The calm before the storm

Over the next few days, the atmosphere in Konoha grew subtle.

The Uchiha Clan and Danzo's Root showed faint signs of squaring off against each other.

Fugaku went to see Danzo once, but Danzo insisted that those four ninja had acted on their own and had nothing to do with him.

Without evidence, there was nothing Fugaku could do to Danzo.

In the end, the matter could only be left unresolved.

But everyone knew this was only calm on the surface.

The undercurrents beneath it were growing more turbulent.

Uchiha Rìtiān, however, was quite satisfied.

Although he had failed to bring Danzo down completely, he had at least dealt him a heavy blow.

Besides, after this incident, Danzo certainly wouldn't dare make another move against Shisui anytime soon.

That was enough.

"Ding! Protect Shisui mission completed (current phase)."

"Reward: Mangekyō Sharingan evolution clue fragment ×1."

"Current fragments: 4/3."

"Notice: Fragment requirement exceeded. You may trigger the Mangekyō evolution mission at any time."

Uchiha Rìtiān froze for a moment. Exceeded?

"System, what does exceeding the fragment requirement mean?"

"Ding! Once you have more than three fragments, each additional fragment strengthens the abilities gained when evolving your Mangekyō."

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. There was a bonus like that?

Then he had to save up more fragments before evolving!

"Got it."

Uchiha Rìtiān closed the system panel and stretched.

Shisui's situation was settled for now. What should he do next?

Just then, Tetsuo ran in.

"Young master! Good news!"

"What good news is it this time?" Uchiha Rìtiān raised an eyebrow.

"We've secured the orders from both Sunagakure and Kirigakure!" Tetsuo looked excited. "And they're both big orders!"

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course!" Tetsuo handed over two contracts. "Look, here are the contracts."

Uchiha Rìtiān took the contracts, flipped through them, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad. Well done!"

"Hehe, it's all thanks to your leadership, young master!" Tetsuo scratched his head.

"By the way, what about the intelligence I asked you to collect?" Uchiha Rìtiān asked.

"I've collected all of that too." Tetsuo pulled a stack of documents from inside his clothes. "Here's the intelligence on Sunagakure and Kirigakure, along with... news about Gaara and Zabuza."

Uchiha Rìtiān took the documents and began reading carefully.

Gaara, Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchuriki, was five years old this year.

He was withdrawn, feared and shunned by the villagers.

Yashamaru normally looked after him, but Yashamaru was actually under orders to assassinate him.

Uchiha Rìtiān rubbed his chin. Yashamaru, huh...

In the original story, it was Yashamaru's betrayal that made Gaara turn completely dark.

Should he... intervene ahead of time?

Uchiha Rìtiān thought for a moment, then shook his head.

It wasn't time yet.

He would wait until his forces grew a little stronger.

He flipped through the intelligence on Kirigakure as well.

Zabuza, a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, was known as the "Demon of the Hidden Mist."

He was currently still in Kirigakure and hadn't defected.

Haku, born into Kirigakure's Yuki Clan, possessed the Ice Release kekkei genkai.

At present... he was still a homeless child.

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. Haku was still homeless?

Didn't that mean he could recruit Haku ahead of time?

He couldn't let such a promising talent end up following Zabuza.

"Tetsuo, have our people in Kirigakure look for this child named Haku." Uchiha Rìtiān pointed at the name on the document. "Once they find him, bring him back."

"Remember, treat him well. Don't let him suffer any mistreatment."

Tetsuo froze for a moment. "Young master, he's just a homeless child. Is he worth this much attention?"

"You don't understand." Uchiha Rìtiān shook his head. "This child will be a great asset to us in the future."

The Ice Release kekkei genkai was an extremely rare kekkei genkai.

And Haku was exceptionally talented. With a little training, he could definitely become a top-tier fighter.

"All right, young master. Understood." Although puzzled, Tetsuo still nodded.

Uchiha Rìtiān nodded in satisfaction.

Haku, oh Haku, wait for me. Your big brother's coming to save you!

"Ding! Detected that the host intends to recruit Haku. Choice triggered:"

"Option one: Train Haku as an ordinary subordinate. Reward: Haku's loyalty +50."

"Option two: Treat Haku as a friend and be genuinely kind to him. Rewards: Haku's affection +100, Ice Release talent +10%."

Without even thinking, Uchiha Rìtiān said, "I choose option two!"

Of course a child as adorable as Haku deserved to be treated well!

"Ding! Choice successful."

Uchiha Rìtiān smiled and continued reading the intelligence.

Just then, the system notification suddenly sounded.

"Ding! Major plot point detected: Itachi is about to join ANBU and become a double agent."

"Option one: Stop Itachi from joining ANBU. Rewards: Itachi's safety +10, Danzo's killing intent +30."

"Option two: Help Itachi establish himself in ANBU. Rewards: Itachi's rate of improvement +10%, intelligence source +1."

"Option three: Ignore it and let events take their course. Reward: Will of Survival +1."

Uchiha Rìtiān frowned.

He had long known that Itachi would join ANBU.

Stopping him was certainly out of the question. That would only arouse Danzo's suspicions and make things more dangerous instead.

Ignoring it wouldn't do either. Itachi had to shoulder so much alone; it was too hard on him.

Then... option two it was.

He would help Itachi establish himself in ANBU and gain another intelligence source along the way.

"I choose option two!"

"Ding! Choice successful. Mission issued: Help Itachi establish himself in ANBU."

"Mission requirement: Raise Itachi's position in ANBU to squad leader."

"Mission rewards: Show-Off Points +500, ANBU intelligence network +1."

Uchiha Rìtiān rubbed his chin. Get Itachi promoted to squad leader?

With Itachi's talent, that shouldn't be difficult, right?

But Danzo certainly wouldn't let things go too smoothly for Itachi.

It seemed he would have to find a way to give Itachi a hand.

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes shifted as an idea came to him.

He could provide Itachi with some intelligence so he could earn merit and get promoted!

His intelligence network had just begun to take shape, too.

He put the idea into action at once.

That very night, Uchiha Rìtiān went to see Itachi.

"Itachi, you're here," Uchiha Rìtiān said with a smile.

Itachi nodded. "What did you want to see me about?"

"Something good, of course." Uchiha Rìtiān pulled a scroll from inside his clothes and handed it over. "Itachi, take a look at this."

Itachi took the scroll and opened it. His pupils contracted slightly.

"This is..."

"A list of several enemy spies hiding in Konoha, along with intelligence on them," Uchiha Rìtiān said evenly. "I happened to get hold of it. It should be useful to you."

Itachi abruptly raised his head and stared at Uchiha Rìtiān in shock.

"Uchiha Rìtiān, you... how did you get this?"

"I just happened to hear about it while doing business." Uchiha Rìtiān shrugged. "You know I know plenty of people, so naturally I'm well-informed."

Itachi stared at Uchiha Rìtiān for a long time.

He found this younger brother of his increasingly hard to fathom.

Only six years old, yet he already had so much influence.

Even ANBU might not be able to get intelligence like this, right?

"Uchiha Rìtiān, tell me honestly. Just how many more secrets do you have?" Itachi asked seriously.

Uchiha Rìtiān smiled. "They wouldn't be secrets if I told you."

"Itachi, don't worry. Everything I do is for the good of the Uchiha and for the good of Konoha."

Itachi fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.

"I trust you."

Warmth filled Uchiha Rìtiān's heart.

Itachi, thank you for trusting me.

"By the way, Itachi, there's one more thing." Uchiha Rìtiān lowered his voice. "Be careful about everything in ANBU."

"Danzo... can't be trusted."

Itachi nodded. "I know."

"Also, if you run into any trouble or need any intelligence, just come to me." Uchiha Rìtiān patted his chest. "I can't promise anything else, but when it comes to intelligence, I do have a few connections."

Seeing Uchiha Rìtiān's confident expression, the corners of Itachi's mouth lifted slightly.

"All right."

The two chatted a little longer before Itachi left.

Uchiha Rìtiān stood where he was, watching Itachi's retreating figure and silently making calculations.

With this intelligence, Itachi should be able to earn significant merit. Getting promoted shouldn't be a problem.

Next, he just had to wait and see.

Day by day, Konoha returned to a surface calm.

The Konoha Military Police Force patrolled as usual, and "Uchiha Convenience Services" continued as usual too.

The villagers' goodwill toward the Uchiha kept growing.

Uchiha Rìtiān's business empire was also expanding steadily, having opened up the markets in both Sunagakure and Kirigakure.

The Mercenary Corps had recruited some people too. There weren't many, but they were all elites.

Everything was moving in a good direction.

But Uchiha Rìtiān knew this was only the calm before the storm.

Danzo wouldn't just let things end here.

Neither would the Akatsuki.

An even greater storm still lay ahead.

That day, Uchiha Rìtiān was training at home.

Suddenly, the system notification sounded.

"Ding! Major event detected: the Nine-Tails’ Attack is about to occur."

"Countdown: Seven days."

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes snapped open, his pupils contracting sharply.

The Nine-Tails’ Attack?!

It was coming this soon?!

No, that wasn't right. In the original story, the Nine-Tails’ Attack happened in Konoha Year 48, but it was already Konoha Year 49!

Could his transmigration have caused the timeline to move forward?

Uchiha Rìtiān's heart pounded.

The Nine-Tails’ Attack was a catastrophe for Konoha.

The Fourth Hokage and his wife would sacrifice their lives, and countless people would die.

And... the Uchiha Clan would also be thrust into the eye of the storm because of it.

No, he had to do something!

Uchiha Rìtiān clenched his fists.

Seven days. He had only seven days.

He had to make every preparation within those seven days.

"Ding! Detected that the Nine-Tails’ Attack is imminent. Ultimate choice triggered:"

"Option one: Stay out of harm's way and hide with your family. Reward: Survival chance +50%."

"Option two: Step forward and protect Konoha. Reward: Konoha reputation +50, Third Hokage favorability +30."

"Option three: Seize the chance to stir up trouble and secure the greatest possible benefits for the Uchiha. Reward: Uchiha reputation +30, Danzo's killing intent +50."

Uchiha Rìtiān looked at the three options, his gaze resolute.

He could not stand idly by during the Nine-Tails’ Attack.

Those were countless lives at stake!

Besides, the Fourth Hokage... he wanted to save him too.

"I choose option two!"

"Ding! Selection successful. Mission issued: Protect Konoha during the Nine-Tails’ Attack."

"Mission requirement: Minimize Konoha's losses as much as possible."

"Mission reward: Mangekyō Sharingan evolution clue fragments x2, Show-Off Points +1000."

Uchiha Rìtiān took a deep breath.

Seven days.

He had only seven days.

He had to prepare.

Nine-Tails, here I come!