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Itachi returned home and met with his father, Fugaku Uchiha.
"You're aware of the arrangements for the Chunin Exams, right?" Fugaku asked.
"Yes. I'm assigned to the Forest of Death," Itachi replied.
The Forest of Death was Training Ground 44, a circular forest with a diameter of 20 kilometers. If Orochimaru were to appear, this would be the most likely location.
"I heard the Hokage specifically assigned you because you were the first to pass the exam as a Chunin. As expected of my son." Fugaku stared at Itachi, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"No, that's not the reason…"
"How is it not? You're only twelve or thirteen, yet you've already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan… Even in the history of the Uchiha clan, this is incredibly rare," Fugaku said.
"The last one was Shisui," Itachi reminded him.
As a father, Fugaku naturally wanted his son to achieve great things. Itachi understood his feelings, but he didn't desire such praise.
Instantly, Fugaku's expression darkened, as if recalling something unpleasant.
Uchiha Shisui had also been a genius of the Uchiha clan.
Had he still been alive, the Uchiha would undoubtedly be stronger than they were now, and they would have more leverage in negotiations.
During the meeting earlier that day, no one had directly challenged the Uchiha, but the core topic had been the "missing ninja incidents"—as if the Police Force were completely incompetent.
In the first week or two, the Police Force might not have paid much attention, but the incidents had dragged on for too long. Moreover, Shizune's disappearance had heightened the village's alertness, and the ANBU's involvement felt like a slap to Fugaku's face.
Once again, they were being underestimated and ignored, forever barred from the upper echelons of Konoha's power. Even if Uchiha ninja fought and died on the battlefield just like those from other noble clans, it wouldn't change their fate.
This was the dire situation the Uchiha clan faced.
And now, after the "Nine-Tails' Attack," the Uchiha were viewed with even greater suspicion, fueling the clan's growing resentment.
Though he was the clan head, there were times when even Fugaku couldn't sway the clan's collective attitude.
"Father, there's something I want to ask you," Itachi said.
"If it's about the clan, don't bother. I know your stance, but you're not in my position—you don't understand the pressure I'm under," Fugaku waved him off.
"No, it's not about the clan," Itachi shook his head.
"Then speak."
"Do you know if there are any other Uchiha outside the village?"
"Of course. Those sent on missions," Fugaku replied.
"No, I mean Uchiha who exist independently of Konoha."
"There are none."
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely. If any existed, they would have left when the Uchiha first joined Konoha. But as far as I know, that never happened. Why?"
"Someone is using the name 'Madara Uchiha' to cause trouble outside the village." Itachi's eyes locked onto Fugaku's expression. For a brief moment, Fugaku hesitated, but then he shook his head.
"Impossible. Some outsider dares to impersonate an Uchiha?" Fugaku gritted his teeth.
"I thought so." Itachi nodded.
His father did know about this person.
Just then, a child rushed into the room, kneeling on the floor. He first greeted Fugaku respectfully before jumping up and clinging to Itachi.
"Big brother, train with me?"
"Your brother has other matters to attend to," Fugaku said coldly, glaring at his younger son.
The child's smile instantly vanished as he nervously looked at his father.
"I've already finished my tasks. I have time today." Itachi's eyes crinkled as he patted the boy's head. "But after this, I might not have time to train with you. You'll have to practice with your classmates."
"They're all too weak—" the boy whined, his tone full of childish petulance.
"Arrogance like this will stunt your growth!" Fugaku snapped.
The boy paled.
"Let's go to the training ground." Itachi quickly stood, gently patting the boy's shoulder. After bidding farewell to Fugaku, he led his brother out of the room.
Fugaku watched his two sons leave, sighing helplessly.
---
"Sasuke, what have you been learning at school?"
"The teachers go too slow. They spend days teaching the Transformation Jutsu, and some people still can't do it."
"Really?"
"Yeah! There's this one kid who's so bad. He's the dead-last in class." Just talking about his classmate seemed to lift Sasuke's mood. "Oh, right! Big brother, the school's giving us a break soon. Can you train with me then?"
"I'll be at my busiest then. But, Sasuke, promise me something—no matter what happens during the break, don't leave the village. If you do, I'll teach you a powerful jutsu."
"I want to awaken my Sharingan," Sasuke said.
The reason Father didn't pay much attention to him was largely because he hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet.
"The Sharingan? That… depends on you." Itachi broke into a cold sweat. He'd never heard of anyone helping another awaken the Sharingan.
Besides, the conditions for awakening it were… brutal.
Sasuke's face fell in disappointment.
"But you're my brother. Talent runs in your blood." Itachi quickly reassured him. "Awakening it is just a matter of time. Don't rush it."
"Mm!" Sasuke nodded firmly, his spirits lifting again.
---
Meanwhile, deep in the underground hideout, Midorima was growing increasingly restless as the Chunin Exams drew closer.
He could tell Orochimaru felt the same.
From the beginning, Orochimaru's goal had never changed—Uchiha Itachi.
But Midorima had doubts. Given Itachi's strength, using Susanoo shouldn't be difficult, let alone Amaterasu. Even if Orochimaru could hold his own against Itachi, if other ninja were drawn to the fight, escaping would be impossible.
Orochimaru… what exactly are you planning?
Sometimes, Midorima wished he could crack open Orochimaru's skull to see what was going on inside.
His own goals, however, were simpler: first, escape Orochimaru's control, and second, obtain the Sharingan. As for whether he'd rescue Shizune… that depended on her cooperation.
On the night before the Chunin Exams, Danzo arrived at the hideout and reclaimed the Sharingan.
At that moment, Midorima felt a pang of loss.
"We're leaving," Orochimaru reminded him.
"Now?"
"The exams start tomorrow. Security will tighten." Orochimaru pointed to the underground prison. "Bring her with you."
Midorima shrugged, put on his mask, and descended to the second floor. He opened the cell door and pulled Shizune to her feet.
"How's your energy?" Midorima asked.
"Not bad."
Thanks to Midorima's repeated warnings, Shizune had gradually adapted to life in the cell—she'd even gained some weight. But her stamina had weakened from lack of exercise.
"Your chance to escape is tomorrow. No matter what I tell you to do, don't refuse."
Shizune stared at Midorima intently before nodding firmly.