Taking the long way is the shortcut

"...In short, ninja villages can only be maintained with funding and resources provided by the Daimyo."

Itachi's impression of Shirozumi was quite good now, thanks to the help Shirozumi had given Sasuke.

Even when he heard Shirozumi instigating Kisame to assassinate the Daimyo, he didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he began to explain the role of the Daimyo to Shirozumi.

"Itachi, you're wrong."

After listening to Itachi's explanation, Shirozumi shook his head.

"I heard a saying in Konoha: it's not that becoming Hokage earns everyone's recognition, but that earning everyone's recognition makes one the Hokage.

It's the same with the title of 'Daimyo.'

It's not that the Daimyo provides resources and sustains everyone, but rather that farmers and workers sustain the Daimyo, merchants handle distribution, and ninja villages are responsible for security.

If the Daimyo had sufficient management ability, that would be one thing.

But the current Daimyo, ask yourselves, do they have that ability?

They are nothing more than a group of leeches clinging to the nation, inheriting power through hereditary succession.

It's not that the Daimyo can bring happiness and peace to the people, but only those who can bring happiness and peace to the people are qualified to be the leader of the country.

Since we are already planning to start a revolution and abolish the tradition of the Blood Mist, we might as well resolve all past mistakes as much as possible at once.

Even if the people of Kirigakure had this idea, it would be difficult for them to act.

The concept of the Daimyo system has been in place for a long time. If they want to make a move, it's best to have a bloodless revolution to avoid unrest.

But a bloodless revolution carries huge hidden dangers. If the Daimyo, who have lost their right to leech, want to reclaim power, it will lead to a new round of destruction.

However, if blood is shed, it will inevitably lead to hatred, and those who have knelt for too long and blindly loyal to the Daimyo will directly incite chaos..."

"Therefore, the best way is for Kisame, as a rogue ninja, to carry out this task.

To bear the hatred and the so-called sin upon himself.

Kisame, you don't mind, do you?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Kisame.

"I don't mind. Thank you, Strategist. This matter has shown me a new path, and my life has gained meaning."

Kisame decisively replied, his heart deeply touched at this moment.

Compared to Kisame, one person felt even more deeply.

It was Itachi.

Shirozumi's words struck Itachi right in the heart.

First, there was a classic line full of the Will of Fire: "Only by gaining everyone's approval can one become Hokage." Then, this statement was used to extend to the backwardness and corruption of the Daimyo system.

Next, Shirozumi said that Kisame, as a rogue ninja, should bear hatred and sin to contribute to Kirigakure.

This felt so familiar.

"Indeed, I was wrong, Strategist. Your capacity amazes me."

Uchiha Itachi frankly admitted the error in his thinking.

In the original story, after being resurrected by Impure World Reincarnation, he realized the mistake in how he had treated Sasuke.

He should have trusted others' strength instead of unilaterally setting a path and trying to control everything.

Itachi was actually someone who could readily admit his mistakes.

The problem was, no one had told Itachi he was wrong, or why, before.

The Third Hokage, the only one qualified and capable of correcting Itachi, not only failed to correct this mistake but instead praised Itachi for having "Hokage thinking" at such a young age, thus solidifying Itachi's beliefs.

This led to a situation where no one could teach him, and he could only learn through experience.

After this brief period of interaction during the Land of Waves mission, Itachi had begun to believe that Shirozumi was a ninja outside of Konohagakure who possessed the "Will of Fire" and had the ability and capacity to change the ninja world.

Just as he had trusted Naruto so much in the original story.

For this reason, Itachi felt that as long as he followed this path, he could accept being used by Shirozumi.

In Shirozumi's earlier conversation with Sasuke, he had mentioned the clan's Stone Tablet, the awakening and advancement of the Sharingan, and even a final advancement method that Itachi himself didn't know.

However, he hadn't mentioned how to reach the second-to-last step of the Mangekyo Sharingan to obtain eternally bright eyes.

—By replacing them with the eyes of a close relative.

Itachi didn't believe Shirozumi, who knew the entire process, wouldn't know this.

When Shirozumi had asked him earlier if he was willing to make a sacrifice, Itachi suspected it wasn't just about giving up hurting Sasuke, but a further contribution of his eyes.

"Oh, right, Itachi, there was something I didn't mention earlier, about the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."

Just as Itachi was lost in his thoughts, Shirozumi's sudden remark brought him back to attention.

"What?"

Itachi was somewhat taken aback.

Originally, the matter of eyes was something everyone understood without speaking.

Shirozumi had actually brought it up proactively?

Wasn't he afraid that if I sensed I was about to lose my eyes, I would go back on my word?

"To awaken the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, one needs the eyes of a biological brother to fuse their Dojutsu Power. I didn't tell Sasuke this because I was afraid he would overthink things and go down the wrong path."

Shirozumi continued.

"You are correct."

Itachi nodded in agreement.

"Itachi, you are also a major combat asset for the organization, so losing your eyes is not an option.

Anyway, the Sharingan is hot-swappable. If you get a new pair, your combat strength might decrease a bit, but it will still be sufficient.

Moreover, something like Susanoo can be activated even without eyes, as long as there is enough Chakra, even with one eye or no eyes at all."

"It's fine, we can discuss this later."

Itachi smiled warmly at Shirozumi's consideration for him and proactively ended the discussion.

If possible, he naturally wanted to continue contributing his strength.

But Itachi knew that his gravely ill body could only last a year at most.

He wasn't sure if Susanoo could be activated without eyes, but he himself certainly couldn't.

Even if he could, his severely ill body wouldn't be able to sustain Susanoo for long.

However, Shirozumi mentioning this reminded Itachi of something.

Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan.

One was in his possession, and the other was with Danzo.

If there was an opportunity, he could use this as a reason to find a way to retrieve Shisui's eye from Danzo.

This would prevent Danzo from using Kotoamatsukami to do anything detrimental.

"Strategist, I also have something I want to say to you."

Itachi raised his hand and pointed to Shirozumi's chest. "Your idea of gathering everyone's strength is excellent, but don't neglect your own power."

Itachi saw that Shirozumi was young and possessed considerable talent, and he didn't want Shirozumi to pour all his energy into strategy.

"My own power? I know that, of course. It's just that sometimes taking the long way is the shortcut. It's not that I don't want to cultivate, but the time is not right yet."

Shirozumi grabbed Itachi's wrist, and a surge of power was transmitted.

Itachi felt his wrist go numb, his pupils contracting instantly. "Sage Mode Chakra? No, what is this..."

"No wonder."

"You're right, I was overthinking it."

"Indeed, a strategist like you who thinks of so much wouldn't neglect your own condition?"

Itachi didn't understand Sage Mode very well, but he grasped the meaning behind Shirozumi's words.

"Alright, once this mission here is over, Kisame and I will go take care of that damned Daimyo!"

Zabuza clenched his fist.