He is also the first Uchiha ninja in the history of Konoha to join the Anbu.
His joining, although it caused quite a stir two or three years ago, was quickly subdued, and the dissenting voices disappeared.
Itachi did not disappoint them. In just two or three years, he completed his tasks with 100% efficiency, rising from a regular Anbu member to an Anbu squad leader.
One year ago, he was even specially promoted to an Anbu sub-captain, managing four Anbu squads.
For a thirteen-year-old boy, this was already a great expectation and recognition.
Especially for someone from the Uchiha clan, it was even more remarkable.
He is a ninja who can step out of the family mindset and dedicate everything to the village, embodying the Will of Fire, a model Konoha ninja.
Danzo also glanced at Itachi, then closed his eyes, sitting there silently, lost in thought.
"So, has something happened with the Uchiha?"
Utatane Koharu asked.
Itachi gave a slight bow to Koharu and the others before replying, "Yes, tonight the Uchiha clan held a secret meeting, and the content of the meeting was..."
He omitted the conflict between himself and Uchiha Hachida, but narrated the rest fully.
The aggressive ideologies led by Uchiha Hachida, aiming to establish a political regime exclusive to the Uchiha within the village.
His father, Fugaku, tacitly approved of this action and did not stop it.
Upon hearing Itachi's brief and direct account, both Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions changed.
They knew the Uchiha clan had been unstable since the Nine-tailed incident, but they didn't expect it would come to this.
"If I remember correctly, Danzo predicted a few years ago that the Uchiha clan might stage a coup and hoped the Anbu would take action..."
Mitokado Homura glanced at Danzo sitting next to him and spoke softly.
"I only made a reasonable guess based on the intelligence I had. Ever since the Fourth Hokage Minato sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-tails, the radical faction of the Uchiha clan has coveted the position of Hokage. Moreover, the coup d'état of the Fourth Mizukage of Hidden Mist gave them the illusion of seizing power through a coup... This is the root of the calamity."
Danzo said this with complete calmness, causing those in the room to ponder.
"Saying it this way is too absolute. A coup cannot happen overnight. Besides, it's just a possibility; the Uchiha clan hasn't acted yet."
The Third Hokage Hiruzen spoke.
"Once they begin to act, it'll be too late."
Danzo confronted Hiruzen with unwavering eyes.
"I think we can still negotiate with the Uchiha clan; there's no need for confrontation."
"What if they really stage a coup?"
"As the Hokage, I will take full responsibility!"
Hiruzen declared resolutely.
"Hmph!"
Danzo snorted coldly, thinking Hiruzen's words were just for show.
"Alright, you two stop arguing. Currently, it seems that the Uchiha clan may not actually stage a coup; it might just be talk, so we shouldn't overreact."
Utatane Koharu looked at the bickering Hiruzen and Danzo, shaking her head slightly.
"Indeed, let's see how things develop. Itachi, continue monitoring the Uchiha clan's intelligence and report to us promptly. The future of the village and the clan rests on your shoulders."
Mitokado Homura looked at Itachi, speaking earnestly.
"Yes. I'll take my leave now."
Itachi nodded, and with a flash of his figure, disappeared from the office, leaving the space to Hiruzen, Danzo, and the others to continue discussing the Uchiha clan's matters.
◎
Nankai Shrine.
After leaving the Hokage Office, Itachi didn't return home or to the Anbu but instead went back to Nankai Shrine alone.
He entered the shrine, activated the mechanism, revealing the stairs to the underground passage, and walked down the dark path.
There, he saw the ancient Uchiha Stele, a relic of the clan's long history.
Unlike usual, the normally empty chamber had a mysterious figure standing in front of the Uchiha Stele, deeply engrossed in observing it.
Upon hearing footsteps behind him, Itachi didn't hide his presence and approached the mystery man.
The man wore an orange spiral mask and a black robe with red clouds, exuding an incredibly mysterious aura.
"Uchiha Itachi."
The mystery man called out Itachi's name, slightly turning as the Three Tomoe Sharingan in the small hole on the left side of the mask glared scarlet, making Itachi shiver.
"It's me."
Itachi managed to calm his mind.
"It's been four or five years since we last met. Long time no see."
The mystery man spoke familiarly with Itachi.
Itachi's eyes briefly flickered with hatred before he suppressed it.
Indeed, he hadn't seen this man in four or five years.
While in the Minazuki Yuzuki squad, this was the man who killed Izumo Tsutama, forcing him to awaken the Sharingan for the first time.
Though his appearance had changed, the cold Sharingan was unmistakable.
This man was very dangerous.
"Were you the one inciting Hachida and the others?"
Itachi asked.
"Oh? Why would you think that?"
The man chuckled lightly, curiously inquiring.
"If they had the resolve, they wouldn't suddenly propose a coup now; they would have acted sooner. Moreover..."