Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer

Ever since Uchiha Shisui had been transferred from the Police Force to the Fourth Hokage's direct Anbu squad, Danzo's vigilance toward the Uchiha clan had only grown sharper. That subtle shift in attention was something Shisui had anticipated—which is why he'd placed a simple barrier around the private room at the barbecue restaurant earlier. Discussions of Konoha's internal power struggles were no longer safe, even in seemingly mundane places.

…

Root Headquaters.

Kneeling on one knee, Uchiha Itachi's thoughts drifted to a moment not long ago, when he had just submitted his application for early graduation. It was then that Danzo, one of Konoha's shadowy high-ranking officials, had approached him.

The conversation that followed remained vivid in his mind.

"Itachi, you're a genius among the new generation of Uchiha. You've only just awakened your Sharingan, so the darkness hasn't yet consumed you. Let me ask you something—what's more important to you? The village... or the clan?"

Danzo's eyes were sharp, his tone low and dangerous.

"You hesitate. Why?"

"The Uchiha Sharingan awakens through loss—through emotional trauma. But with that power comes change. The emotions that trigger it also erode the mind, twist the will. This is why the Second Hokage placed the Uchiha on the outskirts of the village. To keep that power from corrupting the heart of Konoha."

"And now, their ambitions grow bolder. Even Uchiha Kagami's descendants—my former teammate—harbor thoughts of rebellion."

Danzo's words had hung in the air like a poison.

"What about you, Itachi?"

…

"I've reviewed your file extensively. Unlike the others, you see beyond the narrow tunnel of clan loyalty. You're a visionary. You can be more than a mere pawn in a clan's pride. I want your help—for the village, for all of Konoha."

…

"The Fourth... is still too young. The Third and the Advisors, the Root—what we do, we do for Konoha. But you've heard the whispers among the Uchiha. Those whispers are about rebellion, not peace."

"Even Uchiha Shisui, with his pacifist ideals, has been tainted by this collective ambition. The current Uchiha clan wants to overturn the village to achieve dominance."

…

"The Fourth Hokage is of humble origins. Jiraiya is always absent from the village. If those two fail to contain the growing unrest, the Uchiha might act—and no one will be able to stop them."

…

Still kneeling, Itachi clenched his fists tightly, nails biting into his palms as he remembered Yun's words earlier that day.

'Overwhelm the faction in the clan that wants to rebel. Unite those who want to live in harmony with the village. Then stand beside the Fourth Hokage, and together bring all the clans under a single will. Only then can we uproot the rot festering beneath Konoha's grand tree.'

'But who is the rot?' Itachi thought. 'Is it Danzo's Root? The Advisors? The Third Hokage himself?'

'And after it's purged? What then?'

'Will the Uchiha just become the next rot?'

'What are Shisui and Yun truly trying to achieve?'

"Itachi?"

Danzo's cold voice cut through his thoughts like a kunai. Itachi opened his eyes and replied evenly, "Uchiha Yun seemed to anticipate that Danzo-sama would come speak to me. He gave me a few... warnings."

Danzo's gaze sharpened at the name.

"Uchiha Yun?" he repeated slowly.

That second-tier Uchiha, the so-called genius who hadn't even awakened his Sharingan. How could he have known?

"What warning did he give you?"

"He said, if I ever lose myself and become a psychopath, he would be the first to kill me." Itachi answered without emotion. "He disapproved of my early graduation. He said the darkness of Root is not something someone like me should face unprepared."

Danzo fell into thought.

"Has Uchiha Yun awakened his Sharingan yet?"

"No." Itachi said, shaking his head. "His reflexes and strength are remarkable—far above the norm. But he has yet to awaken his eyes."

Silence.

Then Danzo spoke again: "Remember what I've told you. Konoha is a great tree. The leaves bask in sunlight, but they rely on the roots buried in shadow to survive. I am that root, Itachi. I do what must be done—for Konoha."

He stood slowly. "Return for now. After your graduation, you have one year. One year to become a Chūnin. That is the minimum requirement to fulfill your duty."

Itachi rose quietly.

But before he could turn, Danzo added, "The Root has gathered information on Uzumaki Sora."

That made Itachi stop.

A moment passed before he stepped out into the night, the door sliding shut behind him.

…

In the darkness of the Root's hidden compound, Danzo slowly raised his right arm and stared at it—its secret sealed beneath thick bandages.

"Uchiha Yun... another dangerous variable." he muttered.

"A genius without the Sharingan is not truly powerful. Not yet. But Itachi... with the right pressure, he'll bloom."

Teammates. Loss. Duty. Time.

All of it would be enough to awaken that terrible power.

And once Itachi possessed the same might as the First Hokage and Madara... then the position of Hokage would no longer be just a dream.

Even uniting the Five Great Nations would become a possibility—with such a power in hand.

…

Itachi pushed open the door to his home and was immediately greeted by the quiet, stubborn voice of a child.

"This child refuses to go to bed without seeing you." Uchiha Mikoto said, cradling a sleepy Sasuke.

Itachi smiled gently. He took Sasuke into his arms.

"Be good. Let me wash up, and then I'll put you to bed." he whispered. "But no wetting the bed tonight, okay?"

Little Sasuke yawned and nodded. "Okay..."

…

Later, lying on his futon, Itachi stared at the ceiling.

There was no trace of sleep in his eyes.

'Uzumaki Sora... he knows something about the man who killed father.'

'But are the roots truly buried just to help the tree? Or are they hoarding nutrients, choking growth from below?'

'What are Shisui and Yun planning? A coup? Or are they truly trying to help Minato-sensei unite Konoha under a stronger vision?'

For Danzo who knows so much about Sharingan, it is estimated that Yun will enter his sight from today.

The conversation in the barrier had revealed too much—even if much of it was fabricated, there were pieces of truth in it.

Three parts truth, seven parts lies.

Danzo couldn't be trusted. Not until Shisui and Yun's true intentions were completely clear.

He turned his head to look at Sasuke, who was sound asleep beside him, breathing gently.

A smile crept onto Itachi's face.

'No matter what happens... I won't let you be hurt.'

…

Elsewhere, inside the Namikaze household—

"Sensei, are you going back out to gather research again?" Minato asked with a smile.

Jiraiya laughed, standing proudly with his hands on his hips. "Of course! The entire shinobi world is waiting for the sequel to my masterpiece!"

From the kitchen, Kushina's voice cut in sharply: "Masterpiece? You mean that perverted trash you call a novel?" She walked out with a steaming plate of food. "Minato!"

Startled, Minato snapped upright, eyes wide with concern.

Kushina placed the food on the table and scooped Naruto into her arms. "You and Naruto better not pick up any of your sensei's habits. If Naruto ends up single for life, I'm blaming him!"

Jiraiya blinked. "I-I just met the kid today…"

"All the more reason to lay down the rules early!" Kushina huffed, glaring at him.

Red chakra visibly shimmered in her hair.

Minato quickly intervened: "Kushina, what's Naruto eating today? Same as us?"

"Ah! The baby meal!" she gasped, handing Naruto back and running to the kitchen. "I left it on the stove!"

Jiraiya sighed in relief and wiped sweat from his forehead. "She's still the same hothead, huh?"

Minato chuckled. "Ever since Naruto was born, she's been extra alert when it comes to raising him."

Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "That's only natural... Still, hard to believe the 'Yellow Flash' is now a father."

Minato smiled, gazing at Naruto. "Time really does fly, sensei."

*****

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