Sasuke's name had not been written out in full.
But that index entry was more jarring than his name would have been.
Stability of family interactions: Clan Leader's second son.
This was not a mission objective.
Not a combat assessment.
Not a risk involving the Konoha Military Police Force.
Instead, a child's interactions with his family had been placed in an observation index in Root's central sealed archive.
Looking at that line, Fugaku showed clear anger at a senior leadership meeting for the first time.
He still kept his voice low.
But every word carried weight.
"Please explain why the family environment of an Uchiha minor appears in Root's risk observation index."
Mitokado Homura frowned.
Utatane Koharu did not speak immediately either.
This question was more sensitive than the old stamps, sealing wax, and blank receipt signatures raised earlier.
Because this was no longer merely an old case.
It touched the next generation of the Uchiha.
Danzo's answer remained cold and unyielding.
"The Uchiha possess a unique kekkei genkai. Emotional changes within the clan could affect the village's safety."
Fugaku's gaze turned utterly cold.
"So even children have to be watched?"
Danzo said, "Observation does not mean taking action."
When Gen heard that, he knew Danzo was narrowing the definition again.
Just as he had said risk observation did not amount to a finalized contingency plan.
He had called the old shell a historical remnant.
Now, he was saying observation did not mean taking action.
Every time, he reduced the issue to the bare minimum.
But this time, he could not shrink it away.
Because children should not be given risk labels.
Standing behind Fugaku, Itachi's fingers tightened slightly.
He remembered the Kunai Sasuke had handed him.
It was a promise made by a younger brother waiting for his older