Uchiha’s Invitation

"Captain, the people locked in the holding cells today were taken away again by someone sent by the Hokage."

A squad captain from the Uchiha Military Police Force reported to Uchiha Fugaku with an angry expression. This was not the first time. They had clear evidence that the people arrested today had insulted the Uchiha Clan, yet less than two hours after being brought in, they had been taken away by someone sent by the Hokage.

This was practically an insult to the Uchiha Clan. As the village’s security department, they could not even punish those who insulted them.

Uchiha Fugaku frowned slightly and asked, "Can you confirm their identities?"

The Uchiha squad captain answered indignantly, "Who else could it be, dressed in Anbu uniforms within the village? Captain, the Military Police Force can barely carry out its work now. Many villagers are deeply hostile toward us Uchiha."

"I understand. I’ll ask the Third Hokage about this." Uchiha Fugaku sighed helplessly and tried to reassure his clansmen.

Konoha’s oppression of the Uchiha Clan over the past few years had been like cutting flesh with a dull blade. No, it was more like a hidden rasp, slowly pushing the Uchiha into isolation bit by bit.

Not only was their clan compound located on the outskirts of Konoha, but their standing in the village was also on the outskirts. Ever since the Nine-Tails’ Rampage, the Uchiha’s circumstances had been poor, worsening with every passing year.

Likewise, every Uchiha clan meeting became a gathering where the clansmen vented their dissatisfaction. It was not merely a small group that resented Konoha. Everyone qualified to attend the clan meetings had at least awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. These people made up the Uchiha’s primary fighting force, and roughly seventy percent of them were dissatisfied with Konoha.

Some of the more radical clansmen had already proposed seizing Konoha’s political power by force and placing clan head Uchiha Fugaku in the position of Hokage.

Uchiha Fugaku was somewhat at a loss over this. His temperament was steady, and he hoped to find a reasonable solution. Yet when he had approached the Third Hokage several times, all he received were perfunctory answers.

Moreover, the Uchiha Clan Head represented the will of the clansmen. Although Uchiha Fugaku knew that the odds of the Uchiha Clan successfully seizing power by force were extremely low, the will of many clansmen had nearly become unanimous. If he, as clan head, could not lead the Uchiha forward according to their wishes, he might be pushed from his position.

If that happened, the Uchiha without his restraint would likely have an even harder time in the village.

After another clan meeting ended, Shisui Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi left the gathering place side by side. They were almost the last to leave, though they had been seated at the very back from the beginning.

Although Uchiha Itachi was still young, his talent was exceptional. As the clan head’s son, he had already become a Chunin last month, so none of the other clansmen objected to his participation in the clan meeting.

"Itachi, the rift between the clan and the village is growing deeper. The calls within the clan to seize political power by force are getting louder too. If this continues, I’m afraid even the clan head won’t be able to suppress them for much longer."

After the clan meeting, Shisui Uchiha spoke after coming with Itachi to a quiet forest.

Since the Uchiha clan compound had been relocated to such a remote place, there were now many quiet, secluded woods like this one, making them suitable for Uchiha clansmen to train in.

Itachi and Shisui liked coming here to exchange insights about training or share their troubles.

Shisui Uchiha understood the reason for the clansmen’s radical changes. They had simply been subjected to unfair treatment. He hoped the clansmen would stop confining themselves to the interests of a single clan, or voice their demands through negotiations. That way, they could avoid being ostracized by the villagers, and the Uchiha’s predicament could be resolved.

However, many clansmen did not listen to Shisui. After suffering unfair treatment, they thought more about using force to reclaim justice.

In the entire Uchiha Clan, only Uchiha Itachi could make Shisui speak his heart.

"If it’s you, Shisui, then you can definitely do it."

Uchiha Itachi comforted Shisui. He meant it sincerely. In Itachi’s heart, Shisui was undoubtedly the most reliable person, even more so than his father.

"Haha… thank you for believing in me so much, Itachi."

After laughing twice, Shisui Uchiha looked at Itachi as though he wanted to say something but hesitated. Uchiha Itachi quickly noticed it.

"Shisui, is there something you need my help with?"

Shisui sighed, then admitted to Itachi, "To tell you the truth, Itachi, I’m currently acting under the Third Hokage’s orders to monitor the Uchiha’s actions. The remarks made at the clan meeting have already reached the higher-ups. To prevent any unexpected developments, the Third Hokage and Konoha’s higher-ups want me to pass along information about the Uchiha…"

"Shisui, you did nothing wrong. The clansmen’s current thinking is dangerous. The village’s peace was hard-won; we can’t allow war to ignite again." Uchiha Itachi spoke to comfort Shisui. He hated war, so after hearing the clansmen’s demands during the meeting, he had felt an immediate sense of aversion.

Konoha’s current peace had not come easily. Once war began, many people would certainly die. The clansmen should resolve the Uchiha Clan’s current situation peacefully instead of trying to seize power by force.

Unfortunately, Uchiha Itachi was young and attending a clan meeting for the first time. Even as the clan head’s son, he did not have much say.

If the village learns about the Uchiha’s current situation, it can respond sooner. Whether through peaceful negotiations or preventative measures, it would be a good thing.

"I understand that much. But recently, I discovered something strange within the clan. Every so often, several clansmen disappear from Konoha, only to reappear later. I investigated it, and it seems to be related to the clan head."

Shisui Uchiha scratched his head and said, "I asked the clan head, but he flatly denied it. Still, only the clan head could arrange for clansmen to leave Konoha. Could I leave this matter to you, Itachi?"

"Father arranged it…?"

Uchiha Itachi considered it for a while but found nothing unusual about his father in his memories. Even so, he agreed to Shisui’s request.

"I’ll keep an eye on it."

"That’s good, Itachi. Once you gain more mission experience, I’ll recommend you to Hokage-sama for the Anbu. With your talent and strength, there definitely won’t be a problem."

Shisui Uchiha smiled and patted Itachi on the shoulder. In the entire Uchiha Clan, only Itachi could make him reveal some of his true feelings.

Otherwise, caught between the Uchiha and Konoha, he would eventually be unable to bear such pressure.

"Clan Head, this is the Mission Commission they sent. The payment appears to be based on the standard for two S-rank missions."

Uchiha Fugaku was surprised when he heard this and took the scroll from Uchiha Tekka.

"Two S-rank missions? This seems to be the first mission of such a high rank since we began cooperating with them. Escort them to Amegakure and ensure… their safety. Is that all?"

Uchiha Tekka said quietly, "Clan Head, according to information from the Ninja Cat Clan, the group of rogue ninja who assassinated the Fourth Kazekage may be in Amegakure."

"I see. Then their request is fairly reasonable."

Before Uchiha Fugaku could finish speaking, Uchiha Mikoto’s voice sounded from outside the door.

"Itachi, you’re back?"

Upon hearing Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Fugaku immediately stopped speaking with Uchiha Tekka. He slowly rose, walked to the room’s door, and pulled it open.

Then Uchiha Fugaku saw his son standing outside. His expression darkened slightly as he asked, "Itachi, when did you get back?"

"I just returned, Father. I wanted to report on today’s mission, but I heard you speaking with Senior Tekka, so I didn’t interrupt."

Uchiha Itachi answered calmly. At that moment, Uchiha Mikoto entered through the doorway carrying vegetables, with Sasuke beside her.

Uchiha Fugaku said in a deep voice, "We’ll discuss the mission report after dinner, Itachi. For now, go help your mother with the housework."

"I understand, Father." After saying that, Uchiha Itachi took the basket of vegetables from Mikoto and followed his mother toward the kitchen.

Uchiha Fugaku then glanced at Sasuke before returning to the room and closing the door.

"Handle it according to their request, Tekka. Also, pass along a message: the Uchiha Clan would like to invite him to my home as a guest. The Uchiha Clan will guarantee his safety."

Uchiha Tekka immediately answered, "Understood, Clan Head."

No one knew how much of their earlier conversation Itachi had overheard. However, Itachi was the clan head’s son and naturally not Uchiha Tekka’s concern. In any case, this was certainly no longer the time to continue discussing it.

For this mission, they would likely have to deploy eighty percent of the Uchiha’s hidden strength. Since it was equivalent to two S-rank missions, they needed to send at least four Jonin with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

The Uchiha Clan did not lack money. Once this mission was completed, the message Uchiha Fugaku wanted delivered would be the real payment.

Konoha, near evening. Families throughout the village gradually began preparing dinner.

Uzumaki Naruto returned home somewhat dejected. Although he could smell the fragrant food from the doorway, enough to make his nose twitch, his low mood left him with no appetite at all.

"You’re back, Naruto? Hurry up and wash your hands. Dinner’s ready."

Hearing the door open, Uzumaki Kushina urged him loudly without turning around as she placed the final bowl of soup on the table.

However, just after setting down the soup, she saw Naruto sitting at the table after washing his hands, obvious disappointment written across his face.

"You idiot, Naruto, did you go looking for friends again? Mom already told you that once you learn the ninjutsu I teach you and enroll in the Ninja Academy, you’ll naturally make lots of good friends."

"It’s because you train all day and never spend time with me, Mom." Facing the angry Kushina, Uzumaki Naruto immediately lowered his head guiltily and asked, "Why do they call me the Nine-Tails Demon Fox? Aren’t I the Fourth Hokage’s son?"

"Don’t listen to that group’s nonsense, Naruto. Once you graduate from the Ninja Academy, Mom will tell you everything. But you still haven’t even learned the Shadow Clone Technique. That’s absolutely disgraceful!"

Uzumaki Kushina smacked Naruto hard on the head with her soup ladle, then smiled and said, "Hurry up and eat. After dinner, I’ll train with you."

"No, Mom, your training is more important." A smile returned to Uzumaki Naruto’s face as he said to Kushina, "I’ve seen you training in the middle of the night several times. Starting tomorrow, I’ll learn from you too!"

"Naruto…"

Hearing that, Kushina felt an inexplicable ache well up in her heart.

Thump!

Uzumaki Naruto was struck on the head with the soup ladle again. Then he heard Kushina shout, "If you want to learn, start right after dinner! Don’t put it off until tomorrow, you lazy son of mine!"

I have to successfully cultivate Sage Mode. Otherwise, I won’t get to see Naruto grow up!

Kushina thought firmly to herself.

However, several years had passed, and she still had not managed to transform the Sage Chakra within her body into Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Mode. Instead, problems during her training had wasted a considerable amount of the remaining Sage Chakra within her body.

At this rate, she probably would not be able to hold on much longer.