1000-7

[Sasuke, or Konoha!]

The choices he heard made Itachi Uchiha abruptly lift his gaze from Sasuke!!

He stared in disbelief at the man who held his little brother's head in place with one hand, forcing him to keep watching, while pressing a ninja sword against his neck with the other, ready to take his life at any moment. He could not understand how someone as young as Arata Uchiha could be so cruel!!

Neither Sasuke nor the residents of Konoha had anything to do with what had happened back then.

They were all living, breathing people!!

Why?

Why could this man present those two choices so casually? Why could he drag innocent people into their bargain without the slightest guilt!

He could not choose.

There was no choice he could make.

This question had no answer!!

He suddenly looked back.

He wanted to plead for Shisui's help again, but his old friend, standing within the dark green Susanoo, met his plea with nothing but a cold expression.

Shisui would not help.

This was a bargain he had to make on his own.

Itachi read that unmistakable message in his single eye.

With no hope of assistance, he bit down on his lower lip and turned his gaze back.

In the distant sky, the vast, obscure energy grew ever more distinct, ever more terrifying.

Even with more than half of Konoha's territory between them,

he almost seemed to hear the leader of the Akatsuki Organization questioning the current Hokage and all the ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village: "How many floors must a bag of rice be carried up?" The man counted down impatiently, ready to deliver the Akatsuki Organization's judgment on the past!!

There was no time.

There was no time!!

"The Akatsuki Organization has already fractured internally."

"It has