Itachi's resolve

Fugaku and Mikoto both froze.

Mikoto quickly grabbed Itachi's arm.

"Itachi, what are you talking about?"

"You're only eight! How can you go somewhere so dangerous?"

"Root's assassins are no joke."

Fugaku's face hardened, his tone stern.

"Stop being foolish."

"Chikage refused reinforcements because he was afraid they'd draw too much attention."

"You're a child. What business do you have getting involved?"

Itachi did not back down, remaining bowed.

"Father, please hear me out."

"Captain Yashiro and the others would indeed draw too much attention. The Anbu could easily spot them."

"But I'm different."

"I'm young. The village's higher-ups won't take notice of me."

"And you know what I'm capable of."

Itachi straightened, his gaze calm and resolute.

"An ordinary chunin might not be able to stop me."

"More importantly, Vice Captain Chikage needs someone to keep watch from the shadows."

"He'll investigate openly. I'll only observe from hiding."

"If someone truly crosses the line and tries to kill him, then I'll act."

"I won't travel with him, and I won't let anyone realize I'm an Uchiha."

"That way, I can keep the Family's movements secret while ensuring his safety."

Fugaku fell silent.

He looked at his precocious son, torn.

Itachi was extraordinarily gifted, far stronger than others his age, and levelheaded enough.

Having Itachi follow in secret would indeed attract less attention than sending Yashiro, Inabi, or the others.

But as a father, how could he bear to let his eight-year-old son risk his life?

Beside him, Mikoto was so distraught that tears streamed down her face.

"Fugaku, say something!"

"You can't let Itachi go!"

Itachi turned to his mother, his voice gentle.

"Mother, please don't worry."

"As I see it, if Vice Captain Chikage can risk his life for the Family, then I, as the clan head's son, have even less right to back down."

"Besides, I won't let anyone in the village discover that I've left."

Itachi rapidly formed hand seals.

There was a soft pop.

A puff of white smoke dispersed, revealing a Shadow Clone identical to Itachi in the living room.

"I'll leave a Shadow Clone in the village."

"It'll go to the Drill Ground to train as usual tomorrow and keep up appearances."

"My real body will leave the village early and wait for Vice Captain Chikage along the route he has to take to the border."

"The Shadow Clone will only make an appearance. It won't stay active for long or interfere with my real body's movements."

Looking at the Shadow Clone, Fugaku finally began to lean toward agreement.

He knew Danzo's methods well. If Chikage went to the border alone, his chances of surviving were slim.

If Itachi merely watched over him from the shadows without making contact, it would reduce the risk of exposure while providing an extra safeguard.

"Have you truly made up your mind?"

Fugaku stared into Itachi's eyes, his voice solemn.

Itachi nodded firmly.

"Yes, Father."

"I'll bring Vice Captain Chikage back safely."

Fugaku closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.

The living room went quiet, save for Mikoto's muffled sobs.

After a while, Fugaku abruptly opened his eyes and slapped both hands onto the table.

"All right!"

"Your real body will leave the village early tomorrow morning."

"Remember, you must never reveal your identity."

"Unless Chikage faces mortal danger, you are not to intervene lightly."

With his father's permission secured, Itachi's expression eased.

"Understood."

"I'll wear a mask and change into ordinary civilian clothes."

"No one will be able to trace my identity."

Fugaku stood, walked over to Itachi, and patted his shoulder.

"Chikage has done our Uchiha clan a great service."

"I'm entrusting his life to you."

Itachi stood tall, his gaze resolute.

"Rest assured, Father."

"I won't let anyone from Root harm Vice Captain Chikage."

The night deepened.

The wind in the Uchiha Clan Compound grew colder, too.

Itachi returned to his room and began organizing his Ninja Tool Pouch.

Kunai, Shuriken, Explosive Tags, Soldier Pills.

He packed them one by one with practiced movements.

The image of Chikage standing before the Hokage Building earlier that day lingered in his mind.

That genin clerk who had held the Konoha Public Security Administration Regulations and left the Konoha High Command speechless.

That vice captain of the Konoha Military Police Force who, in everyone's eyes, had accepted a death mission alone to keep the Family out of a difficult position.

Itachi slipped the last Kunai into his Ninja Tool Pouch and firmly pulled the zipper shut.

He would never allow someone like that to die in Danzo's schemes.

Morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom window.

Chikage sat up on his futon and stretched luxuriously.

He turned to glance at the clock on the wall.

Seven thirty in the morning.

For a nine-to-five worker, it was just the right time to get up.

He leisurely finished washing up and changed into a clean Konoha Military Police Force uniform.

Then he began checking everything he would bring today.

Inside his Ninja Tool Pouch was the black Sealing Scroll Fugaku had given him last night.

It contained fifty High-Explosive Explosive Tags.

These were good stuff. If trouble arose, he could just throw them out and save himself a lot of effort.

Beside it sat a heavy leather money pouch.

This was the two hundred thousand ryo in joint mission funds Danzo had approved.

Chikage picked up the pouch and hefted it, unable to keep the corners of his mouth from rising.

A paid business trip, with double the clock-in points to boot.

If only something this good happened every day.

He opened the system panel for a look.

Lightning Release Chakra Mode and One-Tomoe Sharingan were both already equipped.

His remaining points balance was Three Thousand Five Hundred Points.

His total chakra was still nine point eight cards.

With this setup, he could at least retain the initiative in a Root ambush.

Chikage stuffed the money pouch into his backpack and slung it onto his back.

He pushed open the courtyard gate and headed toward Konoha's entrance in the morning breeze.

He did not need to clock in at the Konoha Military Police Force Building today.

The system had determined that departing from the village entrance at nine sharp would count as clocking in for work.

There was still an hour until nine, so he had plenty of time.

Chikage planned to stop by South Street first and buy a few boxes of Three-Color Dango to eat on the road.

As he reached the street entrance, he spotted two people standing ahead.

Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto.

The two stood on the street corner, carrying bags of various sizes.

Chikage paused in surprise.

What were the clan head and his wife doing out here so early instead of having breakfast at home?

Before he could speak, Mikoto hurried over.

"Chikage, you're finally out."

Mikoto thrust an enormous lunchbox into Chikage's arms.

"I just made this packed lunch this morning."

"There are rice balls, grilled meat, and your favorite Three-Color Dango inside."

"Conditions at the border are harsh. You mustn't go hungry."

Holding a lunchbox nearly half his own height, Chikage stared in disbelief.

This wasn't a packed lunch. It was enough rations to feed him for three days.

"Aunt Mikoto, this is way too much."

"I'm going on a business trip, not a picnic."

Mikoto ignored his explanation and hung another cloth bag around his neck.

"This has wound medicine, bandages, and antidotes."

"I've sorted everything for you and labeled it."

"Use the right medicine for each situation. Make sure you don't mix them up."