Inside a fully sealed conference room at the Hokage Building in Konoha.
Early that morning, Hiruzen Sarutobi had summoned Uchiha Itachi, along with the two Hokage advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Naturally, he had also sent word to Danzo, but the man had yet to show up.
Assuming Danzo was busy transplanting Shisui’s eyes, Hiruzen decided not to wait, intending to demand an explanation from him later.
The topic of discussion, predictably, was the death of Uchiha Shisui.
“Regarding Shisui, I feel deeply regretful.
It was I who placed too much pressure on that boy, leading him to the point where, for the sake of the village and to prevent civil war in Konoha, he felt compelled to take his own life.” Hiruzen began by singing the praises of the late Uchiha, putting on a display of profound grief.
It touched Uchiha Itachi deeply.
He knelt on one knee, bowing his head.
“Hokage-sama, you are too kind.” “Shisui was the core of the younger generation in the Uchiha clan.
His suicide has caused their morale and combat effectiveness to plummet significantly.
It was his own choice.” “From a results-oriented perspective, it has indeed nipped the rebellion in the bud.” Koharu Utatane narrowed her eyes and shifted the tone.
“However, word has come from Danzo.
He claims that members of the Uchiha clan now suspect that you were the one who killed Shisui and stole his eyes.” “Danzo…” Itachi’s fingers clenched tightly.
Suppressing his inner fury, he explained, “Both Shisui and I were acting in the interest and future of the Uchiha clan.
Those are merely baseless accusations from people with ulterior motives.” As he spoke, Itachi’s voice grew heavier.
“Shisui…
he never even appeared at our agreed-upon meeting spot.” Seeing Itachi’s simmering anger, Hiruzen—who knew full well how Shisui had died—hastily changed the subject.
“On that, I have absolute faith.
Like Shisui, you are an inheritor of the Will of Fire.
As you said, those are just groundless rumors from malicious parties.” “Itachi, you may go.
The village will never forget everything Shisui did.
With him gone, the situation with the Uchiha clan will need to rely on you.” “I am deeply grateful…” Itachi responded respectfully and rose to leave.
Watching Itachi’s retreating figure, Koharu said with dissatisfaction, “Hiruzen, why did you speak up for Uchiha Itachi?
He is a prime suspect in Shisui’s death.” Homura added, “Koharu is right.
Uchiha Itachi is no longer trustworthy.” “The village has only just stabilized; we need Itachi to watch over the Uchiha clan.
It is not the time to provoke conflict.” Hiruzen’s mouth twitched.
He certainly couldn’t tell them that Shisui’s death was his own design, executed by Danzo.
“That doesn’t mean we should let Uchiha Itachi act alone,” Koharu countered.
Hiruzen mused for a moment before saying, “I understand.
I will send someone else to monitor the Uchiha clan.” “You already have a candidate?” Homura and Koharu asked, both looking surprised.
“Yes—the Fujiwara boy, Chiya Fujiwara.
Ever since he saved Uchiha Izumi during the Nine-Tails incident, they have become increasingly close.
Over the past six years, he has been able to enter and exit the Uchiha compound frequently.
If he takes over Shisui’s work, it won’t arouse any suspicion.” Hiruzen clapped his hands, and someone immediately brought in Chiya’s file.
The two advisors reviewed it.
Koharu realized, “This boy has a clean background and good ideological awareness; he is indeed a solid choice.
But surely, he hasn’t graduated from the Ninja Academy yet?” Hiruzen replied, “You can rest assured on that front.
The boy has excellent fundamentals; his strength has long reached the level required for graduation, and he has never slacked off in his training.
He is just low-key.
With a little cultivation, his future is promising.” Homura and Koharu exchanged glances, seemingly satisfied.
“Then let him graduate early; there’s no point in keeping him in the academy for another year.
But who do you plan to have as his team leader?” Hiruzen considered this briefly.
“Let Kurenai take the role.
She doesn’t have any missions currently.
We can pick two more genin from those who failed the Chūnin Exams last year to form a team with her and Chiya.” “Let them test Chiya’s specific strength, and after he gains some experience, once he meets the minimum standards for the Anbu, we will recruit him.
He will serve as our undercover agent monitoring the Uchiha.” …
“Graduation?” Chiya looked at his chūnin teacher with feigned surprise.
The teacher smiled.
“Yes, Chiya.
You have already mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu and are excellent in all other aspects.
I am proud of you.
Congratulations on graduating.” “Graduation is fine, but isn’t the school year just beginning?” Chiya asked, his eyes showing suspicion as he spoke with a lazy tone.
The teacher gave an awkward laugh.
“Nothing gets past you.
In truth, this order came directly from the Hokage himself.” “The Hokage?” Hearing this, Chiya—now in ‘method actor’ mode—suddenly brimmed with enthusiasm.
Seeing this, the teacher’s smile widened, and he patted Chiya on the shoulder.
“Yes, the Hokage.
He has been watching your growth from the shadows all along.” “Really?” Chiya asked with an exaggerated tone of awe.
“Of course it’s true.
Here are your forehead protector, tool pouch, and kunai pouch.
The Hokage has high expectations for you; the latter two were gifts from him personally.” As he spoke, he handed over the items.
“I will certainly live up to the Hokage’s expectations and contribute my own strength to Konoha!” Chiya purposely put on a display of pure, devout admiration.
The teacher smiled.
“Keep it up.” Following this, the teacher announced to the entire class that Chiya was graduating early.
No one had any objections; other than the freakishly talented Uchiha Itachi from a year prior, Chiya was the most outstanding student in this grade.
Today was Chiya’s last day at school.
That evening, Uchiha Izumi threw a small celebration for his promotion to genin.
The next morning, he strapped on his tool pouch and kunai pouch, retrieved his Kyōka Suigetsu, and wore it at his waist.
Following his teacher’s instructions, he arrived at a spacious classroom in the Ninja Academy to meet his team and their lead instructor.
When Chiya arrived, both of his teammates were already there.
One of them was a blonde girl with twin tails named Airi Akizuki.
She had the face of a loli—extremely fair and delicate—but possessed a figure that was completely out of sync with her age.
She was the total package: an innocent face with a…
very mature physique.