Not only is Itachi a member of Anbu, but he is also the son of the Uchiha Clan Leader. His opinions will definitely not be ignored by the higher-ups and will be considered carefully.

Shisui is full of expectations for the future. The true bridge of communication between the village and the higher-ups has been established. If both parties negotiate well next, they can definitely avoid unnecessary conflicts between the Uchiha Clan and the village.

◎

Inside the Anbu Headquarters Tower.

All members of the second squad of Anbu are gathered in a spacious room.

The second squad has four teams under its jurisdiction; Anbu's Team 5 to Team 8 all belong to the second squad.

And now Itachi stands beside the sub-captain of Anbu's second squad—

Hatake Kakashi.

He is the sub-captain of Anbu's second squad.

The Second White Fang of Konoha.

His father, the Konoha White Fang, seemed to have committed suicide at home due to some issue. Kakashi perfectly inherited his father's swordsmanship and will, even surpassing him, and is feared by ninjas across various nations. He is an extraordinarily famous ninja.

He was also a target Itachi once chased and aspired to be.

Itachi believed that having graduated at age seven and becoming a Chunin at age ten, he was already exceptional enough, yet Kakashi graduated at five and passed the Chunin exam at six.

His talent makes most Ninja in Konoha feel ashamed and self-conscious.

He is likely to be one of the candidates for the Fifth Hokage in the future.

"From today, Uchiha Itachi will be a member of our squad."

Kakashi stood at the forefront of the four Anbu teams, introducing Itachi to his subordinates.

Now a sub-captain, Kakashi seldom has opportunities to go out on missions.

Most of the time, he stays in Konoha, directing the actions of the four Anbu teams under him.

"Hello, seniors. I am Uchiha Itachi."

At only ten years old, Itachi's small stature makes him stand out among all the adults.

The members of the four Anbu teams below stared at Itachi with questioning, curious, and disdainful eyes, as if they wanted to see through him completely.

Itachi also noticed these focused gazes. Those who looked at him with disdain might do so because of his 'Uchiha' surname.

The other party has an unresolvable grudge with the Uchiha Clan.

"Itachi, the team you'll be joining is Team 6, which happens to have an opening."

Kakashi pointed to the position of Team 6.

There were only three members there: one squad leader and two team members, missing a third person.

Now, Itachi will fill the role of the third member of Team 6.

"Yes."

Itachi walked towards the position of Team 6.

The three Anbu Ninja of Team 6 were among the few who did not cast disapproving glances at him, a consideration for which Itachi was very grateful to Kakashi.

If he remained in an Anbu team dissatisfied with his surname, it could cause a division within the team.

"Tenzo, I'm entrusting Itachi to your guidance to help him quickly adapt to the rhythm of the Anbu."

Kakashi instructed the squad leader of Anbu's Team 6.

"Understood."

The Anbu Ninja named Tenzo nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

Kakashi then disbanded the meeting and left the room.

The Anbu also left one after another to continue their unfinished missions.

Anbu meetings are always brief and direct; today's meeting was just to introduce a new member. Once introductions were over, there was no need to waste unnecessary time.

Anbu's integration happens directly during regular missions.

In the end, only Itachi's Team 6 remained in the room.

"As you can see, I am Tenzo, the squad leader of Team 6. You will be under my management from now on, Uchiha Itachi."

"Understood."

Itachi nodded in understanding.

From his voice and build, his squad leader seemed quite young, probably around fifteen or sixteen years old.

To become a squad leader at this age in Anbu, one can say he is indeed a formidable senior.

"After that, choose a codename for yourself; this will make operations convenient. Now follow me to the mission location."

Tenzo looked at Itachi with an inexplicable gaze, making Itachi somewhat puzzled.

But Itachi did not inquire further and simply followed closely behind Tenzo, along with two other Anbu members.

◎

Itachi was utterly shocked to see the room's layout.

In a completely enclosed underground section of the Anbu Headquarters Tower, a vast room with only one door as an entrance or exit was packed with complex surveillance equipment.

The surveillance images were undoubtedly from a place Itachi was very familiar with—the Uchiha Clan.

From the clan's streets to the ninja training grounds, even the outside of Nankai Shrine, everything was under meticulous surveillance.

Is this the place where he will work?

In the center of the room, Kakashi stood motionless, staring at the images. When he saw Team 6 with Tenzo enter, he simply made a silent gesture for them to quickly get to work.

Collaborating with Team 6 in monitoring the Uchiha Clan was another four Anbu members from Team 5.

They conducted non-stop, 24-hour surveillance on the Uchiha Clan.

"You know about the Nine-tails incident, where we lost the Fourth Hokage in Konoha. Based on accurate intelligence, there is a mole within the Uchiha Clan."

Tenzo explained in a low voice.

"A mole?"

"A spy planted within the Uchiha Clan ten years ago by Uchiha Ruri when she defected. The Fourth Hokage's death is likely related to her."

After listening to Tenzo, Itachi couldn't help but clench his fists.

He had heard of the name Uchiha Ruri before, but never paid much attention. He only knew that she was an extremely powerful Uchiha Ninja who had defected from Konoha for unknown reasons.