After the New Year.
A newcomer joined the Dark Department.
Uchiha Itachi reported in quite early.
The circle in Konoha wasn't big.
Many Anbu members also knew that Uchiha Itachi had a unique status, being a member of the prestigious Uchiha Clan and the eldest son of the Konoha Police Force Captain.
However, while the Anbu did not indulge in unhealthy customs, it did have some traditions of ranking by seniority, and being too young, Itachi would inevitably face skepticism.
But, the Anbu wasn't without young members.
Akihara Kagura had just turned eleven after the New Year as well.
However, Akihara Kagura was a Wood Release Bloodline Ninja, exceptionally powerful, and a Root-origin ninja, so no Anbu ninja thought to question Akihara Kagura. Additionally, everyone knew this little guy didn't regard the Anbu highly, always thinking about returning to Root.
The other Anbu ninjas intended to observe this newcomer Uchiha Itachi for a while, with no one particularly eager to engage with him.
Akihara Kagura was an exception.
As a senior member of Kakashi Hatake's squad, Akihara Kagura enthusiastically took Uchiha Itachi to the logistics department to collect his gear, helped him allocate a locker, and introduced him to his Anbu colleagues.
"This is Uchiha Itachi."
Akihara Kagura seemed worried that Uchiha Itachi would be questioned by his Anbu colleagues and introduced his background: "Uchiha Itachi was recommended by Lord Danzo to train and learn in Anbu. Lord Danzo aims to groom him as the future leader of Root."
"..."
The Anbu ninjas immediately dared not underestimate Uchiha Itachi.
Even if these Anbu ninjas thought that the eleven-year-old Itachi might be unreliable, they were reluctant to question a future Root leader to his face.
"I'm not… I didn't…"
Uchiha Itachi waved his hands repeatedly, a trace of unease on his little face as he feared being misunderstood: "I'm just an ordinary ninja recommended by Lord Danzo to join Anbu for training…"
"Not only that…"
Akihara Kagura shook his head, continuing, "The Third Hokage personally instructed Kakashi to place Uchiha Itachi in our squad, asking Captain Kakashi to look after him more in Anbu."
With these words from Akihara Kagura, Uchiha Itachi seemed more like a figure sent from above to gain credentials, and in fact, he was sent over to gain experience.
"Anbu doesn't tolerate such unhealthy practices."
Kakashi Hatake pressed down on Akihara Kagura's shoulder, soothing the bewildered Uchiha Itachi: "Don't mind Kagura; he just loves to talk nonsense."
"Yes!"
Uchiha Itachi relaxed immediately.
Compared to Akihara Kagura, Kakashi Hatake was indeed a nice person.
"Squad Six, off to a mission!"
Kakashi Hatake waved a hand, signaling everyone present to head out. He then looked at Uchiha Itachi: "First, get changed into your Anbu gear. The Hokage has instructed that you, like Kagura, stay by my side."
"You too."
Kakashi Hatake looked at Akihara Kagura, his face showing a hint of helplessness: "We've done missions together with Itachi before, so get along well with him during this period…"
"Understood, understood."
Akihara Kagura affably grinned and uttered a couple of perfunctory replies, then turned to Uchiha Itachi: "Did you hear that? You should get along well with me during this time."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi was at a loss for words.
Just then, an Anbu ninja suddenly burst into the dressing room!
"Captain Kakashi!"
"The Hokage has some important matters to discuss!"
"You're to bring Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Itachi to the Hokage Tower immediately!"
Inside the Hokage Tower.
The face of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was serious.
The two Hokage Advisors sitting beside him, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, had furrowed brows, while Hokage Assistant Shimura Danzo's expression hinted at eagerness.
"I really didn't expect…"
Mitokado Homura sighed, looking at the intelligence from the spies in The Hidden Rock Village: "Such a major event occurred just at the beginning of the year, with Uchiha Obito controlling the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han, and attempting to assassinate the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, almost causing a Tailed Beast Chaos…"
"It has become well-known…"
Utatane Koharu considered the implications of this issue and spoke: "Why didn't The Hidden Rock Village try to suppress the matter? Could it be some kind of trap?"
"For us, it might also be a good thing…"
Shimura Danzo was indifferent to the chaos in The Hidden Rock Village, even thinking that the more such affairs, the better: "Too bad the Five-Tails Jinchuriki didn't manage to kill Onoki…"
"It might not be a good thing…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, bringing up Uchiha Obito's past deeds: "Uchiha Obito has become a dangerous traitorous ninja; he once controlled Konoha's Nine-Tails, causing Minato's death, and controlled The Hidden Mist Village's Three-Tails, and now he controls The Hidden Rock Village's Five-Tails…"
"Is he deliberately using the Tailed Beasts to weaken the Great Country Ninja Villages?"
Mitokado Homura recognized that there might be a problem, as no one does such things without some aim; every act has a purpose.
"Unknown."
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't very clear about it either; most of his information came from Kakashi Hatake: "Kakashi mentioned that Uchiha Obito seems to have gone astray, attempting to bring eternal peace to the Ninja World, and planning to resurrect the village's hero, Nohara Rin…"
"If his intention is to realize peace in the Ninja World, then it's understandable why he might have such a whimsical idea…"
Utatane Koharu nodded, speculating based on Uchiha Obito's actions: "The Tailed Beasts are very powerful. He must believe that by using the Tailed Beasts to kill the leaders of those villages and placing the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki in the Kage positions, he can directly control the Five Great Countries!"