Uzumaki Naruto was not only the orphaned son of Namikaze Minato, but also one of the village's most important Jinchūriki.
If something were to happen to him in the hands of the Uchiha clan, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although the Telescope Technique could pinpoint Naruto's location, the current situation made it impossible to return to the Hokage Building in time.
"He's at the Nanga Shrine," Uchiha Itachi reported truthfully, though he clearly didn't support Hiruzen Sarutobi going there himself.
According to his father, the clansmen plotting a coup were now all gathered at the shrine, ready to slaughter Konoha's leadership.
Even if Fugaku didn't show up on schedule, if they saw the Hokage, the coup might erupt ahead of time.
And if things were mishandled, the Nine-Tails could very well go berserk.
"I see," Hiruzen nodded, acknowledging that Itachi's reasoning made sense.
Besides, the Uchiha all possessed the Sharingan—no Transformation Jutsu would fool them.
"Let me go," Itachi volunteered suddenly.
No matter what, he was a member of the Uchiha clan, and one of its most skilled fighters.
If he used Tsukuyomi properly, infiltration might be possible.
Most importantly, Naruto was a dangerously unstable factor.
"I'll go with you," Senju Haruto said, stepping into the conversation.
Not for any noble reason, truth be told—
Nanga Shrine was one of his sign-in locations.
"If anything happens, my Wood Release can suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra," Haruto added casually, offering a convenient excuse.
"Then I'll leave it to you two," Hiruzen said, feeling the two boys were indeed better suited for this task than himself.
Still, as Hokage, Hiruzen couldn't afford blind optimism.
Haruto's earlier fight with Fugaku might have already drawn the Uchiha's attention.
To ensure the Nine-Tails wouldn't threaten the village, Hiruzen decided to act separately, mobilizing both the ANBU and the Root in case of unforeseen events.
"That works," Haruto agreed, then exchanged a brief glance with Itachi before they headed off toward the shrine.
While transforming into Fugaku was unrealistic, he could disguise himself as just another Uchiha clansman.
Given the nature of previous sign-in rewards, this one might even grant him a Sharingan.
And the Sharingan was the ultimate symbol of the Uchiha name.
As for explaining how he got it, Haruto already had a story prepared—he'd just say one of his parents was Uchiha.
It was pure bluff, but it would work.
"What's your plan?" Itachi asked as they neared the Nanga Shrine. "Are you going to kill them all?"
The Uchiha were proud and power-driven.
Their sudden appearance might fool the clan for a moment, but not forever.
Worst case, it could turn into a full-scale battle.
That's why Itachi asked—if all the unstable elements were eliminated, the village's peace would be secured.
But that didn't align with Haruto's original plan.
"We'll see how things go," Haruto replied after a pause.
Even without Itachi, he could take care of the hostile clansmen.
"But we can just pretend to be on their side and bluff them. As long as we get Naruto back, the rest will be easy to deal with."
"Bluff them…" Itachi's expression darkened—he hadn't expected Haruto to put it that way.
"Hmm?" Haruto caught his tone and glanced sideways at him. "Relax, Itachi—we're best friends. I'd never lie to you."
"Is that so?" Itachi murmured, not because he feared being deceived himself, but because he truly wished for peace in the village.
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" Haruto said firmly.
But just as they were about to reach the shrine, Itachi spotted Uchiha patrols nearby.
Even without the Sharingan, he could see the tension weighing on them.
If the coup failed, the consequences would be more than they could bear.
Worse, Fugaku still hadn't arrived, making them even more anxious.
"I'll need your cooperation," Itachi began, intending to quietly take them out before going further in—
But Haruto simply strode forward.
"Hey!" he called out cheerfully.
Itachi: "???"
Haruto's casual greeting immediately put the guards on alert.
"Sorry I'm late," Haruto said, then added, "Itachi, hurry over here."
"Itachi?" one of the guards echoed, confused—he didn't recall any Uchiha named Haruto, but Itachi was unforgettable: the clan prodigy, eldest son of Fugaku, and now a member of the ANBU.
Haruto shot Itachi a quick look—no need to fight. Just act like fellow conspirators, and they could walk right in.
"…Fine," Itachi sighed, stepping forward to identify himself.
"My father sent me. If we're going to replace the Hokage, my strength is indispensable."
As he spoke, Itachi activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Among the Uchiha, everyone understood exactly what that power meant.
And because of Itachi's presence, no one paid much attention to Haruto at all.
In fact, the patrol guard even offered to lead them in.
Before long, Haruto and Itachi were inside the Nanga Shrine.
Just as Fugaku had said, the place was packed with able-bodied Uchiha men, all with expressions tense as drawn blades.
"Where's the clan head?"
After hearing Itachi's report, they immediately asked about Fugaku's whereabouts.
"You've all felt that surge of powerful chakra, haven't you?" Itachi said, spinning his story smoothly. "Something happened—my father is fighting Danzō and lured him out of the village."
"Danzō? That chakra belongs to Danzō?"
The revelation made many of them gasp—when they'd felt that chakra earlier, it had shocked them. Now knowing whose it was explained a lot.
"I never thought it would be Danzō…" one three-tomoe Sharingan wielder muttered, though suspicion soon followed. "But Itachi… are you truly on our side?"
Haruto, standing off to the side, didn't bother listening—he was too busy focusing on his sign-in.
Congratulations, Host. You have reached the sign-in location. Sign-in commencing!
Progress must reach 100%—leaving early will result in failure!