Two days in forbidden techniques room, Shuji gained understanding of Flying Thunder God.
Flying Thunder God Technique strictly speaking: advanced Body Flicker Technique.
Most core part: Flying Thunder God formula. Only mastering formula enabled spatial transfer sensing formula.
Learning Flying Thunder God formula required curse seals—not Orochimaru's developed type, but conventional like Shimura Danzō's Tongue Seal Eradication, setting self-chakra on target via direct contact.
Additionally needed basic sealing formulas.
Triggering formula through sensing, ultimately completing transmission via Flying Thunder God formula.
Rather troublesome: this formula setup couldn't rely on inherited predecessor memories—predecessor however diligent only lived fourteen years, mastering so many elemental techniques, letting Shuji perform any seal to cast jutsu already laborious. New things required self-mastery.
While Shuji immersed in study, Itachi tidied himself, face showing no ripple.
Sasuke's elder brother, Fugaku's eldest son, Uchiha clan genius—re-donned that calm mask.
Only this afternoon by Nakano River, Itachi wasn't "genius" but someone's friend.
Uchiha Izumi, same-age eight-year-old girl, long raven hair cascading, small teardrop mole beneath right eyelid, still attending ninja academy.
She sat quietly beside Itachi, carefully observing his silent profile.
"Itachi, mood very bad."
"Sorry, currently, indeed..." As friend-identity Itachi, no maturity needed, no emotion-hiding. Sitting lakeside, even eating dango listless.
"Encountered unhappy things?"
"Encountered... things impossible to do no matter what."
Izumi tilted head, staring at Itachi's face.
Itachi returned puzzled gaze.
"So perfect genius also has ordinary-people troubles."
"I... just know some ninjutsu." Itachi lowered lashes, fingertips unconsciously twisting stick tip. "Not genius."
More experienced, clearer felt: past learning, facing truly tangled predicaments, how powerless.
Self couldn't be called talented—merely better at combat, killing.
"Though unknown what genius does encountering problems, us ordinary people find mom, teacher help."
"One person agonizing alone useless, right, Itachi?"
Izumi didn't understand what problem stumped Uchiha Itachi—just followed instinct, saying what she felt helpful.
Parents, teachers...
Itachi still only quietly watched lake surface.
"Itachi has trusted senpai, right?" Izumi recalled something, eyes brightening.
"Shisui?" Itachi's lips pulled faint bitterness—even Shisui struggled in same vortex.
"Current captain! Itachi often mentions him?" Izumi reminded.
"Senpai..." Itachi's head dropped lower, voice nearly wind-scattered. "Senpai wants me to think myself."
Pain.
Slight sting on cheek. Itachi turned stunned—Izumi pouting, withdrawing stick poking his face.
"I say, Itachi," Izumi faced small, "for us ordinary kids, senpai says 'think yourself,' means think a bit—can't figure, ask again! Otherwise what?"
She bit dango hard, muffled yet firm: "Itachi like this insisting figuring completely out yourself—too hard on self!"
"But..."
"Ask again!" Izumi interrupted, tone decisive. "Since Itachi trusts senpai, surely won't mind!"
Really, can I...
Itachi gazed at Izumi's determined eyes, seemingly infected by her courage. He stood, movements lighter than arrival.
"Thank you, Izumi." He solemnly thanked.
Regardless, try asking. Even if presumptuous, better than stuck.
Bringing gifts visiting, senpai should forgive my boldness.
Entering foyer, unexpectedly found father Uchiha Fugaku today not at Police, but sitting formally in inner room, files spread before.
Itachi shelved original excitement, expression recovering Uchiha young clan heir's proper state.
Hearing movement, Fugaku looked up, gaze lingering on eldest son's face briefly, then calmly gathering materials rolling tight, movements meticulous.
He deliberately ignored Itachi's lapse that night—awakening three-tomoe Sharingan, intense emotional turbulence normal; besides, child recovered afterward.
Uchiha Fugaku's gaze fell on Itachi, seemingly weighing.
After moments, slowly spoke: "Itachi, something to ask you."
"Yes, Father."
Uchiha Fugaku considered long.
Couldn't hand over Police personnel roster for random person's demand, yet that person truly gave better, more suitable plan than his thinking all along.
If relinquishing partial Police roster achieved allied cooperation with other clans, even if village acted, must consider whether implicating too broadly.
And Uchiha's long-cherished wish had opportunity. Once Uchiha produced one Hokage, could re-prove Uchiha strength and stance, completely reversing current situation.
Revolution plan worst option; that Shuji's words reminded Fugaku—village constantly vigilant toward Uchiha. Even hiding Mangekyō well, difficult defeating Third and company decisively.
With village prepared, originally thought external forces—truly not in village?
Jiraiya always whereabouts unknown—was he preparing?
And long-departed Tsunade; that conversant's identity made Fugaku suspect—once negotiation failed, Tsunade might return.
Considering multiple factors, Fugaku truly pondering: ensuring Police leadership, ceding partial roster acceptable.
True difficulty: internal.
How place squeezed-out clansmen? Clan subsidies? Money whence? Uchiha population numerous—not all serve Police; long-term supporting idle hands already huge burden.
Only subsidizing expelled—other non-Police clansmen surely resent.
If none given... how appease clansmen? Use these Mangekyō...
Fugaku couldn't sort, recalling that youth's gaze—seemingly calm tone, full distrust.
He feared not fourteen-year-old special jōnin, but behind represented dormant Senju will.
Refusing meant war.
Under such...
Ultimately, just Police personnel roster, history—self not providing specific jutsu, tactical intel...
Might as well see what he does.
Just couldn't decide directly—if that person untrustworthy, Uchiha would suffer loss.
So he passed decisional power to eldest son.
"Itachi, willing to trust your captain?"
Itachi, with his talent, wouldn't be deceived by prolonged acquaintance.
"Senpai is exceptionally outstanding captain and leader, always forcing enemies onto his preset battlefield."
Itachi answered Uchiha-style; Uchiha trusted talent and strength—utmost trust.
This was eldest son's answer—extremely high evaluation.
Fugaku always willing trusting this greatest child—possessing talent surpassing all.
He exposed Itachi to war's cruelty early, proud of eight-year graduation, firmly believing Itachi would become better ninja than himself.
Now Itachi awakened three-tomoe Sharingan—his judgment weighed heavier.
"Tomorrow, I need you transferring materials to your captain—absolute secrecy required. I'll have Shisui accompany you secretly."
"Yes!"
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild