Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 134 Hiruzen Sarutobi: Itachi, you did a great job.
The warm morning sun, carrying the dampness of dew, quietly shone on Konoha Village.

Uchiha Itachi, however, was unable to enjoy the tranquility of the morning like an ordinary boy.

He moved like the wind, swiftly traversing the rooftops of the clan's territory, his steps heavy, just like his heart.

That heaviness didn't just come from the exhaustion of a sleepless night, but also from the worry brought about by the secret visit of Uchiha Hikaru and Shura last night.

And his father's words of advice, which were filled with pleading and helplessness.

Concealing the existence of those two powerful and mysterious individuals whose motives towards Konoha are unknown is not only irresponsible towards the village, but also a betrayal of his core mission as a ninja and an ANBU member to maintain the village's peace.

Could revealing the family's secrets to the village's higher-ups trigger a response, pushing the already precarious family one step further into the abyss?
Eight-year-old Itachi Uchiha was confused. He needed someone to confide in, someone who could understand him and give him the right guidance—Shisui Uchiha.

Zhi Shui's residence remained as neat and simple as ever.

Itachi gently knocked on the door, sending out a coded signal that only a ninja could detect.

Soon, the door opened silently, and Shisui's face, which showed a hint of surprise but quickly regained its composure, appeared before them.

He was dressed in simple home clothes, with a black eyepatch over his left eye, clearly disturbed by Itachi's sudden visit that disrupted the morning's tranquility.

"Itachi? So early, what happened?" Shisui's voice was slightly sleepy, but his right eye was already clear.

Itachi didn't say much, but simply nodded slightly, signaling Shisui to let him in.

Once inside, Itachi confirmed that no one was eavesdropping and then told Shisui everything that had happened since he returned home that morning.
Including the sudden visit of Uchiha Hikaru and Shura last night, it seems that his father Fugaku had a contest of Sharingan power with them, but the result did not seem to be good. As for what they talked about, Uchiha Itachi did not know.

Finally, Fugaku told Shisui in detail about his desire for Shisui to keep it a secret.

Itachi's tone was calm, but his deep eyes revealed an uncontrollable struggle and pain.

Shisui listened quietly, his expression gradually shifting from initial surprise to seriousness, until finally, his brows furrowed and his eyes filled with unprecedented vigilance.

When Itachi mentioned the name Uchiha Hikaru, Shisui's heart skipped a beat.

He was almost certain that the other person was the Uchiha girl who called herself 'Nameless' whom he had encountered in the Land of Stars.

Recalling what happened that day, Zhishui's hollow left eye socket still stung slightly. He knew better than anyone that this woman's strength was extraordinary.

He was defeated by this person after only a few rounds of fighting, and paid the price of losing one of his Mangekyou Sharingan!

And there are Asuras!

They have repeatedly appeared in Konoha Village, attacked the Hyuga clan twice, and even gouged out the eyes of four Hyuga main family elders a few days ago!
Although Shisui was with Fugaku Uchiha at the time, responsible for the security and patrol duties around the village, he did not participate in the battle at the Hyuga clan's territory.

However, many Jonin participated, including some who had a good relationship with Shisui, and they shared some information about what happened that day.

"She was actually with Shura..."

"And the two of them have even found the head of the Fugaku clan..." Shisui murmured to himself, a hint of worry in his voice.

He walked to the window, his only remaining right eye gazing at the distant village, lost in thought.

"Itachi, your decision is correct." Shisui turned around and looked at Itachi, his eyes full of affirmation and understanding.

“I know this is painful, with the bloodline of the clan and my father’s instructions on one side, and the safety of the village on the other. But you must understand that the appearance of Uchiha Hikaru and Shura has far exceeded the scope of what our Uchiha clan can handle.”

Although Shisui did not fight Shura, the fact that Shura could freely enter and leave Konoha and Kumogakure without anyone being able to stop him showed that he was likely another powerful figure like Madara Uchiha. It's just that there was no longer a 'God of Shinobi' in this era who could suppress him.

"Their very existence is a huge challenge to the existing Konoha, and even the entire ninja world."

Shisui paused, his tone becoming more serious: "Clan Chief Fugaku wants you to keep this a secret out of concern for the clan's safety. He fears that it might escalate the conflict and suspicion, putting the Uchiha clan in an even worse situation."

"But precisely because the enemy is so powerful, we cannot hide it. If the village's higher-ups are completely unaware of this, and the situation gets out of control, it will be a disaster for the entire Hidden Leaf Village. At that time, the Uchiha clan will be the first to suffer."

Shisui walked up to Itachi, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "For some reason, I always felt that they were not the masterminds behind the Nine-Tails' rampage. I suspect that there are other mysterious ninjas lurking around."

Shisui was deeply impressed by Uchiha Hikari's arrogance, and he didn't know her identity or background. He only thought that she looked like a girl about his age, and probably even younger during the Nine-Tails' rampage.

Finally, Shisui gently patted Itachi on the shoulder: "We need the village's strength to conduct a more in-depth investigation. Your reporting to the Hokage is not only out of loyalty to the village, but also for the future of the clan."

Itachi looked at Shisui, and his heavy heart finally felt a little relieved.

His close friend's understanding and support brought a moment of peace to his tormented heart.

He knew that he was not an outlier in the Uchiha clan, and that Shisui shared the same thoughts as him.

"Yes, I understand." Itachi nodded, his eyes regaining their resolve.

After bidding farewell to Shisui, Itachi Uchiha's figure once again transformed into a blur, rushing straight towards the Hokage Building.

When he stood before the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, once again, the air in the office remained heavy, filled with the mixed scents of tobacco and ink.

Itachi incorporated Shisui's words into his report, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the matter.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly, his gaze deep and complex, the light from his pipe flickering.

Call ~
After Itachi finished his report, he exhaled a puff of smoke and slowly spoke, his voice deep and tinged with the vicissitudes of time: "Itachi, you did a good job. Your judgment was correct, and it also reflects your loyalty to the village and your emphasis on the clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly got up, walked to the window, and gazed at the village gradually being illuminated by the morning light in the distance.

His voice carried a hint of worry, yet was filled with the calm of a wise man: "It can now be basically confirmed that Shura and that ninja named Uchiha Hikaru are the masterminds behind the rebellion in Hoshigakure and the upheaval in Kuma Country."

"As for Shura, this person acts mysteriously and possesses unfathomable strength. The Hidden Cloud Village suffered greatly at his hands. He gathered powerful individuals, overthrew the Land of Bears, and established the Land of Stars. What is his purpose?" The Third Hokage's gaze sharpened.

The battle with Shura a few days ago was still fresh in my mind. The opponent didn't even have to make a move himself. He just used an unknown eye technique to disrupt the Hyuga clan. The nine mysterious summoning beasts alone restricted him and his group of Konoha Jonin.

Then, right in front of them, he gouged out the Byakugan of the four Hyuga clan heads!
"And Uchiha Hikaru..." Hiruzen Sarutobi almost suspected that he might be a descendant of Uchiha Madara.

If it weren't for Shisui's report that the other party wasn't very old, Hiruzen Sarutobi might have suspected that she was responsible for the Nine-Tails' rampage a few years ago.

The appearance of Shura and Uchiha Hikaru did indeed provide Hiruzen Sarutobi with a new idea.

The Nine-Tails' rampage may indeed have nothing to do with the Uchiha clan of Konoha.

He turned around and looked at Uchiha Itachi standing in front of him, his eyes filled with trust and expectation: "Itachi, you must secretly participate in the aftermath of this matter, and always pay attention to whether Shura and Uchiha Hikaru have a deeper connection with the Uchiha clan."

"At the same time, the surveillance of the Uchiha clan needs to be more stringent. But remember, everything must be done in secret, so as not to cause unnecessary panic or escalate conflicts."

"Yes." Itachi Uchiha knelt on one knee, his sorrow deepening through his tear-streaked face.

(End of this chapter)