The Shadow of Support, Sasuke Uchiha

"A Ninja World from the future?"

"An invasion by the Ōtsutsuki Clan? The Ninja World is in grave danger?"

Listening to what Shirozumi was saying, Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki fell into a long silence, seemingly trying to process the information and discern its truth.

Shirozumi mentioned that he was from the future Ninja World, but unlike their previous meeting, he didn't offer any proof, merely stating it.

Then, he spoke of the Ōtsutsuki Clan's future invasion of the Ninja World.

Next, he explained that the Akatsuki Organization's objective had changed from collecting Tailed Beasts to gathering powerful forces.

This included the goal of resurrecting Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

"Is this the real world? ...But if I told the people of the Five Great Shinobi Villages these things, they wouldn't believe me at all?"

Kisame Hoshigaki said with some emotion.

"Exactly, so the Five Great Shinobi Villages are still our enemies for now. However, if we weaken their strength, when we face the Ōtsutsuki Clan in the future..."

Uchiha Itachi stopped here, observing Shirozumi's expression.

"Itachi, for the future of the Ninja World, can you make some sacrifices and compromises?"

Shirozumi didn't continue Itachi's sentence but directly asked another question.

"..."

Uchiha Itachi frowned, opened his mouth, but said nothing.

He had initially intended to nod, but then he reconsidered his persona within the Akatsuki Organization and swallowed the words he was about to speak.

"Strategist, why don't you first tell us specifically what you want Mr. Itachi to do? If he knows the specifics, Itachi can better weigh whether to agree or not."

Kisame Hoshigaki said from the side.

"Itachi, you still have a younger brother in Konoha, right? What are your thoughts about this brother?"

Shirozumi walked ahead, a faint smile on his face.

Hearing Shirozumi's question, Uchiha Itachi immediately stopped.

"...He is my spare eye, my new light."

"Then I apologize, Itachi. For the future of the Ninja World, I must stop you from doing this."

Shirozumi stopped and turned to face Uchiha Itachi.

With this acting, this expression, this demeanor, he could easily become an international superstar in the Boruto era.

"You mean..."

"Do you remember the core principle of our Akatsuki Organization's new objective that I just mentioned? -- Gathering all powerful forces. Sasuke Uchiha, as one of the strongest forces twenty years from now, is beyond doubt in both strength and character, known as the Shadow of Konoha's Support. Although he and the Hokage at the time were defeated by the Ōtsutsuki Clan's enemies, suffering a crushing defeat, he remains one of the most valuable assets."

After Shirozumi finished speaking, it was Uchiha Itachi's turn to put on an act.

"What is the 'Shadow of Support'?"

Uchiha Itachi appeared troubled, his brow furrowed.

Internally, however, he was filled with relief and joy. This joy wasn't just from learning of Sasuke's future achievements; it was also because, if the Akatsuki Organization's goal was as Shirozumi described, then they would have transitioned from "surface teammates" to his true teammates. At least in their attitude towards Sasuke, this was indeed the case.

"In the future, Sasuke Uchiha will leave the village under the guise of traveling the world, collecting intelligence on the Ōtsutsuki Clan worldwide. He protects the village from outside, like another Hokage, silently supporting it. This is the Shadow of Support. Though it's called protecting the village, it's actually protecting the world. After all, the Ōtsutsuki Clan's goal is not to destroy a mere Konoha, but the entire world."

As Shirozumi spoke, he took a scroll from his waist pouch.

With a "bang," a stack of cards appeared in his hand. He flipped through them, took out a card, and handed it to Uchiha Itachi: "This is a 'Super Ninja Card' developed by a company during a period of future peace. This card is very rare and valuable."

Uchiha Itachi took it and saw the side profile of a middle-aged man on the card. Before Shirozumi put away the other cards, Itachi glanced at them. The characters on the other cards were all facing forward, seemingly striking a pose deliberately. Only this card of Sasuke showed just a side profile. If not for the familiarity between brothers, even someone who had seen Sasuke in Konoha now might not recognize him. And this side profile...

Even a sliver of it was enough for Itachi to keenly sense it.

The Rinnegan?

The appearance of the "Excited Ninja Card" made Itachi believe what Shirozumi had said even more.

"The Rinnegan? Mr. Itachi's brother will actually possess the same eyes as the leader in the future?"

Kisame, watching from the side, also noticed this detail and asked directly.

"That's right. As for how the Rinnegan came to be, you'll find out during this mission. No need to rush."

Shirozumi's words clearly implied that he wouldn't tell them now.

Kisame didn't press further.

"I can set aside my intention to kill Sasuke. After all, if the Ninja World is destroyed, I won't survive either. So, Strategist, can you tell me the plan the Organization, or rather, you, have for Sasuke?"

Uchiha Itachi quietly put away the "Excited Ninja Card," then replied to Shirozumi with an expression of internal struggle.

"The plan for Sasuke? What else could it be but to help him take fewer detours and improve his strength as quickly as possible."

"Understood."

After a day and a night of travel, the three had crossed the Land of Fire. They were at the northwestern border in the morning and had now reached the east, nearing their destination.

The three found an inn to rest.

Late at night, Uchiha Itachi was still thinking and analyzing what Shirozumi had said during the day.

Firstly, the credibility of what Shirozumi had said about the Ōtsutsuki and various things from the future was extremely high.

The one lingering doubt in Uchiha Itachi's mind was whether, since Shirozumi came from the future, he also knew about Itachi being a spy for Konoha and his true feelings towards Sasuke.

After thinking for a while, Uchiha Itachi gave up on probing this question.

Because whether Shirozumi knew or not, as long as no other factors interfered, the outcome would be the same as it was now.

Even if Shirozumi knew his situation and was deliberately catering to his thoughts, as long as the direction remained correct, he had nothing to worry about.

Meanwhile, Shirozumi slept soundly.

Sometimes, "intelligence" was indeed extremely important.

Only by clearly understanding the specific personalities and pursuits of everyone in the Akatsuki Organization could Shirozumi manipulate them all.

For example, when dealing with Uchiha Itachi, he had to tell him part of the truth, letting him know that the future Ninja World was on the brink of destruction and almost beyond saving.

Otherwise, people like Uchiha Itachi, Minato Namikaze, Naruto Uzumaki, and later Uchiha Sasuke.

This type of person would inexplicably resist "time travel" and "changing history."

Unless there was a world-ending threat, they would always think about not changing the past, even if it meant making some sacrifices.

Whether it was sacrificing themselves or others.