Bang!
The sparring match began in the training grounds. Although his opponent was a newly promoted chūnin, Itachi's movements were calm and composed, as if he had nothing to worry about.
"Looks like he picked up your bad habits," Shion remarked.
Beside him, Shisui chuckled. "Bad habits? Don't lump me in with that. I call it having the right mindset. He's just showing off."
Shion smirked. "Still, that swordplay came from you, didn't it? Paired with a double-tomoe Sharingan, it's pretty sharp. That poor chūnin just drew the short straw getting matched against him."
As for the man facing Itachi, Shion actually knew him—he was the older brother of Tenma, one of this year's academy graduates. A few months back, when he was still a genin, Shion had given him quite a scare outside the academy gates.
Shisui scratched the back of his head. "Well, Itachi only spent a single year at the academy before graduating early. His strength has to be far above average. Still, this mission isn't exactly a blessing. Win, and it's expected. Lose, and it's humiliating."
Shion leaned back, interested. "I heard that chūnin's little brother is among this year's graduates too. Imagine if he ended up on the same team as Itachi—that would be entertaining."
Shisui frowned. "No way it's that coincidental…"
The test itself didn't take long. For a prodigy like Itachi, theory was laughably easy, and combat was no different. By the end of the afternoon, he had cleared the special exam. From this point forward, he would join the graduation arrangements alongside the other new genin.
Later, at a yakiniku restaurant, Shisui raised his glass. "Since you two are still underage, and I'm bound by the Three Prohibitions of a shinobi, we'll just have to celebrate Itachi's early graduation with soft drinks."
Clink.
They tapped glasses. After a sip, Shisui reached into his pouch and handed over a scroll. "For self-defense. Come see me tomorrow—I'll give you a few crows to go with it."
Itachi accepted the gift, then immediately turned toward Shion. His eyes made his meaning clear.
Shion swallowed a piece of grilled meat and pointed lazily toward a box near the door. "I heard little Sasuke is still wetting the bed, so I bought you a whole crate of diapers. You'll probably need them."
"…."
The mood instantly grew awkward. Itachi's brow furrowed. "If you hadn't pulled that prank last time and scared him half to death, Sasuke wouldn't—"
Shisui waved his hands quickly, forcing a smile. "Shion, maybe ease up on those jokes. Itachi's little brother is still just a child…"
Scratching his head, Shion set down his chopsticks. "Alright, fine. You didn't take my advice and graduated early anyway. But to prevent certain rats from making a move, I'll let you ask me a few questions."
Shisui immediately cut in. "Shion, he's only seven years old."
Shion raised his hand to stop him. "He's a shinobi now, Shisui. And Itachi's talent is no less than yours. Who knows—maybe we'll see a second pair of eyes like yours appear."
That made Shisui pause. He glanced at Itachi, who was still deep in thought.
A second Mangekyō? Could such potential already be visible?
Itachi looked up, eyes steady. "You and Shisui have been planning something. What is it?"
Just as expected.
Shion exchanged a glance with Shisui, then quickly set up a simple barrier around their booth. Only then did he speak.
"It's complicated, and you might not understand all of it, so I'll keep it simple: Crush the faction in the clan that wants rebellion. Unite with the side that seeks peace with the village. Then, stand with the Fourth Hokage to rally the strength of every clan in Konoha. Finally, root out the rot festering beneath the great tree that is the village."
A simple statement, yet the air turned heavy at once.
Itachi weighed the truth of his words. Meanwhile, Shisui and Shion studied him, trying to read his true thoughts.
Shisui, with his Mangekyō already awakened, knew full well the weight of that power. And Shion had said plainly that Itachi possessed the same potential. If that strength fell to the wrong side, their entire plan could collapse.
After years of struggle, the Uchiha had finally gained recognition from the Fourth. Shisui could not allow their efforts to unravel.
"…I'll need time to think."
The celebration for Itachi's early graduation ended on a muted note. After he left, Shion and Shisui made their way into the hills.
"So Itachi also has the potential for Mangekyō?" Shisui's triple tomoe spun slowly as he felt the power within.
Shion gave a small nod. "He feels love—and loses it. He's been pondering the meaning of life since he was a child. That's fertile ground for… instability."
Shisui couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "Why do you always say he has signs of mental illness?"
Shion turned serious. "You've awakened your Mangekyō—you know the price of that power. Feeling love and understanding love is easy. The problem is surviving the instant you lose it without breaking. Without wanting to destroy the entire world."
"Think about it. Bloodline limits are like inherited diseases. And the Sharingan? The way it's awakened is too twisted. Drastic personality changes, corruption, destruction… they're all risks built into the Uchiha bloodline."
Shisui's mind drifted back—to loss, regret, helplessness. The moment power had surged into his eyes, it truly felt like he could overturn the entire world.
Shion sighed. "Ever since Itachi applied for early graduation, I've noticed things. Konoha's darkness has already reached out to him."
"Activating a double-tomoe Sharingan at just five and a half years old—that's unprecedented in the clan's history. And there's someone out there who once witnessed the power of the Warring States era, someone who has always coveted both Uchiha and Senju strength."
Shisui's eyes narrowed. "He's already been approached? The Fourth has been busy lately… especially with the situation in Kumogakure…"
He trailed off, careful not to speak classified matters aloud. Shion didn't press, only continued. "It's just a guess. Now it depends on his choice. But Shisui, when the time comes, don't let compassion blind you."
Shisui nodded, the cross-shaped pattern in his eyes turning slowly. "I've always seen Itachi as a little brother. But no one—no one—can be allowed to destroy everything."
"My left eye's ability has fully recovered."
Shion understood the meaning instantly. "Then we wait. Not much longer. One hawk-leaning defector, plus another Mangekyō… just a little more, and the clan assembly will tip. It won't be long now."
Shisui studied him. "I've always known you keep secrets, Shion. You've never awakened your eyes. What is that overwhelming power you're hiding?"
Shion only smiled. "Maybe I'll awaken my Mangekyō tomorrow. Who can say?"
Night fell over Konoha.
Beneath the Hokage's office, deep within Root—
"Itachi… what did you discuss inside that barrier today?"