Chapter 134: Sarutobi Hiruzen: Itachi, You’ve Done Well
The warm morning sun, carrying the dampness of dew, quietly sprinkled over Konohagakure.
Itachi Uchiha, however, could not enjoy the morning tranquility like an ordinary boy at this moment.
His figure was like the wind, swiftly dashing across the rooftops in the clan territory, his footsteps heavy, just like his heart.
That heaviness did not merely stem from the fatigue of a sleepless night; it more originated from the worry brought by the secret visit of Uchiha Hikari and Shura last night.
As well as his father’s entrustment mixed with pleading and helplessness.
Concealing those two mysterious strong practitioners who possessed great power and whose intentions toward Konoha were unknown was undoubtedly irresponsible to the village, and a betrayal of his core mission as a ninja and as Anbu to maintain the village’s peace.
But informing the village’s high-level officials of the clan’s secret—would it trigger a chain reaction, pushing the clan, already teetering on the cliff’s edge, one step further into the abyss?
Eight-year-old Itachi Uchiha was very confused; he needed someone to confide in, someone who could understand him and give him correct guidance—Shisui Uchiha.
Shisui’s mansion was, as always, neat and simple.
Itachi lightly knocked on the door, making a signal that only ninjas could detect.
Soon, the door opened silently, and Shisui’s face, which carried a bit of surprise but quickly returned to calm, appeared before him.
He was wearing simple home clothes, with his left eye covered by a black eyepatch, clearly disturbed from his morning tranquility by Itachi’s sudden visit.
“Itachi? So early, what happened?” Shisui’s voice carried a hint of drowsiness, but his right eye was already clear.
Itachi said nothing more, just nodded lightly, signaling Shisui to let him in.
Entering the house, after confirming no one was eavesdropping around, Itachi told Shisui everything that happened after he returned home this morning.
Including the sudden visit of Uchiha Hikari and Shura last night; his father Fugaku seemed to have engaged in a Sharingan eye power contest with them, but the result seemed unfavorable. As for what they talked about, Itachi Uchiha did not know.
Finally, Fugaku’s hope that he keep it concealed was also told to Shisui in full detail.
Itachi’s tone was calm, but in those deep eyes, there was an irrepressible struggle and pain.
Shisui listened quietly, his expression gradually turning grave from initial surprise, until finally, his brows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with unprecedented vigilance.
When Itachi mentioned the name Uchiha Hikari, Shisui’s heart skipped a beat.
He was almost certain that she was the Uchiha girl who called herself “Nameless” whom he encountered in the Land of Stars.
Recalling that day’s encounter, the socket of Shisui’s hollow left eye still faintly ached; he knew better than anyone that this woman’s power was far from ordinary.
He had been defeated after just a few exchanges with her, paying the price of one Mangekyo Sharingan eye!
And Shura!
Appearing repeatedly inside Konoha Village, twice attacking the Hyuga Clan, and just a few days ago, digging out the eyes of four Hyuga Main Family elders!
Although Shisui was at Uchiha Fugaku’s side at the time, responsible for the village’s perimeter alert and patrol duties, and did not participate in that battle in the Hyuga Clan Territory.
But many jonin participated, including some ninjas with whom Shisui had good relations, who informed him of some of the situation that day.
“She actually came with Shura…”
“And the two of them even found Clan Head Fugaku…” Shisui murmured softly, his voice carrying a hint of worry.
He walked to the window, his remaining right eye gazing at the distant village, his thoughts myriad.
“Itachi, your decision is correct.” Shisui turned around, looking at Itachi, his eyes full of affirmation and understanding.
“I know this is hard; on one side is the clan’s bloodline and your father’s entrustment, on the other is the village’s safety. But you must understand that the appearance of Uchiha Hikari and Shura has far exceeded what our Uchiha Clan can handle.”
Although Shisui had not fought Shura, from the fact that he could enter and exit Konoha and Cloud Village freely without anyone stopping him, it was clear he was likely another strong practitioner like Uchiha Madara.
It was just that this era no longer had a “Ninja God” strong enough to suppress him.
“Their very existence is a huge challenge to the current Konoha structure, even the entire ninja world.”
Shisui paused, his tone becoming more serious: “Clan Head Fugaku hopes you conceal it out of protection for the clan; he fears intensifying contradictions and suspicions, putting the Uchiha in an even worse situation.”
“But precisely because the enemy is too powerful, we cannot conceal it. If the village’s high-level officials know nothing about this, once things spiral out of control, it will be a disaster for the entire Konoha, and at that time, the Uchiha Clan will bear the brunt.”
Shisui walked in front of Itachi, a hint of doubt in his eyes: “For some reason, I always feel they don’t seem like the true culprits behind the Nine-Tails Attack; I suspect there are other mysterious ninjas lurking.”
Uchiha Hikari’s arrogance left a deep impression on Shisui, and he did not know her identity or origins, only that she appeared to be a girl about his age, probably even younger during the Nine-Tails Attack.
Finally, Shisui gently patted Itachi’s shoulder: “We need the village’s power for a deeper investigation. Reporting to Hokage-sama is not only loyalty to the village but also for the sake of the clan’s future.”
Itachi looked at Shisui, and that heavy mood finally found some relief.
His close friend’s understanding and support gave his heart, which had been suffering, a moment of peace.
He knew he was not an outlier in the Uchiha family; Shisui shared the same thoughts as him.
“Yes, I understand.” Itachi nodded, his eyes regaining firmness.
After bidding farewell to Shisui, Itachi Uchiha’s figure turned into a residual shadow again, heading straight for the Hokage Building.
When he stood before the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi once more, the air in the office was still heavy, filled with the mixed scent of tobacco and ink.
Itachi incorporated Shisui’s words into his report, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the matter.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly, his gaze deep and complex, the pipe in his hand flickering.
He exhaled a puff of smoke, slowly speaking, his voice low and carrying the vicissitudes of age: “Itachi, you did very well. Your judgment is correct, and it reflects your loyalty to the village and your regard for the clan.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the village gradually illuminated by the morning light in the distance.
His voice carried a hint of worry, yet was filled with the calm of a wise man: “We can now basically confirm that Shura and that ninja named Uchiha Hikari are the masterminds behind the Hoshigakure rebellion and the upheaval in the Land of Bears.”
“Regarding Shura, this person acts mysteriously, with strength profound and immeasurable. Even Cloud Village suffered at his hands. He gathers strong practitioners, overthrows the Land of Bears, and establishes the Land of Stars—what exactly is his purpose?” The Third Hokage’s gaze sharpened.
The battle with Shura a few days ago was still fresh in his mind; the opponent hadn’t even acted personally, merely using some unknown dojutsu to disrupt the Hyuga Clan, and those nine mysterious summoned beasts alone had held him and a group of Konoha jonin at bay.
Then, right in front of them, he dug out the Byakugan eyes of four Hyuga Main Family elders!
“And Uchiha Hikari…” Hiruzen Sarutobi almost suspected she was a descendant left by Uchiha Madara outside.
If not for Shisui’s report indicating her young age, Hiruzen Sarutobi might even suspect she was behind the Nine-Tails Attack a few years ago.
The appearance of Shura and Uchiha Hikari did provide Hiruzen Sarutobi with a new train of thought.
The Nine-Tails Attack might truly have nothing to do with Konoha’s Uchiha Clan.
He turned around, looking at Itachi Uchiha standing before him, his eyes full of trust and expectation: “Itachi, you must secretly participate in the follow-up of this matter, always paying attention to whether Shura and Uchiha Hikari have deeper ties to the Uchiha Clan.”
“At the same time, surveillance of the Uchiha Clan needs to be even stricter. But remember, everything must be done in secret, without causing unnecessary panic or intensifying contradictions.”
“Yes.” Itachi Uchiha knelt on one knee, the melancholy between his tear stains deepening further.
