Leaving aside how Naraku sent the crestfallen Itachi home, he himself headed to the marketplace to buy supplies for his journey.
Let's focus on the Shadow Clones of Uchiha Naraku and Itachi, who were currently in class at the academy.
"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. Next class is taijutsu, so you can all head outside to gather."
Teacher Inoue said this and left without even looking back.
Since the next class was taijutsu, there was no need for the students to stay in the classroom. Therefore, almost all the students walked out of the classroom.
The two Shadow Clones were just there to make up the numbers, naturally following the other students to the training grounds.
Many students were freely moving around the training grounds, while Itachi and Naraku stood alone in the shade of two small trees.
Just then, a thin, older student came running towards them.
"Itachi, come here for a moment, our boss wants to see you."
The skinny student, arms crossed, looked arrogant. He clearly didn't respect Uchiha Itachi at all. Anyone who didn't know better would think this kid was a Jonin.
"I'm not interested."
Uchiha Itachi smiled wryly, clearly not intending to pay him any mind.
But sometimes, it's like this: even if you don't look for trouble, trouble will find you.
Just two minutes after Uchiha Itachi refused the skinny boy, seven or eight sixth-year students had surrounded Uchiha Itachi and Naraku. Leading them was the student who looked like a small mountain.
"Itachi! You think you're so important! Our boss is calling for you, and you're putting on airs? Looks like you need a lesson to learn some respect!"
A student with slicked-back hair roared at Itachi.
"Don't waste time talking, beat him up!"
Koyama roared and charged towards Itachi.
"Naraku, step back!"
Uchiha Itachi pushed Naraku behind him, shielding him.
This Itachi is really a big-time chauvinist. In the story, he always shouldered everything. He probably won't realize it until he's about to die.
Naraku didn't plan on joining the fight. These few kids weren't worth it. Besides, if his clone blew up, the best-case scenario was that these kids would be electrocuted into charcoal.
The students charged forward together, but Itachi knocked down four or five of them in a single round.
Just as the remaining three students gritted their teeth, readying another attack...
A Chunin teacher, having noticed a brawl, suddenly appeared beside several students and shouted to stop them:
"What do you think you're doing? Stop it, all of you!"
Seeing the teacher intervene, the polite Uchiha Itachi immediately stood still. However, the students who had just been beaten by Itachi were already furious.
Taking advantage of Itachi's pause, one student quickly grabbed Itachi from behind, and the small mountain of a fist slammed into Itachi's face.
Itachi took the punch squarely, and he immediately turned into a puff of white smoke and disappeared.
At this moment, everyone on the scene, except for Naraku, was stunned.
What's going on? This kid was actually a Shadow Clone?
Naraku covered his forehead. Damn it, this is a big deal now. How could I forget this part of the plot?
"Uchiha Naraku, come with me. Everyone else, go to the disciplinary office to await punishment!"
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha clan grounds, Itachi, who was training his taijutsu, stopped what he was doing and sighed. Damn it, he thought. This is trouble.
Inside the Konoha meeting room, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō sat side-by-side at the front.
The Chunin teacher knelt on one knee, reporting the situation to the two Konoha leaders, while Uchiha Naraku hung his head, appearing to be deeply reflecting.
"I already know what happened. You're right; there's no point in students like them continuing to study at the ninja academy. However…"
It seemed the Third Hokage still had some reservations.
"Isn't this good, Hiruzen? Since these two children are so outstanding, we can let them graduate early. Wasn't there a precedent for this before?"
Danzo looked at Naraku, eyes narrowed, and surprisingly revealed a hint of a gentle smile, which gave Naraku goosebumps.
What's going on? Has this Shimura Danzō gone mad?
"Are you talking about Kakashi? That was during wartime, a special situation. Now..."
Hiruzen played the role of a tolerant elder.
"Now what? Now that Konoha and Kumogakure are at war, although it's not as difficult as before, Konoha needs outstanding talents like them. I agree with Uchiha Naraku and Uchiha Itachi graduating early."
Hearing Danzo's words, the Third Hokage nodded, as if he was persuaded by Danzo. He sighed and said:
"Indeed, this is indeed beneficial for the two children. How about this, tomorrow I'll discuss it with Fugaku. If Fugaku has no objections, then it's settled."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took two puffs from his pipe, then said:
"Teacher Murakami, you may leave. Naraku, you can also dispel your Shadow Clone."
Naraku was startled. So, he had been seen through?
Sarutobi Hiruzen was indeed worthy of being a professor of ninjutsu.
To be honest, the Third Hokage at this stage was very strong, stronger than most people imagined, Naraku even thought.
The undeteriorated Third Hokage was an all-rounder.
Therefore, it was better to be honest in front of him.
"Understood, Third Hokage-sama!"
Uchiha Naraku formed a hand seal, and his body turned into a puff of white smoke, disappearing.
The Chunin teacher stared at Naraku's vanishing form, his mouth agape in surprise.
What's going on with this year's students? One after another, they were all so freakishly strong. He, himself, couldn't even use Shadow Clone.
The Chunin teacher then also left the meeting room.
"Hiruzen, what do you make of this?" Shimura Danzō asked, his eyes narrowed.
"Make of what?"
"Don't play dumb with me. Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Naraku can already skillfully use Shadow Clone at such a young age,"
"Their strength is likely far above the Chunin level. Konoha needs to balance the Uchiha clan now. I suggest that after they graduate, trustworthy Konoha Jonin should teach them."
"They absolutely cannot enter the police force. After they graduate from the Chunin exams, they will join Root, and I will teach them personally. Only then can we ensure…"
"Enough, Danzo! The Uchiha are comrades of Konoha. How can you not understand this? After they graduate, they will naturally be taught by reliable Konoha Jonin. I have this matter in hand."
Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned on the Hokage's chair, pondering for a few seconds before continuing:
"Konoha is currently in a state of war. Internal stability must be maintained. I will arrange for them to join the Anbu directly under the Hokage. I will personally impart the Will of Fire to them. You don't need to worry about this…"
Uchiha Naruko was purchasing various items. After the Shadow Clone disappeared, everything that happened at the school was transmitted to Naruko's mind.
This was troublesome. How did things get to this point? Her plans were completely disrupted.
If he graduated, it would be much more troublesome to go to the Land of Sand to sign in.
Because a Jonin instructor would lead the team on missions, and judging by the Konoha high-ups' usual behavior, this instructor would likely also be monitoring him and Itachi.
If the instructor happened to be the same Teacher Suigetsu from the original story, that would be fine. After all, he was a pushover, and tricking him probably wouldn't be difficult.
But if they got a difficult character, that would be a disaster.
If he couldn't go to the Land of Sand, what about his Sharingan cultivation system? Failure was absolutely unacceptable.
But there was nothing he could do. He'd just have to take it one step at a time. If all else failed, he could use Innate Beguilement to escape.
In short, he couldn't give up on this mission.
Naruko didn't bother continuing her shopping. Maintaining the effects of Innate Beguilement, she found a secluded spot to hide everything she had bought.
Then he went straight back to the Uchiha clan's compound.
............................
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(End of Chapter)