Shikaku didn't know how he left the Hokage's office.
His steps were heavy, and his gaze was vacant.
The suspicion in his heart had been confirmed, yet he felt no joy.
Not a bit!
Even at his age, he suddenly felt like crying.
Konoha... Konoha!
Suddenly, he thought of someone.
Uchiha Itsuki!
He had met Uchiha Itsuki during the Great Ninja War, and they had even collaborated at one point.
At the time, Itsuki had seemed flippant, doing everything in a laid-back manner, yet he could always say things that made others think deeply.
Shikaku had assumed it was just coincidence!
Back then, Itsuki had only been eleven years old.
How could someone barely over ten years old see the essence of things so clearly and speak directly to the core of the matter?
Although, he had to admit, the boy was incredibly talented.
His skills in ninjutsu were unheard of.
It wasn't until Itsuki's recent major move—splitting off and declaring independence—that Shikaku finally understood.
Itsuki had been right all along!
He had sensed Konoha's darkness from the very beginning, so he had started planning early, preparing to leave Konoha and search for his own pure land.
Shikaku felt utterly foolish!
His eyes reddened slightly.
"Sigh, what's wrong, Shikaku? A grown man like you, and you're crying?"
A gentle sigh echoed.
"Huh?"
That familiar voice left Shikaku completely stunned.
He stiffly raised his head and saw a familiar face, looking at him with affection.
How was this possible?!
Shikaku stared, dazed.
The figure sighed again, "Shikaku, after all these years, you haven't changed one bit. Here, wipe your nose."
He handed Shikaku a piece of tissue.
Shikaku silently stared at the person in front of him, and suddenly...
Whoosh!
The figure instantly moved, avoiding the shadow at his feet.
Landing on a nearby wall, he looked at Shikaku unhappily and said, "Shikaku, what are you doing? Have you forgotten? I'm your... father! Your real one."
"Get lost!"
Shikaku growled, gritting his teeth, "My father's been dead for years! Uchiha Itsuki, you've got some nerve showing up in Konoha at a time like this! Today will be the day you die."
Bang!
A puff of smoke appeared.
Itsuki undid his transformation jutsu, smiling. "I knew the Ninja World's smartest strategist wouldn't be fooled for long. You looked like a man who had just lost his wife, but you reacted so quickly. I thought for sure you'd kneel, hug my leg, and shout, 'Dad, don't leave me! I've missed you so much.'"
To hell with you.
You're the one whose wife died!
You're the one who'd kneel and call someone "dad"!
Summoning his dead father from the grave? Only Uchiha Itsuki would do something like that.
Can you just act normal for once?!
Shikaku's face darkened. "How did you... Flying Thunder God!"
It clicked for him!
Uchiha Itsuki knew the Flying Thunder God technique. As long as he left a mark in Konoha, he could return whenever he wanted.
While Konoha had a barrier, all it did was drain a bit more chakra, which was nothing to Itsuki.
Damn forbidden jutsu!
Shikaku scowled. The forbidden jutsu scrolls should all be destroyed.
Look at how much trouble they've brought to Konoha!
If only he'd known the original story, he'd probably be cursing up a storm by now.
"My son, what's wrong?"
"Shut up, Uchiha Itsuki!" Shikaku snapped coldly. "Why did you come back to Konoha?"
Glancing around, he realized they were in a secluded alley.
He had intended to go home, but somehow, this clearly wasn't the way.
His eyes fixed on Itsuki.
Obviously, this was Itsuki's doing.
"Don't be surprised!" Itsuki smiled faintly. "Just a little genjutsu trick."
"Hmph!" Shikaku retorted sarcastically, "A little genjutsu trick? Not even Shinku Yūhi could pull off something like this."
Konoha was in full lockdown right now, with jonin patrolling constantly.
For Itsuki to cast such a genjutsu on Shikaku without being noticed... Shikaku didn't even know what to say.
No wonder Itsuki caused Konoha so much trouble!
"Shinku Yūhi? She's no match for me," Itsuki scoffed. "If she didn't have such a talented daughter, I wouldn't even bother..."
"What do you want?" Shikaku cut him off.
"Are you scared?"
Itsuki smirked. "I suppose it makes sense. My identity is too sensitive now. Anyone who associates with me is marked for death."
"And you... You've just come from the Hokage's office, so you must be terrified right now."
Shikaku coldly stared at him without responding.
"Shikaku, aren't you tired?"
Itsuki asked suddenly, "You've got the sharpest mind, a powerful clan behind you, and you're no slouch yourself. You've long been the jonin commander of Konoha, a true figure of authority. But no matter what, you'll never become Hokage."
Shikaku scoffed. "Did you come all this way just to say that? Let me tell you, I have no interest in becoming Hokage."
"That's a lie," Itsuki sneered. "Forget it, I won't argue. Let me ask you something else: Who do you think will become the Fifth Hokage?"
"Danzo? Tsunade? Jiraiya? Kakashi?"
"It's none of my business," Shikaku replied coldly. "The selection of the Hokage is the Third's responsibility."
"Not even the jonin commander cares?"
Itsuki laughed heartily, seeing Shikaku's impatience.
Suddenly, Itsuki said, "How about coming to Fire Hidden Village?"
"If that's all you came to say, you can leave now," Shikaku replied icily.
"I suggest you reconsider."
Shikaku narrowed his eyes. "And if I don't? What then?"
"If you agree, I'll make sure you're taken to Fire Hidden Village. If you don't, I'll make sure Hiruzen Sarutobi gets rid of you all."
Itsuki shrugged. "That's why I'm advising you to agree. I, Uchiha Itsuki, am just doing the right thing."
Shikaku: "..."
You bastard...
"Think it over!"
With that, Itsuki used the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared.
Shikaku sighed and silently walked out of the alley.
As soon as he emerged, several gazes turned toward him, eyes filled with suspicion.
Shikaku paid them no mind.
He knew those were Anbu, watching him.
Compared to Itsuki's methods, the seventy-year-old Hiruzen Sarutobi's tactics seemed clumsy.
Itsuki's every threat was real, instilling fear.
Hiruzen's methods, however, only evoked disgust.
Back at home, three people were waiting.
Choza Akimichi, Torifu Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka.
"Have you been waiting long?"
Shikaku sat down and began recounting what had just happened.
...
Danzo was furious.
Things had spiraled completely out of control.
Originally, he had hoped to cause heavy losses to the Uchiha on the battlefield.
After that, he planned to wipe out the remaining Uchiha.
Then...
He would have the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other clans rise to prominence in the Ninja World.
But now?
That damn Uchiha Itsuki! It was just as he had said; I should have killed him long ago.
Hiruzen, do you regret it?
Seething with anger, Danzo returned home.
"Welcome back!"
A gentle voice greeted him.
Uchiha Itsuki, wearing an apron and holding a plate of food, walked out of the kitchen with a warm smile.
"You must be tired. Go wash your hands. I made your favorite meal."
(End of Chapter)