Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage sat in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk.
Smoke rose from his pipe, slowly dissipating.
After Itachi finished reporting those words, the office fell silent.
The Third Hokage did not speak, simply staring at the mountain of scrolls piled on his desk, his brows slightly furrowed.
He was contemplating a problem.
If Naruto really was taken into the Uchiha Compound by Uchiha Sasuke, what should be done?
Although that child seemed sensible and had good grades at school, he was only about five years old, after all.
He wouldn’t understand what this implied behind the scenes.
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and slowly exhaled.
The best method was still to stop it at the source.
Talk to Naruto again tonight and tell him not to go to the Uchiha Compound.
Additionally, arrange for Anbu to keep watch in secret; if Naruto tried to approach the Uchiha Compound…
Stop him directly and use other excuses to prevent him from proceeding further.
Although this wasn’t very fair to Naruto…
It was still better than trouble arising.
Just as the Third Hokage was thinking, two dark shadows suddenly appeared in the office simultaneously.
Two Anbu wearing animal-patterned masks knelt on the floor.
They didn’t speak, first exchanging a glance.
Then they turned their heads simultaneously to look at the Third Hokage.
“Lord Third…”
The Anbu who spoke had a hint of hesitation in his voice.
The Third Hokage raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the patterns on their masks.
His heart suddenly sank.
The one on the left was the Anbu responsible for monitoring Naruto.
The one on the right was one of the Anbu responsible for monitoring the Uchiha Compound.
Both of them appearing here at the same time…
The Third Hokage rubbed his temples, glanced at Itachi and Uchiha Shisui standing nearby, and his voice deepened: “Itachi and Uchiha Shisui are people I trust, and Itachi is also a member of the Anbu, so feel free to speak.”
The two Anbu exchanged a look and nodded.
“Lord Third.” The Anbu responsible for monitoring Naruto spoke first, “This evening, Naruto followed Uchiha Sasuke and walked into the Uchiha Compound together.”
As the words fell, the atmosphere in the office changed strangely once again.
The other Anbu continued: “That is also what I am here to report; Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto entered through the main gate and are still inside the Uchiha Compound.”
The Third Hokage’s hand remained on his temple, unmoving.
Itachi and Uchiha Shisui’s expressions changed simultaneously.
Uchiha Shisui was the first to react; he stepped forward, his voice somewhat urgent: “Lord Third, this is definitely a misunderstanding!
I believe this has nothing to do with Captain Fugaku.”
He paused, his tone becoming more earnest: “Please allow me to return to the compound and bring Naruto away!”
Itachi’s expression also darkened.
He opened his mouth, his tone urgent: “Lord Third, this must have been caused by two children playing around…”
The Third Hokage did not speak but picked up his pipe, took another puff, and exhaled the smoke, which slowly dissipated.
After a few seconds, he spoke, his voice very calm: “I know all of this.”
“The problem is that this matter might spread very quickly.”
Itachi’s body stiffened slightly, then he took a deep breath and knelt on one knee: “Lord Third, I will return home immediately to take Naruto away.”
“I will definitely minimize all the impact, whether it is from the clansmen or other Konoha High Council members.”
After speaking, without waiting for the Third Hokage’s response, Itachi’s figure had already vanished from the spot.
Uchiha Shisui watched the direction Itachi left in, his lips moving, but he did not speak.
The Third Hokage’s expression became serious as he looked at the remaining Anbu and said in a deep voice: “Send word down, assemble all available Anbu to stand by outside the Uchiha Compound.”
“Without my order, no one is to act rashly.”
“Yes!”
The two Anbu responded in unison, then vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Only the Third Hokage and Uchiha Shisui remained in the office.
The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair, pulled down his hat brim, and said lightly: “If there is nothing else, Uchiha Shisui, you should go back and rest first; I will handle all of this.”
Uchiha Shisui stood in place, his mind turning over the events just now.
Naruto entering the Uchiha Compound…
It would also be harder for Captain Fugaku.
The Village’s suspicion of the Uchiha would only deepen.
This cannot continue.
Uchiha Shisui raised his head, looked at the Third Hokage, and made up his mind.
“Lord Third.” His voice was very calm, “Things will definitely not develop to the most dangerous situation.”
The Third Hokage raised his head, looked at Uchiha Shisui, somewhat surprised: “Oh?”
Uchiha Shisui took a deep breath and revealed the secret he had never told anyone.
“The ability of my Mangekyo Sharingan can permanently alter the will of others.”
The Third Hokage’s movements stopped.
Uchiha Shisui said earnestly: “If the conflict between the clan and the Village truly reaches an irreconcilable point…”
“I will alter Captain Fugaku’s will so that he will protect Konoha forever.”
The office was so quiet one could hear the wind blowing outside the window.
The Third Hokage looked at Uchiha Shisui, a chill running down his back.
Permanently alter the will of a Ninja?
What kind of jutsu was this?
This was the first time he had heard of the effect of a Mangekyo Sharingan jutsu.
Was it actually this terrifying?
The Third Hokage didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Uchiha Shisui thought the Third Hokage was still worried and added: “Lord Third does not need to worry about the genjutsu being seen through.”
“As long as I stay by Captain Fugaku’s side, no one will be able to tell.”
Although the abilities of both Mangekyo Sharingan were Kotoamatsukami, the specific effects were quite different.
Uchiha Shisui knew that his pair of eyes was the most suitable for bringing peace.
The Third Hokage was silent for a long time, then said hoarsely: “Uchiha Shisui, having such eyes is definitely a blessing for Konoha and the Uchiha.”
Uchiha Shisui nodded, his tone carrying a hint of firmness: “I think so too; these eyes will bring eternal peace to the Village.”
The Third Hokage pulled down his hat brim and pondered for a while.
“Since that is the case, go back and join Itachi to observe the situation of the Uchiha Clan.”
“Decide whether to use these eyes to bring peace to Konoha.”
A flash of joy crossed Uchiha Shisui’s eyes.
“Yes!”
He responded and turned to leave the Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage sat in his chair, watching the direction Uchiha Shisui left in, remaining still for a long time.
Then he called to the personal Anbu outside the window: “Notify the two Advisors and Danzo to come over.”
“I have something to tell them.”
Today’s events must be explained clearly.
Naruto going to the Uchiha Compound was just children playing around.
It had nothing to do with Fugaku or the Uchiha Clan.
And Uchiha Shisui’s eyes…
This information must also be shared with them.
…
Uchiha Compound.
In Fugaku’s living room, Mikoto was walking out of the kitchen with a tea tray.
“Naruto, please have some tea.”
She placed two cups of hot tea on the table, moving very gently.
“Thank you, Auntie.” Naruto took the teacup and held it in his hands.
Uchiha Sasuke sat nearby, picked up his own cup, took a sip, and then impatiently turned his head to look at Naruto, pointing at the staff leaning against Naruto’s side, his eyes bright: “Naruto, what is that stick you used just now?
Is it a Ninja tool too?”
Naruto picked up the staff and placed it on his lap: “Something like that; it is the thing I treasure most.”
He looked down at the golden ribbon on the staff.
It was tied on by Grandpa Heiter.
Uchiha Sasuke nodded, understanding only half of it, his eyes full of curiosity.
Mikoto sat opposite, quietly watching the two children chat.
A gentle smile played on the corners of her mouth.
This child was much more polite than she had imagined or heard in rumors.
His way of speaking and acting was very measured, not like a five-year-old child.
And those blue eyes were very clear; he looked very earnest when he looked at people.
Mikoto sighed softly in her heart.
She hadn’t not heard the rumors in the Village.
Things like “incarnation of the demon fox” or “child of misfortune”.
But the child before her was clearly the child of Minato and Kushina.
He was even more sensible than most of his peers.
Yet he had to suffer such treatment.
Although Mikoto was also a Jonin, she had long stopped concerning herself with Ninja affairs, focusing only on being a housewife.
Naturally, it was not easy to interfere with anything.
Now that her good friend’s child was visiting, Mikoto simply thought she should treat him better.
“Auntie Mikoto.” Naruto suddenly spoke, “What does Uchiha Sasuke usually do at home?”
Mikoto came back to her senses, looked at Uchiha Sasuke, her tone carrying a hint of doting: “Uchiha Sasuke?
Other than training, he just pesters his brother.”
“When Itachi is not around, he stays in the training ground alone and returns very late.”
“Mom!” Uchiha Sasuke’s face flushed red instantly, his tone carrying a bit of resentment, “Don’t say these things in front of outsiders!”
Mikoto covered her mouth and smiled: “Naruto Uzumaki is not an outsider, didn’t you say he is your friend?”
Uchiha Sasuke opened his mouth, unable to find words to refute.
He could only lower his head, the tips of his ears turning red.
Naruto couldn’t help but laugh.
Uchiha Sasuke like this was completely different from the proud brat at the training ground earlier.
He was actually quite cute.
“Right.” Mikoto suddenly remembered something, “Naruto Uzumaki, stay for dinner tonight; I have made some extra dishes.”
Naruto was slightly stunned, then nodded: “Then I will trouble you, Auntie.”
“No trouble.” Mikoto stood up and walked toward the kitchen, “You two play for a while, I will call you when dinner is ready.”
After Mikoto left, only Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke remained in the living room.
Uchiha Sasuke looked toward the doorway, showing a puzzled expression.
“Strange…
usually, at this time, brother should have returned home.”
He muttered, his voice carrying a hint of disappointment.
Before Naruto could speak, Uchiha Sasuke continued talking to himself.
“Naruto, you don’t know, every time I ask my brother to train, he always finds various excuses to brush me off.”
His tone became a bit resentful.
“Even if he agrees, he will use Shadow Clone…”
“Shadow Clone?” Naruto was slightly stunned when he heard this Ninjutsu.
Uchiha Sasuke sighed softly, propping his chin with his hand: “It is a physical clone, a clone technique that possesses self-consciousness.”
“In any case, my brother often uses Shadow Clone to deal with me, saying things like ‘The main body is executing a mission, the clone will come to play with Uchiha Sasuke’…”
Naruto listened and couldn’t help but smile.
This Uchiha Itachi was quite interesting.
“Is your brother very busy?” Naruto asked.
“Yeah.” Uchiha Sasuke nodded, “He is a genius, graduated very early, and often has to execute important missions.”
“But I know brother is so busy to protect the Village.”
“So I have to become strong quickly, so I can execute missions with brother.”
Naruto looked at Uchiha Sasuke’s earnest appearance and said nothing.
He picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze inadvertently sweeping across the window.
The sky had completely darkened.
The lights on the streets of the Uchiha Compound had been lit.
It was very quiet.
But Naruto could feel that the feeling of being watched had not disappeared.
Instead, it was becoming increasingly intense.