: The training mission takes a serious turn when the two Uchiha find a real fugitive: an Anbu officer carrying a sensitive message regarding a traitor within the village. He is being pursued by members of the Foundation (Root) , who seek to intercept the message for Danzo Shimura's own purposes rather than letting it reach the Third Hokage.

: Considered a mix of canon and "filler," as it is an anime adaptation of the official Itachi Shinden light novels but contains some alterations from the source material.

: Viewers often highlight the strong emotional resonance of the friendship between the two "brothers," finding it particularly impactful given the tragic events known to occur later in the series.

: Shisui and Itachi are forced into a confrontation with the Foundation Anbu. The encounter serves to highlight the growing tension between the Uchiha clan and the village's darker political factions, as well as the contrasting philosophies of those involved. Critical Reception

: Still grappling with the psychological weight of his teammate Tenma's death, Itachi accepts an invitation from Shisui for a "mock mission". This exercise, set in the Forest of Death , involves tracking a fake fugitive to hone Itachi's survival and tracking skills.