"Is that so? Then there's no other way."
Inari Makoto is a kind-hearted girl, he always knew that.
It's good that she can retreat when she knows it's tough. In Itachi's view, Inari Makoto, who possesses such self-awareness, is much better than many ninjas who cannot see themselves clearly.
However, Itachi still felt strange.
There is still some time before this year's Chunin Exam. Within this period, Minazuki Yuzuki is fully capable of finding two new teammates to form a three-person group with him and participate in this year's Chunin Exam.
In previous Chunin Exams, many teams missing members would recruit new ones last minute to participate in the exam.
However, Minazuki Yuzuki easily giving up the opportunity to take part in this year's Chunin Exam still made Itachi suspicious.
"Yes, it's a pity for this year. I'm looking for suitable people to fill in, but I don't know if Lord Hokage has prepared anything."
Minazuki Yuzuki nodded, looking worriedly into the distance.
◎
"Is Uchiha Itachi not participating in this year's Chunin Exam?"
In the Hokage's office, it was Root Leader Shimura Danzo who asked the question.
As one of Konoha's senior figures and an opponent of the Uchiha faction, it was surprising for Hiruzen, the Hokage, that Danzo felt the need to inquire about the future of a Uchiha ninja.
Hiruzen picked up the list of Genin participating in this year's Chunin Exam.
There were a total of forty-one teams, with one hundred and twenty-three Genin participating in the Chunin Exam.
But among these one hundred and twenty-three Genin, the name Uchiha Itachi was not included.
Hiruzen thought for a moment and answered, "A member of Minazuki's team recently perished, and another seems to have a psychological shadow from it and has resigned, no longer registered as a ninja. Therefore, now Minazuki's team has only Uchiha Itachi left as a Genin, and one person can't participate in the Chunin Exam."
Since the Chunin Exam tests not only a ninja's strength, but leadership ability is also an extremely important aspect.
There are those ninjas who are powerful but lack leadership skills.
If Itachi were allowed to take the Chunin Exam alone, it would be unfair to Itachi and the other candidates.
"Is that so? But what do you think of Minazuki Yuzuki, the Jonin?"
Danzo brought up a topic seemingly unrelated to the current matter.
"Minazuki Yuzuki?"
Hiruzen was slightly taken aback, not expecting Danzo to suddenly mention Itachi's Jonin leader.
"What about him?"
"He has a particularly malicious side."
Danzo didn't hesitate to say such things, coldly smiling as if he had discovered some major secret.
"What?"
Hiruzen was stunned.
"On the surface, he's a dedicated Jonin. But he harbors intense jealousy and secretly suppresses those talented ninjas. He might even create psychological shadows for his subordinates through certain events, forcing them to leave the ninja profession."
One of Itachi's team members sacrificed himself, another resigned, but these were not necessities.
As long as Minazuki Yuzuki reported this matter, those in power would not ignore it.
Because the name Uchiha Itachi is worth that much.
However, Minazuki Yuzuki did not report this, making his actions questionable.
"Is this information accurate?"
Hiruzen asked seriously.
"In matters like these, do you think I've ever made a mistake?"
Danzo responded with a question.
Hiruzen was speechless.
The Root, which Danzo was in charge of, is a darker part of the Anbu under the Hokage's direct control.
Given Danzo's dealings with shadowy affairs for years, if Minazuki Yuzuki truly did such things, it certainly wouldn't escape Danzo's notice.
"I understand, I will thoroughly investigate Minazuki Yuzuki."
If what Danzo said is true, then the situation is indeed urgent.
Such a Jonin continuing to lead Genin in missions will only bury more talent.
Perhaps Minazuki Yuzuki is already secretly planning how to suppress Itachi, this Uchiha genius, by not reporting his qualification to participate in the Chunin Exam.
"It doesn't matter about Minazuki Yuzuki; Uchiha Itachi should participate in the Chunin Exam as soon as possible, I want to use him. Of course, through high-level meetings, directly promoting him to Chunin is also feasible."
Danzo made no effort to hide his desire for Itachi.
After having one conversation with Itachi, he immediately knew that Itachi was on his side, and could only be on his side.
Neither Hiruzen nor that self-proclaimed 'Madara' have comprehended the darkness in Itachi's eyes.
Only someone like him, who is also from the darkness, can understand the darkness that Uchiha Itachi bears.
Itachi is a ninja perfectly aligned with the Root's philosophy of darkness.
"Not appropriate, Chunin requires leadership ability, testing alone can't achieve that."
Hiruzen shook his head and refused.
He didn't know what scheme Danzo was plotting, but the Root's strength must not be increased any further.
Because of that incident with the Hidden Cloud, Hiruzen was suspicious that someone from the Hyuga Clan might be conspiring with Danzo, joining forces in such a way that Danzo would spare no effort to protect the Hyuga Clan.
If another Uchiha Clan ninja is added, the power of the Root will only grow larger.
He couldn't tolerate such a thing happening.
"Itachi is not suited for teamwork. Incompetent leaders and mediocre teammates only drag him down."
"He's still just a child."
Hiruzen understood the implication behind Danzo's words.
It was merely an attempt to prove that Itachi was yet another figure like the Konoha White Fang or the Yellow Flash.