Shisui Uchiha

The village of Konoha has a hidden threat, Danzo who is the shadow of the Hokage is beginning to make some moves in the dark against the Uchiha family; Shisui is a ninja who serves the village and is obedient to his family but, the radical ideas of the patriarch go against his ideals; Fugaku Uchiha, is thinking of making a coup d'état for the mistreatment his family has received. Shisui being a young man, has other ideas and thoughts different from those of his uncle.
Shisui and his cousin Itachi Uchiha make a plan to stop their uncle. Itachi, being an intelligent child and gifted with great abilities, managed to become an Anbu and work in an organization created by Danzo; Root. Where the most dangerous and dirty jobs are done, and Shisui helps him accomplish his missions.
But, he is not the only one who appreciates her, there is also Taiga, her friend whom she trusts and usually tells everything to.
And Suzukaze, a young girl of about his age whom he came to notice, is one of the reasons why he wants to achieve peace between his family and the village that Danzo had control of, putting aside the Hokage. For this reason, he is going to head down a dangerous path where ambitious adults dominate.
But, the further he advanced, the more Danzo noticed his eyes, using Itachi to lure Shisui more into some dangers to take his life and thus tear out his eyes, one false step and Shisui would die.
But, Shisui came out alive in each one of them and he was realizing what was happening, although his determination wavered or there were times when he did not know what to do, he tried to force himself to continue forward, for his cousin Itachi, for his friend Taiga and for Suzukaze; the girl he loved.
Even when he gets depressed or feels overwhelmed, he fights his inner demons. Only his friend Taiga knows about them, as he usually lies perfectly with a smile on his face.
He is stubborn, he is intelligent, he is persuasive, he is kind, he is flirtatious with Suzukaze, he is funny, he is a joker and mocking.

He suffers from night terrors, every night he has nightmares and can hardly sleep. But he knows how to avoid the subject when he is asked how he slept or how he spent the night, he usually avoids these types of topics in a skillful and easy way, he usually speaks well or he manages to do so.

He usually camouflages his mood very well with a slight smile on his face, always showing himself to others as a carefree person. He is very intelligent and analytical.

He is outgoing, but prefers gentle jokes. He is a very kind person.

Although he is young, he is very aware of his surroundings and reality, he does not usually bother the people around him much since he prefers to keep things to himself even when he is in love, he does not like the idea of ​​making someone feel uncomfortable. He is very cautious and subtle in his way of speaking, he is not someone romantic or exaggerated, he prefers sincerity but is not direct.

In addition, he likes to put people before himself, since he despises himself, but not enough to show it. Although he has many complex emotions, his countenance will always be serene and relaxed. He is someone who prefers serious topics over sentimental ones, but that does not mean that he is indifferent towards that subject.

It's just that he perceives love in a different way.

He doesn't usually talk much about himself, nor does he usually share his vision or his way of perceiving his reality, having grown up in a conservative family. He keeps many of his thoughts to himself, he only pretends to live day to day in a carefree manner while he tries to fix all the problems that surround him by himself.

He often feels alone but prefers to keep it that way. He doesn't think of himself as a hero and just wants to help the village where he grew up in some way.

He does not usually hesitate, every action he takes is because he has considered it a lot, but he does not usually regret his actions or doubt.

In short, he is a kind, attentive, charismatic, friendly, funny, carefree, intelligent, serious person in moments that require it, funny on the surface, a little gloomy when it comes to people who are not close to him.

But, he also suffers from insomnia, he does not feel physical pain, he likes quiet places, he likes to have pleasant conversations and he knows how to follow any type of conversation, since he is very intelligent, but disinterested. He focuses on issues of his family and the village.

• Short, black hair
• Black colored eyes.
• Long eyelashes
• Pale skin
• Measures 1.83

The cold air filtered through the slightly open window, cooling the dark room. The silence was prominent in that closed space, making it possible to clearly hear the sounds coming from the nocturnal animals, giving an impression of loneliness, regardless of the body lying peacefully sleeping on the futon, oblivious to the gloomy atmosphere that surrounded it.

The air current traveled in that space with personal deficiencies, moving gently through some dark strands in its path, causing that body to shudder slightly but its eyelids remained closed, firmly wrapped in the world of dreams.

The night passed normally, where the sky covered by thick clouds was slowly revealing the silver moon, the light it emitted slightly illuminated that room and the shadows around moved giving the illusion that they were coming to life but, that disturbing calm was interrupted by the sudden movements of the black-haired man.

The dim light fell on his pale face, where crystal-clear drops ran down his forehead, giving him a sickly appearance that grew worse with each passing second. His large hands clung tightly to the sheet that covered him while his dry, colorless lips were parted, as if he were trying to say something but could not form coherent words.

The pain he was experiencing was reflected in his expression. It was a torment that repeated itself every night and from which he could not escape, his past. Even when the moon was setting, the violent attacks continued accompanied by incoherent murmurs for long minutes until they stopped abruptly.

The body leaned forward sharply and took deep breaths. The daze was reflected on his face as he tried to steady his racing heart.

His black eyes were fixed somewhere in his room before moving his gaze towards the window, the air caressed his face making him come out of his daze and make a grimace, aware that he was having one of his many recurring dreams again.
Seeing that his hours of sleep were interrupted, he decided to stay awake. He silently placed his hand over his right eye and did not move again, remaining seated, distracted and tense...
Loneliness returned to make itself present while the moon above was covered in thick clouds, even in his room he could hear the footsteps of the ANBUS that watch in the surroundings, keeping an eye on the repudiated Uchiha family making Fugaku's discontent increase along with the other members. The meetings were now more discreet and in them they left implicit the measures they wanted to take to start a protest.
A coup d'état.
Those words made Shisui feel his hands sticky, remembering very well the sensation of blood, he closed his hands exerting some force and looked away, although they praised his aim he could still feel the slight tremor in his arm.
The same arm that has killed many people with precision.
His gaze observed the wounds on his arm, in it, scars extended to his chest and that even today remind him of how he got them, for some it would be a symbol of pride, of managing to survive on a battlefield where the outcome of your own life was uncertain.
For him, they make him feel like he was first admitted onto a battlefield, where he experienced firsthand what war was like, a child afraid of death.
She closed her eyelids in an attempt to get her mind off the first person she had killed with her own little hands.
Since then, he has been involved in an endless path of corpses, stepping on everything in his path while receiving more recognition for his skills. Leaving a weight on him.

A sigh escaped her lips, tiredness reflected on her face, which lacked the characteristic glow she maintained in the mornings.

That was Shisui Uchiha.

Leaning against the tree trunk, Shisui looked up at the blue canvas of the sky decorated by large clouds. The shadows cast by the leaves of the trees and covered him from the sun made the dark circles under his eyes look more pronounced on his pale face.

With one hand he held a kunai while the other caressed its worn edge. A glance at the hilt and shape of the weapon will show that it is old but well preserved.

The wind slightly moved some strands of her hair, making her close her eyes slightly to enjoy the fresh air, without stopping the movement of her fingers that gently caressed the edge of the kunai.

His muscles tensed for a few seconds when an almost imperceptible sound alerted him, but he calmed down again. He looked once more at the clouds taking shape while he waited for the person causing the noise to appear.

The footsteps among the branches grew closer and an idea popped into his head, a mischievous smile quickly spread across his lips, he put away the kunai he had to take out another, a newer one, he slid the kunai through his fingers and threw it, disappearing into the trees, without worrying about his fate he lay back down on the trunk with both arms behind his head, without removing his smile.

The sound grew louder and a few seconds later, out of the corner of his eye he saw the glow of the kunai go straight towards his head, he calmly held it in his hand while letting out a laugh when he saw a recognizable female figure appear between the trees.

-Idiot- He heard the insult directed at him and smiled at the girl who was looking at him with a frown.

-Taiga!- I greeted still on the branch watching the chestnut approach.

-Ppff I feel like you don't like seeing me- She murmured ironically.

-Thank you for giving it to me- he says ignoring what the girl says while putting away the kunai.
The young woman does not climb up, but stays down and leans on the trunk.
-I heard Itachi is taking the Chunin exams- He said slowly, he didn't get a verbal response but he took the boy's silence as confirmation.
A small silence settled between them after the girl mentioned that, each one immersed in their own thoughts and trying to guess the other's thoughts.
On the part of the young woman, she wanted to know how the boy felt about that, although she did not have any kind of closeness with the young genius Itachi Uchiha, she knew that this news must have affected Shisui in some way, since she met him, it always gave her a feeling of instability.
Instead, Shisui was thinking about Itachi, about whether he made the right decision to leave such a heavy burden on the young man. He looked at her unsure, clenching his hands unconsciously as he guessed the reason why his friend brought up the subject.
The silence was broken by the chestnut.
-He'll do well, he had a good tutor. -When he said that, he heard the black-haired boy laugh.
A low, weak, fake laugh, or that's how Taiga heard it. The words that wanted to come out of her mouth were stopped. She was aware of the dark aura surrounding the young man and that inherent loneliness, in a way, it wouldn't surprise her if the black-haired boy had bad thoughts again.
-How did your mission go? - He heard her ask him and although it was abrupt how she changed the subject, he decided to follow her.
-Well, there were no problems- He spoke casually- We caught the spy before he escaped or tried to contact reinforcements- He got a feeling from the black-haired man.
-I heard that Kakashi also participated in your mission- I turned to look at the brunette with a mischievous smile.
-No, we had different missions - He said while avoiding looking at the black-haired man - It was that we had to go the same way and when we were going to separate, it happened.

Taiga explained in a slightly low voice and her cheeks flushed a pale pink when she heard Shisui's laughter.

-You should look at your face in the mirror. - He mocked the girl.

-Yes, well, how is your father's condition?

-You avoided the topic- Shisui said with a smile to Taiga, who had counterattacked. -As usual- Shisui replied as his bright expression clouded over a
bit.

His father had lost a leg in the previous Great War, and was now confined to bed having contracted an illness from that injury.

In Shisui's family there were three: him, his father and his mother.

The family finances were supported by Shisui's income.

-He's noticeably emaciated these days, he doesn't even recognize me. - The black-haired man continued.

-Is that so...-

-Well, humans die sooner or later. I'm ready.- Shisui stopped what he was going to say, he didn't want words of comfort, he didn't need it.

Facing Shisui's sad determination, Taiga couldn't find any words to say to her friend and they were enveloped in silence again.

Surrounded by darkness, Shisui silently watched the distant stars that were scattered across the night sky. The icy wind caressed his face, numbing his skin. He let out a sigh that turned white in the air, ignoring the cold, he remained there.

Thinking and considering the recent events since he last saw Taiga.

Itachi passed the Chunin exams.

In the first stage, he had scored the second best record after Namikaze Minato. He won the first round without a fight due to the failure of his
opponent.

In the second stage, he again passed the test in the shortest time so far, even though he participated alone.

After the second round battle, he ended his exam due to the superior's decision on the grounds that he does not need to take the third round test.

Itachi was publicly promoted to Chunin.

Uchiha Fugaku held a meeting at the Naka Shrine, gathering all his comrades and although Shisui did not participate because he was on a mission, he was able to find out what happened.

Uchiha Fugaku wants to let his son enlist in ANBU, he didn't have to guess that those words upset all the Uchihas gathered.

Those who criticized the Anbu, people who tried to guess the true
Fugaku's intentions,
people who talked about Konoha's poor treatment of the Uchiha.

The resentment that everyone carried must have exploded at once.

Fugaku is well aware of this, until he cleared up everyone's doubts by saying that he wanted to make Itachi a mediator between the village and the clan.

The patriarch's intentions were clear, if the Anbu's people are secretly monitoring the district, in this case, the Uchiha clan might also have some eyes watching the village. With that, everyone agreed except Itachi who objected.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she looked down, a worried expression appearing on her face as she remembered what Taiga said.

_»After being wrapped in a long silence, it was broken again by her friend.
-Shisui, I heard that Danzo is paying attention to Itachi - I heard her say in a very low tone of voice. - Maybe, there will be changes - It's a warning.
She looked at her friend and met her gaze, both of them could see the concern and vigilance in each other, and they had a silent agreement in that exchange of glances.
His gaze returned to the night sky, he was outside the village but, looking at the sky made him naively believe that he was still in Konoha.
»Suzukaze is on a mission in the waterfall village, it will take him 5 months to return.«- Taiga said before leaving- He remembered distractedly, and on his face you could see the hint of a smile as he thought that there were 2 months left until he met her.
-Suzukaze - Shisui muttered, absorbed in his memories.
It was another night that passed without problems, Shisui looked at the ceiling of his room again distracted and a little restless, in his chest arose the ominous feeling that something would happen, something that is out of his hands.
He thought, questioning himself about his objectives and goals. At first he naively wanted to grow and become strong to end the war, which was the cause of many deaths, illnesses, injuries and other situations. He imagined himself more than once, stopping all that, but now, he had no idea where to go. He even thought that Itachi would be the one to lead the clan and make peace with the village, leaving behind that hatred and suspicions. Once again, he ended up discarding those ideas.
He moved his gaze towards his door, and decided to continue providing money to his family, he would not seek honor, nor become a hero. That was not his role.
He closed his eyelids, considering sleeping, this morning it would have been 5 months.
5 months since he last saw her. He admits that he was nervous about that reunion, he just hoped it would go well. He didn't know how to deal with the worry.

-Recently, when you occasionally come, in the end all you talk about is Uchiha Itachi- Danzo stared motionlessly at the figure of Hiruzen, who said this while sitting in the Hokage seat smoking tobacco.

-Someone in the past had warned me that a shinobi who smokes things like tobacco makes his body impregnated with that smell.- Hiruzen just smiled and replied that a Hokage does not go on infiltration missions so it was fine.

It's not that what Danzo said wasn't true. He had understood the problem. Whether he was Hokage or a genin, or a shinobi he must not forget that at any moment he could get involved in a fight. Should the circumstance arise that he had not been followed by an enemy, the scent of tobacco that remained impregnated on Hiruzen would be a sign of his presence to the opponent.
Things like absoluteness did not exist in this world.

Ignoring Danzo's thoughts, Hiruzen selected a new tobacco from his case that was still on the desk, tossing the ashes that had burned into the glass tray and lit the tobacco on fire. The violet smoke dissolved into the stream that came from the open window and entered Danzo's nose. Although he grimaced at the unpleasant smell, he didn't show it on his expression.

He has been an "acquaintance" of Hiruzen since they were both Genin.

Danzo never used the word "friend". A friend was the product of a sense of intimacy and closeness between people of the same status. The despicable thought of depending on a companion made people use the word "friend". Danzo had never thought about whether he wanted to use it, he depends on people or he wants people to depend on him. That was why he never used a naive word like friend.
While exhaling the tobacco smoke, Hiruzen moved his eyes towards Danzo.

-It's been five months since Itachi was promoted to Chunin, he has been carrying out his missions without problems.

-It's been five months since Itachi was promoted to Chunin, he has been carrying out his missions without problems. He understands all fields of expertise, even the missions that require a Genin, and he gives precise instructions unlike an eleven year old child, also the written reports he makes are faithful to the format and in a careful order.- Hiruzen spoke slowly.

-As I thought, your two years as a genin have been a waste for both Itachi and the village.-

-You should think that this was also an indispensable experience.-

That man called Hiruzen always saw everything in a positive light. As a result, he gained popularity from shinobi who were in a place affected by sunlight. But the true nature of shinobi was that they were people lurking in the darkness.

Danzo always thought that the creation of organizations like Anbu in the village and the establishment of one, the distinction between darkness and light itself was humorous.

-Now that I think about it..- Dropping the ashes from his pipe into the tray, Hiruzen paused. Then he stretched a little in his chair. -Recently, perhaps because of my age, the long hours of desk work have worn me out.-

-That is your duty.- Danzo spoke without haste.

"Not even a few words of sympathy?" Hiruzen asked humorously.

-Continue with what you started telling me before-

At Danzo's undisputed objection, Hiruzen opened his mouth, snorting lightly. "There was an interesting proposal from Uchiha Fugaku."

Fugaku…

The sour face of the captain of the Military Police Force materialized in Danzo's mind.

-He was sounding me out about Itachi's admission into the Anbu.-

The instant he heard Hiruzen's declaration, his heart leapt for joy. Danzo was not stupid enough to show any reaction on his face. He replied with only a few words of disinterest.
-Is that so?.- He waited for Hiruzen's words.

-Fugaku was saying that Itachi's abilities probably couldn't be expressed as much as he would like in the Military Police Force. Not because he's his own son, even if he were to look at it objectively, Itachi has exceptional talent as a shinobi. He said that he has to take him to a place where he could freely express his ability, that was a father's duty, he sounded me out about his admission into Anbu.- Hiruzen cast a glance at Danzo's countenance, letting the darkness linger within his eyes.

The discussion hadn't ended there. He would voice his opinion after Hiruzen told him everything.

-Homura and Koharu are strongly opposed. They say that letting an Uchiha into the ANBU, which is a special unit under the direct control of the Hokage, is outrageous. Accusing me of forgetting the purpose for which the Second Hokage founded the Military Police Force.-

-The Military Police Force served to keep the Uchiha clan away from the center of the village.- Complete Danzo

-Yes...-Hiruzen who had sighed, tried to put tobacco in his pipe for the third time.

-It's better that you leave that, at least during an important discussion.- Danzo mustache

Just like a child being scolded by his father, Hiruzen, after cringing slightly in disagreement, placed his pipe on the desk.

-In the end, even if I'm fine with it, they will end up opposing giving birth to even their name, what would you say, if you hated the Uchiha?- Danzo said in a flat voice.

Homura and Koharu were the honorable advisors of Konoha. Were they even "known"? Since when he was a child they were just old people who had a long life just because of a lack of luck, because they didn't have any particular talent and didn't stand out in the harshest era when many of their comrades had died during the raging Great War. The only thing they were good at was receiving an honorary position of Honorable Advisors very gracefully.

Homura and Koharu were the Honorable Advisors of Konoha. Were they even “known”? Since when he was a child they were just old people who had a long life just because of a lack of luck, because they didn’t have any particular talent and didn’t stand out in the most severe era where many of their Companions had died during the raging Great War. The only thing they were good at was receiving an honorary position from the Honorable Advisors very gracefully. Unless they borrowed the strength of a person with a voice that had enough authority, they couldn’t even persist in their own opinions.

-As I thought, you too...- Hiruzen thought that the end of the young genius would already be traced by his last name

-You should let him in, why not?- He probably thought that Danzo would naturally object. Slightly opening his eyes wide, the hint of suspicion floated in Hiruzen's pupils.

Danzo had no intention of objecting. Fugaku's proposal was a lifeline instead. Danzo wished to let Itachi join the Anbu from the start. He would have used any means for his ambitions, that being called Uchiha Itachi was indispensable. In fact, he feared that Fugaku would have become suspicious and hardened his attitude if he had recommended him to the Anbu. The fact that Fugaku himself had gone to the Hokage to propose it was nothing more than luck.

-I thought that even you, would show your disapproval of Itachi's story and stop his admission into Anbu though.- Hiruzen didn't even try to hide the suspicious look in his eyes.

Reacting calmly to that, Danzo replied, "Itachi is a shinobi who appears once in a century. You shouldn't leave a profitable pawn for the village unused, even if he is in the Uchiha clan."

-A typical response from you.- The Third Hokage nodded deeply in agreement.

-If that means you accept, even I have no complaints about Itachi's admission into the Anbu.-

-To resolve the rivalry between the village and the Uchiha, we must first dissolve the hearts of the young people. Dragging Itachi into the heart of the village may become a good opportunity for this.-

He had no intention of agreeing with Hiruzen's optimistic thinking but, the fact that the Hokage approved Itachi's admission into Anbu, whatever the reason, was welcomed by Danzo.

-However, Itachi is still eleven years old. All that is needed is to convince them of his admission into Anbu.- Hiruzen said worried about the possible rejection of the advisors.

-Why don't you leave it to me?- Danzo asked with an imperceptible smile.

Peace...

Shisui calmly watched himself wander aimlessly through the streets as he relaxed, Suzukaze's figure standing beside him as she laughed softly at something he said.

Five months had passed since she left on a mission.

He observed her closely, finding her somewhat different, only to notice how her previously pale skin was decorated by a subtle tan and how her features were more mature, he inevitably thought that time had passed quickly, apart from that, she looked more lively.

He still remembered how she joined his team, she would be, indifferent and surrounded by a dark aura very different from the 6-year-old girl who stared absorbedly at the corpses scattered on the ground while holding a bloody kunai in her trembling hand. He thought he would never see her again like most of his former teammates but, surprisingly, she survived like him... At the cost of other lives.

Inevitably, he felt close to her whenever they went on a mission together and came out alive. Even though they didn't talk about it, they knew somehow that they were both affected by those kinds of missions. He sighed to focus back on his companion, his light brown hair swaying in the wind as he talked about the interesting things he found on his mission.

-It was a store that sold carved wood in the shape of cats! And other ornaments! It was so cute, I wanted to stay – He smiled as he listened to her talk about the store, while his hand went into his pocket, touching the soft wood between his fingers. He knew for a long time of her fascination with cats and her taste for giving things of that style.

Like the gift she gave him when she saw him, a wooden cat keychain.

-If you give us the chance, it would be nice for you and Taiga to go see that village- He turned to look at her, meeting her clear eyes, he smiled at her while nodding his head, agreeing with that idea without noticing how much affection Suzukaze felt for that simple gesture.

-If you give us the chance, it would be nice for you and Taiga to go see that village- He turned to look at her, meeting her clear eyes, he smiled at her while nodding his head, agreeing with that idea without noticing how much affection Suzukaze felt for that simple gesture. – Yes, well, how is Itachi? I heard from Taiga that he is now Chunin.

Hearing that name, he subtly looked away.

-It's very good, he had several recognitions and now he will enlist in ANBU but, before that, they gave him a week of vacation - He spoke smiling although he was worried about Itachi, because during that vacation he had to rest even from his training with him. - Thanks to that, I have more free time. - He laughed a little, trying to hide the emptiness inside him, he didn't know any other way to spend his time, except for missions and training so far, he couldn't do anything, as if he had been suddenly abandoned in the ocean. Even if he thought about sleeping all day, his body, which was used to missions, woke up before the dawn of the crows. Since he couldn't help it, he had no other choice but, whenever he could, he killed his time with Taiga, who was the one who agreed the most with his schedule, when he had nothing to do he would bother her or send a crow to meet her but, lately she became busier and Suzukaze was on a mission at that time, making Itachi the only one available to distract him.

Until he finally arrived... He tried not to delve too deeply into that feeling of loneliness rooted in his heart.

-Oh! Then you trained him well, that shows you're a good teacher. – The brunette joked and when she didn't receive an answer she observed his profile, the dark-haired man was distractedly observing the path, his dull gaze gave her a hint of a dark aura beginning to surround him, as she had heard from Taiga, as if he were in his own reality from which no one could enter, something heavy that would drive anyone away, except Suzukaze.

-Oh! Then you trained him well, that shows that you are a good teacher. – The brunette joked and when she didn't receive an answer she observed his profile, the dark-haired man was distractedly observing the path, his dull gaze gave her a hint of a dark aura that was beginning to surround him, as she had heard from Taiga, as if he were in his own reality that no one could enter, something heavy that would drive anyone away, except Suzukaze, she unknowingly attracted him. – Hey, Shisui, are you listening to me?

The sharp voice echoed inside his head, breaking his attention from his meditation. After blinking for a moment, Shisui looked in the direction of the voice. Suzukaze was walking beside him briskly. Her eyes took hold of him and didn’t let go.

-You'll fall if you don't watch where you're walking.- The brunette smiled carefree, downplaying the dark-haired boy's absorption.

-Yes…- He answered, still distracted, but a smile appeared on his features to cover it up. - It would have been funny. - He shook his head several times. - But, I know you wouldn't let me fall. - He spoke, addressing the girl who was surprised by his confident words, making her smile.

-Maybe Uumm Why don't we rest a bit there? - Fubuki said abruptly pointing to a tea house in front of them.

Outside the clan district, Shisui was more cheerful and optimistic, so he agreed upon seeing the tea shop.

-Excuse me, there are two of us.- Suzukaze said and sat on a bench in front of the store where Scarlet Carpet was presented and Shisui sat next to her.

-Yeees.- They heard a familiar voice coming from inside the store. - Aah! Shisui and Suzukaze, welcome - That voice with that broad accent belonged to their mutual friend.

-Taiga.- They both named her, surprised to see her there.

-Long time no see.- Taiga smiled at seeing them together and gave the black-haired boy a mischievous look, being ignored by him.

-What are you doing here? - Suzukaze asked curiously looking from head to toe at her friend who at that moment was wearing a waitress uniform. As far as she remembered, Taiga had never mentioned that she would work in a tea shop. Or maybe she had and she had forgotten?
-Uumm, I'm doing Tenma a small favor-He said and those words cleared both of their doubts.
Tenma was with Taiga on Team 4, which he had been assigned to when he was a genin. They knew from Taiga that he had come to understand the reality of shinobi on a mission where they lost a comrade and Tenma had given up his genin position and started helping his mother in her tea shop with his younger sister, Suzukaze felt that the village is small.
-He works here.- I point to the older brunette.
-It seems so. – Shisui laughed.

• A date? - Taiga, who had placed two glasses of tea on the table, asked, raising her eyebrows at Shisui, a suggestive gesture.
  -No.-They both denied.
  -Ah! How disappointing.- At Taiga's mocking words, Kuzukaze felt a little embarrassed.
  Taiga clutched the tray holding the tea to her chest.
  -I'll continue working here for another week or until Tenma's mother is discharged from the hospital, so you can come talk to me or have tea, it's weird to have a job after recently finishing a mission where you ended the lives of several people. - Taiga laughed with a loud and charming voice.
  Then they could hear a voice calling the older brunette coming from inside the tent.
  -She's Tenma's sister, well, take your time. I'll come back once you've decided on your order. - He said and disappeared inside the store.
  -She looks more relaxed. - Suzukaze murmured, being heard by Shisui, who nodded in agreement with her words. The Taiga they knew was always tense or stressed, she was rarely seen calm and now, she seemed to enjoy a simple job.
  -And sudden. - Shisui finished.
  They both looked at each other.

-I've already heard it from Fugaku.-

Itachi listened to Danzo's words expressionlessly as he looked away from him. They were in the living room where a separate branch of the ANBU organization commanded.

Root.

That was the name of the branch that Danzo led, where its members were expected to be ANBU but, they were different from the ANBU under the direct control of the Hokage. Their system of orders are peculiar, this branch called Root, was an elite group that gathered especially gifted people from childhood. It was hidden among the village, in the darkness of the town and loyally carried out the maintenance of public order and unofficial tasks.

Itachi learned after Danzo ordered him into the room that most people in the village did not even know of the existence of a branch called Root. The people of the village only acknowledged that Danzo had been Hiruzen's right-hand man since childhood, and that his public role was similar to an official executive who led ANBU.

It was located in the north of the village, on the Hokage Mountain, where the faces of successive generations of households were carved into a cliff. Above ground, in the innermost part of the residence, located at the base of this mountain, was considered a vault for official documents related to missions. In the back of the village, it was usually a place where no one was allowed to approach.

There was a huge room deep within the estate that even though it was the afternoon, it was a gloomy place that sunlight didn’t touch even at noon, candles had been lit in all four corners of the room. Danzo’s face, which was floating amongst the flickering flames, gave off a charming and ghostly atmosphere like a Buddha statue looking out into the dark night. If he had been a cowardly person, he would probably have crouched down shedding tears just by being in that place.

-I can safely assume that you also agreed to join the Anbu.-

-Yeah. -

The corners of Danzo's mouth lifted slightly upon hearing the younger Uchiha's terse reply. Danzo's eyes narrowed into a line and fixed on Itachi trying not to miss a single detail of his face, nor of each of his hairs, not even one of his breaths, Itachi felt like he was in an illusion in which he was fighting against an enemy, it was so sharp that it filled him with fear.

-There was reluctance on the part of the superiors regarding the entry of a member of the Uchiha clan into the ANBU organization. -

A dark current coiled around Itachi.

The grudge of his father and the others that echoed in the clan meetings. The prejudices and discrimination of the village shinobi towards the Uchiha clan as long as he was in the village, darkness would follow him. For this reason...

He wants to be an Anbu.

It was not his father's order, it was Itachi's own will.

The Anbu was an elite group that only shinobi chosen from the village were allowed to belong to. If he distinguished himself here, even building a firm position in the heart of the village, it would not be a mere dream. In order to change the reality of this village, he had no choice but to become great, if he became the Hokage, it would change everything.

The first Hokage of the Uchiha clan...

The journey to erase the conflicts of this world in which Itachi walked began to find a definitive guide little by little.
First of all, he would join the ANBU so he could distinguish himself and gain a position in the hearts of the village. After that, he would be the Hokage. By becoming Hokage he would erase the village's discrimination towards the Uchiha.

Itachi's dream didn't end there.

If he became the Hokage, he could frequently have meetings with influential people from the other villages. If he cooperated with the shinobi from the other villages, the rivalry between shinobi would have to disappear.

The shinobi would disappear from this world.

If the shinobi disappeared, the daimyo would lose his means to wage war and what would be before him would be a world without war or conflict.

For Itachi's dream, Anbu and Hokage were nothing more than waypoints.

First of all, the first step.

Enter ANBU.

He had no time to waste worrying about things like the dislike of the village superiors and the ANBU people. He intended to demolish all opposition.

-You will need to obtain an “achievement”, that will indicate whether you are a suitable man to enter ANBU or not.-

-You mean, a mission? – Itachi asked.

-Exactly. -

Just like a statue, Danzo did not make the slightest movement.

Itachi hadn't moved a finger either, he had the feeling that if he let his body tremble, even a little, he would show Danzo his insides.

The two developed their enmities against each other in secret.

-It has been decided that I will be in charge of the mission assigned to you.-

The fact that Danzo would be taking care of him meant that it was a grim mission where sunlight would not pass through...

He was already prepared for this.

Itachi continued to look into Danzo's eyes, which hid his strong will.

-There is a man in the Anbu.- The elder began. -He is thirty-four. From your point of view, he is probably already old as a Shinobi.- Perhaps with a sarcastic attempt, or an attempt at a joke, Danzo said it in a monotone voice.

Itachi had no intention of answering.

After he had been silent for a moment, Danzo began to speak again. “He is not like you, but this man too has been regarded as a genius since childhood, he quickly rose from Genin to Chunin and entered ANBU as soon as he was promoted to Jonin. But...” The moment he interrupted his speech, all the lights in the four corners swayed. “The truth is that he has been in a secret understanding with the Hidden Mist Village, it has only recently been discovered.”

A traitor…

The general outline of his mission was emerging.

-The people who know of this man's betrayal are very few in the village.- Danzo continued.

-Getting rid of this man is my…-

-Listen to the end.- That cold voice interrupted Itachi using an orderly tone. -It has been decided that people who belong to Anbu try not to let the people of the village know that they are members as much as possible. Also that man leads an ordinary life as a jonin on the surface. He has a wife and two children of three years and one year old.-

What did Danzo want to plant in him? - Itachi asked in his mind. - What was he trying to do by telling him that the man he would try to kill from now on had a family?.

If there was any suspicion that he would hesitate to carry out the mission, and fail out of compassion, behind his words just now, that was a big mistake.

-If it weren’t for the connection with the Village Hidden in the Mist, that man would be a skilled, kind, and splendid shinobi who would still have the trust of the Hokage.- When the words “Splendid shinobi” were spat out from Danzo’s mouth, it sounded dramatic and there was no hint of truth in them. After realizing such a thing, Itachi also knew that Danzo said them with sarcasm mixed in.

Itachi was gaining experience in understanding the inner workings of capturing such a feeling into words.

-However, the village is not satisfied with letting that traitor go.- Danzo finished.

-I understand.- He said with slight irritation to Danzo, who was using an overly indirect style of speech and after spitting out those words, he regretted his own recklessness. Danzo saw through the fact that Itachi was feeling angry.

Itachi felt an unpleasantly bottomless darkness surrounding that man.

-I used very tortuous words with you, which I had guessed well. Excuse me.-

-Well. -

-But it was because I wanted you to know everything about that man.-

Itachi swallowed his question, “Why do I really have to know?”

-Kill that man. – Danzo ordered.

-Understood.- Itachi immediately replied.
Even if he had a family, even if he was an excellent shinobi, a traitor was a traitor.

He had a mission.

He had no choice.

-Although it is late to say it, I think ANBU is the place where you should stay.- Danzo stood up. -You are allowed to have one comrade accompany you on this mission. The choice is up to you, it can be someone you can trust as a best friend.-

Walking around the desk placed in front of him, he approached Itachi with a slow step. "Things like peace are truly a burden," Danzo said as he stood in front of Itachi. Those eyes that were looking at him took hold of his mature face, not letting go. "It is also a difficult thing to produce, but preserving it is the most difficult art of all." Danzo was a little intoxicated with himself.

He had such a feeling.

-When someone finished his dinner that day, somewhere there are People who suffer because they did not eat. When someone gains something, somewhere someone loses something, such trivial imbalance changes little by little in an irregular way, day after day, without rest.-

The faces of the Uchiha clan that met at the Naka Shrine floated through his mind. Itachi clenched his molars tightly within his closed lips to not show the slight shock caused by his head.
-In this fictional shadow of peace, there are always people who suffer. There are people burdened with darkness. Don't you think that the beings who greedily devour peace forget that this is really despicable?
A nauseating stench filled his nasal cavity. When he realized it was Danzo's breath, Itachi endured it patiently.
-If it weren't for people who cut the seams open secretly in front of a peaceful environment without showing their emotions at all, this world wouldn't be able to achieve peace even for an instant.- Danzo said that in this village, those who worked for it were the Anbu and the Root.
-I already told you that you have an evil face.-
Itachi remembered. It was the day he graduated from the Academy.
-In your life, war will always follow you. That's why you have to gain strength just to break your own destiny.-
-ANBU is the place where I will get this strength?- Itachi asked.
Danzo's face, half hidden by bandages, nodded firmly.
-These are perceptive words, but you are very, no, extremely perceptive. However, sensitivity will make you suffer.-
-make me suffer…-

-Stop trying to hide from me. - Danzo said, and his hand touched her back. His hand was so cold that it made her shiver. -The hope for true peace, for a world without conflict, will make you suffer.-
-How..? – Itachi asked perplexed.
-I know everything about you.- Danzo opened his eye, a deep and gloomy darkness was so wide that he was almost drawn in it.
-The people who bring true peace are those who carry the deepest darkness within themselves in this world. I believe that in your case, you will become such a being.- His evil lips took the form of a smile. - Come to my side, Uchiha Itachi

-Murder. - Shisui, who had finished listening to Itachi's story, muttered in confirmation to himself.

They were on the cliff that only the two of them knew about for now. Since he told him about the mission, Shisui hadn't given him a glance. The elder Uchiha's eyes remained slanted downwards, motionless, pondering.

-When they told me to bring a person I could trust with my life, I thought of you.- Itachi said to get the Major's attention.

-If we're talking about Kohinata Mukai, he's a very good shinobi.- Shisui said slowly, still distracted.

The man had grown up to be a prominent shinobi in Konoha, and Shisui once again began to reflect.

-I have no right to question and say that he has no connection with ANBU, because I don't even have an acquaintance in ANBU, there are no guys I can trust on this mission.-

-That's because you're not very good at socializing with people.- Shisui said, and Itachi smiled.

Kohinata Mukai, that was the name of the man Danzo had ordered him to kill. His kinship was a distant relative of the Hyuga clan, but he did not have the kekkei genkai of the Byakugan because he was from a new family line that started much earlier.

-Don't tell me that man is secretly in contact with Kirigakure…- Shisui muttered to himself.

-What kind of man is he?.- Itachi asked, bringing Shisui out of his reverie.

-He is a strong and capable person who, although he was Anbu, also regularly completed missions as a jonin. He also gained the trust of the Hokage, he has been the escort of the daimyo, a mission that was certainly among the Anbu.- He answered, still lost in his thoughts.

So that meant that he was also there when he was attacked by the masked man.- Itachi knew that that time they had fallen under the masked man's genjutsu, except for the Anbu named Hatake Kakashi, among them was also Mukai.

-You don't know if this man is weak against genjutsu?.- Itachi asked curiously.

-No, because it's not like one goes around saying things about the weak points of the village comrades.-

Immediately, Itachi regretted asking that stupid question.

-But I know of his strong point.- Shisui lifted his face and looked at Itachi. A turbulent shadow flickered in the light that dwelt in his friend's eyes. The fact that this was a test of his determination was clear to Itachi, who understood his friend since a long time ago. -Mukai's strong point is taijutsu.- He said and went back to his thoughts.

For some reason, Itachi felt like he knew.

If he followed Mukai's blood, he would reach the Hyuga clan.

Speaking of the Hyuga clan, it was a prominent family among the Hidden Leaf Village. If one traced it back to the origin, it would lead to the Sage of Six Paths, who was the founder of the shinobi and the Byakugan, which was a kekkei genkai, was an eye technique that was on the same level as the Uchiha's Sharingan. It could confirm the channels (i.e. pathways) of chakra with the naked eye, and block chakra by suppressing an enemy's pathways. It was said that their field of vision was in all directions, when they suppressed the pathways, the Hyuga clan used taijutsu. This taijutsu, which was called a gentle fist, was a technique that created one's own chakra, the flow and chakra that was in all things align, unleashed a continuous attack with a circular motion of the body, and destroyed the inside of the opponent's body, organs etc. The Gentle Fist was the Secret Technique of the Hyuga clan, but if the Kohinata family was a branch family, it was not strange that it had been at least partially passed down to them as well.

-A user of the Gentle Fist.- Shisui nodded at Itachi's words.

-It would be advantageous for us as long as we don't get close to him.- Itachi said tentatively.

-Mukai is quite skilled. He's not likely to allow us a long-range fight.- He spoke confidently while an imaginary battle with Mukai was already happening inside Shisui's head.

-Will you come with me?.- Itachi asked breaking the silence that had settled between them.

-Obviously.- His friend's fist hit his shoulder. - There are no other guys you trust, other than me, right? -

-Uh huh...-Itachi asked while nodding.

-If you join ANBU, you will get closer to the heart of the village. In that case, you will become an irreplaceable existence for the clan..- The elder said in a lower tone.

Itachi wondered what those words meant.

But, for the minor, they shared the same will.

His will was that as long as it was for the peace of the clan, it did not matter if they sacrificed their lives.

At the secret meetings held every month at the Naka Shrine, the atmosphere was becoming more and more unbearable with each meeting. The resentment against the village was already at its limits, Itachi and Shisui knew that.

They should avoid at all costs at least accidental discharges.

That was a shared understanding. A move by the clan would mean dragging the village into another war.

The previous Great War and the Nine-Tails' attack, having overcome two dangers, the village was a place that had finally begun to build peace, it would become a havoc if the Uchiha clan causes an incident here, the village would be shrouded in sadness and death again.

Only one Anbu was from the Uchiha clan... And that's Itachi.

The younger man's head lit up, as Shisui said, Itachi would surely become an irreplaceable existence for the clan.

-The fact that you're joining the Anbu is also a dream for me.- Shisui said, looking at a point that the younger one couldn't see.

• A dream? - The youngest asked.

-The Uchiha and the village would become brothers in its true meaning. I thought that we needed a shinobi from the clan who had a deep connection with the heart of the village for this, you will be an existence that will frankly convey the clan's affliction and there will be hope if you join ANBU, you will be able to fulfill this duty. You, who wishes to obtain the peace of the clan more than anyone else, will surely succeed. - Itachi gasped a little. Seeing this, Shisui's face suddenly became cheerful. -I am a jonin who belongs to the village, you are a member of Anbu, we both belong to the Military Police Force and can watch over the clan from an objective point. - In Shisui's head he began to imagine the future if they succeeded.

-My father and the other members of the clan have secluded themselves in their own shell, and cannot see the outside world.- The youngest denied.

-Itachi…- Shisui called his friend's name as if he was spitting out his agony from deep within his chest. -The people of the clan have locked themselves in a small world, and they don't even try to see the outside world. The fact that their own destiny won't open up will increase their resentment, and they will say that it is the village's fault. Simply saying that it is the village's fault, Hokage-sama's fault, the Senju clan's fault, they don't even try to take advantage of the situation. But…- He opened his closed eyelids and looked at Itachi. -You are different.-

At Shisui's words, Itachi gulped.

-You always go through your destiny with your own strength. You graduated from the academy in a year, passed the Chunin Exam alone, and now you are trying to enter the Anbu. Do not resign yourself to your fate because of the clan.-Shisui continued.

Was it really like that? - Itachi didn't quite understand. He felt like he was just rushing through the path he was supposed to follow and just because of that his feelings hadn't changed.

-You might even become Hokage…- Shisui smiled. - As the first Uchiha Hokage, you will become an existence that will break the fate between the clan and the village from its root, I believe it.-
Itachi's heart beat fast.

The dream of becoming Hokage…

It was a dream I hadn't talked to anyone about.

It was a dream he hadn't talked about even with Shisui, who was his only friend.

I hadn't told anyone because I was afraid it would completely disappear if I mentioned it.

This dream had become words from Shisui's mouth and had reached his ears taking him with surprise and delight immediately overwhelming Itachi's heart.

-I will be your friend forever.-The eldest spoke.

-Shisui …-

-I can't wait to see how far you'll grow from now on.- He said with some hope.

Itachi frantically held back the heat coming from inside his chest.

He never experienced anything like crying in front of others, not even once in his life.

Until now.

He thought that shinobi should never reveal their own feelings.

Good…

He had cried in front of people only once.

He was four years old.

It was when he had been on the battlefield where a war had just ended, being carried alongside his father as the torrential rain fell, when he looked at the mountain of abandoned corpses, he couldn't hold back his tears.

Even now he remembered that he was frantically suppressing his shivers so as not to let his father feel it.

Itachi hadn't changed since then.

I had to avoid a war, no matter what.

Things like wars should not happen twice.
Itachi had made this resolution in his mind that time, when he was a four-year-old boy crying when he was hit by the rain.

For this reason, he had decided to become an ANBU.
For this reason, he will be Hokage.
-You'll do well Itachi- Shisui said smiling as he saw Itachi nod.