itachi Uchiha was the disciple of Orochimaru, Konoha's highest leader.
Orochimaru had three disciples. Anko had no such ambitions, making her unsuited to become a leader, and she was not particularly strong either.
Kabuto Yakushi and Itachi Uchiha were both exceptionally gifted. Both could be called genius ninjas.
However, Kabuto was more focused on research. He spent every day in the laboratory, assisting Orochimaru with all kinds of research.
Only Itachi Uchiha had the most unique status. He was the eldest son of the Uchiha leader and was destined to inherit the Uchiha in the future.
With Itachi's talent and status, he truly was the best candidate to become the Uchiha's next leader.
Not to mention the support of his friend Shisui.
Therefore, Itachi Uchiha was the person most likely to become the next Hokage in the future. The significance represented by the Hokage was no longer so simple.
Konoha Country had become an overwhelmingly powerful force spanning two worlds.
However, no one knew exactly how long Orochimaru could live or how many years he would remain Hokage.
Itachi Uchiha was only theoretically the most suitable candidate for the next Hokage. In reality, if things continued as they were, Orochimaru would remain Hokage for at least several more decades. It was even entirely possible