Uchiha Itachi's Early Defection

The Uchiha who attacked Shimura Danzō in Root was not the real Uchiha Itachi.

It was Uchiha Rei.

The real Uchiha Itachi, though capable of fighting Danzō, still harbored lingering attachments to Konoha. He was too clear-headed, too hesitant. Danzō's words had trapped him.

But Uchiha Rei was different. He had no burdens.

He had no lingering affection for Konohagakure; Danzō's manipulation never bothered him.

As early as his third sign-in, he had obtained the Kurama Clan's Genjutsu ability. With it, his Genjutsu clone could be indistinguishable from the real thing.

Not only could it fight, but after dissipating, it could also drag the enemy into an Illusionary Realm.

Like the First Hokage's Wood Style clone, its power far surpassed that of ordinary clones.

Fortunately, today he used a Genjutsu clone. If his true body had come, a moment's carelessness would have led to falling under the control of "Kotoamatsukami" and dedicating his life to Konoha. He had no desire to become a puppet in some old man's hands.

When Uchiha Rekka's Fire Ring vibrated slightly, transmitting a trigger notification. His Genjutsu clone quietly moved out, infiltrating Root.

"I did what Uchiha Itachi wanted to do but didn't dare," Uchiha Rei stood under the shadows of the trees, smiling. "Wouldn't he become a rogue ninja sooner or later? Then, let's give him a push ahead of time."

Konohagakure, the night was deep. Inside the Root base, the sealing tags shattered, and the air was filled with a strong scent of blood. Four corpses lay on the ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzō, who stood before the bodies.

"You're saying the one who attacked was Uchiha Itachi?"

"It was him." Danzō was covered in wounds, his face swollen like a pig's head. His voice was low, filled with hatred. "He is... no longer under Konoha's control."

"Hmph," Mitokado Homura snorted coldly, his gaze icy. "I've said it before, no Uchiha is loyal."

"Don't forget," Utatane Koharu also spoke coldly, her voice sharp with accusation. "The purpose of Root is to curb things before they spiral out of control. And you, Shimura Danzō, allowed a young Uchiha to turn the Root base upside down."

She paused, her gaze shifting to the corpses, her tone becoming even sharper. "You possess the most forbidden techniques and resources in Konoha, yet you couldn't even control one rogue ninja. Perhaps... it's time to re-examine your position?"

Danzō's facial muscles twitched slightly, as if he wanted to retort, but ultimately remained silent.

He knew these people were always like this, only casting doubt after the battle.

He said gravely, "It wasn't Uchiha Itachi alone. He had reinforcements behind him—people from 'Akatsuki'."

"Akatsuki?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed.

"A... dark organization," Danzō's eyes flashed with cold light. "It gathers many S-rank rogue ninjas. Our intelligence indicates they have been active at the borders more than once, and even infiltrated the Land of Rain previously."

"But you couldn't even leave a shred of the 'enemy'," Mitokado Homura sneered. "Only a few corpses are left, and you dare talk about intelligence? I think it's time to cut Root's funding. Spend the money on more 'useful' things."

Utatane Koharu looked at Danzō and agreed, "Especially on you."

Danzo's eyes turned cold, his lips moved slightly, but he still said nothing.

"Enough." Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, his voice hoarse but carrying authority. "The situation is serious now. The most important thing is to find Uchiha Itachi."

He continued.

"From this moment on, Uchiha Itachi is declared an S-rank rogue ninja of Konohagakure. His position as an Anbu squad leader is revoked, and other great nations will be notified for his apprehension."

"We need the help of other countries to apprehend one Uchiha Itachi?" Utatane Koharu scoffed. "You're getting old, Third Hokage."

The air fell silent. Hiruzen didn't respond. His gaze was dim.

Yes, he was old.

If he were still young, perhaps... he could have resolved this crisis alone. But now, even apprehending one Uchiha Itachi required the entire village to mobilize.

He gently closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was firm.

"This is not just Root's mistake," he said. "It is Konoha's crisis."

"Go," he ordered the Anbu. "Release the wanted notice immediately."

"He attacked Root and caused significant losses to the village. That is the fact."

He looked towards the entrance of Root, where Anbu ninja were already waiting.

"Go, distribute them."

Several figures vanished in a flash into the darkness, becoming the wind in the night, leaping over rooftops, passing through dense forests, and heading towards the border of the Land of Fire.

Not long after, brand new wanted posters were pasted on the village's notice boards, border posts, and ninja markets across the land.

[Konoha Wanted Poster]

Name: Uchiha Itachi

Identity: Former Anbu Squad Leader

Crimes: Attacked Root, murdered multiple Konoha ninja, defected from Konohagakure

Rank: S-rank

Bounty: Undisclosed

Status: Apprehend alive or dead, capture prioritized

Night deepened, moonlight poured like water onto the streets of Konohagakure.

"Target sighted," the leading Anbu squad leader's voice was low.

The other three Anbu members flickered, instantly forming a triangular encirclement, sealing off the escape route at the alley entrance ahead.

"Uchiha Itachi, you have been designated an S-rank rogue ninja by Konoha. Surrender now and don't offer futile resistance."

Beneath the Anbu masks, the captain's voice was devoid of emotion. He stared intently at Uchiha Itachi's figure ahead.

Uchiha Itachi stood within the encirclement, his three-tomoe Sharingan slowly spinning in his eyes.

"I want to see the Third Hokage," Uchiha Itachi spoke.

"Put down your weapons first, and we will take you back," the captain's voice remained unwavering, his gaze locked onto his every move.

Itachi frowned slightly.

Logically, he was still a member of Konoha before he "cleansed" the Uchiha.

But now, the wanted order had been issued, yet he hadn't made a move. He hadn't even had time to say goodbye to his parents. Why had he become a rogue ninja ahead of time?

His Sharingan glowed red, his eyes shifting slightly, but the confusion was suppressed.

"Stop pretending!" a female Anbu member shouted sternly, her voice filled with anger and disgust. "You betrayed the village, and you have the nerve to say you want to see the Third?"

"...Who issued the wanted order?" Itachi's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting her angry roar.

She paused for a moment and subconsciously replied, "It's... Lord Hokage, the Third personally signed it."

The instant her words fell, an inexplicable pressure suddenly rose from all around, and her vision began to distort—Genjutsu.

"Genjutsu! Be careful!" The other two reacted instantly, forming hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Two attacks, one cold and one hot, mixed with the sound of explosions, blasted towards Itachi's figure.

However, in the next second, Uchiha Itachi scattered into a swarm of crows.

"There!" an Anbu ninja pointed to the top of a utility pole.

Under the moonlight, Uchiha Itachi stood still on the utility pole. In his hand, he clutched a wanted poster he had just taken from the female ninja.

He looked down at the familiar name and portrait on the paper, his brow furrowed.

Uchiha Itachi looked up at the distant Hokage Building and remained silent for a long time.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the Konoha streets in the distance, and more Anbu ninja were rapidly approaching.

"He's up there!"

"Can't let him escape!"

Itachi's eyes narrowed, and he immediately leaped up, stepping on a utility pole and speeding towards the outskirts of the village.

"I can't make a move... not yet, at least," he muttered to himself.

His speed increased, and under the cover of night, he finally shook off the pursuing Anbu.

Finally, he leaped onto a tall utility pole outside the village and stopped. Itachi turned back to look in the direction of Konohagakure. The familiar yet strange Konohagakure was slowly receding from him.

... "What exactly happened in the village?" he whispered.

Suddenly, a voice with a hint of a smile came from behind him.

"I didn't expect you to like utility poles so much, Itachi."

Itachi spun around sharply, but there was no one behind the utility pole. His eyes contracted, and he instantly activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.

Under the Mangekyo's vision, he finally saw the figure speaking.

Uchiha Rei.

Standing on a tall tree, his expression was calm. The tree he stood on was even taller than his utility pole.

"A few days ago, you set up an ambush, and I knew we would eventually have to face each other," Rei said.

"However," Uchiha Rei smiled, his smile devoid of warmth, "I still want to know, why do you want to kill me?"

"You want to escape the Uchiha," Itachi said indifferently, his tone flat but carrying killing intent. "Everyone in the Uchiha deserves to die."

"Is that so?" Uchiha Rei looked up and asked softly, "What about you? You're also an Uchiha."

Itachi didn't answer. His eyes narrowed, and Tsukuyomi was activated!

The Crimson World suddenly opened.