"Father."
Uchiha Clan Compound, the head of the clan's residence.
Itachi, who had returned from his mission, knelt on the ground, preparing to receive instructions from his father.
He hadn't been home for a long time.
The ANBU's missions were much busier than he had imagined.
But fortunately, Kirigakure finally showed signs of retreating.
Konoha, seemed to be finally ushering in true peace and tranquility.
But Itachi knew.
This was far from enough...
True peace, would inevitably require a great price.
A great, great price…
"Have you seen Haruko since you got back?"
Instead of the usual stern lectures, Fugaku suddenly used that girl to start the conversation.
Itachi's eyes momentarily froze, and his expression changed.
"Not yet, Father."
"I came straight back after reporting on the ANBU's mission."
Itachi's voice was impassive.
It seemed he was just answering an unimportant question.
Seeing his son's calm demeanor, Fugaku frowned.
He really didn't know how to evaluate his son anymore...
Calm, composed?
Or...
Insensitive?
The ANBU's influence on his son, was truly significant…
"Haruko came to the Uchiha gathering a while ago."
Sighing inwardly, Fugaku continued.
"That girl has changed a lot... I almost didn't recognize her at first glance."
"Go see her if you have the time."
Fugaku said with measured gravity.
His son, had always been very promising.
As he grew older, he gradually developed his own thoughts.
And as a father.
That's all he could suggest...
Itachi lowered his head, his eyes changing again and again.
The clan gathering a while ago…
Haruko, had come too?
Indeed...
Haruko, had actually reached the age where she could attend the clan gathering long ago.
If it wasn't for that incident back then, if she hadn't always stayed outside of the Uchiha clan compound.
She should... have come a long time ago, right?
But why.
Why did she return to the Uchiha at this time…
Itachi wanted to look up, to look at his father, to ask his father.
Haruko, certainly couldn't have returned on her own.
And choosing to have Haruko return to the Uchiha at this time...
Father, what exactly do you want to do?
The answer was obvious, the answer wasn't hard to guess.
The answer, seemed to have always been right in front of him.
"I understand, Father."
Itachi's voice was still calm.
He had gradually learned to disguise himself, learned to hide himself.
"Hmm."
Fugaku also responded softly, but a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
"Then go, by the way, Sasuke misses you, don't forget to play with your brother."
"Understood, Father."
Itachi answered again, then bowed, and took his leave.
And as he closed the door.
The pain in his eyes, became unbearably intense!
Why...
Did you have to involve Haruko... Father?!
Konoha, Hokage Tower.
"Letting a member of the Uchiha clan, be the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki's teacher."
"Sarutobi... are you really senile!"
The atmosphere in the large Hokage office was tense.
Danzo Shimura, with fire in his eyes, stared coldly at Hiruzen Sarutobi in front of him.
And facing his old friend's questioning.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, just kept smoking his pipe.
"Uchiha Haruko is different, Danzo."
"Her kindness, has even been praised by Jiraiya…"
"Besides, I have already dispatched ANBU to watch over her in shifts, if that's still not enough to reassure you, then you can send your own people to watch her too."
His old friend's questioning seemed to have come later than expected.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi, had long been prepared, he directly brought up Jiraiya's name.
They were gradually growing old... but the young people in the village, still needed some time to grow up.
If nothing unexpected happened.
The Hokage, would still have to be chosen from his remaining two disciples.
Whether it was qualifications, or strength.
Only those two disciples, could bear the responsibility of Hokage…
This, was also the result unanimously agreed upon by the Konoha high command.
However.
Hearing Jiraiya's name, didn't seem to have any impact on Danzo.
His gaze was still cold, even more so!
"Does that change the fact that she is a member of the evil Uchiha clan?!"
"Sarutobi... I am now seriously doubting, whether you still have the resolve as the Hokage."
"The disaster from back then, do you want to repeat it again?!"
Compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Danzo's preparations, seemed to be more complete.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
He also felt that his old friend, seemed to be a little off today.
"Danzo... what, exactly do you want to say?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in a deep voice.
Danzo Shimura didn't hesitate at all.
"Have Uchiha Haruko come to Root for a visit. She will become a Root ninja, and contacting the Jinchūriki, will also become a Root order."
Danzo stared directly into Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes without any hesitation, and said in a deep voice.
"I cannot allow her to contact the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki without any restraints..."
"On this point, there is no room for negotiation!"
After Danzo finished speaking, he directly turned to leave.
Just as he said.
There was no room for negotiation on this matter.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, staring at the space where his old friend had left, staring at the air for a long time.
He knew.
He had underestimated his old friend's animosity towards the Uchiha.
"You better, not go too far… Danzo.".
———— 🌟🌟 ————
ps:Support and join my Patreon
patreon.c@om/chenc11 [Remove @]
You can read up to 40 premium chapters.