Konoha, Hokage Tower—inside a fully sealed conference room.
Early in the morning, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Uchiha Itachi, along with the two Hokage advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
He had also sent for Danzō.
But the latter had yet to appear.
Hiruzen assumed Danzō was busy transplanting Shisui's eye, so he decided not to wait and planned to question him later.
Today's topic—
was naturally Shisui's death.
"Regarding Shisui, I feel deeply remorseful. I placed too much pressure on that child… forcing him, for the sake of the village, to choose death to prevent civil war."
Right from the start, Hiruzen placed a halo over Shisui's actions, wearing a sorrowful expression.
Itachi was visibly moved.
He knelt on one knee and lowered his head. "Hokage-sama, you overstate it."
"Shisui was a central figure among the Uchiha youth. His death has greatly weakened both their strength and morale. This was his own choice."
"From the outcome, it has suppressed the seeds of rebellion."
Koharu narrowed her eyes, then added:
"However, we've received word from Danzō. Some within the Uchiha suspect that you killed Shisui and took his eyes."
"Danzō…"
Itachi clenched his fist, suppressing his anger.
"Shisui and I both acted for the future of the Uchiha. Those accusations are baseless speculation."
His voice grew heavier.
"Shisui never even appeared at the agreed meeting place…"
Seeing the tension rising, Hiruzen quickly intervened.
"I have no doubt about this. Like Shisui, Itachi is a bearer of the Will of Fire."
"As he said, these are nothing but malicious rumors."
"Itachi, you may go."
"The village will not forget Shisui's sacrifice."
"With him gone, we'll need you to keep watch over the Uchiha."
"Thank you…"
Itachi responded respectfully and left.
Watching him go, Koharu frowned.
"Hiruzen, why defend him? He's highly suspicious of Shisui's death."
Homura agreed, "Koharu is right. Itachi can no longer be trusted."
Hiruzen's lips twitched slightly.
He couldn't exactly admit that the entire situation had been orchestrated by himself and Danzō.
"The village has only just stabilized. We cannot afford internal conflict now. We still need Itachi to keep the Uchiha in check."
"But we can't leave him unsupervised," Koharu countered.
Hiruzen paused, then said:
"I understand. I'll assign someone else to monitor the Uchiha."
"Oh? Do you already have someone in mind?" both advisors asked.
"Yes. The son of the Shimizu family—Shimizu Kamikawa."
"Because he once saved Uchiha Izumi during the Nine-Tails incident, the two have grown close. Over the past six years, he's been able to enter and leave the Uchiha compound freely."
"If he takes over Shisui's role, it won't raise suspicion."
Hiruzen clapped his hands, and Kamikawa's file was brought in.
After reviewing it, Koharu nodded.
"Clean background. Good ideological alignment. A solid choice. But… he hasn't graduated yet, has he?"
"No need to worry," Hiruzen replied.
"He already meets graduation standards. He's simply low-profile. With proper guidance, his future is promising."
The two advisors exchanged glances.
"Then let him graduate early. There's no point keeping him in the academy another year."
"But who will lead his team?"
Hiruzen thought briefly.
"Kurenai will take him. She's currently without assignments."
"Select two more genin from those who failed last year's Chūnin Exams to form a team."
"Have them assess Kamikawa's abilities. After some field experience, if he meets ANBU standards—recruit him."
"He'll serve as our undercover observer within the Uchiha."
…
"Graduate?"
Kamikawa looked at his chūnin instructor with mild surprise.
The teacher smiled.
"That's right. You've mastered the Clone Technique, and your overall performance is excellent. I'm proud of you—congratulations."
"That's fine, but… the school year just started, didn't it?"
Kamikawa narrowed his eyes lazily.
The teacher chuckled awkwardly.
"Nothing gets past you. This comes directly from the Hokage."
"The Hokage?"
Kamikawa immediately put on an excited expression.
Seeing this, the teacher smiled even wider and patted his shoulder.
"Yes. He's been watching your growth all along."
"Really?"
Kamikawa exaggerated his tone.
"Of course. Would I lie? Here—your forehead protector. And these are a ninja tool pouch and a kunai pack. A gift from the Hokage himself."
"I won't disappoint him. I'll devote myself to Konoha."
Kamikawa declared with full enthusiasm.
"Keep it up," the teacher said with a satisfied smile.
Soon after, the teacher announced Kamikawa's early graduation to the class.
No one objected.
Aside from the anomaly that was Uchiha Itachi, Kamikawa was the most outstanding student of their cohort.
And today—
was his final day at the academy.
That night, Uchiha Izumi celebrated his promotion to genin.
The next morning, Kamikawa equipped his gear, fastened Kyōka Suigetsu at his waist, and headed to a vacant classroom as instructed.
When he arrived—
his two teammates were already there.
One of them was a blonde girl with twin ponytails, named Akizuki Airi.
She had a youthful face, fair skin, and a strikingly mature figure for her age—an unusual contrast that made her stand out immediately.