Itachi's Body Was Under Too Much Strain

"Your current state is very abnormal. Let me check if there is a problem with your body!" With that, Tianqi placed his hand directly on Itachi's head, and in an instant, blue energy covered Itachi's entire body as he examined him.

After examining Itachi's body, Tianqi's expression turned grave; it was clear that Itachi's condition was far from optimistic.

"Grandpa, is my body about to break down?" Itachi asked with a relieved expression, seeing his grandfather's condition better than anyone else.

"While you won't collapse immediately, you're close. Overusing the Mangekyō Sharingan and excessively developing its power have left irreversible internal injuries on your body, which are basically impossible to heal..." Tianqi said with some heartache, feeling very sad that his beloved grandson didn't have much time left.

"Is that so...? That's not important anymore. He's already starting to grow up, and I believe he'll be able to stand on his own in a few years..." Itachi felt very gratified thinking about his younger brother whom he had met today.

"Oh, you child, although I can't completely cure you, I can still alleviate your suffering!" Unwilling to see his grandson living in such pain, Tianqi's hand emitted a green light that instantly enveloped Itachi's body, healing him.

After the healing was completed, Itachi felt much lighter as he hid. Before, it felt like he was carrying a huge boulder, but now that the boulder was gone, he felt like he was floating.

"This feels so good, it's amazing!"

"This cure only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause. You only have about eight years left. If you continue to use the Mangekyō Sharingan, that time will be shortened. Itachi, you need to be prepared!"

"I was prepared before I even started, thank you, Grandpa..." Itachi hugged his grandfather, who had always loved him dearly.

"Good child, compared to your suffering, what Grandpa did is nothing at all. If Grandpa hadn't hesitated back then, you wouldn't have had to bear all this. Itachi, Grandpa is just like your grandma said, really incompetent!" Tianqi stroked Itachi's head, feeling a pang of guilt. If he had been more forceful back then, none of this mess would have happened to his descendants.

"You're not being incompetent. This is all my own idea, and perhaps, just as you said, my decision was wrong!" Thinking of his grandparents and parents, Itachi also regretted his decision at this moment.

"Alright, there's no going back in this world. Once you've made a decision, you have to see it through. Grandpa believes your journey won't end here. You have a bright future waiting for you to pursue. Grandpa will make up for what you and Sasuke's grandpa owe you. Your journey won't stop here!"

"Grandfather..."

"No need to say anything more, just continue with your plan. I'm relieved to see my grandson is alright, but..." Tianqi said, turning to look at Kisame Hoshigaki beside him.

"Senior, I admit it was wrong of me to attack you before. Please forgive me for my past mistakes!" Kisame said, but his hands were still gripping Samehada, clearly showing that he was only verbally apologizing.

"Hehe, don't worry, how could I possibly stoop to your level? I just need something from you!" Tianqi said, releasing the five members of the Xuanyuan Group to surround Kisame.

Looking at the eyes of the five people surrounding him, Kisame's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "These... these are the Leader's eyes! How could this be..."

Seeing that the five people surrounding Kisame all Rinnegan, Itachi had long had questions about this. He hadn't dared to ask before because his grandfather hadn't brought it up, but after witnessing other Rinnegan within the Akatsuki, Itachi now had no choice but to ask.

"Grandpa, what's wrong with your eyes? I thought they were special, but Xiao..."

"Is Zero Burial, the Leader of Akatsuki, also involved?"

Itachi nodded. Seeing that his grandfather had even called out the code name of the organization's leader, Itachi was even more surprised. It seemed that his grandfather knew far more than that.

"This Rinnegan is the ultimate form of the Sharingan evolution of our Uchiha Clan. As for why the Leader of Akatsuki has it, that's a bit complicated. I'll explain it to you next time we meet. Don't ask about it for now. Keep this secret to yourself and don't tell anyone, including the person who brought you to Akatsuki!"

"Hmm! Grandpa, do you know who it is?" Seeing that his grandfather even knew about the Masked Man, Itachi was genuinely surprised this time.

"Hehe, Grandpa isn't senile yet. I see things more clearly than anyone else. I don't need to investigate your whereabouts and affairs myself to know!"

Even without investigation, it's clear that Grandpa has an inside man within the Akatsuki. It's truly remarkable that Grandpa could plant a spy within Akatsuki full of powerful members. From these words, Itachi directly deduced that Grandpa had a spy within the Akatsuki.

In reality, Tianqi didn't have any informants. He was just saying that to make it more convincing. However, Tianqi wasn't lying. It would be easy for him to find out Itachi's whereabouts by having White Zetsu investigate.

"Since you know about the Masked Man, Grandpa, is that guy really Madara's great-grandfather?" Itachi asked, voicing a question that had been lingering in his mind. To be honest, he didn't believe the Masked Man was Madara's great-grandfather, but anything is possible, and he still had some doubts.

"Are you confused? The family has a memorial tablet for your great-grandfather, how could he possibly be your great-grandfather? However, although he isn't your great-grandfather, he is closely related to him. I'll tell you the specifics of that relationship later. I'll explain all your doubts and questions to you next time we meet. Right now, let's get rid of those guys who are eavesdropping on our conversation!" As he spoke, Tianqi turned his gaze to Kisame beside him.

Kisame was secretly groaning inwardly. This was not what he wanted to hear. They were the ones who said it, but now they were dragging him into it. It was truly an unexpected disaster!

Although Kisame was inwardly groaning, he had no intention of surrendering.

"Itachi, it seems you're in serious trouble. I will definitely report this to the Leader and him. You're finished!" With that, Kisame began to rapidly Hand Seals, completing dozens of seals without missing a single one, showing no sign of being an honest man.

"Water Release: Water Style: Great Waterfall Wave!" Kisame spewed out countless streams of water, like a roaring ocean.

"It's like a mayfly trying to shake a tree, it's pointless!" the Preta Path said calmly, stretching out his hands and instantly absorbing Kisame's Ninjutsu.

"What?! My Ninjutsu has been absorbed!" Kisame's eyes widened as he watched his Water Release disappear.