[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
Uchiha Clan Compound
Uchiha Fugaku sat with his eyes closed, waiting for Uchiha Itachi to return from the Hokage's office.
Suppressed rage simmered within him—directed at both Konoha's elders and Uchiha Shisui.
The Mangekyō Sharingan… Such a crucial matter, yet Shisui had kept it hidden from him.
Did he not even consider me, the clan head, worthy of knowing?
If he had been told earlier, things wouldn't have come to this.
The door slid open.
"Father."
Itachi removed his sandals and knelt before him.
"What did the Third say?" Fugaku opened his eyes and asked.
"Nothing substantial," Itachi replied solemnly. "He claimed ignorance and promised to retrieve Shisui while punishing Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō."
It was the same old rhetoric, yet Itachi believed him.
Had Sarutobi Hiruzen truly been behind this, his methods would have been far simpler.
With Shisui's trust in him, the Hokage could have easily ambushed and taken the Mangekyō without effort.
No—this was all Danzō and Orochimaru's doing.
In the original timeline, Shisui's fate had been nearly identical.
The only difference now was Orochimaru's involvement.
Yet even after Danzō stole one of Shisui's eyes and drove him to suicide, Itachi had done nothing.
Because he understood—and inherited—Shisui's will.
The Will of Fire. Konoha above all. The clan comes second.
"Father, I've joined the Anbu," Itachi added after a pause.
"Anbu?" Fugaku's brow instinctively furrowed.
But upon reflection, with Shisui missing, the Uchiha needed a new spy to monitor Konoha's higher-ups.
Itachi was his son—there was no chance of betrayal.
Sending him was the most reliable option.
"However," Fugaku warned, "remember this—no matter what, you are an Uchiha first."
Itachi nodded, though disappointment flickered in his heart.
Father, you only ever see the clan. When will you open your eyes to Konoha?
"What were the abilities of Shisui's eyes?" Fugaku pressed, returning to the main issue.
The true power of the Mangekyō lay in its unique techniques.
Itachi fell silent.
"Itachi," Fugaku frowned, "with Shisui missing and a mysterious figure now possessing his eyes, the Uchiha are at risk. Tell me, so I can prepare."
"…Kotoamatsukami," Itachi finally answered after a few seconds. "It can manipulate and alter a person's thoughts without their awareness."
"What?!"
Fugaku's eyes widened before he slammed the table in fury. "That fool!"
Such a terrifying ability—why reveal it only after losing it?
Had they used it on Hiruzen, the Uchiha would never have been reduced to this state!
Shisui… What were you thinking?
But it was too late now.
A deep unease settled in Fugaku's gaze.
Until they found this mysterious figure and Shisui, many plans would have to wait.
The Uchiha would remain restless.
Itachi watched him impassively—he had expected this reaction.
"Go check on Sasuke," Fugaku said after a long silence, his tone softening. "He admires you the most. After the shock he endured, his emotions are unstable."
"Yes."
Itachi stood and left, sliding the door shut behind him.
Hyūga Compound
Sasame slipped into Hinata's room once again, carrying her on his back.
Luckily, no one had come looking for her during this time.
"See you next time."
He patted her head before vanishing.
A reverse summoning later, he reappeared in his own room.
Opening the door, he found Tsunade watching TV.
Hearing the noise, she glanced up and asked with a faintly accusatory tone, "Visiting Hinata again?"
Then she caught herself—her voice had been too transparent.
Seeing the smile on Sasame's face—one that wasn't for her—sent an inexplicable pang through her chest.
"Ah—Sasame," she quickly corrected, "go help Shizune in the kitchen."
But Shizune had already stepped out, carrying dishes.
Unaware of the atmosphere, she called out, "Dinner's ready!"
Tsunade stiffened, embarrassed.
Her eyes darted to Sasame, and for a moment, she felt flustered.
But she was Tsunade—composure returned swiftly.
"Sasame, don't just stand there. Let's eat."
"Okay."
Sasame smirked slightly. That brief, unguarded moment from Tsunade had been… interesting.
For a split second, a certain infamous phrase about "affected sweetness" and "purple-haired hags" flashed through his mind.
Cough.
Better not dwell on that. Dangerous thoughts.
He took a seat beside Tsunade, and the three began their meal.
"When will the Chūnin Exams resume?"
Sasame was still thinking about Tsunade's promised reward.
What kind would it be…?
Heh. Hopefully the kind I'm imagining.
"The day after tomorrow."
Assuming he was just eager to advance, Tsunade answered without suspicion.
Sasame considered asking about Shisui's situation.
But with the exams resuming so soon, Hiruzen must have already handled things.
The specifics didn't matter to him.
He'd already gotten the Fate Points he wanted.
Right now, the person Hiruzen and the others were desperate to find was him—but they had no leads.
Not even Tsunade suspected a thing.
Anyone who'd seen the mysterious figure's Wood Release would never connect it to Sasame.
Because he doesn't have that ability.
Three Days Later
Yakushi Kabuto and Inuzuka Hana arrived early at the gate.
"Yo, Gurō's as lively as ever."
Sasame reached down to ruffle the fur of the Husky at Hana's feet.
Its coat was delightfully fluffy.
"Let's go."
Tsunade glanced at Sasame. She wanted to pet something too—
Not the dog, though.
His head.
The group arrived at the Forest of Death.
After the first round's eliminations, only half the participants remained—ten teams in total.
Sasame didn't see Itachi.
Did Hiruzen pull strings for him?
He had joined the Anbu, after all.
The proctor was no longer Jiraiya but Yuuhi Kurenai.
Wait, no—not "Sunset Red."
Yuuhi Kurenai.
In the original story, she was a genjutsu specialist and Hinata's team leader.
Now, she was still young—around nineteen.
Her boyfriend was Sarutobi Asuma, Hiruzen's son.
The monetary benchmark of the shinobi world.
On par with Hatake Kakashi's chakra measurements.
Currently, Asuma was likely serving as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja for the Land of Fire's daimyō.
"…The rules are as follows," Kurenai announced. "Each team will receive a random scroll—either Heaven or Earth. To advance, you must obtain the opposite scroll. Only teams with both scrolls may proceed to the tower in the Forest of Death for the third round. If you cannot continue, fire a signal flare, and assistance will arrive."
She raised her voice. "The second round—begin!"
Land of Water, Kirigakure
A pale-skinned man emerged from the ground.
"Madara, something happened in Konoha that might interest you."
"Oh? What is it?"
Uchiha Obito, masked, responded indifferently.
"Uchiha Shisui has disappeared. Uchiha Itachi has awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and joined the Anbu."
"Interesting. He's only eight, right? He might make a useful pawn. Send someone to watch him."
Obito's voice turned icy.
"As for me… How can I call this atonement unless I bathe Kiri in blood—for Rin's sake?"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 120 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 45 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
(Give me all your power stones)