It's 'I', not 'we'—that makes Shisui's position clear.
Though he became the eyes of the higher-ups, monitoring the Uchiha Clan, it was only out of his duty as a Konoha Ninja.
He didn't want to become a weapon used against one side by the other; he only wished to play the role of a bridge.
His surname was still Uchiha—even if he stepped outside the clan, Uchiha blood coursed through him. That was undeniable.
Hiruzen pondered for a moment, staring at Shisui's abnormally calm face and asked, "Are you certain?"
If it was just a talented Uchiha clan member, Hiruzen wouldn't take it so seriously. But Itachi was different: besides possessing talent that even Shisui praised, he was also the son of the Uchiha Clan Leader.
Even though he'd yet to attend a clan meeting, his status and influence were extraordinary.
The problem of the Uchiha Clan wasn't something that could be solved quickly. Preparations for a long battle had to be made.
"I'm certain."
Shisui nodded.
He recalled what Itachi had said to him: to become a ninja more outstanding than anyone, and then put an end to all the world's conflicts... As long as he guided him well, surely Itachi could become, just like him, a bridge connecting the clan and the village.
With only his own strength, his influence within the clan was still too weak.
Most importantly, his own identity could not be exposed.
"You'll guide him. If necessary, I'll bring him into the Anbu and train him there."
Hiruzen made this decision on the spot.
Hiruzen's decision surprised Shisui.
Anbu?
"And what about Elder Danzo…"
Letting a member of the Uchiha Clan join the Anbu—certainly, that Root Leader would speak up against it.
"Ignore him. When it comes to the Uchiha, I'll handle it personally. I won't let anyone interfere."
Hiruzen said firmly and decisively.
Shisui felt a bit relieved. With the Third Hokage's word, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Also, Shisui, you need to join the Anbu as well. It'll make your future actions easier."
Hiruzen said this, handing over a slip of paper.
Shisui took it—in it, a location was written.
"Tomorrow at 4 PM, go to this place to receive your Anbu credentials. Outfit and disguise tools are all provided. Your identity cannot be exposed—apart from me, no third person will know you're in the Anbu."
"Understood."
Shisui's heart tightened.
That meant he was operating alone—a solo unit, only needing to answer to the Third Hokage.
With this Anbu identity, his actions would become much easier.
"And about the internal affairs of the Uchiha Clan... Have you found the spy?"
"Sorry, still no progress so far."
Shisui shook his head.
"Keep at it. Don't slack off."
"Yes… But, Hokage-sama, is there really an insider within the Uchiha?"
Shisui asked, bracing himself.
Just because the Uchiha Clan produced Uchiha Ruri—a dangerous renegade ninja—they concluded there was an insider. That seemed overly hasty.
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment. He walked up to Shisui and whispered a few words in his ear.
Shisui's eyes instantly widened.
Mangekyo Sharingan?
Did something like this really happen when the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself?
If that's the case, then it's no wonder the upper echelons are being so cautious.
Shisui took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
"Understood, Hokage-sama. I will definitely uncover the spy!"
Shisui's expression hardened with resolve.
If that insider keeps stirring up trouble in the Uchiha Clan, sooner or later the whole clan would be dragged down and placed firmly against the village.
"I'll leave it to you. Report any problems to me, to avoid falling into the enemy's trap."
Shisui nodded and vanished from the room.
The Third Hokage let out a deep breath and left the room as well.
Quietly returning to his office in the Hokage Building, Hiruzen was just about to continue processing today's paperwork when an Anbu appeared in the office.
The person wore a mask, had silver-white hair, and carried a Chakra Short Knife on his back.
He placed a file in the Third Hokage's hands.
"Hokage-sama, this is an urgent message from Team Three."
The Anbu was Kakashi, reporting in to Hiruzen.
"Urgent?"
Hiruzen suddenly had a sense of foreboding. He quickly opened the file, pulled out the documents inside, and read them.
They mentioned only one thing—the Daimyo of the Land of Rain died unexpectedly, Hidden Rain Village was under attack by unknown assailants, requesting support.
"Kakashi, you'll lead two Anbu squads and go to Hidden Rain Village immediately. Investigate what's happening there!"
Head to Hidden Rain? Now?
Hiruzen suddenly issuing this order made Kakashi's heart skip a beat.
Could it be that the Third Hokage has discovered his identity as a spy and wants to kill him by proxy?