"It's true."
Itachi nodded in response. "Because of a mission last time, Tenma, Shinji, and our teacher from the Mizunotsuki clan all became people I care deeply about."
Yun smiled faintly and continued, "After Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, made her suggestion, Konoha's ninja squads have always included at least one female member. And the Uchiha…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but Shisui scratched his head and chuckled, while Itachi looked slightly embarrassed.
The Uchiha were famous for their looks. Even those of only average appearance were admired during their Academy days thanks to their dazzling talent. Because of this, it was almost inevitable that in any squad, there would be at least one person willing to speak up for them.
…
As night fell, before parting ways, Itachi turned back to his two older clansmen who were like elder brothers to him.
"The day after tomorrow, I'll take leave under the pretext of clan business. Please… bring me along to the clan assembly."
His gaze was filled with determination. Shisui glanced at Yun.
"Haa…" Yun exhaled and replied, "To be honest, the greatest threat to the Uchiha has already disappeared by chance. With only a three-tomoe Sharingan, the role you can play the day after tomorrow will be limited."
"Take him with us," Shisui interjected.
"Hm?" Yun turned his head toward him.
But Shisui only smiled at Itachi and said, "What the Third Hokage said the other night was actually correct. We do need to place trust in the younger generation. Just as I've always trusted you, Yun…"
At that, Yun had no rebuttal.
After a brief moment of thought, he looked at Itachi and said, "Fine, you can come. But I'll make this clear now—if fighting breaks out, I won't have time to protect you."
Itachi shook his head with a smile. "That won't be necessary."
…
Upon Hokage Rock.
"What about the Hyūga? What opportunity are we waiting for?"
In the silence of the night, Yun replied, "Do you still remember what Uchiha Shion said that day? Kirigakure has been making good use of the Byakugan, and now it seems Kumogakure may have similar intentions."
"Kumo?" Shisui froze. "Isn't that just to threaten the Hyūga a little?"
Yun shook his head. "I can't be sure. But from Tokuma I learned two things. First—Hyūga Hiashi, the current clan head, has a younger twin brother from the branch family, Hyūga Hizashi. And Hiashi seems to value this brother greatly."
"Second—the branch family members of the Hyūga are marked from childhood with the Caged Bird Seal. Their lives and deaths are controlled by the main family. Once the seal is activated, the Byakugan will self-destruct."
Shisui thought for a moment. "If Kumo truly wanted to steal the Byakugan, they could only target the main family. But the main family almost never leaves the village…"
In that instant, countless thoughts clicked together in Shisui's mind.
But Yun looked at him and said, "You've been close to the Fourth Hokage. Surely you've heard some information recently as well? Whether you choose to share it or not is up to you. But such chances to hold the Hyūga in check don't come often."
His words were deliberately vague, but Shisui understood.
For more than a year, rumors had spread that Kumogakure wanted to establish an alliance with Konoha. Yet the intelligence had never been confirmed, since no official envoys had been sent. Yun's speculation was just that—speculation.
"The situation isn't urgent yet," Yun continued. "Your focus right now should be the clan assembly the day after tomorrow."
With that, Yun waved his hand and disappeared from the cliff in a flash.
Left alone, Shisui pressed a hand against his eyes. That ability… was once again ready to be used.
…
Beneath the night sky, Uchiha Shion's clone stood with a solemn expression, gazing at the scroll in his hands.
Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall — Signs: Tiger → Dog → Snake.
Wood Release: Wood Clone Technique — Signs: Horse → Dog → Snake.
…
There were many Wood Release techniques he had acquired from the Root division, including those from the legendary Shodai's Four Pillars Style.
But…
Where was Deep Forest Emergence? Where was Wood Golem? Where was Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands?
Just clapping one's hands together?
Absurd!
A faint sound came from behind. Shion quickly rolled up the scroll—it was somewhat useful, at least.
"If not for Kushina's sensory ability, I might never have found you this close to Konoha."
The voice of Namikaze Minato came from behind him.
Shion turned with a smile. "Coming all the way out here just to fight? But you wouldn't bring your wife along to a battle, would you?"
As he spoke, his eyes flicked toward Minato's side—Kushina stood there, staring at him with a strange expression.
What was this? A family reunion?
Minato shook his head slightly. "That night, after we returned, I asked Kushina. She didn't sense any malice from you."
"But you were still too reckless. With Danzō dead, the possibility of you joining Konoha has vanished. If the Uzumaki clan were to return to the village, I could have arranged everything as the Fourth Hokage. There would have been no problem."
Shion shook his head. "I never planned on joining Konoha. Dropping in with the Flying Thunder God to eat and drink when I feel like it is fine by me."
Minato scratched his head. "That's true enough. But the few remaining Uzumaki survivors are all in Konoha now."
At that moment, Kushina spoke. "Could you… tell me your parents' names? Or your grandparents' names?"
Uh—!
Shion felt awkward for a moment. As a fraud, what was he supposed to say? Give Uchiha names?
But before he could answer, it seemed Kushina filled in the blanks herself. She shook her head gently. "Like me, you were a wanderer. It's fine if you don't know."
"When Grandma Mito passed away, her only regret was the Uzumaki clan. Minato is the Fourth Hokage now, and the Uzumaki have sealing techniques unique to our bloodline. With the help of the Face Concealing Technique, you could return."
Uhh…
Shion shook his head rapidly. His true body was in Konoha—why would he go back there? To stand face-to-face with himself?
And besides…
Though Minato and Kushina looked hopeful, he couldn't shake the sense that both of them were hiding fox tails behind their backs.
It seemed the Fourth had already made up his mind…
"There's no way I'm going back to Konoha. Why would I shackle myself willingly? I'm not stupid."
"But… if you're looking for more Uzumaki survivors… Kushina, how about we make a deal?"
"???"
Minato stepped forward. "You know where more Uzumaki might be?"
Shion nodded. "I do. Same rules—an exchange. But this time, I don't want yours, Minato. I want Kushina's."
Minato glanced around warily. "We can do that without using that special space?"
Shion shook his head. "No. Which is why you'll have to wait a year. A year from now, under the rules of the Exchange, I'll provide information on the Uzumaki clan."
"Uzumaki Kushina… what do you say?"
She hesitated only a moment before nodding.
The next instant, Shion's figure vanished before their eyes.
…
"He must want the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques," Minato murmured.
"As an Uzumaki, what's wrong with him wanting them?" Kushina asked.
"But still…"
"In my sensing, he holds no malice. Even that deal just now might only have been a test."
"If only… he could come help me."