Naruto: An Informant from the Uchiha

Ever since Uchiha Shisui had been transferred from the Konoha Police Force to the Fourth Hokage's direct Anbu squad, Danzo's suspicion toward the Uchiha clan had grown even stronger.

This was also why Shisui had set up a barrier in the yakiniku restaurant that day. When it came to political awareness, Shisui and Itachi were already fundamentally different.

Root…

Kneeling on one knee, Itachi found himself recalling the conversation from not long ago, right after he had submitted his early graduation application. That was when this Konoha elder named Danzo had approached him.

That conversation still rang clearly in his ears.

"Itachi, you are a genius of the Uchiha's younger generation. Having just awakened the Sharingan, you should not yet have been consumed by its darkness. So, tell me: what is more important to you, your clan or the village?"

"Not sure how to answer?"

"The Uchiha's Sharingan awakens through loss, through the pain of losing love. And with that loss comes a darkness that consumes one's will and changes one's personality."

"That's exactly why the Second Hokage placed the Uchiha district outside the village center. But now, the Uchiha's ambition is growing. Even the descendants of my old teammate Uchiha Kagami have started to develop rebellious thoughts."

"So what about you, Itachi?"

"I've read your file. I believe you're different from the rest of your clan, you have a broader vision that goes beyond narrow blood ties. I need your help, Itachi, for the good of the entire village."

"Foolish! The Fourth is still too young. Whether it's the Third, the elders, or Root, we have all done what we must for the sake of Konoha. But you must be aware of the voices within the Uchiha, they're voices of rebellion!!"

"Shisui's ideas, and those of the current Uchiha clan, are nothing more than the seeds of a coup meant to overthrow the Leaf."

"The Fourth Hokage is a commoner. Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, is rarely in the village. If the Uchiha plan succeeds, the Fourth alone will not be able to stop them…"

Still kneeling, Itachi clenched his fists. Yun's words from the yakiniku shop that day came back to him:

Crush the rebel faction within the clan. Unite those who want to coexist peacefully with the village. Then stand with the Fourth Hokage and help him unite all of Konoha's clans. Finally, root out the decaying corruption festering beneath the great tree of Konoha.

'Who were these decaying roots? Danzo's Root division, the two elders… and the Third Hokage himself?'

'And "finally"? Would that really be the end?'

'After eliminating Konoha's decay… could the Uchiha become the next rot?'

'What were Shisui and Yun really planning?'

"Itachi?"

Danzo's voice called out from the seat above. Itachi closed his eyes and replied:

"Uchiha Yun seemed to have predicted that Lord Danzo would come speak to me, so he warned me in advance."

Danzo froze slightly. 'Uchiha Yun?'

That so-called "genius" only second to Itachi… but an Uchiha without a Sharingan was hardly a genius in Danzo's eyes.

But how could he have known Danzo would come?

"And what kind of warning did he give you?"

Itachi answered calmly:

"Uchiha Yun said: 'If I ever go insane, he'll be the first to kill me.' He disagrees with my early graduation and with Root's darkness."

After a long silence, Danzo asked in a low voice:

"Has Uchiha Yun awakened the Sharingan?"

Itachi gently shook his head:

"No. Despite his natural talent, his speed and strength, he hasn't awakened it."

Danzo said nothing for a long time.

Finally, he spoke again:

"Think carefully about what I've said. Konoha is a towering tree that needs both the shadowy branches that catch sunlight, and the roots buried deep below, drawing in nutrients. Everything I've done… has been for Konoha."

"Go now. After you're sorted into a team post-graduation, you'll have one year. To meet Root's requirements, you'll need to become a Chūnin."

Itachi stood up in silence and turned to leave.

Just before he stepped away, Danzo added:

"Root has intel… on Uzumaki Ku."

Only after a long pause did Itachi finally walk away.

In the pitch-black depths of Root's underground base, Danzo slowly raised his arm and looked at it.

'Uchiha Yun… an Uchiha without a Sharingan isn't even worthy of being called powerful.'

'Uchiha Itachi grows faster.'

'With your teammates as your emotional bonds, one year should be enough to awaken that power, right?'

'As long as I possess the powers of both the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, becoming Hokage… is no more than a trivial matter.'

'Even uniting the Five Great Nations, what of it, with that kind of power?'

When Itachi returned home and opened the door, he saw that nearly two-year-old Sasuke was still awake, waiting.

"He insisted on staying up for you," Mikoto said with a helpless smile.

Itachi gently smiled and picked Sasuke up.

"Be good. Let big brother wash up, then I'll put you to bed. But no peeing the bed tonight, alright?"

Little Sasuke nodded obediently. "Okay…"

Night fell. Lying in bed, Itachi couldn't sleep at all.

'Uzumaki Ku'

That person definitely has information on the one who killed his father.

'But Root, buried underground, draining nutrients in eternal darkness…

'What were Shisui and Yun really thinking?'

A coup? Or were they truly trying to assist the Fourth Hokage to reintegrate the Uchiha into Konoha?'

Danzo clearly understood the Sharingan well. From today onward, Yun would likely enter his watch list. But there was no helping it, any talk within the barrier was bound to touch on some secrets. Yun had said it was a useful tactic.

Thirty percent truth, seventy percent lies.

Until he could be sure of Shisui and Yun's true intentions, Danzo couldn't be trusted either.

Glancing at the sleeping Sasuke beside him, Itachi smiled softly.

'No matter what happens… big brother will never let anything hurt you.'

.......

At the home of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze:

"Sensei, after you return this time, are you going back out again for research?"

Jiraiya stood proudly, hands on his hips.

"Of course! The entire ninja world is waiting eagerly for my next book!"

From the kitchen, Kushina rolled her eyes.

"Book fans? More like perverts. Minato!"

Her shout startled Minato, who quickly smiled apologetically.

Kushina set down the plate she was carrying and took Naruto from Minato's arms.

"You and Naruto better not pick up your sensei's bad habits. If Naruto can't find a wife one day, I'm blaming Jiraiya-sensei!"

Jiraiya looked stunned.

"I… I just met Naruto today…"

Kushina snapped back:

"Exactly! That's why I'm warning you in advance. If you bring any of your inappropriate books into this house… hmph!"

Seeing her long red hair start to flicker with chakra, Minato hurried to change the subject:

"K-Kushina! What's Naruto eating tonight? The same as us?"

"Ah!"

With a yelp, Kushina quickly handed Naruto back to Minato and ran back into the kitchen.

"His baby food is still cooking!"

Jiraiya let out a long breath.

"Kushina's still as fiery as ever, huh? Ha… hahaha…"

Minato gave a sheepish smile.

"She's been extra sensitive since little Naruto was born. Sorry about that, sensei."

Jiraiya waved it off with a chuckle.

"She's a mom now, it's normal. Still… time really flies, doesn't it, Minato…"