As expected of Obito the goofball — during the time they spent waiting for Kuugetsu to return from the Hokage's office, he somehow managed to befriend Shisui and Itachi purely through his chatterbox personality and clownish charm.
Of course, that was his understanding of things.
In truth, both Shisui and Itachi were naturally cautious by nature. They hadn't told Obito what they actually came to ask Kuugetsu, though they did manage to get plenty of information out of him with just a few questions.
After realizing that Obito really didn't seem like the scheming type — just a bit of a simple-minded goof — the two of them relaxed a little. Their conversation gradually became friendlier, and the atmosphere warmed up somewhat.
As the three were chatting, a calm voice suddenly spoke from nearby:
"Obito, Shisui — what are you two doing together?"
"Kuugetsu-sensei!" / "Aunt Kuugetsu!" / "Kuugetsu-senpai!"
The three small boys of varying ages turned around quickly to greet the newcomer.
Kuugetsu nodded slightly, her gaze eventually resting on Itachi's face. Seeing her puzzled expression, Shisui quickly explained:
"Aunt Kuugetsu, this is Itachi — the son of Clan Head Fugaku."
At that, Kuugetsu's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and Obito blinked in surprise, blurting out:
"The clan head's son? What's he doing here?"
Seeing their reactions, Itachi looked a little confused — and a little hurt — as if wondering whether he should leave. That expression of quiet sensitivity caught Kuugetsu's attention; she found herself looking at the child a bit longer.
So perceptive and sensitive… he's like Shisui — precociously mature for his age.
With that thought, Kuugetsu lightly flicked Obito's forehead and said:
"What about it? So he's the clan head's son — we're all Uchiha, aren't we? There's no real difference."
Hearing this, Itachi looked up at her. In that moment, he suddenly understood something.
This woman — Shisui's aunt — really was different from all the other Uchiha he'd met.
Shisui quickly took the opportunity to change the subject:
"Aunt, the real reason we came here today is because Itachi wanted to see you.
He said he has some questions he really wants to ask, and Father told us that you might be able to offer a perspective no one else could."
As he spoke, Shisui glanced briefly at Obito, clearly asking with his eyes whether this guy could be trusted with such a serious conversation.
Obito, realizing what that look meant, protested loudly:
"Hey! What's with that face? I thought we were friends! Come on!"
Kuugetsu pressed down on Obito's head gently to make the noisy kid quiet down, then turned her calm gaze to the much smaller Itachi.
"Go on," she said softly. "What's your question?"
Her tone was different from the mothers or clan members Itachi had met before.
Her voice carried no particular emotion — yet there was a strange, undeniable authority to it.
The sharp-minded boy could already sense that Kuugetsu probably wasn't aligned with his father — or with his grandfather and the faction he led.
But hearing her cool, steady voice, he found himself lowering his guard completely.
So he began to speak.
He told her everything he'd overheard — his grandfather's shouting, his parents' whispered arguments, his own confusion and fears.
By the time he finished, he was slightly out of breath, as though finally unburdened, and then he looked up at her and asked earnestly:
"So… I really want to know, Kuugetsu-senpai — what do you think about all of this?"
Kuugetsu's eyes flickered in visible surprise.
Even though what Itachi had overheard was only fragments, when combined with what she already knew, she could piece together the entire truth.
The Uchiha are already plotting rebellion.
And that information — by pure coincidence — had just fallen into her lap through the mouth of a three-year-old child.
With this knowledge, she could easily crush the clan's plans before they even began.
But she didn't intend to act immediately or in secret. Instead, she looked directly at Itachi and spoke quietly:
"Before I tell you what I think, there's something you should know first, Itachi.
I actually stand on the opposite side of your father — and of your grandfather, and the faction they lead within the Uchiha."
"In other words," Kuugetsu said calmly, "what you've just told me could completely ruin your grandfather's plans. And what I'm about to say may be completely opposite to what your father and grandfather believe."
She looked straight at the small boy before her.
"Even knowing that, do you still want to hear my thoughts?"
Itachi was silent for a while. Though still young and far from forming a complete worldview, his unusually mature mind wanted to understand — to hear Kuugetsu's perspective and compare it with his grandfather's actions.
After a moment, he nodded firmly.
Seeing this, Kuugetsu also nodded and said:
"Since that's your decision, I'll start from the very beginning of the Uchiha story. Listen to everything first, and only then form your own thoughts. That will be something truly yours."
So, Kuugetsu began to explain.
She spoke of the Uchiha's history from the founding of Konoha to the present — their glory, their conflicts, and the rift between them and the village leadership.
However, she deliberately avoided mentioning her father Hokushin's and her own direct involvement. She only vaguely referred to the existence of the Hawk Faction and the Dove Faction.
When she finished, she looked straight at Itachi again and asked:
"Now that you've heard everything, Itachi — as a member of the Uchiha, what do you think? I really want to hear your answer."
Obito, who had been fidgeting nearby, was about to speak up, but Kuugetsu immediately pressed down on his head and gave him a stern look.
"Don't say anything," she scolded lightly. "Let Itachi think for himself.
When facing questions like this, everyone must find their own answer. We shouldn't influence him."
Itachi fell silent for a long time. Finally, instead of answering directly, he asked softly:
"Kuugetsu-senpai… if the Hawk Faction continues with their plan, will the clan definitely go to war with Konoha?"
Kuugetsu paused to think, then said carefully:
"I can't say it's certain… but the chances are very high."
Upon hearing that, Itachi clenched his tiny fists tightly.
"If that's true," he declared, "then I have to stop Grandfather!
Kuugetsu-senpai — you can meet with the Hokage, right?
Please take me to her! I have to tell her what Grandfather is planning!"
Kuugetsu blinked in surprise — then smiled faintly. When she spoke again, her expression had turned serious once more.
"Are you sure about this, Itachi?
If you do that, your father and grandfather might be arrested.
They might even come to hate you for it.
Even so, do you still want to tell the Hokage?"
Itachi lifted his head, eyes shining with resolve.
"Even if Grandfather hates me… I still want to stop the war."
His small voice trembled, but his words were firm. Then he bowed his head, his body shaking slightly as he continued:
"I know… the village is already at war with other ninja villages right now.
War is terrible — people die because of it.
I don't want anyone from the clan to die, and I don't want people from the village to die either.
We all live in Konoha — how could we go to war against each other?
If that happens, everyone — both the villagers and the clan — will only suffer more.
There must be another way.
There has to be a way for the clan and the village to live in peace together.
I'll find that way, no matter what."
Saying this, Itachi couldn't help but reveal a smile. Seeing this smile, everyone else couldn't help but smile too.
Obito patted Itachi on the shoulder and said:
"I just realized, you look really good when you smile."
(Author's note: This chapter might feel a bit off, but honestly, this kind of choice is exactly what Itachi would make. Consider this a setup — next comes the issue of suppression and resolution.)