Uchiha Clan Grounds.
In a vast training field, two boys, one older and one younger, were practicing shuriken techniques together.
The two boys bore a striking resemblance—both with black hair and dark eyes, and both with delicate features. There was an age gap of about five or six years between them.
Kunai flew through the forest, hitting their targets with pinpoint accuracy, including those in the blind spots.
The younger boy gasped in awe, his eyes full of admiration as he watched his older brother.
"You're amazing, brother! How do you do it?"
Itachi, unfazed by his accomplishment, responded calmly, "You'll be able to do it soon enough."
As he spoke, Itachi sensed something and turned his head, noticing a figure leaning against a tree not too far away, watching them quietly.
"Shisui?"
Shisui, upon being spotted, chuckled softly and greeted them, "Itachi, Sasuke."
Sasuke, hearing the familiar voice, quickly and politely greeted, "Brother Shisui."
Shisui walked over to the two boys, smiling. "Did I interrupt your training?"
"Not at all," Itachi replied with a smile.
"Sorry, Sasuke, but I need to borrow your brother for a bit," Shisui said, smiling warmly at the younger boy.
Sasuke glanced at Itachi.
"Sasuke, head home for now. I'll practice with you again next time," Itachi said.
Sasuke puffed his cheeks in frustration but said nothing as he turned to leave.
Watching Sasuke walk away with his cheeks puffed up in annoyance, Shisui couldn't help but laugh. "Having a younger brother seems nice."
Itachi smiled faintly. "Did you need something?"
"How's it going in the ANBU?" Shisui asked.
Itachi thought for a moment before responding, "I haven't been on any real missions yet. Mostly just standing guard, but Kakashi-senpai is much easier to get along with than I expected. He's not quite like the rumors."
"Rumors?" Shisui raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I heard he killed a teammate for the sake of a mission," Itachi nodded.
Shisui remembered the incident with Kirigakure—Kakashi had been forced to kill his teammate, Rin Nohara, during a mission. The story had spread throughout the village, and Kakashi's cold, aloof demeanor made people believe the rumors were true. Even Shisui didn't know Kakashi well, merely aware of his existence.
"Rumors are never reliable," Shisui said, shaking his head. "But it's good to hear you're settling in. The ANBU can be busier than most ninja, though."
"I don't mind. Being busy is good for me," Itachi replied. "Besides, I finally feel like I can make a difference now."
"Hmm?" Shisui tilted his head slightly.
"My father told me yesterday that he hopes I can become the eyes and ears of the Uchiha within the village," Itachi said with a smile, speaking candidly to Shisui.
Shisui hesitated, a frown tugging at his lips.
"...Do you know why Lord Fugaku asked you to do that?" Shisui asked.
Itachi nodded. "I know some of it. Ever since the Nine-Tails incident, we Uchiha were forced to move to the outskirts of the village. My father wants the Uchiha to regain their power."
It wasn't the first time Itachi had heard this from his father. Fugaku often reminded him that he was first and foremost an Uchiha, and only secondarily a ninja of the Hidden Leaf.
"And how do you feel about that idea?" Shisui asked.
"What... do you mean?" Itachi looked confused.
"Is the village and the clan really two separate entities?" Shisui's tone carried a subtle, unreadable meaning.
"Regaining power isn't as simple as a student making up for a mistake to win back their teacher's approval."
Itachi stood in silence, realizing that there might be many things he didn't fully understand yet.
"It's okay. These are things you haven't been exposed to yet," Shisui said with a lighthearted smile. "You've just joined the ANBU. Before that, you hadn't even met the Hokage in person."
He spoke casually, as though discussing something trivial.
Itachi remained quiet for a while, his gaze flickering slightly. "I want to know."
"…"
"I want to help my father, and I want to help you too, Shisui," Itachi said earnestly, his young face filled with sincerity.
Shisui couldn't help but recall the words Ren had spoken to him. He sighed softly.
He didn't know whether to feel relieved or troubled by Itachi's seriousness.
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The Root primarily handled missions such as assassinations, reconnaissance, tracking, and delivering messages—tasks similar to those undertaken by the ANBU. However, the key difference was that the Root served Danzō, while the ANBU answered to the Hokage.
More complex missions, as Shisui had mentioned, were still out of Ren's reach for the time being.
Ren's superior in the Root, Kaku, rarely took action during missions. Most of the fighting was left for Ren to handle.
In the few missions they had completed so far, nothing too urgent or dangerous had occurred, and Ren had yet to see Kaku use the Aburame clan's insect techniques.
"You seem to be adjusting to these types of missions quite well," Kaku commented as they submitted their latest mission report.
"In the past, I've mentored other newcomers. Regardless of their skill levels, none of them adapted as quickly as you."
"If I didn't know your background, I'd have thought you were transferred from the ANBU," Kaku added.
The Root was a secretive organization with official ranks. Aside from Danzō's close confidants, many of its members were transferred from the Hokage's forces, including ANBU and regular ninja.
Kaku's comment stemmed from the fact that Ren carried out his tasks swiftly and efficiently, without any unnecessary actions. Everything he did was to complete the mission.
"I've probably just done a lot of missions," Ren said. His workload had always been impressive. Even when working alone, he was as efficient as any team.
One thing Ren found disappointing about joining the Root was the fixed salary. The lucrative rewards he'd earned from completing missions as a freelancer were now gone.
I'll have to ask Shisui to make up for that.
By the time Ren returned home, it was already afternoon. Because of the Root uniform, he climbed through the window into his room.
After taking a shower and changing into more comfortable clothes, he heard a knock at his door. When he opened it, he found Tenten standing there, smiling brightly.
"You didn't see the note I left on your door?" Tenten asked, sounding annoyed.
"Note?" Ren looked puzzled.
"Look!" Tenten pointed at the door, where a note was posted that read, 'Come to my house for dinner tonight,' signed with Tenten's name.
"Mom even prepared your portion. If I hadn't seen your lights on, who knows how long we would have waited for you," Tenten said, hands on her hips, clearly upset.
"I came in through the window," Ren replied.
"What? Through the… window?" Tenten was stunned. "Why didn't you use the door?"
"Too much trouble."
"..."
"Just come with me already," Tenten said, not bothering to argue further. She grabbed Ren and started pulling him toward her house.
"I need to change shoes," Ren said, reluctantly.
The two were neighbors, living across from each other. Tenten's mom had always looked out for Ren since he lived alone, and despite his attempts to refuse, her hospitality was hard to decline.
Tenten's home was much cozier than Ren's. The decor and warmth made it feel like a home, whereas Ren's place was simply a house, functional but lacking warmth.
The dining table was already laid out with several dishes, making the meal seem abundant for the three of them.
"Ren, you're here just in time," Tenten's mom called from the kitchen, smiling as she peeked out.
"Take off your shoes," Tenten commanded, standing at the entrance and giving orders.
Ren couldn't help but ruffle her hair at her "bossy" attitude, only to be met with a slap on the back of his hand and an angry glare from Tenten.
"Go wash your hands!" she said, irritated.
Whoever said head pats would improve affection was wrong... Ren thought to himself.
"I just took a shower, and I haven't touched anything dirty," Ren replied.
"You touched your shoes," Tenten said sternly, pushing him toward the bathroom.
"If you're this fierce, no boys will like you," Ren teased.
"None of your business!" Tenten blushed bright red and punched Ren's arm.
Tenten's family ran a ninja tool shop, so they were fairly well-off. Ren often got a discount when he bought supplies there.
After washing his hands, Ren returned to find Tenten's mom bringing out the final dish, a pot of soup, while Tenten was busy setting the table.
"Quite the feast," Ren remarked.
"Today was a quiet day, so I decided to make a little extra," Tenten's mom said with a warm smile. She was a gentle and friendly woman.
"Sit down and give it a taste."
As they sat around the table, the usual family small talk ensued.
"I don't see you around much during the day anymore. You shouldn't overwork yourself, even though you're young," Tenten's mom said to Ren. "I've noticed other ninjas have a lot more free time."
"Ren's different from the others, Mom. He's in the ANBU now," Tenten said proudly.
"How did you know?" Ren asked, surprised.
"I saw your ANBU uniform hanging on the wall and the mask on your desk. Isn't that the standard ANBU gear?" Tenten replied as if it were obvious.
So much for sneaking in through the window... Ren thought as he silently ate a bite of rice.
"I've heard the ANBU are all elite ninjas. Ren, you must be very impressive," Tenten's mom praised.
"Of course," Tenten added with a proud smile, as if the praise were directed at her.
"There are many who are better than me," Ren said.
Tenten's mom nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. Many ninjas your age already have girlfriends, you know."
"...Auntie, could you pass me more rice, please?" Ren said, trying to change the subject.
Tenten snickered as she held her bowl.
Ren shot a glance at her. "Tenten."
"Hm?"
"Isn't there a boy named Neji Hyuga in your class?"
"Uh... what?" Tenten blinked in confusion, sensing a strange intent in Ren's calm voice and expression.
"I hear he's quite popular with the girls in your class."
Tenten immediately felt embarrassed, especially when her mother gave her a curious and scrutinizing look. She lowered her head, feeling guilty.
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Affection level -1.
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Ren saw the system's notification and ignored it.
"Auntie, your cooking is as delicious as ever," Ren complimented, smoothly redirecting the conversation.
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