Chapter 195: Seeking the Moon

Hokage Building, Anbu Chief's Office.

Orochimaru looked up, his golden, slit-like pupils resembling those of a sinister snake. "Are you ready to depart, Shisui?"

"Yes, Commander." The young man carrying a short sword respectfully responded. "I've completed all my tasks, and I'd like to nominate someone for the position of First Squad Leader—"

"I've reserved the position for you," Orochimaru interrupted. "Don't speak as if you're making final arrangements. Just remember the Third Hokage's advice; your chances of survival will be much higher... Now, repeat it once more."

"Don't act first, don't act first, don't act first," Shisui Uchiha repeated three times.

Orochimaru quietly said, "Considering his temperament, as long as you don't strike first, he won't be completely unreasonable."

"I understand," the young man sighed. "Sensei has a soft heart."

Orochimaru nearly choked on his own saliva. He studied his valued subordinate with a strange look, hesitant to speak further.

During the Crimson Night, Yuto's killing spree was relatively restrained. As long as no one obstructed him, he spared their lives, showing some mercy. But on the other hand, every Anbu shinobi who dared to stand in his way that night was mercilessly killed. Before the Crimson Night, Yuto even used his authority as the Anbu Chief to recall all Hyuga clan members from outside the village, ensuring no one was left behind. His ruthless methods justified his title as "the most notorious S-Class rogue shinobi in history."

"...Gather your team and set out as soon as possible," Orochimaru said, waving his hand to end the conversation.

"Understood." Shisui bowed and left the Hokage Building.

He headed to the training ground on the eastern edge of the village and perched on a wooden post, waiting for his comrades.

Before long, Ruri Mochizuki and Muta Aburame appeared in his line of sight.

The team assigned to find Yuto is the original Team Nine.

"Are you trying to look cool?" The white-haired girl sarcastically asked. "You should activate your Sharingan; that would look cooler. And you're not sitting high enough. The top of a long pole would be better."

Shisui shook his head. "I'm just thinking. Ruri, what do you think our Sensei has become after four years?"

"We'll find out in a few days, if everything goes smoothly."

"All these years, Sensei has been like a drifting feather. News about him surfaces from time to time, but no matter how much power the major villages invest, they can't even touch his shadow." The young Uchiha paused, then smiled bitterly. "I'm wondering if this time will also be fruitless."

Muta, who had become increasingly quiet since Yuto's defection, suddenly spoke. "If you hold onto hope, you will eventually grasp what you desire."

"Eh? What are you talking about?" Ruri kicked both boys on their butts. "Why so serious? Are you trying to make me look like the clueless one here? If we find him, we complete the mission. If we don't, we return to the village."

—The mission to find Yuto Hyuga was not without purpose.

If it were an ordinary rogue shinobi, Konoha would have cleaned house long ago. But Yuto was too powerful; going after him was akin to going inside a lions den. So, over the past four years, despite Yuto carrying the title of "the most notorious S-Class rogue shinobi in history," he had not been hunted down.

"Whoever stands in my way will die." This phrase echoed in the minds of Konoha shinobi, and no one dared take the risk.

However, Konoha was in a difficult position because Yuto held precious intelligence that the village desperately needed.

—On that night, who was the Uchiha traitor that infiltrated the Jinchuriki delivery room, released, and controlled the Nine-Tails?

Kushina's account and Yuto's high-profile actions when he wiped out his clan revealed one fact: four years ago, Konoha's suffering was caused by two entirely different people. One Uchiha caused the Nine-Tails Incident, and then Yuto triggered the Crimson Night. Though they never appeared together, their actions were closely linked.

Identifying the Uchiha traitor and bringing peace between the village and the Uchiha clan was Konoha's most urgent need.

Therefore, after receiving intel on the whereabouts of the most notorious S-Class rogue shinobi, Konoha dispatched the three students who had the closest bond with Yuto, hoping that if they could find him, they might be able to extract the identity of the Uchiha traitor. Even if they couldn't, confirming Yuto's whereabouts would still be a significant gain.

"If it were only that simple..." Shisui sighed, rubbing his sore butt after being kicked off the post. "We leave tomorrow. Finish whatever you need to today and leave a will for your family."

Muta calmly replied, "I've left enough food for my insects to last three months, and I've written my will."

"...Why are you both looking at me? I don't need to write a will," Ruri shrugged. "After that guy defected, you two are my only family."

In the sunlight, the girl's long white hair shimmered with a radiant glow. She wasn't wearing the standard Konoha flak jacket, but a loose robe instead. The sunlight and breeze highlighted her slim waist, characteristic of her age.

The two boys quickly averted their eyes, not daring to look any longer.

...

Back at the Uchiha compound, Shisui saw a boy standing in front of his house.

"Itachi," Shisui frowned. "Didn't I tell you the key is in the gap by the window? If you're looking for me, just go inside. Why stand outside and tire yourself?"

"Shisui-nii," Itachi's young face was very serious. "Without permission, I can't enter someone else's home."

"Itachi, you little brat, I remember you used to laugh a lot when you were four or five," Shisui chuckled as he ruffled the boy's hair and opened the door. "What do you want to eat? I'm leaving the village tomorrow, and I don't know when I'll return, so how about some ramen tonight... Itachi?"

In the living room, Itachi Uchiha looked at the picture frame nailed to the wall and pondered. "Shisui-nii, is that the Moon God?"

"Yes, he's also my Sensei, the most notorious rogue shinobi in history."

"Is he strong?"

"Very strong."

"…How strong, exactly?"

"Itachi, you're only eight years old. Although you have great talent, you still have a long way to go in the path of dōjutsu and ninjutsu." Shisui paused, then continued. "Right now, you see my Sensei as a mountain shrouded in mist. But when you possess dōjutsu that rivals mine, you'll realize that mountain is just a step towards meeting him."

"He's that strong... Be careful, Shisui-nii."

"Don't worry about me, Itachi," the young man smiled. "For the sake of our clan and the village, it's my duty to obtain information about that Uchiha traitor, and..."

"I really want to see what Sensei has become."

The next day.

At sunrise, Shisui Uchiha arrived at the village gate. As usual, he was the first to arrive, but Ruri and Muta didn't keep him waiting long. Soon, the original Team Nine gathered and, passing through the barrier, set out for the borders of the Land of Fire.

(End of Chapter)