Things of the Past Are All in the Past
"Grandpa Hokage, how did you know that I was invited to Sasuke's house as a guest?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was momentarily taken aback by Naruto's question. However, Naruto didn't seem to notice and continued speaking enthusiastically about what he had seen at the Uchiha compound. He recounted everything—except for the moment when he was caught in a genjutsu.
Listening carefully, Hiruzen stroked his beard. Through Naruto's words, he heard an image of the Uchiha different from what he had long observed.
Naruto believed the Uchiha were no different from other villagers. They simply had cold expressions and distant attitudes.
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen asked, "Then why did you visit Sasuke's house instead of going to Shikamaru and Choji's?"
Naruto answered without hesitation, "They didn't invite me. If they had, I wouldn't have refused. But Sasuke invited me, so I went."
"I see..."
Hiruzen paused for a moment before speaking again, his tone turning more serious. "However, if Sasuke invites you over again, you'd better decline. It's not good to trouble their family too often."
"No way, Sasuke's mom told me I'm welcome anytime!"
Hiruzen's expression darkened, and his voice carried an undeniable finality. "You are not allowed to visit the Uchiha compound again. They don't truly want you there. They're after the power of the Nine-Tails sealed within you."
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "Using the Nine-Tails' power…? But aren't they fellow villagers?"
Then, as if something clicked in his mind, his expression grew somber. "Grandpa Hokage, why do I have the Nine-Tails inside me? And… who were my parents?"
Hiruzen's gaze hardened slightly. "Why do you ask?"
Naruto lifted his head, meeting the Hokage's eyes with determination. "Because I want to know who I am. Sasuke's parents seemed to recognize my parents… That's why they were so kind to me."
"But they wouldn't tell me. After thinking about it, only you, Grandpa Hokage, can give me the answers."
Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh of relief, realizing Naruto had yet to uncover the truth. However, his tone turned cold as he said:
"What's the point of knowing? Your parents are dead. Learning their identities won't bring them back. And knowing now won't change anything for you."
Naruto watched as the Hokage turned to leave. Lowering his head, he muttered, "Then when will I know? I can't keep living in ignorance."
Hiruzen had already stepped outside the small apartment, but his voice drifted back through the doorway:
"When you become a ninja and can stand on your own. For now, focus on making friends and growing stronger in the Academy."
As the Hokage's footsteps faded into the distance, Naruto's expression shifted from gloom to amusement.
If he managed to make the old man leave with such an unpleasant look, it meant he had passed the test. He didn't need to worry about Hiruzen suspecting anything.
To the world, he was just a clueless orphan, left in the dark.
---
Meanwhile, at Naka Shrine...
The Uchiha clan was gathered once again.
As a clan driven by deep emotions, the Uchiha frequently held these meetings, bringing together those who had awakened the Sharingan to discuss grievances against Konoha's leadership.
Of course, such discussions had to be conducted in secrecy. Their words were too dangerous—if overheard and twisted out of context, they could spell disaster.
However, today's gathering was different. It was an emergency meeting, called after an unexpected event in the afternoon: a visit from the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
Fugaku Uchiha, the clan leader, stood solemnly before the large stone tablet, his face unreadable. As soon as the meeting began, a radical Jonin stepped forward, his voice filled with fury.
"Today's incident was a deliberate provocation by the Hokage! They sent the Jinchūriki to spy on us, to test our response!"
Another Uchiha quickly spoke up in agreement.
"I can confirm this. The moment the Jinchūriki arrived, he was targeted by our genjutsu, but he had a countermeasure—a restriction placed on him by the higher-ups, which rebounded the technique! Motoyasu still hasn't woken up from the backlash!"
"And what a coincidence that as soon as the Jinchūriki set foot in our district, the Hokage appeared just outside our compound…! Isn't this a setup?"
The room buzzed with agreement, tension rising with every accusation.
Standing in the corner, Shisui and Itachi Uchiha exchanged uneasy glances.
They knew the truth. This wasn't a scheme. It had been nothing more than an innocent visit between two children. And yet, the clan's paranoia had twisted it into another sign of persecution.
"Shisui," Itachi muttered, his voice low, "my father knows this is a misunderstanding. So why… why doesn't he correct them? Why is he letting this fester?"
Shisui remained silent for a moment before sighing. "It's not just your father. The Hokage is just as wary. He nearly believed the clan was trying to release the Nine-Tails."
"This entire situation stems from a lack of trust. Neither side is willing to communicate."
"But," Shisui continued with a determined expression, "if we keep acting as a bridge between the village and our clan, one day they'll understand each other."
Itachi, however, did not respond. He simply kept his gaze fixed on his father, who remained impassive before the crowd.
---
A Decision in the Shadows
The meeting eventually ended, though nothing was truly resolved. The Uchiha clan's dissatisfaction lingered in the air like an unspoken threat.
For all their fiery words, they would return to their duties tomorrow—patrolling Konoha as the village's police force. Life went on.
As the crowd dispersed, Fugaku's eyes briefly met those of his son and Shisui. Then, without a word, he turned and disappeared into the shrine's inner chamber, accompanied by a select few.
Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances but did not follow. They had no illusions—true decisions were made behind closed doors, among a handful of trusted individuals.
Stepping outside, the two walked in silence until they reached a quiet cliffside, away from prying ears. The wind rustled the leaves, filling the silence between them.
Finally, Itachi exhaled, his voice heavy with frustration.
"As I feared… my father still hasn't abandoned the idea of a coup. He's gathering supplies—detonating tags, weapons—and today's meeting was just another way to stoke resentment against the village."
"He's probably discussing the coup right now," he muttered bitterly. "Why can't they understand Konoha?"
Shisui placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder, his voice soft but resolute.
"If Fugaku truly intends to start a coup, I will stop him before it happens."
Itachi turned to him, frowning. "How? You don't have the strength to take on the entire clan alone."
Shisui tapped his temple, his expression unwavering.
"With these eyes. If I can change Fugaku's mind, if I can use Kotoamatsukami to make him abandon this path, peace can still be achieved."
"But… he's your father," Shisui added with a sigh. "I won't use this power unless there's no other choice."
Itachi gazed out over the village below, the weight of the inevitable pressing down on him.
He knew.
Sooner or later, a choice would have to be made.
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