Uchiha Itachi speculated in his heart, then began to search for the library.
Knowing that the whole of Konoha was shrouded in a barrier that could detect Chakra, Uchiha Itachi tried not to use Chakra.
However, after searching for a long time in Konoha, he still couldn't find the library and sighed, "This is different from home, where exactly is the library..."
"What are you looking for?"
A voice suddenly came from behind. Itachi turned around and found a Konoha Ninja with a cat-faced Anbu mask standing behind him, so Itachi began to speak, "I'm sorry, I'm looking for the library, but I'm not very familiar with this place...."
"The library, huh? Come with me, the library isn't here."
The cat-faced Anbu said, then led Itachi away in another direction.
He spoke as they walked, "If this is your first time in Konoha, don't wander around. You've completely gone in the wrong direction, you almost entered the Uchiha's territory just now."
"Eh? Isn't it possible to enter there?"
Itachi asked in confusion. He remembered that their clan bordered the commercial district, where outsiders could almost enter freely; even if this world didn't have a commercial district, it wouldn't be to the extent of driving ordinary people away at first sight.
"...The Uchiha Race in Konoha is a very closed clan. They do not welcome any outsiders, and their reputation in the village is not very good. If you're an ordinary person, it's best not to get involved with the Uchiha Race."
The cat-faced Anbu Ninja remained silent for a moment before speaking to Itachi.
But upon hearing this, Itachi felt a bit unhappy. Even though he wasn't an Uchiha from this space-time, hearing someone slander the Uchiha's name still made him uncomfortable.
In his world, the Uchiha were already a Guardian Ninja Race of the village, and his father was even considered a god who brought about change in the Ninja World.
"Doesn't the Uchiha have any merits? During past Ninja World Wars, the Uchiha Race should have played a significant role in defending the village, right?"
Upon hearing Itachi's words, the cat-faced Anbu stopped his steps, remained silent for a few seconds, then continued walking while saying, "If a clan that dwells in their past glories, with such arrogance, sooner or later will suffer from the consequences of their pride."
"Arrogant, conceited, estranged from the village, domineering...."
Itachi shook his head and said, "I think you're too prejudiced. Can a single sentence erase the achievements the Uchiha made in war?"
The cat-faced Anbu turned his head, a red glint flashed beneath the shadow of the mask, then he asked, "Why do you keep speaking up for the Uchiha, you should be new to Konoha."
"Because your words are filled with prejudice!"
Itachi said seriously to the cat-faced Anbu in front of him, "Everything has its good and bad sides, but from you, I only hear prejudice. If the Uchiha were really as bad as you say, they'd probably have been wiped out long ago...."
"Is it possible to survive in this world while being hated by everyone?"
The cat-faced Anbu Ninja paused, remained silent for a moment, then said, "You might have a point, but it's best not to get involved with the Uchiha. The library is just ahead, remember not to wander around next time...."
Swish!
After speaking, the cat-faced Anbu disappeared using the Instant Body Jutsu.
"This is so strange...."
Itachi shook his head, then looked at the library in front of him, his mouth twitching as he said, "It's so small...."
Though small, fortunately, the library didn't reject outsiders. After showing his identification, Itachi went in.
"The history of the Ninja Village... found it, and the Ninja Race.... is it this thin?"
After finding a few books, Itachi returned to his seat and began reading.
"During the Third Ninja World War, the Yellow Flash of Konoha saved Konoha from the brink of collapse at war with the world's fastest speed... thus loved by everyone and was elected as the Fourth Generation Hokage, but died within a year due to the Tailed Beast incident.... Did Jonin Namikaze die?"
Itachi glanced at the book, which was from the year before last, and looked fairly new.
As for the Fourth Generation Hokage Hatake Sakumo from his world, Itachi also found information, but Hatake Sakumo died even earlier, seemingly before the Third Ninja World War, without detailed reasons or dates, just that he died for the village.
As for others, while Itachi found some familiar ninjas, none were his father.
He then opened another book on Ninja Race chronicles, which was even thinner and seemed to record the glorious history of each Ninja Race. Turning to the Uchiha Race, it only recorded information so basic that even commoners in the Ninja World might know; nothing detailed was mentioned.
"There are no records of my father's information either, and as for 'me', I should be almost thirteen by now, right."
Itachi pondered, thinking he was almost twelve, so should he check the Ninja Academy tomorrow? Sasuke was definitely attending school, but he wasn't sure about the others, Shiro and Kimimaro probably weren't there.....
"Hey, hey, young man, I've called you three times...."
Itachi was suddenly woken up by a pat, having not used Chakra and being lost in thought, he didn't notice someone beside him for a moment. Seeing the library staff, Itachi finally spoke, "Sorry, what was it?"
"It's already dark, I have to close the library, come back tomorrow."
"It's dark already.... Sorry for the trouble."
Itachi looked outside the window, then stood up and apologized to the staff.
After returning the books on the table, Itachi left; however, once outside, he felt a bit lost again, without his father by his side, he seemed unsure of what to do next.
This wasn't a mission either, but a 'time travel'.
"I should find a place to stay first!"
Itachi thought to himself, then asked a passerby who hadn't gone home yet to find out the location of a Konoha inn, heading there.
However, his actions were coincidentally observed by the cat-faced Anbu who hadn't returned home yet.
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The next day
After waking up and having lunch, Itachi headed to the library, planning to read more books today, at least to understand what had happened in this time-space.
Back at home, under the guidance of Uchiha Yoichi, he had developed the habit of solving doubts by reading books. The Ninja Academy had nothing much to offer, so Itachi would read other books during class, feeling greatly rewarded with each new book he read.
This time, after spending several hours at the library, he only left when he felt hungry around noon.
"I didn't expect such differences between this time-space and mine. It probably diverged from the Third Ninja World War, without my father, Konoha seems to have suffered a lot...."
Itachi thought to himself, marveling at the sight of two identical worlds with different histories, finding the situation incredibly intriguing, even wanting to request his father to use the Space-Time Treasure Tools again to witness the changes at a historical junction.
"Time for lunch, another afternoon and I should be able to finish those books..."
The books Itachi wanted to read weren't many, all related to history; as for other books, he wasn't interested. The collection here wasn't even half as extensive as the library in his time-space.
"Did you just come out from reading?"
Swish!
A figure suddenly appeared in front of Itachi, and being lost in thought, he almost couldn't hold back from using his abilities.
Seeing the familiar cat-faced mask, Itachi finally spoke, "It's you, suddenly appearing like that can be startling. I was just planning to have lunch, and then come back to read...."
"Currently, there aren't many people interested in reading. Let me treat you to lunch, how about ramen?"
The cat-faced Anbu spoke, but his complete positioning in front of Itachi didn't appear as if it was a question.
"Wouldn't that trouble you too much?"
"No, I just finished my duty and was planning to eat."
"I see, then thank you, I actually like ramen."
Itachi nodded and spoke, guessing that this person had come to him on purpose, so he decided to follow and see what he intended.