Chapter 43: The Genius Girl, Uchiha Izumi

Inside the Hokage's office, the embers of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe flickered intermittently.

On the desk before him lay a pursuit report written by Kakashi.

It had already been two weeks since Orochimaru's defection, and Kakashi had returned to the village with an unconscious Yamato.

After receiving medical treatment, Kakashi and Yamato had reached an understanding; they did not want Yukimi to be dragged into this.

Thus, the two withheld certain information, omitting the details regarding the Iburi clan. They reported only to Danzo and the Third Hokage that they had encountered Orochimaru and a "Shura" who was assisting him, and that the two seemed to have reached some sort of agreement.

Orochimaru had escaped the borders of the Land of Fire; "Shura" had wounded Yamato, and Kakashi had also been defeated.

However, for unknown reasons, the opponent had let them both go.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not blame Kakashi, merely instructing him and Yamato to focus on recovering from their injuries.

Then came the issue of Yamato's placement. Hiruzen had been contemplating how to wrest Yamato away from Danzo.

After all, nominally, Danzo's Root was subordinate to the Anbu, and as a Konoha shinobi, Yamato was naturally required to follow the Hokage's orders.

But if Yamato's loyalty still lay with Danzo, then even if Yamato joined the Anbu, it would merely be a matter of Danzo planting a pawn within the organization.

Hiruzen was well-versed in the Will of Fire; he knew that for Yamato to truly become a Konoha shinobi, he had to break free from the mindset of serving Danzo. Changing one's ideology was far more difficult than changing one's position or status.

Therefore, Hiruzen was in no hurry to demand Yamato from Danzo.

But as soon as one wave subsided, another rose.

Uchiha Fugaku, the Captain of the Konoha Police Force, brought an investigation report.

"What did you say? 'Shura' has returned?!" When Hiruzen heard Fugaku's report, his aged face beneath the Hokage hat showed a look of bewilderment, and his pipe paused mid-air.

One must remember that after the attack a month ago and Orochimaru's defection half a month ago, Hiruzen had dispatched Konoha's sensory ninjas to work with the Barrier Corps to inspect the village's protective barrier. They had indeed found several gaps and repaired them.

Now, the Police Force was reporting that "Shura" might have returned!

Was Konoha a public restroom? Coming and going as he pleased!

Fugaku spoke using the prepared wording: "It is currently impossible to determine the exact timing. It is also possible that it was a remnant from before, merely hidden away, and has only now been discovered by the shopkeeper's family."

*Whoosh—*

"Are you certain it was 'Shura'?" Hiruzen's voice drifted from beneath his hat.

"On that night, I do not believe anyone in the village possesses the capability to do such a thing." Fugaku's words made the air in the office feel even more stagnant.

Do you suspect a mysterious enemy, or do you suspect your own shinobi within the village?

Choose one.

"I understand. Let this matter rest for now; he has already paid the money." Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, his aged voice coming from beneath the hat.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Fugaku exited the office.

After Fugaku left, Hiruzen stared at the Police Force's report, utterly perplexed.

*A powerhouse like you—what exactly is your goal?* Hiruzen had even once suspected that this mysterious ninja was the same individual who had caused the Nine-Tails' rampage three years ago, killing the Fourth Hokage and his wife, and his own wife, Biwako.

However, many ninjas had seen the Sharingan pattern in the Nine-Tails' eyes that night, yet the abilities displayed by "Shura" had never shown any connection to the Sharingan or the Uchiha clan.

Whether it was the reports from the Hiashi brothers or intelligence from spies embedded in the Cloud Village, no abilities or ninjutsu related to the Sharingan had been discovered.

That spiral-shaped spherical ninjutsu, instead, bore a slight resemblance to Minato Namikaze's original technique.

"Sigh, a time of many troubles." Hiruzen rose slowly from his chair and walked to the window.

He happened to see Fugaku's retreating figure as he left the Hokage building and walked down the street.

"And the Uchiha clan..." Recently, the conflict between the Uchiha and the village had been intensifying, a fact Hiruzen felt deeply as the Hokage.

If the dissatisfaction of the Uchiha could not be resolved, would it be exploited by those with ulterior motives?

The furrows on Hiruzen's brow deepened.

——————

After leaving the Hokage building, Fugaku walked straight toward the Uchiha district.

Despite being the premier clan of Konoha, the Uchiha district was located in the most remote part of the village.

As Fugaku passed a riverside path not far from the district, he saw two familiar figures sitting on a small pier by the river.

A short-haired boy took a skewer of tri-colored dango from a young girl.

"Is that Itachi and... Izumi?" As a father, Fugaku allowed a smile to touch his lips, choosing not to disturb the two youths experiencing their first stirrings of affection.

"I wonder if Sasuke will be angry when he finds out his brother has a girlfriend?" Thinking of his youngest son, who was very dependent on Itachi, Fugaku felt a sense of anticipation.

For the Uchiha clan, who placed great importance on "love," such familial warmth brought about even deeper emotions.

And once a loved one or a close friend died, that emotional pain would trigger the evolution of the Sharingan.

"Hey, hey, Itachi, how is it? Is it good?" On the small pier, Uchiha Izumi beamed like a flower, impatient to hear Itachi's verdict.

Her long black hair slid gently as she tilted her head. Though she had not yet fully grown, a beauty mark beneath her right eye lent her a touch of grace.

She had been a beauty since childhood.

"Yes, it's good." This was the first time Itachi had been treated to such sweets by someone. Izumi's warmth slowly opened a crack in Itachi's heart, fostering a fondness for this gentle, bright girl.

This innocent affection provided a different kind of life experience for the Itachi, who was constantly contemplating the meaning of existence.

Suddenly, Itachi turned his head toward the riverbank above.

A familiar figure was turning to leave.

*It seems to be Father.* Itachi had already awakened his Sharingan; his perception far exceeded that of an ordinary Genin.

This was thanks to Obito's "help"—the death of his teammate during a mission had stimulated Itachi's awakening.

However, it would be a few more years before Itachi would awaken the Mangekyō, upon Shisui's death.

"I'm going home first." Itachi placed the remaining dango onto a lotus leaf in Izumi's hand and stood up to leave, looking somewhat like a heartbreaker.

"How insensitive," Izumi sighed, watching Itachi's lonely retreating back, wondering how she could ever open this boy's heart.

After a while, Izumi finished the dango and began her walk home, softly humming a tune.

As she walked, the sky grew dark before she realized it.

When she reached the gates of the Uchiha district, the scent of blood hit her nostrils, causing her hair to stand on end instantly!

Having already become a Genin, Izumi immediately became alert. She pulled a kunai from her weapon pouch, her two-tomoe Sharingan spinning as she ran toward the source of the metallic scent.

"Why is it like this?! Where is everyone?!" Izumi's small face was filled with confusion. The Uchiha district was silent under the night sky; even the dogs had stopped barking.

Soon, following the thick scent of blood, Izumi arrived at a courtyard and witnessed a shocking scene.

Two Uchiha elders lay in a pool of blood in the living room. The now-teenage Itachi was dragging a three- or four-year-old child out from a hidden compartment, blood dripping from the short blade in his hand.

Then, he swung the blade without mercy!