"Philosophy? What do you mean by that?"
Uchiha Izumi tilted her head, unable to hold back her curiosity. Tahara Rokuro didn't care whether the "dutiful son" ahead of them was listening or not—he just continued speaking.
"A few days ago, during the memorial service, that kid wore the same expression—looking all serious and contemplative. He actually went to ask Lord Orochimaru about the meaning of life."
"The meaning of life?" Izumi repeated, scratching her head. That was a question she'd never thought about in her life, yet curiosity still crept in.
"So what did Lord Orochimaru say?"
"He answered, of course. Lord Orochimaru said life itself has no meaning. And if it ever did, then that meaning could only exist when life becomes eternal."
"Life becoming eternal? What's that supposed to mean?"
Izumi was completely lost.
Rokuro smirked. "You don't get it? Guess you're not that bright after all."
"You're the one who's not bright! If you understand it, then explain it to me!"
Izumi puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Rokuro in mock anger—but then her expression shifted as she noticed someone approaching. She blinked rapidly at Rokuro, trying to signal him.
Rokuro, of course, already knew Itachi had arrived behind him, but he pretended not to notice and kept talking.
"Lord Orochimaru served as Konoha's commander-in-chief during the war against the Sand. After witnessing years of brutal conflict, he saw countless deaths and came to realize how fragile life truly was. That's why he became obsessed with eternal life. But Itachi? He's too young to understand that kind of thing."
Seeing Rokuro continue his monologue, Izumi quickly greeted, "Oh—Itachi, you're here!"
Rokuro turned his head toward the "dutiful son," whose expression now carried a hint of anger.
"So it's young master Itachi. What's wrong? Did my words offend you?"
Itachi's brows furrowed. Of course he was angry—Rokuro had basically just called him ignorant. What self-respecting genius wouldn't be upset?
"So you think you're smarter than me? Then tell me—what is the meaning of life?"
Rokuro chuckled softly.
"Everyone's different. Naturally, the meaning of life differs from person to person. Only you can define your own meaning. But honestly, that's just philosophical nonsense. You've been brooding over this for days now—you must've already found your answer, right?"
Itachi crossed his arms, lips tightening. At this age, his self-control was nowhere near what it would become in the future. Being repeatedly teased by Rokuro clearly ruffled his pride.
"Of course I have. The meaning of my life is to protect my family, protect my clan, and protect the whole of Konoha! For that, I'll train harder than anyone and become the strongest ninja in the village!"
"Well said! Itachi, I believe you'll achieve that."
Izumi nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling with admiration. Rokuro clapped slowly, his tone mockingly sincere.
"Truly inspiring. If you can actually do that, you'll be remembered as a great shinobi."
Itachi frowned slightly.
"Are you doubting my resolve?"
"No," Rokuro replied, his tone calm. "Your resolve is strong—stronger than anyone's. But I do have a question for you. What if, one day, the family and clan you want to protect stand against the village you love? What would you choose then? Protect your clan… or protect Konoha?"
Itachi froze. Then, without hesitation, he drew a kunai.
"You're trying to sow discord between the Uchiha and the village! That's treason!"
"Itachi, calm down!" Izumi jumped between them in panic, almost shouting, "He didn't mean it like that! Put the kunai away!"
Rokuro didn't even flinch. He wasn't afraid of the boy. After all, Itachi was only six—he hadn't even awakened his Sharingan yet. And though his natural talent far outstripped most genin, Rokuro wasn't just "most genin." With his mastery of Flying Thunder God, he was untouchable if things ever got serious.
"Discord? You're the clan head's son, aren't you? Don't tell me you can't see the tension between the Uchiha and Konoha's upper echelons. With that level of political awareness, you're trying to understand the meaning of life? Do yourself a favor—focus on the world around you. Learn to read the wind."
As he said that, Rokuro casually slung an arm around Izumi's shoulder and started walking forward like it was nothing.
Izumi's cheeks turned crimson. She squirmed a little but didn't pull away, following him awkwardly.
As they brushed past, Rokuro spoke one last time, his tone cold and cutting.
"Think carefully, Itachi—why do you think the village sent the Uchiha to fight the Mist? Sure, our Sharingan is powerful, but it can't see through the Mist's assassination techniques. And our Fire Release is completely countered by their Water Release. With both our strengths nullified, what kind of strategist would still send the Uchiha to fight the Mist?"
"If it were because no one else could be spared, fine. As the largest clan in Konoha, it's our duty to shoulder the burden of defense. But the Hyūga Clan's Byakugan directly counters the Mist's jutsu, and they have plenty of capable shinobi. So why didn't the village send them instead?"
If Itachi were any less intelligent, he might've argued for pride's sake. But being both sharp and precociously mature, Rokuro's words hit him like a thunderclap. He saw the logic—and the hidden rot beneath it.
By the time he looked up again, intending to question Rokuro further, Rokuro and Izumi were already far down the street.
At the Ninja Academy, Rokuro and Izumi were in the same class, while Itachi was assigned to another.
Once she'd stowed her bag, Izumi leaned close, whispering, "Rokuro, what you said to Itachi earlier… was it true? Does the village leadership really have conflicts with the Uchiha? Did they send us against the Mist just to weaken our clan?"
Rokuro smirked. "Oh? Didn't think you'd catch on that fast."
He reached over and ruffled her silky hair, turning her neat hairstyle into a fluffy mess.
"Stop that! I'm being serious—answer me!"
For once, Rokuro dropped the teasing and replied with a straight face.
"Of course it's true. Can you think of any other reason?"
"But why?" Izumi asked, frowning. "It was wartime! Konoha was fighting three nations at once. If the Cloud hadn't ambushed the Stone, and if the Fourth Hokage hadn't beaten the A–B Combo, we'd have faced all four great villages at once. Why would the leadership waste time purging dissent in that situation?"
Rokuro smiled approvingly.
"Not bad, Izumi. Seems my year of teaching you wasn't wasted. You're finally seeing the bigger picture. Your mind's sharper than all those kids around you. I'm proud."
"Don't get smug—just explain!"
"Heh, it's simple," Rokuro said with a sigh. "Some people grow wiser and more open-minded as they age. But others? The older they get, the more cowardly and petty they become. Their vision narrows until all they see are trivial details right in front of them."
"If such a person is just a regular shinobi—or even a jōnin—it's not a big deal, as long as they don't lead others. But if someone like that sits in a high position… the damage spreads far and wide."
He spread his hands, voice lowering.
"And unfortunately for us, the one we call the Third Hokage happens to be that kind of man."
Rokuro waved off any further discussion. Izumi wanted to argue—but she couldn't. Deep down, she knew his words rang true.
As an Uchiha herself, standing at the very heart of Konoha's political storm, she could feel it—the invisible tension pressing from both sides. And for the first time, she had no rebuttal.