The basement of the Naka Shrine.
After Nohara Rin slipped away quietly in the early morning, a member of the Uchiha Clan arrived to inform Shimizu of a clan meeting.
It was rare for a gathering to be held during the daytime, a clear sign that the matters to be discussed were of great importance.
"Konohagakure has gone too far! How could our Uchiha Clan's Sharingan be allowed to leak to outsiders? This is a direct blow to our clan's prestige!"
Uchiha Setsuna slammed the ground so hard it cracked, his clouded eyes brimming with fury. His Sharingan activated instinctively, its crimson glow piercing the dim room.
"Elder Setsuna, I used to think the hawk faction was extreme, but now it seems we've been far too conservative!"
"Exactly! This must be Konoha testing the limits of our Uchiha Clan. If there's one case, there'll be another. Soon enough, everyone will covet our power. We must strike back decisively to show the other clans our resolve!"
The clansmen were seething, their discontent reaching a boiling point.
If others began to underestimate the Uchiha's unity, the Sharingan would soon become a target for rampant theft. Even as a great clan, they couldn't withstand endless assaults from shinobi across the ninja world.
The fragile balance they'd maintained thus far relied on the fact that no one had dared to cross the line. The Uchiha were seen as madmen, and no one wanted to be the first to provoke them.
Uchiha Fugaku furrowed his brow, listening to the heated discussions among his clansmen.
Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had already spoken to him about the matter. Hatake Kakashi had been assigned to the Anbu by Hiruzen's orders.
The message was clear: let it go.
To be honest, Fugaku didn't see this as a major issue.
The Sharingan was powerful, but not everyone could wield it effectively. Even the son of the White Fang would be hindered by it.
Only those with Uchiha blood flowing through their veins could truly master its power.
"Obito's Sharingan was given to Kakashi by Obito's own will. We shouldn't interfere too much. Besides, Kakashi is about to join the Anbu," Fugaku said loudly once the clamor died down slightly.
"What? Is the Hokage trying to protect Kakashi?"
"The Uchiha are being treated like pushovers!"
The Anbu reported directly to the Hokage, serving as his personal confidants.
Fugaku's words all but confirmed that Kakashi had aligned himself with Sarutobi Hiruzen, leaving the Uchiha to back off.
The clansmen erupted again, their pent-up frustration and anger exploding in a torrent of voices.
The sealed chamber of the Naka Shrine was enveloped in a restless atmosphere. Some criticized the Anbu, others speculated about Fugaku's true intentions, and many complained that Konohagakure had failed to treat the Uchiha Clan with respect.
Fugaku's brow remained furrowed. His clansmen's tempers were too volatile—this could ruin the Uchiha. Sometimes, what they needed most was calm.
"Listen to me!" Fugaku bellowed, his voice laced with chakra.
The room fell silent, the air thick with unresolved tension and suppressed killing intent.
Fugaku seemed to choose his words carefully before speaking slowly.
"I understand everyone's feelings. I feel the same way. However, this situation isn't without a silver lining."
The clansmen held their breath, awaiting Fugaku's next words.
"As you all know, Konoha has been suppressing us. It's possible we're already under surveillance. So, it's time we turned the tables and monitored Konoha ourselves."
"How are we supposed to monitor Konoha? The Uchiha are sidelined everywhere except the Konoha Military Police Force," one clansman challenged, his question cutting to the core.
Fugaku nodded faintly, as if to say, Good question, young man.
He then explained, "Shimizu will join the Anbu. This is already set in stone, and Konoha has agreed to let him in. I propose that Shimizu serve as the bridge between the village and our clan."
Fugaku emphasized the final words.
A stunned silence fell over the room. Every person present heard him clearly.
Since when could the Uchiha join the Anbu?
Hadn't Shimura Danzo been targeting the Uchiha for years, with the Third Hokage doing nothing to intervene?
"The Anbu…?" Uchiha Yashiro's tone carried a hint of disdain.
Fugaku didn't respond verbally, merely nodding in confirmation.
"The Military Police Force and the Anbu have clashed multiple times over Konoha's security matters," Yashiro continued, his voice tinged with reproach.
"I'm well aware of that," Fugaku interjected, cutting him off.
To maintain order in Konohagakure, the Uchiha Clan had established the Konoha Military Police Force, with Fugaku as its captain. Even now, they worked tirelessly, day and night, for the village.
In other words, the Military Police Force served as Konoha's police agency.
However, the village had another group responsible for maintaining order: the Anbu.
Composed of elite shinobi, the Anbu was the Hokage's direct task force, handling critical missions both within and outside the village.
Major crimes in Konoha were often handed over from the Military Police to the Anbu for further investigation.
There was no clear line delineating the jurisdictions of the Military Police and the Anbu. The Hokage typically decided on a case-by-case basis, and the nature of investigations varied each time.
As a result, conflicts between the Military Police and the Anbu were frequent.
Fugaku, as the head of the Military Police, often found himself negotiating with the Hokage and the Anbu on behalf of his clan.
No one understood the friction between the two groups better than he did.
"Everyone knows Shimizu's talent," Fugaku continued, addressing the room. "Even in the Anbu, he'll be groomed for leadership. He'll have access to more information."
Fugaku slowly outlined his reasoning.
Before Shimizu had left for the battlefield last time, this plan had already been decided.
It was only now, with the war's urgency subsiding, that it was being brought to the forefront.
"Shunshin no Shimizu, huh? That guy's always been something else. Even back in the Ninja Academy, you could tell he was no ordinary kid."
"Yeah, when he said he wanted to learn medical ninjutsu, I thought he was wasting his time. But he's mastered both—combat and healing."
The clansmen's words were filled with pride and approval for Shimizu.
This was a far cry from the skepticism they'd shown when Shimizu first announced his interest in medical ninjutsu.
The Uchiha revered strength, and Shimizu had proven himself with his prowess.
Even among his peers in the clan, few could match his genius.
"Shimizu, you are now the Uchiha Clan's link to the village. Once you officially join the Anbu, you must relay intelligence back to the clan," Fugaku said, his gaze fixed on Shimizu with unwavering authority.
Shimizu nodded calmly, acknowledging the responsibility.
He had taken Itachi's place as the conduit between the Uchiha and Konoha.
His thoughts drifted to Mikoto.
Mikoto would eventually give birth to Itachi and Sasuke.
Yet neither had been born yet.
It was time for Itachi to come into the world.
After all, his birth had already been delayed by a year or two—it couldn't be put off any longer.
--
Support me & read more advance & fast update chapter on my patreon:
pat reon .com/yuuwand