In the Hokage's office, the glow from Hiruzen's pipe flickered uncertainly.
On the desk before him was a pursuit report written by Kakashi.
It had been two weeks since Orochimaru's defection, and Kakashi had returned to the village with an unconscious Kinoe.
After receiving treatment, Kakashi and Kinoe reached a mutual understanding… they didn't want Yukimi dragged into this.
Thus, the two concealed certain details, omitting the matter of the Iburi Clan. They reported only to Danzo and Hiruzen that they had encountered Orochimaru and Shura, and they seemed to have struck some kind of deal.
Orochimaru had escaped beyond the Land of Fire's borders, while Shura had injured Kinoe and defeated Kakashi.
But for some unknown reason, the other party had spared them.
Hiruzen did not blame Kakashi, simply instructing him and Kinoe to focus on their recovery.
Then came the issue of Kinoe's placement. Recently, Hiruzen had been pondering how to wrest Kinoe away from Danzo's grasp.
After all, on paper, Danzo's Root was subordinate to the Anbu, and Kinoe was a Konoha's Ninja who should obey the Hokage's orders.
But if Kinoe's loyalty still lay with Danzo, then even if he joined the Anbu, he would merely serve as Danzo's pawn within the organization.
Hiruzen, who is deeply versed in the Will of Fire, understood that for Kinoe to truly become a Konoha's Ninja, he had to break free from his allegiance to Danzo. Changing one's ideology was far more difficult than altering rank or affiliation.
Thus, Hiruzen was in no hurry to demand Kinoe from Danzo.
But before one storm could settle, another arose.
Fugaku, the leader of the Konoha Military Police Force, had submitted an investigative report.
"What did you say? Shura has returned?!" When Hiruzen heard Fugaku's report, the old face under the Hokage's hat showed a look of surprise, and the pipe in his hand also froze for a moment.
After all, following the attack incident a month ago and Orochimaru's defection two weeks prior, Hiruzen had dispatched Konoha's Sensory Ninja, working with the Barrier Team to inspect the village's protective barrier. They had indeed discovered several weak points and repaired them.
But now, the Konoha Military Police Force was reporting that Shura might have returned!
'Did this guy think Konoha Village was a public restroom? Coming and going as he pleased?!'
Fugaku carefully presented his prepared explanation: "We cannot confirm the exact timing. It's possible this was left behind earlier but remained hidden until the shopkeeper's family discovered it now."
"Sigh-"
"Are you certain it was Shura's doing?" Hiruzen's voice emerged from beneath his hat.
"I don't think there could be any Ninja in the village who had the ability to do that that night." Fugaku's words made the office air grow even heavier.
Would you rather suspect a mysterious enemy or the village's own Ninjas?
The choice was obvious.
"Understood. For now, let the matter rest. He did pay, after all." Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling a slow stream of smoke, his aged voice carrying a weariness.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Fugaku bowed and left the office.
Once Fugaku was gone, Hiruzen stared at the Military Police Force's report, utterly perplexed.
'What could a powerhouse like you possibly want?' At one point, Hiruzen had even suspected this mysterious shinobi was the same one who caused the Nine-Tails Rampage three years ago… the man responsible for the deaths of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, as well as his own wife, Biwako.
But that night, many Ninjas had seen the Sharingan pattern in the Nine-Tails' eyes, whereas Shura had never displayed any abilities related to the Sharingan or the Uchiha Clan.
Neither the reports from the Hyuga brothers nor intelligence from spies in Kumogakure had uncovered any Ninjutsu or abilities linked to the Sharingan.
If anything, that spiraling spherical technique bore some resemblance to Minato's original Ninjutsu.
'Sigh... Troubled times indeed.' Hiruzen slowly rose from his chair and walked to the window.
Just in time to see Fugaku's retreating figure as he left the Hokage Building and walked down the street.
"And then there's the Uchiha Clan..." Recently, tensions between the Uchiha Clan and the village had been escalating, something Hiruzen, as Hokage, felt keenly.
'If the Uchiha Clan's grievances weren't addressed, could they be exploited by those with ulterior motives?'
Hiruzen's brow furrowed deeply.
…
After coming out of the Hokage Building, Fugaku walked straight towards the Uchiha Clan's territory.
Despite being the largest and most prominent clan in Konoha Village, the Uchiha Clan's territory was located in the most remote part of the village.
As he passed by a river not far from the clan grounds, Fugaku spotted two familiar figures sitting on a small dock by the water.
The short-haired boy accepted a skewer of dango from a girl.
"Itachi… and Izumi?" As a father, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but smile, choosing not to disturb the two young teens in their tender moment.
'I wonder if Sasuke will get jealous when he finds out his brother has a girlfriend?' Thinking of his youngest son, who adored Itachi to no end, Fugaku almost looked forward to the reaction.
This kind of familial warmth held deep meaning for the Uchiha, a clan that valued 'love' above all else.
And yet, the death of loved ones… of close friends… could also be the catalyst that awakened greater power in their Sharingan.
"Hey, Itachi, how is it? Is it good?" On the dock, Uchiha Izumi beamed, eagerly awaiting Itachi's response.
Her long, dark hair cascaded slightly as she tilted her head. Though still young, the beauty mark beneath her right eye added a touch of charm to her delicate features. She had always been a pretty girl.
"Mmm. It's good." Itachi had never been treated to sweets like this before. Izumi's warmth slowly chipped away at the walls around his heart, and he found himself growing fond of this bright, gentle girl.
This faint, budding affection was a new experience for Itachi, who had spent so much time pondering the meaning of life.
Then, suddenly, Itachi turned his gaze toward the riverbank.
He saw a familiar figure was walking away.
'...Father?' Although Itachi hasn't awakened his Sharingan, his insight ability still far exceeds that of ordinary Genin.
Itachi has to thank to Obito for his 'help' later. Because he killed Itachi's teammates when he was on a mission, it stimulated Itachi to awaken his Sharingan.
However, from there, it would still take a few more years for Itachi to awaken his Mangekyo, which is at the time of Shisui's death.
"I'm going home first." Itachi placed the half-eaten dango back onto the leaf in Izumi's hand, standing up to leave like some heartless scumbag.
"You're really unromantic." Izumi sighed as she watched Itachi's lonely retreating figure, unsure how to truly reach his heart.
After a while, she finished the dango and hummed a soft tune as she began her own walk home.
…
As she walked, the sky darkened without her noticing.
By the time she reached the Uchiha Clan's main gate, a thick scent of blood hit her nose… and every hair on her body stood on end!
Izumi, who had become a Genin, immediately went on alert, drawing a kunai from her thigh pouch. Her Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun to life as she followed the scent of blood.
"What's going on?! Where is everyone?!" Izumi's face twisted in confusion. The Uchiha Clan's compound was eerily silent this night… not even the sound of dogs barking can be heard.
Soon, Izumi followed the thick smell of blood to a household and saw a shocking scene.
Two elderly Uchiha Clan's mebers lay slaughtered in the living room, their blood pooling across the floor. And there, standing over them, was Itachi, who is now a teenager, dragging a terrified three-year-old child out from a hidden compartment.
In his hand is a short sword dripping with blood.
Then, without hesitation, he swung the sword!