Uchiha Rìtiān followed Itachi and the Anbu ninja at a distance, carefully keeping himself hidden.
With the Sharingan and Basic Body Flicker Technique, tailing them wasn't difficult for him.
Soon, the two arrived at the Root Base.
Uchiha Rìtiān hid in the shadows and watched Itachi walk inside.
"System, can the Listening Seal work in a place like this?"
"Ding! Yes. Host, you only need to stick the Listening Seal to the building's outer wall to hear sounds within a certain range."
Uchiha Rìtiān nodded. "Good."
He looked around, confirmed that no one was nearby, and silently slipped over to the wall.
The moment he attached the Listening Seal, he heard Danzo's voice from inside.
"Itachi, you're here."
"Lord Danzo." It was Itachi's voice.
"Sit." Danzo paused. "Are you adjusting to ANBU training?"
"It's going well. Thank you for your concern, Lord Danzo."
Danzo chuckled. "Good."
"Itachi, you're a genius. I have high hopes for you."
"As long as you work hard, there will certainly be a place for you in ANBU."
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Danzo."
Uchiha Rìtiān curled his lip. Danzo was making empty promises again.
Just then, Danzo changed the subject.
"However, Itachi, you should know that talent alone isn't enough to earn my trust."
Itachi fell silent for a moment. "What do you mean, Lord Danzo?"
"I want you to... help me monitor the Uchiha Clan." Danzo's voice grew low.
Uchiha Rìtiān tensed inwardly. Here it comes!
Danzo really did want to make Itachi a double agent!
Itachi's breathing noticeably quickened for a moment.
"Lord Danzo, you want me to... spy on my own clansmen?"
"What? Are you unwilling?" Danzo's voice turned cold.
"It's not that I'm unwilling, but..." Itachi's voice was conflicted. "They're my clansmen."
"Clansmen?" Danzo sneered. "Itachi, remember that you're a Konoha ninja first, and a member of the Uchiha Clan second."
"You should be well aware of the Uchiha Clan's current situation."
"If they make any suspicious moves, all of Konoha will be in danger."
"I'm asking you to monitor them not to harm them, but to protect Konoha, and to protect them as well."
What a load of high-sounding rhetoric!
Uchiha Rìtiān cursed inwardly. That scheming old bastard Danzo really had a knack for brainwashing.
Itachi remained silent for a long time.
So long that Uchiha Rìtiān almost thought he had refused before Itachi finally spoke.
"...I understand, Lord Danzo."
"I agree."
Uchiha Rìtiān's heart sank.
Itachi had agreed after all.
It made sense. Given Itachi's personality, he would do anything for Konoha and Sasuke.
Danzo nodded in satisfaction. "Very good, Itachi. I was right about you."
"From today onward, you will be my eyes within the Uchiha Clan."
"You must report any stirrings within the Uchiha Clan to me immediately."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
After that, Danzo discussed some specific arrangements with Itachi, who agreed to each one.
Listening left Uchiha Rìtiān on edge.
Danzo was trying to bind Itachi completely to his cause.
No, I can't let things keep going this way.
I have to find a way to help Itachi.
Just then, the conversation inside ended.
"All right, you may go. Remember, you must not tell anyone about today's conversation."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
Uchiha Rìtiān quickly stopped listening and slipped away without a sound.
He hid around a nearby corner, waiting for Itachi to come out.
Soon, Itachi emerged.
He looked terrible, with a trace of confusion and pain in his eyes.
Uchiha Rìtiān's heart tightened. Itachi...
He hesitated, but stepped out anyway.
"Itachi."
Itachi raised his head and froze briefly when he saw Uchiha Rìtiān.
"Uchiha Rìtiān? Why are you here?"
"I... I was worried about you, so I followed you here," Uchiha Rìtiān admitted.
Itachi frowned. "You followed me?"
"I didn't mean to. I was just... worried about you." Uchiha Rìtiān lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong.
Itachi looked at Uchiha Rìtiān and remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he sighed.
"Don't do this again. It's dangerous."
Uchiha Rìtiān looked up. "Itachi, did Danzo... ask you to do something difficult?"
Itachi stiffened. "How did you know?"
"I guessed." Uchiha Rìtiān shrugged. "One look at Danzo tells you he's up to no good."
The corner of Itachi's mouth twitched. "Don't say things like that."
Despite his words, his gaze softened considerably.
"Itachi, no matter what, remember this." Uchiha Rìtiān looked at Itachi earnestly. "Whatever happens, you're not alone."
"You have me, Shisui, and Sasuke."
"Even if the sky falls, we'll hold it up together."
Itachi stared at Uchiha Rìtiān, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes.
He reached out and ruffled Uchiha Rìtiān's hair.
"Silly kid."
Though it was only a brief remark, Uchiha Rìtiān could feel that Itachi's mood had improved considerably.
"Ding! Successfully comforted Itachi. Itachi's friendship +10." "Show-Off Points +50!"
Uchiha Rìtiān was delighted. That was worth it.
"By the way, Itachi, what are you going to do about Danzo asking you to monitor the Uchiha Clan?" Uchiha Rìtiān asked.
Itachi froze for a moment. "How did you know..."
"I guessed." Uchiha Rìtiān looked as though it were obvious. "What else does Danzo know how to do besides pull stuff like this?"
Itachi: "..."
Much as he hated to admit it, Uchiha Rìtiān seemed to have a point.
"I don't know." Itachi sighed. "All I know is that I can't let the Uchiha Clan and Konoha fight."
"Absolutely not."
Looking at the resolve in Itachi's eyes, Uchiha Rìtiān silently admired him.
That's Itachi for you. Even carrying so much, he still keeps going.
"Itachi, I have an idea," Uchiha Rìtiān suddenly said.
"What idea?"
"Didn't Danzo tell you to monitor the Uchiha Clan? Then just monitor them," Uchiha Rìtiān said with a smile.
Itachi frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you can be selective about what you report." Uchiha Rìtiān lowered his voice. "Tell Danzo about trivial matters. As for anything truly important, use your own judgment."
"That way, you won't arouse Danzo's suspicions or betray your clansmen."
Itachi's eyes lit up.
Of course! Why didn't I think of that?
"Uchiha Rìtiān, you're brilliant!" Itachi said excitedly.
"Hehe, just the basics." Uchiha Rìtiān tossed his hair smugly.
"Ding! Helped Itachi solve a problem. Show-Off Points +100!"
Watching Uchiha Rìtiān's smug expression, Itachi's lips curved slightly.
This little brother really did always manage to surprise him.
"All right, it's getting late. Hurry home." Itachi patted Uchiha Rìtiān's shoulder.
"Okay!"
The two walked home side by side, the setting sun stretching their shadows long.
Looking at Itachi beside him, Uchiha Rìtiān silently swore to himself.
Itachi, don't worry.
As long as I'm here, I absolutely won't let tragedy strike.
Absolutely not.
Meanwhile, in Danzo's office.
A Root ninja knelt on one knee, delivering a report.
"Lord Danzo, just now... that brat Uchiha Rìtiān was eavesdropping outside."
Danzo's eyes snapped open, his gaze sinister.
"Oh? How much did he hear?"
"He probably... heard quite a lot."
Danzo fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Interesting."
"This brat is getting more and more interesting."
"Go. Keep an eye on him."
"I'd like to see what he does next."
"Yes!"
Before you continue