Exposing Itachi didn't really matter to Noah.
With a soul as strong as his, did he really need to worry about Genjutsu affecting him?
He was just curious about what these two were planning.
In the original story, the Uchiha clan collectively reported to the afterlife.
That was a real shame.
The few surviving Uchiha later showed the world just how terrifying the clan truly was.
To Noah, living Uchiha were far more valuable than dead ones.
Even if the clan were wiped out, Noah could still sneak in later and dig out jutsu data.
But after holding back for seven years, he didn't want to wait anymore.
Besides, how could lifeless records compare to a living ninja instructor?
Of course, if things went wrong, the worst outcome was death.
Noah wasn't unprepared for that.
Even if wiping out in this universe was humiliating, his soul wouldn't be harmed.
And with his current physical state, killing him wasn't easy.
After nearly seven years immersed in Holy Light and Darkness, he wasn't weak anymore.
He might be a "little brother" in a head-on fight.
But when it came to survival, he was a king.
Since he'd already been exposed, Itachi stopped hiding.
He stepped out from the shadows.
Even with ANBU gear and a mask, Noah recognized him instantly.
Shisui's expression tightened further.
He had thought Noah was exaggerating.
Now it was clear the kid really did have sensory abilities.
"You knew from the start?" Itachi asked quietly.
"Yes," Noah nodded.
"From the beginning."
"And I know who you are. You've taken Sasuke to school before. With the rumors and your chakra signature, it wasn't hard. I just didn't expect to meet you here."
"I see," Itachi said, nodding.
Shisui finally understood why Noah hadn't spoken earlier.
If an Uchiha was here, there was only one explanation.
They were working together.
Itachi had indeed taken Sasuke to school more than once.
As a legendary figure of the Academy, drawing Noah's attention was inevitable.
They just hadn't expected Noah's perception to be this sharp.
A rare sensory-type ninja.
"First," Noah sighed,
"you probably can't kill me."
"Second, even if I died, your friend would die too."
"I have no ill intent toward you. If I did, I wouldn't have exposed myself to save him."
"Then what do you want?" Itachi frowned.
"Do you even understand what we're facing?"
"I do," Noah nodded.
"Shisui told me yesterday."
"He should've told you the ideas I proposed too."
"As for my goal-I'm just a commoner ninja. I don't want to drift through life. I want someone capable to guide me."
That part was genuine.
Beyond his interest in the Sharingan, Noah truly needed a professional instructor.
Books and records helped, but nothing compared to direct teaching.
When he first entered Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One had personally taught him-especially spatial magic.
That foundation was irreplaceable.
"Just for that?" Shisui didn't expect such a straightforward answer.
"Not just that." Noah sat down.
"Now that we're being honest, I'll say more."
"The Uchiha are a prestigious clan. Your accumulated knowledge is immense. For me, it's a treasure."
"And based on what you told me yesterday, I reached a conclusion."
"If you died, either the Uchiha or the village would be destroyed."
Both Shisui and Itachi widened their eyes.
"You know what you're saying?"
"I do," Noah said calmly.
"You were the only one who could truly change the Uchiha."
"If you died, the village would grow even more suspicious."
"And the clan would lose all trust in the village."
"There are only two endings."
"Either the village loses and the Uchiha take over."
"Or the village wins and the Uchiha are exterminated."
"Either way, everyone loses."
"Unless..."
Unless there was a common enemy.
Or someone removed Danzo, took all the infamy, and vanished into exile.
The silence confirmed Noah's guess.
Kids in this world matured early.
If Itachi could think like a Hokage at his age, Noah thinking this far ahead wasn't unbelievable.
This world was brutal.
Kakashi had killed on the battlefield at five.
Cruelty accelerated growth.
"So," Itachi said slowly,
"to prevent internal collapse and gain guidance and data, you revealed all this to Shisui?"
"Yeah," Noah nodded.
Itachi was filling in the logic for him.
Noah didn't bother correcting anything.
"Internal conflict invites war. We nearly clashed with the Cloud Village not long ago."
"And the Uchiha are elite. Having your guidance benefits me."
"I understand," Itachi said.
"Thank you-for saving Shisui. And for your warning."
"So," Noah tilted his head,
"what's your decision?"
He was genuinely curious.
Would Shisui become a wandering threat to unite both sides?
Would Danzo be assassinated?
Would Itachi leave the village under the pretext of Shisui's eyes?
Or would it all end like the original timeline?
Shisui and Itachi hesitated.
Finally, Shisui spoke.
"We won't explain everything."
"But I can give you an answer."
"Keep it secret."
"Itachi has decided to leave the Leaf."
"I see," Noah nodded.
"I won't say a word."
This aligned with his expectations.
Uniting the Leaf and the Uchiha required time-or overwhelming power.
Shisui was strong, but not strong enough to escape a combined pursuit.
If he were at Madara's level, Danzo would never have touched him.
Given time, he could reach that height.
But time was exactly what they lacked.
So the second option became optimal.
Shisui didn't say it outright, but Noah knew.
Obito had probably already contacted Itachi.
The existence of "Madara" couldn't be ignored.
Especially when that man harbored hostility toward the Leaf.
Danzo's death would trigger chaos.
Investigations would expose the clan.
Failure would be worse.
So Itachi would shoulder everything himself.
Clean. Final.
"Then... good luck," Noah said.
"I hope you succeed. Otherwise, I won't get what I want."
"Relax," Shisui sighed.
"I won't die."
"I'll be teaching you in the future."
"Don't worry."
Just as Noah expected.
He nodded.
That confidence meant they had external backing.
Or absolute certainty.
Either way, things were about to change.
And Noah found himself genuinely curious.
What would the Uchiha become this time?
And what kind of future would this world walk into next?