"Captain of the Konoha Police Force… if I may be blunt, your smile is not a good look. And besides, I'm not just a child anymore."
Uzumaki Tong's tone was unexpectedly serious and resolute. Even Uchiha Fugaku paused for a moment, visibly surprised.
Yuantai nearly burst into laughter. That's right. This kid's not some ordinary brat.
You think just waving the Uchiha banner is enough to win him over?
And this was only the Konoha Police Force. Even without formal Uchiha education, Tong had already awakened a two-tomoe Sharingan.
Fugaku's expression turned cold. His brows furrowed as he said evenly,
"You were born of the Uchiha. Your current status is the result of decisions made by the last clan head. Now, you have two choices—stand with the Uchiha, or stand against us. That is the meaning of your bloodline."
Submit or be destroyed, huh? That was the Uchiha way—overbearing and absolute.
Tong couldn't help but think it did sound like a coup-in-the-making.
"But even if you side with Danzo… or the Third Hokage… the fact remains: your Uchiha blood will always make others suspicious of you."
Fugaku glanced at Yuantai, then continued,
"On the other hand, if you return to the Uchiha, you'll be treated with honor. You'll have access to proper training, to the full strength of the Uchiha lineage."
Tong knew he meant the Sharingan. Without systematic training, even using genjutsu with the Sharingan would be subpar.
In terms of resources for learning fire-style jutsu or advanced techniques, the Uchiha truly were one of the best clans.
Fire nature affinity, the Sharingan, the famed Uchiha shuriken control, precise kunai throwing—it was a perfect match.
Danzo might be able to find instructors for these, but Tong didn't trust the old man. He was too radical—too dangerous.
After a pause, Tong smiled faintly. I have to infiltrate the Uchiha anyway, he thought.
"So… I'll still be allowed to train in swordsmanship under Master Yuantai, right?"
Fugaku glanced at Yuantai again, then nodded solemnly.
"Fine. But don't think you can benefit from both sides. If you do… it'll come back to bite you."
With that warning, he turned and left, calling out before he disappeared,
"Tomorrow. Come to the Uchiha compound and find me."
Once again, the forest returned to silence. Yuantai looked at Tong with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
This kid is something else, he thought.
Seven years old and already this deep in the game? Defeating a Chunin... if he keeps growing like this, who knows where he'll end up?
"You little brat," Yuantai said, switching to a rare serious tone. "I'm honestly starting to admire you. But tell me—aren't you afraid? What if something goes wrong?"
Tong could sense the emotion behind those words. He took a deep breath and replied with complete sincerity:
"That's why I'm asking you, Master… If—if something does happen to me… please look after my mother."
Yuantai froze for a moment, then grinned mischievously and slapped Tong on the shoulder.
"Kid, I'm not agreeing to that. Your mother—that's your responsibility."
With a flicker of motion, he vanished.
Tong stared after him, smiling warmly. "He is a sentimental guy. That's rare in this world…"
In the world of shinobi, genuine emotion was rare. Most of the time, it was about duty, survival, or power.
Only a few, like the so-called 'main characters,' truly held onto love and loyalty.
And to think this guy is from Root... Tong shook his head and was just about to leave when his eyes darted toward another direction.
Two have already left, and now a third appears?
Unlike the others, this one made no effort to hide his approach—he was walking straight toward Tong.
From the airflow, Tong could tell the person had been moving steadily the whole time.
He smiled slightly and said aloud, "Well then, friend… what brings you here?"
When the figure stepped into view, Tong genuinely froze for a second.
Uchiha Itachi.
The unmistakable dark circles beneath his eyes, the black short-sleeved ninja garb with the Uchiha crest—it was him.
Itachi's gaze was cold, thoughtful. After a pause, he spoke.
"Back when the Chunin from the police force beat you down… were you faking it?"
Tong smiled easily. "Honestly, I wish I were strong enough back then to fake it. But say I told you I made that much progress in just the past few days… would you believe me?"
Itachi hesitated—but only for a moment. Then he smiled faintly and nodded.
"I believe you. But just because I do… doesn't mean the Uchiha will."
Tong's smile widened. With a flash of hand signs, he called out:
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Two perfect clones appeared beside him.
"This technique—I only learned it yesterday. I've been practicing hand seals since I was three. Back then, I couldn't even mold chakra, but I mastered the seals.
Yesterday's fight was just the first time I finally applied them in battle."
Itachi nodded, listening intently.
"And almost no one believes me… but I had sensory and predictive abilities before awakening the Sharingan."
As he said that, Tong's right eye flared—a two-tomoe Sharingan emerged.
He pointed at it, voice steady.
"I don't care if others believe me or not. As long as one friend does… that's enough."
"You're that certain… I'd treat you as a friend?"
Itachi looked genuinely puzzled. This kid was stranger than he expected.
Tong answered calmly, "The current Uchiha clan is obsessed with honor, power, and pride. In a clan like that… are you truly happy?
A real friend—you don't need many. Just one you can talk to is enough."
In truth, Tong was gambling—betting that the Itachi from his memories was still the same person.
But when he saw Itachi smile, he knew he'd guessed right.
This guy, Tong thought, was thinking like a Hokage at seven years old. There's no way he hasn't already guessed my motives.
"Come to the Uchiha compound tomorrow," Itachi said. "With me around, things will be easier.
And now that you're a genin… make sure you become a good ninja."
With that, he turned and left. His words were simple, direct—like a brother offering quiet protection.
Tong chuckled.
This guy is a hardcore big brother type…
He looked up at the sky. The sun had fully risen now.
Winter was coming.
I'd love to just sit in the sun all day…
But I don't have that luxury.
The Uchiha clan. Danzo's Root. The Third Hokage's ANBU. The village elders.
Soon, Tong would likely become what Itachi had—someone who played every side. A deep-cover operative entangled in every web.
There were plenty of spies in the Naruto world…
But true legendary spies? One feared by all sides?
Only one came to mind—Itachi.
Even Kabuto—who would one day stand behind the Fourth Great Ninja War—never held the same weight as a spy.
Heh… damn spies…