I Will Always Support You

Chapter 50: I Will Always Support You

"Your choice has been laid out, and it's time to make a decision, Big Brother Itachi."

Kagami knew that the Uchiha Clan Massacre had officially begun.

Although Fugaku's words made perfect sense, and with Itachi's help, a Bloodless Revolution might indeed be possible, allowing them to preserve both the village and the Uchiha Clan...

However, Kagami and Itachi had both subconsciously overlooked one thing: the possibility of failure!

Even with Itachi's help, the Bloodless Revolution could never succeed with absolute certainty. Besides, between the Uchiha and Konoha, the village was stronger overall. Even if the Uchiha completed a Bloodless Revolution, they might not be able to intimidate the other clans into submission.

What was more, if the Uchiha failed to complete the Bloodless Revolution, there would be only one result: an all-out war between the village and the Uchiha.

What would an all-out war lead to? That didn't need to be explained. Other countries would invade Konoha within minutes and completely destroy it.

Therefore, the Uchiha's plan for a Bloodless Revolution was a dead end if it failed. Even if it succeeded, it might not be enough to intimidate the other clans. If they couldn't bring the other clans to heel and ended up at war with them, it would still be a dead end.

In Kagami and Itachi's eyes, the plan carried far too much risk. Of course, that was from the perspective of protecting Konoha. From the Uchiha's perspective, the Bloodless Revolution was currently the best—and only—way to launch their coup.

So rather than saying that Itachi had to choose a method, this choice was really asking him to choose between his clan and the village.

Of course, Kagami knew that Itachi would definitely choose to preserve the village. Between the village and his clan, the village still carried more weight in Itachi's heart.

Kagami didn't intend to interfere with that. His abilities were limited, and he couldn't oppose all of Konoha. His agreement with Shisui also restricted him, making it impossible for him to attack Konoha directly. The Akatsuki was unwilling to help him at this stage, either. Thus, Kagami had few ways to deal with the Uchiha's crisis.

Kagami sat down in a ramen shop, ordered a bowl of ramen, and found it quite tasty.

Although he was wearing an Akatsuki Robe, Itachi had still eaten dango in Konoha while wearing one after Orochimaru invaded the village in the original story. There was even less reason for Kagami to worry about it now.

The people around him paid no attention at all to his clothes.

"Ah, this is delicious!"

A voice suddenly rang out, drawing Kagami's attention. He turned his head slightly, and his eyes beneath the hat showed a hint of surprise.

Teacher Iruka? I didn't expect to run into him here.

Iruka was sitting two seats away on Kagami's right. Since Kagami's hat concealed his face, Iruka didn't recognize him.

Kagami smiled faintly. Seeing Iruka made him feel somewhat nostalgic, but he couldn't stay for long. To prevent Iruka from recognizing him, Kagami quickly got up and left.

The Uchiha Clan's situation was more important now.

Inside a secret chamber.

Itachi was kneeling on one knee.

"The Uchiha Clan has decided to launch a coup in Konoha!"

He had made his choice. Just as Kagami had expected, Itachi had chosen to preserve the village.

Above Itachi, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, the Third Hokage, and Mitokado Homura were seated from left to right.

"What?!"

Utatane Koharu was the first to cry out in shock.

Danzo narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You've already obtained evidence, haven't you?"

Itachi nodded.

"Yes."

Danzo spoke decisively.

"There's no time to lose. We must strike first, before they begin their uprising."

The Third Hokage was the same as ever. He spoke up to oppose Danzo.

"The Uchiha were our comrades in the past. I want to resolve this through communication, not resort to force. I'll think of a countermeasure!"

His final words were a direct conclusion. After all, he was the Hokage. Once he had reached a decision, the others found it difficult to object.

After the brief discussion ended, Danzo arranged to meet Itachi in front of a temple. This was the place where Danzo had previously taken Shisui's Kotoamatsukami. Back then, Danzo had been ruthless and completely disregarded the Uchiha Clan. Yet now, he had no choice but to ask Itachi to clean up the Uchiha's mess for him.

"Don't be fooled by how pleasant the Third Hokage makes it sound. When the crucial moment comes, he'll still choose to protect Konoha. I hope you'll make your choice: will you stand with the Uchiha and participate in the rebellion, perishing alongside your family, or stand with us, Konoha, leaving only your little brother alive before the rebellion and helping us wipe out the Uchiha?"

Itachi's eyes widened. Although he had chosen to stand with Konoha, he had never considered such a cruel method as exterminating the entire Uchiha Clan. He didn't want to do it—not in the slightest—but now, it seemed there was no other way.

It wasn't because they couldn't find a better solution. It was because the conflict between the two sides made them unwilling to choose one.

It was like an ordinary person whose family had been murdered before his eyes. The most rational choice would be to call the police. However, if he truly loved his family deeply—very deeply—he would most likely still seek out the murderer and fight him to the death.

But was fighting to the death the best choice? No. The reason people acted that way was simply because they were human. To expect someone to always make the best and most rational choice was nothing short of wishful thinking.

The Uchiha and the village were in exactly this kind of situation now. The people on both sides were highly emotional.

A reconciliation in which neither side had to give anything up? The entire Uchiha Clan probably wouldn't agree to it. In fact, they had even abandoned the option of reconciliation itself.

Humans were animals, not machines. Emotions were often unreasonable.

The current situation wasn't about choosing the best solution. It was about choosing the best solution that neither side could refuse.

Danzo continued.

"To protect the village, we must suppress this matter before chaos breaks out, no matter what. The only shinobi capable of shouldering this responsibility is a double agent for the Uchiha and Konoha. Itachi, no one else can take your place. Are you willing to accept this mission?"

Thunder boomed across the dark, gloomy sky, just like Itachi's mood. That night, no one knew what answer Itachi gave Danzo.

Early the next morning, Kagami received a crow. He was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Itachi to come looking for him of his own accord.

After waiting for some time, Kagami met Itachi on the opposite bank of the waterfall, at the place where Shisui had died.

"Big Brother Itachi, is something wrong?"

Itachi looked at the waterfall before him with his back to Kagami and spoke.

"Kagami, tell me, are villages, clans, shinobi, and conflict all born for their own sake? Between the village and the clan, what should I do? If you were me, what would you do? If it were Shisui, what would he do?"

The crow on Kagami's shoulder spread its wings and flew to Itachi's side. It was Itachi's crow.

Kagami smiled faintly.

"Big Brother Itachi, if it were me, I would stand firmly with the Uchiha and join my clansmen in the coup."

Itachi froze. He was confused. Did that mean he had been wrong?

But Kagami wasn't finished. He continued.

"But if it were Big Brother Shisui, I think he would make the same choice as you. Big Brother Itachi, tell me—what's your name?"

Itachi turned toward Kagami in confusion. How could Kagami not know his name? Yet when he saw the look in Kagami's eyes, he still answered.

"Uchiha Itachi."

Kagami smiled again and raised a hand to lower the brim of his hat slightly.

"Then that's enough. Uchiha Itachi is the cherished friend whom Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Kagami will always believe in. No matter what decision he makes, and no matter whether he ultimately succeeds, Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Kagami will always support him. There is no doubt about that."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kagami vanished from the spot using the Body Flicker Technique.

At the same time as Kagami disappeared, two Anbu members fell from the branches, unconscious.

Itachi gazed at the place where Kagami had disappeared. After a long while, he smiled—a rare smile, one that seemed to take him back to the days when the three of them trained together. At that time, although the situation between the Uchiha and the village had still been tense, it had been enough to give Itachi and Shisui peace of mind. Those had been the last happy days of Itachi's life.

"Thank you, Kagami."

His parents, Sasuke, Shisui, Kagami, and Izumi were the people most important to Itachi.

Good morning, everyone! Today is another day of begging for votes and comments.

This chapter was published on March 28. That day was Sakura Haruno's birthday. Happy birthday, Sakura!