"Sir, you're here!"
Itachi used the shortcut Orochimaru had shown him last time to directly enter the heart of Konoha.
Seeing Itachi remove his mask and disguise, Danzo stood up in shock and greeted him.
"What has happened in Konoha since I left?"
Looking at Danzo kneeling obediently before him, Itachi switched back to his disguised appearance.
...
Seeing that Itachi in front of him carried no killing intent, Danzo breathed a sigh of relief. If Itachi had intended to kill him, he'd have no choice but to bid farewell to this beautiful world.
"Nothing significant has happened since you left. Everything is as usual," Danzo replied after a brief moment of thought.
In between, someone had caused trouble in Hiruzen Sarutobi's office, attempting to pin the blame on him. Danzo, however, immediately joined forces with his old comrades like Koharu Utatane to pressure Hiruzen.
After all, since his Root division had been absorbed, targeting him would naturally provoke the others. They all understood the principle that "if one lip is gone, the teeth grow cold."
Once Danzo was dealt with, their turn would come.
In the end, Hiruzen had to let it go, assigning the blame to a death row inmate to conclude the matter hastily, avoiding deeper implications.
Such internal conflicts were common, so Danzo dared not mention them to Itachi.
...
"Oh, can you get me a position at the Ninja Academy? I plan to become a teacher and play around for a while."
Looking at Danzo kneeling at his feet, Itachi asked with a hint of disdain.
His intent in joining the Ninja Academy was, of course, to get closer to Naruto. This method was straightforward and convenient.
Using other methods would be tricky due to the ANBU Hiruzen constantly assigned to monitor Naruto.
Given his current position inside the "lion's den," Itachi preferred not to act recklessly.
"Uh... getting you into the Ninja Academy shouldn't be an issue," Danzo replied, relieved that Itachi's request was relatively easy to fulfill.
If Itachi still needed his help, it meant he still held some value, which in turn extended his life a little longer.
...
"Oh? Getting into the Ninja Academy is that simple? Then I want to join Iruka's class," Itachi said, his interest piqued by Danzo's response.
Danzo broke into a cold sweat.
"Ah... that... Sir, joining other classes wouldn't be an issue. However, Iruka's class is a different story. It's Hiruzen Sarutobi's pride and joy. He'd never allow me to place anyone there. Even if you manage to get in, Hiruzen wouldn't trust anyone I send. You'd face constant surveillance and restrictions," Danzo explained nervously.
If such a thing were possible, he'd have done it long ago.
Hiruzen tolerated him for two reasons: Danzo often handled the dirty work and bore the blame when needed, and Danzo knew Hiruzen's boundaries and never crossed them to avoid enraging him.
...
"Oh, then arrange for me to join the class next door," Itachi said after a moment of thought.
He figured being close by would suffice for now. After all, he was currently idle, and this could provide some amusement.
Besides, this wasn't merely for fun. He was laying the groundwork for a larger plan and striving to grow stronger.
"Are you in a hurry, sir? It's almost New Year's. Entering suddenly might draw attention. It would be better to blend in when the new term starts after New Year's. By then, joining the Ninja Academy would be less conspicuous and more likely to succeed. Hiruzen's control over the village isn't what it used to be," Danzo suggested, trying to prove his usefulness.
...
"Fine, we'll do it your way. Arrange a place for me to stay," Itachi nodded, accepting Danzo's suggestion without pressing further.
Haste often leads to mistakes, and patience was crucial.
After all, even Black Zetsu had endured thousands of years for a dream.
"Understood. What name should I use for your identification card? It'll make things easier," Danzo asked cautiously, relieved that Itachi was being cooperative.
If Itachi had insisted and his cover was blown, Danzo feared he'd be killed in retaliation.
...
"A name? Just call me..."
Itachi hesitated, his mind momentarily blank. Naming wasn't his strong suit. The name "Blood Moon" he used previously had already taken all his creative energy.
He wasn't particularly fond of adopting another clan's surname either.
Still, considering his weakened strength and current plans, he consoled himself with the idea of enduring humiliation for the sake of greater goals.
"If you don't want a name, a code name will work too," Danzo suggested quickly, trying to be accommodating.
He figured it wouldn't hurt to put in more effort to ensure everything went smoothly.
"Forget it. Call me Asura," Itachi finally decided.
After pondering for a few minutes, Itachi remembered his objective for this mission. His furrowed brow relaxed, and he clapped his hands, speaking with a cheerful tone.
"Calling him Indra feels a bit off. Ashura is better."
Given how much time has passed, aside from Black Zetsu, probably no one in this world knows the meaning behind the name Ashura anymore.
Hearing Itachi's chosen name, Danzo was dumbfounded.
Such an old-fashioned and strange name! He took so long to think of it...
Even the random name Danzo had come up with, Shimura Goudan, sounded better.
If he weren't afraid of provoking Itachi, he would have said it outright.
Itachi refused to use anyone else's surname. Worst-case scenario, he could just use Danzo's.
If it came to that, Shimura Danzo would gladly share the Shimura surname with Shimura Goudan.
Thankfully, Danzo didn't act on that whim. If he had, Itachi might not have killed him, but Danzo certainly wouldn't have gotten away unscathed.
Itachi's patience for Danzo was zero.
---
When Itachi arrived at the residence with Danzo's trusted subordinates, he was quietly astonished.
This old man was rich.
Not far from Konoha's central street stood a two-story house with a yard.
How much must this place be worth?
Lying on the soft bed, Itachi began refining his chakra.
---
The next day, wearing an unremarkable face, Itachi strolled around Konoha.
Although Konoha had its share of problems, it was far more prosperous compared to other places.
While Hiruzen Sarutobi had his faults, the villagers in Konoha were undeniably better off than those elsewhere.
At least here, the civilians' eyes sparkled with life and hope, their faces often adorned with smiles that could lift anyone's spirits.
Elsewhere, civilians Itachi had seen were lifeless, their eyes dull, having long since lost hope in life.
Walking along a familiar yet strange street, Itachi followed the paths from his memory.
Familiar, because he still recognized some shop owners.
Strange, because the people who used to be here were gone—Shisui, his dear friend, and that little shadow who used to follow him everywhere.
One was his closest companion, the other secretly admired him. Compared to everyone else, these two had been the closest to Itachi.
---
"Auntie, I'll take three skewers of dango."
Stopping at a familiar stall, Itachi remembered how his past self had always walked by, weighed down by heavy thoughts.
Now, though, he too felt some bitterness in his heart.
So, he decided to have something sweet to ease the bitterness within.
"Coming right up, dear customer!"
The shopkeeper wrapped the skewers and handed them to him.
When she saw Itachi handing over the money with both hands, she was momentarily taken aback.
"Thank you."
Itachi accepted the dango with both hands and softly expressed his gratitude.
---
"Wait…"
Watching his departing figure, the shopkeeper instinctively wanted to call out to him.
His actions and expression had triggered something in her memory.
Two young faces flashed through her mind.
"If they hadn't died, they would've been about this age by now..."
"As members of the Uchiha clan, they were more polite than most ordinary people."
She murmured to herself, her gaze lingering on Itachi's back.
"Hey, old lady, what're you spacing out for? You still running a business here or not? Gimme two skewers of dango!"
While she was lost in thought, a young man with a ninja headband approached her stall.
"That'll be 500 ryō," she said, handing him the skewers.
When the ninja picked up the skewers and was about to leave, she softly reminded him, her tone humble.
"Hetui... just 500 ryō, and you dare ask me to pay? See this? This is the symbol of a ninja. You want to keep your little stall running? Show some gratitude. If it weren't for us protecting you people, you'd be cannon fodder on the battlefield by now."
The young man spat on the ground beside the stall, sneering as he walked away with the dango.
---
"It's okay. People like that are rare. The Hokage will surely punish wrongdoers like him... Besides, if it weren't for them risking their lives to protect us, we wouldn't have the good lives we have now... It's only right..."
As the young man left, the shopkeeper mumbled to herself, her expression conflicted.
Some people stand tall with integrity, while others delight in bullying the weak.
The same holds true for civilians, ordinary ninjas, and clan ninjas alike.
In this world, light and darkness coexist.
The newly appointed guard units often turned a blind eye to such incidents.
The tragedy of the Uchiha clan was still fresh in everyone's minds.
As long as no fights broke out, they wouldn't intervene.
Besides, even they thought the young man had a point—500 ryō was nothing. Why should a noble ninja have to pay?
Paying would mean lowering themselves to the level of ordinary people.
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