Uchiha Clan Land.
This place is located on the outskirts of Konoha Village.
When Konoha first divided up the residential areas for each ninja clan, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama assigned the largest residential area to the Uchiha Clan, under the guise of them being a prestigious ninja clan. The oversized residential area could only be located on the outskirts of Konoha Village.
Decades have passed.
Konoha Village has expanded quite a bit.
Six years ago, during the Nine-tails incident, Konoha Village suffered heavy losses. The leaders of Konoha re-divided the residential areas for each ninja clan, with Shimura Danzo helping to move the Uchiha Clan's territory to an even larger area on the outskirts, with a larger training ground surrounding it.
The Uchiha Clan Land is located on Konoha's outskirts all year round. Coupled with the clan's naturally proud disposition, very few villagers are willing to come here, causing the Uchiha Clan to gradually become more and more isolated from the villagers, even preventing them from entering the Uchiha territory.
"The scenery here is nice."
Akihara Kagura offered a compliment.
"It's more magnificent than the Uchiha Clan Land of the past."
Kakashi Hatake nodded and then looked at an old man sitting by the shop entrance: "Excuse me, where is the house of Uchiha Fugaku, the captain of the Konoha Police Force?"
"Just follow this road straight ahead..."
The elder of the Uchiha Clan seemed to be very patient.
In contrast, the younger ones of the Uchiha Clan were clearly a bit more short-tempered. Seeing Akihara Kagura, the Wood Release Ninja who had defeated Uchiha Itachi, appear here, it wasn't surprising that their expressions turned sour. They didn't cause any conflict only because Akihara Kagura was just a child.
"It seems they're not welcoming us."
Akihara Kagura noticed the people they encountered on the road.
"They don't welcome anyone."
Kakashi Hatake, having long been familiar with the ways of the Uchiha Clan, softly comforted the boy beside him, "It's not just you; any outsider who comes here is unwelcome."
In his youth, Kakashi Hatake often came to the Uchiha Clan Land to look for the tardy Uchiha Obito and wasn't too bothered by these things.
Akihara Kagura asked the question he was most curious about: "Which Uchiha is going with us to the Hidden Mist Village? Is it Uchiha Shisui? His skills are decent..."
"No."
Kakashi Hatake shook his head, finding an excuse for Uchiha Shisui: "Uchiha Shisui is an elite jonin in the village and has other important tasks to attend to..."
If it were before the Chunin Exams, Uchiha Shisui might have had a chance to go to the Hidden Mist Village with them. However, during the Chunin Exams, after Uchiha Shisui had demonstrated the Susanoo jutsu, it became inconvenient for him to leave Konoha carelessly.
For the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Shisui's strength could influence the balance between the Uchiha and Konoha; for the leaders of Konoha, Uchiha Shisui was a peacekeeper inclined towards Konoha, whose power could be utilized by Konoha and even be considered a strategic weapon.
In summary.
Uchiha Shisui temporarily couldn't leave the village without restrictions.
Kakashi Hatake seemed to notice Akihara Kagura's slightly dejected expression and said, "However, the one going with us to the Hidden Mist Village is someone you know..."
"That little brat Uchiha Itachi?"
Akihara Kagura knew few Uchihas, so he pulled out a familiar name and declared confidently, "I only know Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi... At most, that little thing shouting in the Chunin exam, probably named Uchiha Sasuke?"
"Why do you call Uchiha Itachi a little brat..."
Kakashi Hatake glanced speechlessly at Akihara Kagura and couldn't help but say, "I remember you're the same age as Uchiha Itachi, right?"
"But our statuses have changed."
Akihara Kagura slowly retorted, distinguishing himself from Uchiha Itachi: "When I was his age, I had already become part of Konoha's Dark Department."
"This is only your second day in the Dark Department, isn't it?"
Kakashi Hatake adjusted his ninja headband, adding, "If we count from the time you reported to the Dark Department, it's not even been twenty-four hours..."
"We've arrived."
Akihara Kagura stopped in front of a residence.
The scale of this home was considerable, and one could even hear the sound of the stream in the courtyard.
"Sorry, Itachi is not at home."
Uchiha Mikoto came out to greet them, apologizing softly, a gentle concern hinted in her eyes. "This morning, Itachi went to the training ground."
Ever since losing to Akihara Kagura in the Chunin Exams, Uchiha Itachi had become even more diligent, spending most of his time in the training ground each day.
Uchiha Mikoto was very worried about her son but couldn't bring herself to stop her child's efforts. She should even feel grateful that her child didn't sink into despair or allow resentment to grow over a single defeat.
She was a gentle mother.
In fact, Uchiha Itachi's family was quite admirable.
Uchiha Fugaku had always been proud of his eldest son, Uchiha Itachi. Even when Uchiha Itachi lost to Akihara Kagura in the Chunin Exams, Uchiha Fugaku did not blame his son.
Uchiha Fugaku was very aware that it wasn't his son's fault. He even believed that Uchiha Itachi finally had a rival of the same age, encouraging Uchiha Itachi to diligently hone his Sharingan and eventually defeat his opponent, Akihara Kagura.
As for the younger brother...
It's even less worth mentioning.
This little imp Uchiha Sasuke stood next to his mother, his cheeks puffed up with anger, glaring at Akihara Kagura, "Hey, you! Don't get too cocky. Nii-san will defeat you sooner or later!"
"Sasuke."
Uchiha Mikoto quickly stopped her younger son's impudent behavior, gently teaching, "Don't say such rude things..."
"It's normal for kids to throw tantrums..."
Young Akihara Kagura acted like an adult, generously forgiving the young Sasuke. He even squatted down to kindly pat Uchiha Sasuke on the head.
"Kid, don't always count on others to help you..."
Akihara Kagura looked at the still-angry Uchiha Sasuke and continued slowly, "If you have any ambition as a little man, when you grow up, you should take your brother's revenge personally..."
"Alright!"
Little Sasuke showed great ambition, waving his small fist, "When I grow up and take the Chunin Exams, I'll definitely beat you in front of everyone!"
"Sure..."
Akihara Kagura, patting little Sasuke's head, nodded with a wide grin, "It's just a pity that when you grow up, I might just be the examiner for the Chunin Exams. Then I'll find a reason to disqualify you so you'll never be allowed to advance to Chunin..."
"..."
Little Sasuke was stunned.
For so many years, Uchiha Sasuke, this little guy, had been deeply loved and had never encountered someone with such a nasty character, scaring him until his eyes turned red.
"Hahaha..."
Uchiha Mikoto covered her mouth, lightly laughing, softly comforting her younger son, "Alright, Sasuke, your senior is just teasing you..."
"Let's go find someone first."
Kakashi Hatake quickly wanted to drag Akihara Kagura away, not wanting to see this little guy bullying the kids further, fearing it would bring disgrace to their Dark Department.
"Kakashi-senpai, Akihara-kun."
Right at this moment, Uchiha Itachi appeared on the street, politely greeting Kakashi Hatake and Akihara Kagura.
Because his father, Uchiha Fugaku, went to the training ground to tell him the order to accompany them to investigate Uchiha Obito's matter, Uchiha Itachi hurriedly returned home to pack his things.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes fell on the tear-stained Uchiha Sasuke, concern flashing in his eyes, and he hurried forward to comfort his brother.
"Sasuke, what's wrong?"
"Perhaps he thinks his future Genin life will be too hard?"
Akihara Kagura spoke nonsense in front of everyone, advising Uchiha Itachi, who was comforting his brother, "Well, hurry up and pack your things. There's no need to waste time comforting this little guy here. Anyway, you're about to leave with us, and he will probably continue crying..."