The Uchiha's Sorrow

Just as Sasuke was waiting for Itachi to tell him what was going on, he was met instead by Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. As Itachi lifted his head to look at Sasuke, his eyes suddenly shifted into the Mangekyō pattern.

Sasuke was startled by this sudden change, and before he could even react, he had already fallen into Itachi's genjutsu. Naruto, standing to the side, saw Sasuke's gaze turn vacant and immediately knew something was wrong.

He tried to react, but Itachi was faster; almost the moment he finished casting the genjutsu on Sasuke, he turned his head and glared at Naruto. Naruto fell into the genjutsu as well. At the same time, Itachi's consciousness delved into Naruto's seal space to confront the Nine-Tails.

The Nine-Tails looked at Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan and said, "Brat, you've got some nerve, daring to come here. You don't actually think having a Mangekyō Sharingan means you can do whatever you want, do you?"

Itachi stared at the Nine-Tails and said, "Nine-Tails, I hope you won't interfere in this matter. I know you could cast me out of this seal space in an instant, or wake Naruto up just as quickly, but the fact that you haven't done so means you agree with my course of action, don't you?"

The Nine-Tails laughed heartily. "Hahaha, you're right, brat. That is exactly why I've allowed you to cast your genjutsu on Naruto. But I want to know what you're actually planning to do. Those people in Konoha wouldn't ask you to do anything good. Tell me, what is this really about?"

Itachi looked at the Nine-Tails and said, "Most of the Uchiha clan members have turned against the village. If they were to revolt, it would cause catastrophic damage. Although my father is currently suppressing them, he won't be able to hold them back for much longer."

After hearing Itachi's words, the Nine-Tails said, "So, they want you to take care of these people, is that it?"

Itachi said firmly, "That's right. They cannot be allowed to harm the village. Konoha was built with great difficulty by the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha; it is the hope for peace that people have clung to. Although several great wars have occurred since, it is still far better than the times before the village existed. At the very least, children can grow up in a relatively peaceful environment now."

The Nine-Tails replied, "You're not wrong. Although I hate the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha to the bone, I must admit they did bring a measure of peace to this world. That was the hope of the Sage of Six Paths as well."

Itachi nodded. "That is why I cannot let them destroy the peace of Konoha, but I also cannot let the Uchiha clan be branded with the stain of treason. Therefore, the Third Hokage and my father have decided that I will take on the mantle of a rogue ninja to purge all the rebels within the Uchiha clan."

The Nine-Tails understood what Itachi meant; Itachi was planning to shoulder all the blame and carry the burden of these sins entirely on his own. The Nine-Tails sighed and asked, "Is doing this worth it?"

Itachi replied firmly, "It is. This will preserve the glory of the Uchiha clan, and my younger brother will be able to grow up safely in Konoha. Besides, you should know that the stone tablet of the Uchiha clan has been tampered with."

The Nine-Tails nodded. "Yes, I know. I've heard Naruto mention it." Itachi continued, "Then you should know that someone is secretly pushing the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan, attempting to resurrect Kaguya Otsutsuki. We already know that an organization called the Akatsuki seems to be involved. My father and the Third hope that I can use this mission to infiltrate the Akatsuki and gather intelligence."

The Nine-Tails said with admiration, "You are one of the best humans I have ever met, but by doing this, there will be no turning back. Even if the mission is completed, you will never be able to return to Konoha."

Itachi said calmly, "No matter what happens in the future, Itachi Uchiha will always be a ninja of Konoha. And besides, I do this for Sasuke."

The Nine-Tails watched Itachi's resolute gaze, felt a slight stir in its heart, and said, "Fine, I agree. I will not interfere. During this time, I will shield Naruto's perception so he won't disturb you. I will also keep an eye on Sasuke for you."

Itachi said gratefully to the Nine-Tails, "Then I leave it to you."

After exiting the seal space, Itachi went to the Hokage's office to meet with the Third and Danzo. The Third looked at Itachi and asked, "Itachi, are you truly prepared to do this?"

Itachi replied, "Yes, Lord Hokage. I have already made contact with members of the Akatsuki. Once this matter is over, I will infiltrate the organization to uncover all their intelligence."

The Third looked at Itachi with a pained expression. "Itachi, you don't actually have to go this far."

Itachi looked at the Third firmly. "Lord Hokage, this is my choice. If the mastermind behind this succeeds in resurrecting Kaguya Otsutsuki, based on the intelligence provided by Naruto, this world will likely be destroyed. We cannot afford to overlook any possibility. As long as we can prevent the resurrection of Kaguya Otsutsuki, anything is worth it."

The Third looked at Itachi's resolute eyes and could only let out a deep sigh. "Very well."

At this point, Danzo spoke up. "Hiruzen, everything has a price. Itachi, you may go. See that you complete your mission properly."

Itachi looked up at the Third once more before vanishing. After Itachi left, the Third said to Danzo, "Are we being too cruel to Itachi?"

Danzo looked at the Third and said, "Everything is for the peace of Konoha. As long as it is for the sake of the village, there is no such thing as cruelty. Hiruzen, have you lost even that much resolve?"

The Third retorted, "This is indeed for the sake of Konoha, but we are truly forcing Itachi to bear too much responsibility."

Danzo remained firm. "As long as it is for Konoha, everything is worth it."

The Third was so angered by Danzo that he pointed a finger at him, unable to even form a complete sentence, while Danzo remained steadfast in his position. In the end, the two parted on bad terms.

Itachi returned home and met with Fugaku and Mikoto. Fugaku asked, "Itachi, have you truly decided?"

Itachi said firmly, "Yes, Father, Mother. I am sorry, but I have decided to carry out this mission."

Mikoto said, "Itachi, you don't need to apologize. No matter what choice you make, Mother will support you."

Fugaku also said, "That's right. No matter what you choose, you remain my pride. Here is the list of those people. Go."

Itachi took the list from Fugaku and said, "Father, Mother, please take good care of yourselves. I will no longer be able to serve by your side; please forgive your unfilial son."

Mikoto was already weeping in pain. Fugaku waved his hand at Itachi with a heavy heart and said, "Go." Itachi turned and walked out the door.

Near the Uchiha clan shrine, Itachi met the Masked Man who had attacked the Fourth Hokage seven years ago. Itachi said to him, "You are the one the Akatsuki sent to assist me."

The Masked Man chuckled. "Heh heh, that's right. I am the one the Akatsuki sent to assist you."

Itachi nodded at the Masked Man and said, "Very well, let's go." Just as Itachi and the Masked Man were about to move, a Ghost-Masked Child suddenly appeared beside them. Itachi and the Masked Man immediately became vigilant.

Itachi asked the Masked Man, "Was he also sent by your Akatsuki?"

The Masked Man replied, "No." At this moment, the Ghost-Masked Child said, "I am not with the Akatsuki. I am simply interested in the massacre you spoke of. If you don't mind, I would like to join you in this slaughter."

Both Itachi and the Masked Man were wary of this child who could appear beside them without a sound and without being detected. The ability to appear near them undetected proved that this child was no simple matter.

Although he was curious about the child, Itachi kept his focus on the mission and, not wanting any complications, said, "Fine, as long as you have the strength for it." Seeing that Itachi had agreed, the Masked Man also consented to the child's participation.

Itachi took out a list and handed it to the Masked Man, saying, "You are responsible for the west side. This is the list for our mission; everyone on this list must die."

After taking the list, the Masked Man let out a cold, chilling laugh. "Heh heh heh, I understand. Wait for my good news."

With that, the Masked Man's eye emitted a suction force, drawing him in until he vanished. Seeing the Masked Man leave, Itachi said to the child, "You are responsible for the Police Force. I will handle the rest." The child also laughed, "Heh heh, no problem. I will take care of the Police Force." Having said that, the child also vanished.

Itachi was slightly stunned to see the child disappear, but he turned and entered the shrine. There were over thirty rebels inside, gathered for the clan meeting that night.

After Itachi entered the shrine, several arrogant rebels saw him and said, "Itachi Uchiha, what are you doing here, you coward? Where is the clan head? Why hasn't the clan head come?"

Itachi looked at the men before him and said, "The clan head will not be coming, and you will not have another chance to see him."

The rebels asked, "Itachi Uchiha, what do you mean by that?"

Itachi replied, "I mean that you are all going to die here tonight."

After Itachi finished speaking, his eyes transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan, instantly plunging the people before him into the illusion of Tsukuyomi. Itachi swiftly drew the blade from his back and ended their lives in a heartbeat. Seeing Itachi suddenly turn hostile, the others rushed forward, attempting to strike back.

However, anyone who locked eyes with Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan was instantly struck by his Tsukuyomi and swiftly killed. A one-sided massacre was thus unfolding within the Uchiha clan's shrine.

Once Itachi had killed the last of the rebels, he hurried to the Police Force headquarters. Upon arrival, he saw Shizuka Uchiha being bound by the child with Adamantine Sealing Chains, slowly being dragged toward the boy. Itachi could see the sheer terror on Shizuka Uchiha's face.

She kept muttering, "Itachi, save me, please come save me, Itachi."

Upon hearing Shizuka Uchiha's voice, Itachi didn't hesitate to unleash Amaterasu, burning through the child's Adamantine Sealing Chains. Both the child and Shizuka Uchiha looked toward Itachi at the same time.

Seeing Itachi, Shizuka Uchiha said in surprise, "Itachi, come save me! This person is terrifying; he killed everyone in the Police Force and gouged out all of their eyes."

Itachi did not answer Shizuka Uchiha's words, instead walking up to the child and saying, "I recall telling you only to kill the people in the Police Force, not anyone else."

The child said sheepishly, "You can't blame me for this. I was already prepared to leave, but this woman tried to stop me."

At this moment, the Masked Man arrived as well. Seeing Itachi, he said, "Itachi, it is time for us to go."

Itachi nodded and prepared to leave. Just then, Shizuka Uchiha spoke up, "Itachi, what is the meaning of this? Could it be that all of this was your arrangement?"

By now, even if Shizuka Uchiha were an idiot, she would have realized that this incident was Itachi's doing.

Hearing Shizuka Uchiha's words, Itachi turned his head to look at her and said, "This was merely a test of my capacity."

Shizuka Uchiha shook her head in disbelief, saying, "I don't believe it. You are so gentle, so kind—you would never do something like this."

Seeing Shizuka Uchiha weeping as she tried to defend him, Itachi felt a sharp pain in his heart. Unable to say more, he simply used Tsukuyomi to plunge her into a deep sleep. Then, he said, "Let's go." The Masked Man took one deep look at Shizuka Uchiha before walking away as well.

The child also said to Itachi, "I'm leaving too; I had a lot of fun today." With that, he vanished. Itachi and the Masked Man paid him no mind; they were not on the same path anyway.