Phantom Underground Ruins

Instead of going with Naruto and the others, Issui returned directly to Konoha. The scroll Issui gave Sasuke contained not only information about Uchiha Itachi, but also the true truth behind the Uchiha Clan's annihilation. It was believed that after reading it, Sasuke would no longer believe Obito Uchiha's words. Itachi left the village bearing the label of "traitor" on the condition that Konoha spare his brother's life, and joined Akatsuki on the condition that they would "never attack Konoha."

After the Senju Clan and Uchiha Clan signed a truce in ancient times, Hashirama Senju, the Hashirama Senju of the Senju Clan, founded Konoha Ninja Village and became its first Hokage. The Uchiha Clan, as one of the founders of Konoha, lived Konoha. However, under the rule of the first, second, and third Hokage, the Uchiha Clan's position in Konoha weakened. During the reign of the Third Hokage, Obito Uchiha, out of hatred for his clan's betrayal, summoned the Nine-Tails in Konoha, initiating the Nine-Tails' Attack that marked the beginning of Naruto. This was a conspiracy, and the Konoha leadership, unaware that Obito Uchiha was still alive, suspected the Uchiha Clan because only the Sharingan could control the Nine-Tails. At the request of the Konoha High Command, the Uchiha were forced to relocate their clan to a corner of Konoha.

Ultimately, the Uchiha Clan, determined to restore their prestige and status, decided to launch a rebellion. Uchiha Fugaku, Itachi's father, became the planner and leader of the rebellion. He forced Itachi to become a member of the Anbu to gather intelligence on Konoha's upper echelons for the Uchiha Clan. Itachi had no choice but to join the Anbu. However, the Konoha leadership, exploiting Itachi's love of peace and aversion to war, forced him to monitor the Uchiha. From then on, Itachi became a double agent caught in the political machinations between Konoha and the Uchiha. He revealed the clan's rebellion plan to the Konoha leadership, who then gave him the cruel order to exterminate the Uchiha Clan, threatening him that if he didn't act, they (the Anbu) would.

Weighing the pros and cons between peace for his clan, Konoha, and the entire ninja world, Itachi ultimately accepted this secret mission with great pain, because he couldn't bear to let more people experience the chaos of war and face the tragedy of losing their families and being torn apart. It's hard to imagine Itachi's feelings at that time, because the mission he was to carry out was to kill the clansmen he had lived with for many years, his beloved relatives, and even his younger brother Sasuke, whom he had sworn to protect for life.

Third Shinobi World War, Itachi, only four years old, witnessed too much death. For him, experiencing war at such a young age was like hell. This trauma made Itachi averse to war and a peace-loving man. He prioritized the stability of the village and devoted himself to peace, not bound by the limitations of his clan, becoming a ninja who loved his village. At this moment, he faced a choice between peace and his loved ones. In the end, he chose to painfully bring down the curtain on the Uchiha Clan, leaving the village with the hatred his younger brother held for him.

Itachi found Obito and asked him to join him in exterminating the Uchiha clan. In the end, the two wiped out the entire Uchiha in one night, except for his younger brother Sasuke. In the world of Tsukuyomi, Itachi deceived Sasuke, saying that the extermination was to test his own strength and give Sasuke a new life goal, so that Sasuke would continue to grow stronger and prevent the Konoha leadership from harming him. Itachi himself, on the other hand, bore all the stigma and became missing-nin of Konoha.

Without a doubt, Itachi was a hero, but he is only known for the crime of killing his clan. He dedicated his life to maintaining peace in the ninja world and gave everything for his beloved younger brother Sasuke.

This is all the secrets that Issui wrote down for Sasuke, hoping that he could quickly become stronger, understand his brother's feelings, and not be tempted by some dark people.

"You're back, Issui-kun. Where are Naruto and the others?" Haku asked, watching Issui walk home deep in thought.

"Ah, oh, I'm back early. Some things aren't for everyone. Sasuke isn't someone you can just come back to so easily. As for Tayuya, that woman's body, did you hand it over to the Lord Hokage?"

Suddenly lost in thought, Issui interrupted his train of thought and had no choice but to ask about Tayuya.

"It's already been handed over to Lord Hokage, and she's very satisfied. The Intelligence Division is currently interrogating Tayuya. Also, Lord Hokage said she wants you to come see her now that you're back," Haku said.

"Tch, you knew I'd let Sasuke go, so you thought I was back before Shizune and the others?" Issui scoffed.

"You should still go, otherwise the Lord Hokage will be angry." Bai smiled slightly.

"Tch, I got it, I'm off." Issui swaggered out of the house with his hands in his pockets, heading towards the Hokage.

Looking at their Issui figures, Bai thought they were just like children who never grew up. Honestly, they were still throwing childish tantrums.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

"Come in."

Tsunade behind her back in front of the window behind her desk and spoke.

"I'm back. I've eliminated Orochimaru's subordinates, but I couldn't stop Sasuke," Issui said as soon as he entered.

This is telling Tsunade, "Look, I've eliminated Orochimaru's subordinates and even brought back information about him. I learned some of Orochimaru's secrets from Tayuya Orochimaru. Although I Sasuke go, I still put in the effort, so how can you be so heartless as to punish me?"

"Hmph, you admit it so quickly. I knew it. Tell me, why did you let Sasuke go?" Tsunade shouted. Even if you have done great things, you still made a mistake.

"Sigh, you know about the history of the Uchiha, right? Whether Itachi was the real murderer is still unknown, but so many Uchiha members were wiped out overnight. Such events are often involving multiple factions and interests," Issui said.

"No matter what happens, don't worry about these things, and don't give irrelevant answers. Why did you let Sasuke Uchiha go?"

Tsunade knew more or less about the secrets of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, but what did that have to do with Sasuke?

"Under those circumstances, Sasuke's desire for revenge grew stronger and stronger. Staying in the village would be detrimental. With Orochimaru training him, he would likely grow up quickly. I understand his willingness to sacrifice himself for revenge. If I bring him back, he will still find a way to escape. Are we going to kill him, or Imprisonment him for life and let him die of old age in Konoha?"

Issui quietly voiced his opinion.

"Even so, if we let him go, given the environment around Orochimaru, his heart will gradually be corrupted. What if he turns against Konoha then? And who knows, by the next time we meet, his body might already be Orochimaru's vessel." Tsunade still disagreed with Issui's idea.

"Your concerns boil down to two points: first, that Sasuke becomes Orochimaru's vessel, making Orochimaru even stronger; and second, that Sasuke becomes Orochimaru's ally. In short, these two viewpoints share a common thread: Sasuke will become an enemy force that destroys Konoha. Let me analyze this for you: First, regarding your first concern, Sasuke becoming Orochimaru's vessel, as far as I know, Orochimaru's Reincarnation technique requires a long hiatus before it can be used again. During his battle with Orochimaru, the Third Hokage sealed Orochimaru's hands. You should have seen the injuries on Orochimaru's hands; they were caused by..." For such injuries, Orochimaru can only be relieved of the pain in his hands by finding a new vessel. The reason he sent his subordinates to Konoha to take Sasuke away was because his body was nearing its limit. However, Sasuke faced numerous obstacles during his journey back. As Orochimaru's condition worsened, he had no choice but to find another vessel for reincarnation. Even if Sasuke ends up with Orochimaru, there's no need to worry for now, as the next time is uncertain. And once Naruto others have grown stronger, we can launch a counterattack against Orochimaru and rescue Sasuke then.

My second concern is actually unnecessary. If Sasuke truly had no emotions, he wouldn't have strived to grow stronger for the sake of avenging his clan's annihilation, even at the cost of embracing evil. People harbor hatred because of their feelings for their loved ones, and Sasuke was also filled with affection for Naruto and Sakura. The reason he defected was because he couldn't see his own strength growing.

Besides, if he really falls into darkness, won't we, his companions, come to his rescue? If he dares to attack the village, I will stop him; I still have the confidence and strength to do so."

Issui slowly stated his views.

"Hmm, although what you're saying makes sense, you're essentially letting him go, do you understand? Fine, you experienced the destruction of the village, so you understand his feelings very well, which is why you decided to let him go. Go do your missions. I'll forgive you this time, but next time, I won't be so lenient." Tsunade handed over several mission sheets.

"What? I just got back, and there are already so many missions?!" Issui exclaimed loudly. There were just too many missions.

"What, you're still not willing? You need to understand that the village needs to complete a lot of missions to demonstrate its strength. As an elite Jonin in the village, it's only right that you do more missions. Most of the village's Jonin are out on missions right now, and you should be too."

Tsunade then took out several more mission scrolls from the side and stuffed them into Issui.

"Assassination? Intelligence theft? Escorting caravans?..." Issui looked at the large number of mission scrolls in his hand and felt dizzy. "Are you trying to exhaust me to death?"

"What's with that look on your face? Hurry up and go. You're always so leisurely. Doing more missions will greatly help improve your strength. I'm doing this for your own good, don't you understand?" Tsunade said righteously.

Issui didn't hear Tsunade's words. Looking at the large number of tasks in his hands, he walked out with his head down.

After leaving the Hokage, Issui secretly cursed Tsunade a few times. Oh well, what can you do when Tsunade has a higher rank than you? This is called using power to bully others, the strong to oppress the weak, and the weak to fight an egg... Oh well, she's the stone, so let her go. Oh, right, why not go check out the underground ruins of the Land of Wind? Maybe we'll find something great. In my previous life, I saw the movie depicting the Stone of Gelel as incredibly magical, so it might be worth a visit.