Soon, Itachi returned to the place where they had parted ways, only to find it in ruins, with a large number of trees toppled.
Itachi's gaze grew solemn. Such destructive power was truly astonishing; a brief exchange between the two could cause such devastation.
Itachi had decided to return only after sensing the fluctuation of Shisui and Obito activating their Susanoo.
However, upon seeing the two sitting on a rock, chatting cheerfully, Itachi breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the outcome wasn't a terrible one.
"Little brother Itachi! Why have you returned?"
Shisui and Obito had already sensed Itachi's presence. Obito had also put on his mask again, sizing up Itachi.
This was Obito's first formal meeting with Itachi. His attention had been focused on Shisui earlier, and he hadn't observed Itachi closely.
Now, with just a brief glance, Obito noticed many details. Uchiha Itachi was extremely cautious, his hands always positioned above his ninja pouch, ensuring he could grab a kunai or shuriken in an instant.
His gait was light and airy, yet chakra pulsed beneath his feet, ready to dodge traps or attacks at any moment.
These could be considered normal ninja procedures, but there was no need to keep his Mangekyo Sharingan activated, with its three tomoe!
Shisui chuckled sheepishly and said, "Little brother Itachi, there's no need to be so cautious. It was all a misunderstanding. This is..."
"My identity can wait until later," Obito interrupted Shisui. Although Shisui trusted Itachi greatly, Itachi had not yet joined the organization, so Obito wouldn't reveal anything directly. Even so, the young boy had probably already guessed his identity.
"You are Uchiha Itachi, aren't you? The genius of the Uchiha clan!"
Itachi greeted politely and said, "Compared to brother Shisui and this Uchiha senior, I still have a long way to go."
Obito patted Shisui's shoulder and laughed, "Shisui, you've really discovered a promising talent."
"Haha, Itachi's talent is even greater than mine."
Obito jumped onto a rock and said to Itachi, "I am very much looking forward to you joining the organization in the future."
"Organization?"
Itachi's expression was puzzled. He then looked at Shisui. Seeing Shisui nod, Itachi couldn't help but blurt out, "What kind of organization is this?"
"An organization that suits you very well, extremely well!"
The organization Obito mentioned was not the Eternal Life Organization, but Akatsuki!
Obito felt that Uchiha Itachi would be more suited to join Akatsuki rather than the Eternal Life created by Teacher Lin Yu. Obito didn't know why, but he felt Itachi belonged in Akatsuki, that the red cloud black robe would suit him perfectly!
The space rippled, and Obito's figure disappeared from his spot, leaving behind his voice in the air.
"We will meet again, Uchiha. Seven-to-one!"
After Obito left, Shisui stepped forward and said, "Let's go, little brother Itachi, we're returning to the village."
Itachi hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Brother Shisui, have you really joined some organization?"
"That's right."
"Does the village know?"
Shisui's eyes were inscrutable. This was a difficult question to answer!
"It can be known, or it can be unknown!"
Teacher Lin Yu was also a member of the village, so in a sense, it was known. However, only Teacher Lin Yu knew, and even the Hokage didn't know who the Phantom God was, so it was unknown!
"It can be known, and it can be unknown?"
Itachi was bewildered. Even with his intelligence, he couldn't figure out what that statement meant.
Shisui patted Itachi's back and smiled, "Don't think too much about it. Anyway, you probably can't escape. You'll know when the time comes!"
"Oh."
Itachi nodded, then added, "Brother Shisui, was that masked man just now..."
"Ah!"
Shisui's face was filled with helplessness. It was not a good thing for little brother Itachi to be too clever!
"Even if you've guessed it, don't say it. Little brother Itachi, you absolutely cannot tell anyone about this!"
"Not even the Hokage?"
"Uh... probably not? Maybe yes!"
Shisui thought that the Hokage was also a member of the organization, and then he became uncertain!
Itachi: ...
Itachi felt that his brother Shisui was not behaving normally today. Had he been hypnotized by the other party's genjutsu?
"Ah, don't think so much about it. You'll know when the time comes!"
"Let's go! We're going to the dessert shop for dango!"
"Okay~"
...
Tuk tuk tuk!
"Enter!"
Inuzuka Tsume walked into the Hokage's office alone, her resolute face tinged with embarrassment. She whispered, "To the Hokage, Sasuke has been found."
"He's found?!"
Minato Namikaze immediately asked, "Did you see Naruto?"
Inuzuka Tsume lowered her head and hummed in agreement. Then, she said, "Your child, Naruto, is also here. Both of them have returned to Konoha now."
"Good!"
The worry on Minato's face faded, but he became nervous again. "Where are they? Were they injured and sent to the hospital?"
If the news of Naruto's injury reached Kushina, he, Minato Namikaze, would be sleeping on the streets. Where would that leave him, the Fourth Hokage, in terms of face!
"Sasuke sustained some minor scratches. Naruto is fine."
Minato completely relaxed, but immediately asked, "Tsume, with you looking like this, did that brat Naruto do something foolish again?"
Inuzuka Tsume hesitated a little but still spoke out, "I heard them say that Naruto invited Sasuke to Ichiraku Ramen. It's said to be a place to make friends."
"Hahaha, has this brat made any friends?"
Minato's face was filled with a smile, and he said happily, "Then let them go. You can bring them over tomorrow."
Naruto is a good boy. He really remembered what he said and was a good son!
Seeing Minato so happy, Inuzuka Tsume didn't know whether to say the next thing.
"Is there anything else?" Minato picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. With Naruto and Sasuke safe, he could finally relax.
"It's just..."
Inuzuka Tsume gritted her teeth and said, "It's just that the money for Naruto's treat... it seems like... it seems like it was your private savings..."
"My goddamn..."
Minato spat out a mouthful of tea. That brat Naruto actually sold out his teammate!
That was his guarantee for a month of freedom!
He actually took it all for that brat!
"Cough cough, it's fine, it's fine. You must have misheard. That was money I gave him!"
Although Inuzuka Tsume felt that the emphasis on the word "gave" was very heavy, she still wisely agreed, "Yes, is that so? Then I must have misheard. If there's nothing else, Hokage-sama, I'll go back to my work!"
"Hmm!"
Inuzuka Tsume fled as if escaping, fearing that if she stayed any longer, the Hokage would kill her to silence her!
"Naruto, that brat!"
Minato looked out the window in the direction of Ichiraku Ramen, then sighed and revealed a sunny smile.
"It's fine, though. It's just a month's savings. It's nothing compared to Naruto's safety!"
As long as Naruto didn't tell his mother, he would let this matter go!