"Bang!"
The sparring match on the training field began with a probing close-range exchange.
Though his opponent was a chūnin who had only recently been promoted, Itachi—no matter how one looked at it—appeared calm and unhurried.
"This bad habit of his… he learned it from you, didn't he?" Shisui said, glancing sideways.
Yun shot back, "What do you mean from me? That's good mentality. He's just posing for style."
He continued, watching the field with interest.
"But that swordplay—did you teach him? Paired with a two-tomoe Sharingan, it's pretty nasty. That chūnin's just unlucky to be assigned this test."
Coincidentally, Yun actually recognized the chūnin below. He was Tenma's older brother—the same guy Yun had scared half to death at the academy gate months ago when he was still a genin.
Shisui scratched his head.
"Graduating early after only a year in the academy… his strength has to exceed a certain standard. Honestly, this task isn't a good deal for that chūnin. Win, and it's expected. Lose, and it's humiliating."
Yun grinned.
"I heard that chūnin's younger brother is also in this graduating class. If he ends up on the same team as Itachi… that'd be fun."
Shisui hesitated.
"…It can't be that coincidental, right?"
The combat test ended quickly.
As for theory, it was trivial for a top student like Itachi.
By afternoon, Itachi had passed the special assessment and would officially graduate early as part of this class.
Barbecue Restaurant
Shisui raised his cup.
"You two are minors, and I'm a shinobi bound by the Three Prohibitions, so drinks only. Still—congrats on your early graduation, Itachi."
Clink.
After taking a sip, Shisui produced his gift—a scroll.
"For survival. Come see me tomorrow. I'll give you some crows."
Itachi accepted the scroll… then immediately turned his gaze to Yun.
The meaning was obvious.
Yun swallowed his barbecue and casually pointed at a box near the door.
"I heard your little Sasuke's still wetting his pants, so I bought you a box of diapers. You'll need them."
…
The air froze.
Itachi frowned sharply.
"If you hadn't scared Sasuke with that prank last time, he wouldn't—"
Shisui hurriedly waved his hands.
"Yun, let's… maybe not joke about that anymore. Sasuke's still really young…"
Yun scratched his head, then put down his chopsticks.
"Alright. You didn't listen to my advice and still graduated early, but to prevent certain rats from making moves… you can ask me some questions."
Shisui immediately interrupted.
"Yun—Itachi's only just over seven."
Yun raised a hand to stop him.
"Once he's assigned to a team, he's a shinobi. And Shisui—Itachi's talent isn't inferior to yours. Who knows… he might awaken that second pair of eyes one day."
Shisui fell silent, staring at Itachi.
Another Mangekyō?
That level of talent… was it already visible?
Itachi finally looked up, his expression serious.
"You and Shisui… what exactly are you planning?"
As expected.
Yun glanced at Shisui. Then, with a flick of his hand, a simple barrier sealed the private room.
Only then did Yun speak.
"I'll keep it simple. Suppress the clan's hawks who want rebellion. Unite the faction that wants coexistence with the village. Stand with the Fourth Hokage to integrate the clans. And finally—cut away the rotted roots beneath Konoha's great tree."
One sentence.
The room fell deathly silent.
Itachi pondered the truth of those words.
Yun and Shisui watched him carefully, searching his eyes for his real stance.
Shisui, who already possessed Mangekyō, understood the weight of that power—and Yun had plainly stated that Itachi carried the same potential.
If such power stood on the opposite side, everything they were preparing would collapse.
The Uchiha had only just gained Minato's recognition.
Shisui would not allow variables.
"I need time," Itachi finally said.
The celebration ended in heavy silence.
After Itachi left, Yun and Shisui headed toward the back mountain.
"Does Itachi really have Mangekyō potential too?" Shisui asked, his three-tomoe Sharingan slowly spinning.
Yun nodded.
"He feels love, understands love… and then loses it. A kid who's thought about life since childhood like him has a high risk of going insane."
Shisui couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
"Seriously—why do you always say Itachi has mental illness potential?"
Yun looked straight at him.
"You awakened Mangekyō. You know the price of that power. Understanding love isn't hard. Losing it without breaking—that's the real test."
"Bloodline limits are essentially hereditary diseases. And the Uchiha Sharingan… its activation condition is fundamentally twisted."
"Personality shifts. Blackening. Wanting to destroy the world. These are all latent side effects of the Sharingan."
Shisui recalled it.
Loss. Regret. Helplessness.
When that power surged… it truly felt like he could overturn the world.
Yun sighed.
"Since Itachi applied for early graduation, I've noticed something. Konoha's darkness has probably already reached out to him."
"A five-and-a-half-year-old awakening a two-tomoe Sharingan—that's unprecedented. And that person who's seen the Warring States Era… has always coveted both Uchiha and Senju power."
Shisui froze.
"They've already contacted him? The Fourth has been busy lately… the Cloud Village—"
He stopped himself.
Yun didn't ask. He continued quietly.
"It's a guess. Now we wait for his choice."
"And Shisui… we're past the point where mercy is an option."
Shisui nodded slowly. The cross-shaped pattern in his eyes turned faintly.
"My left eye has recovered."
Yun understood immediately.
"Wait a little longer. One hawk defecting, plus a Mangekyō—still missing one piece at the clan council. Not long now."
Shisui nodded.
"Yun… I've always known you have secrets. But you still haven't opened your eyes. What is that overwhelming power you keep talking about?"
Yun only smiled.
"Who knows? Maybe I'll awaken Mangekyō tomorrow."
Nightfall — Root Headquarters, beneath the Hokage Tower
"Itachi."
A voice spoke from the shadows.
"Inside that barrier today… what did you discuss?"
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