Inabi Uchiha directly admitted that they indeed suspected Itachi Uchiha of killing Shisui Uchiha.
Itachi Uchiha was furious inside. Without hesitation, he struck out, sending Yashiro Uchiha, Inabi Uchiha, and Tetsumi Uchiha crashing to the ground in an instant.
"Didn't I already mention this?" he said icily. "Don't judge someone based on looks or assumptions. You underestimated me by thinking I'm some kind of patient man. Ranting about 'the clan' every damn day… You're arrogance incarnate! None of you even understand your own limits, let alone the extent of mine. That's why you ended up flattened on the floor!"
Yashiro winced in pain. "Shisui has been watching you nonstop! Ever since you joined the Anbu, your actions have been suspicious and impossible to ignore! What exactly are you thinking?!"
Looking down at Yashiro and the others, Itachi replied calmly, "Being obsessed with organizations, clinging to kinship, chasing fame and profit—these are all self-limiting behaviors. Just as foolish is to fear and hate things just because they're unknown..."
"Silence! Itachi!"
Fugaku Uchiha suddenly appeared in the distance, shouting to stop Itachi.
Frowning heavily, Fugaku warned him sternly, "Enough already! What has gotten into you, Itachi? You've been acting oddly lately."
Keeping his eyes lowered, Itachi answered, "There's nothing unusual. I'm merely fulfilling my duty."
Fugaku pressed further, "Then explain why you didn't attend the gathering that day. Don't use top-secret missions as an excuse. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, you have a responsibility to account for where you were and what you were doing."
Itachi's gaze grew sharp. "To reach the peak…"
"What are you talking about?" Fugaku frowned.
Suddenly, Itachi pulled out a kunai and hurled it into the wall, impaling the Uchiha Clan crest engraved there.
Gazing at the shattered emblem pinned to the wall, he continued, "What this clan stands for fills me with despair. Because you cling too tightly to this narrow sense of clan loyalty, you've lost sight of what truly matters. True change can't be bound by rules, limits, instincts, or simple expectations!"
"How dare you speak so arrogantly?!" Fugaku roared.
Yashiro and the two others had risen now, standing beside Fugaku.
Yashiro held his injured forehead, glaring at Itachi. "That's enough! If you keep spouting nonsense like this, we'll throw you straight into prison!"
"Yeah, let's do it now!"
"We can't hold back any longer. Commander, issue the arrest order now!"
Itachi subtly shifted his right hand forward, clearly ready to fight.
Just as conflict seemed inevitable,
Sasuke Uchiha shouted from the doorway, "Brother! Please stop!"
Itachi's body stiffened slightly. He turned and saw young Sasuke standing fearfully in the entrance.
Itachi Uchiha lowered his head, and after a moment of silence, slowly knelt onto the ground, supporting himself with both hands as he pressed his forehead against the floor.
He spoke in a low voice: "I didn't kill Shisui. Still, I must apologize for my many inappropriate words earlier. I truly am sorry."
Of course, Fugaku Uchiha had no intention of locking Itachi away.
If Itachi had kept talking in that confusing yet arrogant way, even Fugaku wouldn't have been able to keep things peaceful.
Yashiro Uchiha possessed immense seniority, and even as clan head, Fugaku couldn't simply ignore his words.
Moreover, Itachi's behavior did seem highly suspicious.
Therefore, if Yashiro Uchiha insisted on arresting Itachi, although he was Itachi's father, as Uchiha Clan head, he couldn't openly protect his son.
Now that Itachi chose to kneel and apologize, this gave Fugaku an opportunity to smoothly bring matters to a close.
"It seems you've recently been overwhelmed by Anbu duties and are feeling exhausted."
Yashiro Uchiha frowned and called out, "Captain!"
Fugaku ignored him and continued, "The Anbu are directly under the Hokage. Even our Police Force can't make arrests without a warrant. Besides, we currently lack authority to detain ninja. As for Itachi, I'll personally take responsibility for keeping an eye on him. Let's end this matter here. I ask everyone to please cooperate."
After a long stare at Itachi, Yashiro let out a sigh. "Understood."
Yashiro and his group turned and left, while Fugaku glanced at Itachi before walking toward his home.
Itachi turned his head, watching Fugaku's back recede, his triple tomoe Sharingan transforming into Mangekyo Sharingan.
...
The next day.
As Itachi Uchiha returned from the Anbu base, two Root ninja blocked his path.
"Lord Danzo requests your presence. Come with us immediately!"
Without hesitation, the two Root ninja issued their order in a commanding tone.
Itachi didn't refuse. He followed the two Root ninja to the Root Division headquarters and met Danzo.
Kneeling on one knee before Danzo, Itachi asked, "May I ask what business Lord Danzo has with me?"
Wrapped in shadow, Danzo began speaking, "Starting today, you will serve as a deputy captain of Anbu. Though not officially part of Root, your missions will be assigned by me directly. You won't need to report to Hiruzen and others."
Itachi asked, "May I confirm whether this comes from Hokage-sama's order?"
Looking at Itachi, Danzo replied, "This decision originates from myself."
Itachi calmly responded to Danzo, "If my memory serves correctly, Lord Danzo currently isn't serving as Hokage's advisor anymore. Therefore, you shouldn't hold the authority to assign missions to Anbu ninjas."
Regarding Itachi's question, Danzo answered, "Although I'm no longer Hokage's advisor, I remain a high-level advisor to Konoha. I still retain the authority to issue mission orders to Anbu ninja. As a ninja, all you need to do is complete your assignments."
Could Itachi Uchiha ever trust the very man who had taken away his closest friend?
But Danzo deeply despised the Uchiha Clan. Refusing him now could lead to serious consequences.
So after a brief pause, Itachi Uchiha replied, "Yes."
Danzo continued, "You are being dispatched immediately. It's nothing serious—just an assassination. The two behind you will be under your command."
The two men who had escorted Itachi Uchiha to the Root Base stepped forward and said to him, "Starting today, we are your subordinates. Please give us your guidance."
Itachi turned around, looking at the two Root ninjas, slightly frowning.
Itachi had no choice but to leave Konoha Village alongside the two Root agents for the assassination mission Danzo had assigned.
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