"That's awesome." Shisui exclaimed, settling down on a branch. "Even Kagami-jiichan wasn't a proper apprentice. You'll be like the first Uchiha to be a Hokage's apprentice."

Itachi sighed. It was almost word to word similar to his father's reaction when he told him of Niidaime-sama's decision to remove him from the ANBU and take him on as an apprentice. Only with less enthusiasm and more arrogance.

"Don't you see the problem with this?" He asked, taking a place in the tree opposite to Shisui.

"Problem? What problem? This is like the answer to all our problems." Shisui said.

"More like delaying all our problems. After being announced as the Hokage's apprentice, the clan would expect me to become his successor when he retires."

"So?" Shisui asked, dumbly.

"So? Niidaime-sama has been known to hate the Uchiha. He would never nominate me as his successor. He only took me on as an apprentice to diffuse the coup situation." Itachi protested.

Shisui started shaking his head before Itachi stopped talking. "I think you've got it all wrong. Look, why don't you talk to Niidaime-sama about it? He's your shishou now, this is the kind of stuff he can help you with."

Itachi blinked. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. A master is like third parent. And I don't think he'd have took such a responsibility if he hated you. His reputation of hating the Uchiha is completely overblown. He was responsible for killing a lot of Uchiha when our clans were at war, but what was he supposed to do? Roll over and die?" Shisui said.

"What about making us in charge of the police force to keep us in the village?" Itachi questioned, his faith in his father's teachings wavering a bit.

"According to Kagami-jiichan's journal, it was because of risk of bloodline theft. The Hyuuga had their seal, and Niidaime-sama had volunteered to design a better deal for both the clans, but with newly established peace, trust was an issue. So, the police force, to keep our weaker members safe in the village."

"Maybe I shouldn't go into this with preconceived notions based on incorrect facts." Itachi mused.

"You definitely shouldn't." Shisui agreed. "He's a great guy. I spent a day with him, showing him around, you know. I think he's quite a bit like you."

"Like me?" Itachi asked, surprised.

"Uhm hm. So, when are going to get the Uzumaki kid?" Shisui deflected.

Itachi narrowed his eyes but let it go. "Kaa-san said we'll go as soon she'll able to get the documents from the Hokage Tower, which is quite busy right now, with the new administration. She doesn't want to give Danzo any more ammunition to use against the clan."

"Oh, didn't you hear? Danzo has left on a mission." Shisui informed. "Honestly, don't you listen to gossip? It's all over the village. S-rank apparently, according to Genma, who was at gate duty."

"That's unusual." Itachi commented. "I've a feeling things will be changing a lot around here."

Shisui chuckled. "You'll get to near the centrepoint of the change. Why aren't you there now, by the way?"

"Niidaime-sama gave me a week off, after looking at my work hours. Apparently, I'm in my growing age and required to have proper sleep and rest." Itachi complained.

"There you go, Itachi. You almost sounded like a real teenager. Only if you weren't grumbling about getting a holiday...." Shisui teased.

Itachi was about to reply when he heard familiar footsteps approaching the clearing.

"Your limplet is coming." Shisui commented. Itachi ignored him, jumping down to the ground.

"Aniki, aniki." Sasuke burst into the clearing, running, before coming to a stop in front of Itachi and breathing heavily.

"What's the hurry, outoto?" Itachi asked.

"Kaa-san asked me to get you. We're going to get our new brother." Sasuke answered, beaming.

"Right now? She was going to wait for the paperwork." Itachi said, surprised.

"An ANBU came to give it to her. She's saying we're going right now, but she's not saying anything else. You know, don't you? Who's our new brother? He's younger than me isn't he? Who were his parents and..." Sasuke rambled. Shisui was laughing quietly, hidden in the trees.

"Alright, calm down. I'll answer your questions one at a time." Itachi said, as he started walking towards their home. It wouldn't do to delay when Kaa-san had asked to come immediately. "Yes, I know who he is. Yes, he's younger than you, though only by a few months. His mother was a friend of Kaa-san who died when he was a baby, along with his father."

"That's horrible." Sasuke frowned. "Who did he live with until now?"

"He lived a few years at the orphanage. But he's been living alone for the last three years."

"Why didn't Kaa-san get him sooner then?"

"That's a bit complicated. I'll tell you when you're older."

As expected, Sasuke huffed at that. "I'm a big kid now. I'm even going to get a little brother today."

"Okay, then, I'll tell you when you're chunnin." Itachi 'corrected' himself.

"That's not fair, aniki." Sasuke whined.