"That's true," Itachi nodded. "Because of a past mission, Tenma, Shinji, and Minazuki-sensei have become people I deeply care about."
Yun chuckled and added, "Ever since Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin, proposed the idea, Konoha's ninja squads have always included at least one female member. But as for the Uchiha..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but Shisui scratched his head and smiled, while Itachi looked a bit awkward.
The Uchiha are known for their good looks. Even the average-looking ones attract attention thanks to their talent at the Academy.
This often leads to at least one teammate speaking up for them.
As night fell, just before they parted, Itachi turned back to look at his two older "brothers" from the clan.
"The day after tomorrow, I'll request leave for the clan meeting. So, please bring me along."
His eyes were filled with determination. Shisui glanced at Yun beside him.
"Hah..." Yun exhaled. "Honestly, the biggest threat to the Uchiha disappeared by accident. With only your Three-Tomoe Sharingan, your presence at the meeting won't change much."
"Bring him along."
"Huh?"
Yun turned to Shisui, who smiled at Itachi and said, "Actually, the Third said something true the other night, we also need to believe in the next generation. Just like I've always believed in you, Yun."
Yun didn't argue.
After thinking for a moment, he looked at Itachi and said, "Alright, come with us. But let me be clear, if a fight breaks out, I won't have time to protect you."
Itachi smiled and shook his head, "No need."
....
On the Hokage Monument
"What kind of opportunity are we waiting for with the Hyūga?" Shisui asked in the quiet of the night.
Yun replied, "Remember what Uzumaki Ku said that day? The Hidden Mist has made good use of the Byakugan. It seems the Hidden Cloud is planning something too."
"Hidden Cloud?"
Shisui blinked. "Weren't they just trying to threaten the Hyūga a bit?"
Yun shook his head. "I can't be sure, but I learned two things from Tokuma. First, the current Hyūga head, Hiashi, has a branch house brother named Hizashi, and Hiashi seems to value him greatly."
"Second, members of the Hyūga branch house have the Caged Bird Seal from childhood. Their lives and deaths are controlled by the main house. Once triggered, the Byakugan self-destructs."
Shisui thought for a moment. "If the Hidden Cloud really wants the Byakugan, their only option would be to target the main house. But members of the main house rarely leave the village."
In that moment, many things became clear to Shisui.
But Yun looked at him and said, "You've been close to the Fourth. Surely you've heard some intel recently? Whether you choose to share or not is up to you, but chances to tie the Hyūga to us don't come often."
The words were vague, but Shisui understood.
For over a year now, rumors from Hidden Cloud suggested they wanted an alliance with Konoha.
But there had been no official emissaries, so it was all unconfirmed. Yun's speculation remained just that: speculation.
"Things aren't urgent yet," Yun continued. "Your priority is the clan meeting the day after tomorrow."
With that, he waved and disappeared from the Hokage Monument in a flash.
Shisui, left behind, covered his eye with one hand.
That ability, Kotoamatsukami, was finally ready again.
Elsewhere, under the night sky
Uzumaki Ku, a clone, was reading a scroll with a serious expression.
Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall → Signs: Tiger – Dog – Snake
Wood Release: Wood Clone → Signs: Horse – Dog – Snake
.....
He had acquired many Wood Release jutsu from Root, including techniques from the legendary Four Pillars.
But…
Where was Advent of a World of Flowering Trees
Where was Wood Human Technique?
What about True Several Thousand Hands?
Hearing a faint noise behind him, Ku quickly stowed the scroll. It was still somewhat useful.
"If not for Kushina's sensory abilities, I wouldn't have found you this close to the village."
The voice behind him was none other than Namikaze Minato.
Uzumaki Sora turned with a grin and asked, "You came all this way to fight? But you wouldn't bring your wife if you were planning to brawl, would you?"
He looked past Minato to see Kushina beside him, gazing at him with a strange expression.
'Were they trying to… reconnect?'
Minato shook his head slightly. "When we returned that night, I asked Kushina. She didn't sense any malice from you."
"But you were too impulsive. Now that Danzō is dead, your chances of joining Konoha are gone. Originally, as the Fourth Hokage, I could've arranged for the Uzumaki to return without any issues."
Ku shook his head. "I never intended to join Konoha. Popping in for food and drink using Flying Thunder God is good enough for me."
Minato scratched his head. "Fair point. But the remaining Uzumaki clansmen are all in Konoha."
At that moment, Kushina spoke: "Can you… tell me your parents' names? Or maybe your grandparents?"
'Uh…'
Ku froze. He was a fake!
Should he give a Uchiha name?
But Kushina quickly seemed to assume something on her own and shook her head, saying,
"You're like me, a refugee. It's okay not to know."
"When Grandma Mito passed, her only regret was the Uzumaki clan. Minato is now the Fourth Hokage, and the Uzumaki have sealing techniques. With Face Concealment Jutsu, you can return."
Ku quickly shook his head. His real body was already in Konoha. What would be the point of going there?
Staring at himself in awkward silence?
Besides…
Although Minato and Kushina were both smiling hopefully, it was obvious to Ku that something was off.
Behind those smiles, it was as if a fox's tail was showing.
'Looks like the Fourth had already made up his mind…'
"I'm never joining Konoha. Why would I put shackles on myself? I'm not stupid."
"But… if you're looking for the Uzumaki clan…"
Ku looked at Kushina, "How about a trade?"
???
Minato stepped forward: "You know where there are surviving Uzumaki?"
Yun nodded. "I do. The usual rules, one trade token. But this time, I don't want yours, I want Kushina's."
Minato glanced around and asked, "Not doing it in that special space?"
Yun shook his head: "Nope. So you'll have to wait a year. A year from now, under the rules of the Information Trading Hub, I'll provide intel on the surviving Uzumaki."
"Uzumaki Kushina… deal?"
It took her only a few seconds to nod in agreement.
In the next instant, the clone of Uzumaki Sora vanished from sight.
"He probably wants the Uzumaki sealing techniques," Minato said.
"As an Uzumaki, what's wrong with him wanting the clan's sealing jutsu?" Kushina replied.
"But…"
"I didn't sense any malice from him. And maybe that trade proposal was just a test."
"If only… he'd come help us."
.....
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