Sasuke was waiting for Itachi to tell him what had happened, but instead, he was met with Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. As Itachi raised his head to look at Sasuke, his eyes suddenly transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The sudden change startled Sasuke. Before he could react, he had already fallen under Itachi's genjutsu. Seeing Sasuke's eyes suddenly grow unfocused, Naruto knew something was wrong.
Naruto had only just started to react when Itachi moved faster. The moment he finished casting his genjutsu on Sasuke, he turned and glared at Naruto. Naruto fell under Itachi's genjutsu as well. At the same time, Itachi's consciousness entered Naruto's Sealing Space, where he met the Nine-Tails.
Looking at Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan, the Nine-Tails said, "Kid, you've got some nerve, coming here. Don't tell me you think having the Mangekyō Sharingan means you can do whatever you want."
Itachi stared at the Nine-Tails. "Nine-Tails, I hope you won't interfere with this. I know you can kick me out of this Sealing Space in an instant and wake Naruto just as quickly. But you haven't, which means you agree with what I'm doing, don't you?"
The Nine-Tails laughed. "Hahaha! You're right, kid. That's why I let you cast a genjutsu on Naruto. But I want to know what you're planning. Whatever those people in Konoha have asked you to do, it can't be anything good. Tell me what it is."
Itachi looked at the Nine-Tails. "Most of the Uchiha Clan have begun to turn against the village. If they rebel, they'll cause it tremendous harm. My father is keeping them in check for now, but he won't be able to for much longer."
After hearing Itachi out, the Nine-Tails said, "So they've asked you to take them out?"
"That's right," Itachi said resolutely. "I can't let them harm the village. The First Hokage and Madara Uchiha worked so hard to build Konoha. It's a hope for peace. There have still been a few wars, but things are much better than they were before the villages existed. At least now, children can grow up in relative peace."
"You're right," the Nine-Tails replied. "Although I hate the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha to the core, I have to admit that they brought much greater peace to this world. That was the Sage of Six Paths' hope, too."
Itachi nodded. "That's why I can't let them destroy Konoha's peace. But I also can't let the Uchiha Clan be branded as traitors. So the Third Hokage and my father have decided that I'll take the blame as a rogue ninja and wipe out all the Uchiha Clan's rebels."
The Nine-Tails understood. Itachi was planning to shoulder all the blame himself. The Nine-Tails sighed. "Is it worth doing this?"
"It is," Itachi replied firmly. "This way, the Uchiha Clan's honor will be preserved, and my little brother can grow up safely in Konoha. Besides, you know someone tampered with the Uchiha Clan's stone tablet, don't you?"
The Nine-Tails nodded. "Yes, Naruto told me about it."
"Then you should know that someone is secretly pushing the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan forward, trying to resurrect Kaguya Otsutsuki. We now know that an organization called Akatsuki seems to be involved. My father and the Third Hokage want me to use this mission to infiltrate Akatsuki and find out what they're up to."
The Nine-Tails admired him. "You're one of the best humans I've ever met. But if you do this, there'll be no turning back. Even if you complete the mission someday, you won't be able to return to Konoha."
"Whatever happens, Itachi Uchiha will always be a shinobi of Konoha," Itachi said calmly. "And I'm doing this for Sasuke, too."
Seeing the resolve in Itachi's eyes, the Nine-Tails felt something stir within him. "All right. I'll agree not to interfere. For the time being, I'll block Naruto's senses so he won't get in your way. I'll also keep an eye on Sasuke for you."
"Thank you. I'll leave it to you," Itachi said gratefully.
After leaving the Sealing Space, Itachi went to the Hokage's office, where he found the Third Hokage and Danzo. The Third Hokage looked at him. "Itachi, have you really made up your mind?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I've already contacted someone from the Akatsuki Organization. After this matter is over, I'll join them and learn everything I can about the organization."
The Third Hokage looked at Itachi with a pained expression. "Itachi, you don't have to go this far."
Itachi met the Third Hokage's eyes, his expression resolute. "Lord Hokage, this is my choice. If the mastermind succeeds in resurrecting Kaguya Otsutsuki, then, based on the information Naruto gave us, this world could very well be destroyed. We can't afford to leave any possibility unchecked. As long as we can stop Kaguya Otsutsuki's resurrection, anything is worth it."
Seeing the determination in Itachi's eyes, the Third Hokage could only let out a deep sigh. "All right, then."
At that moment, Danzo said, "Hiruzen, everything comes at a price. Itachi, you may leave. Do your best to complete your mission."
Itachi glanced up at the Third Hokage, then disappeared. After he was gone, the Third Hokage said to Danzo, "Have we been too cruel to Itachi?"
Danzo looked at the Third Hokage. "Everything we've done is for Konoha's peace. If it's for Konoha, then it doesn't matter whether it's cruel or not. Hiruzen, have you lost even that much resolve?"
The Third Hokage protested, "It's true that we're doing this for Konoha, but we're still making Itachi shoulder far too much responsibility."
Danzo remained firm. "If it's for Konoha, then it's all worth it."
The Third Hokage was so angry with Danzo that he raised a finger and pointed at him. "You..." He couldn't even finish his sentence, while Danzo continued to stand by his position. In the end, the two parted on bad terms.
When Itachi returned home, he found Fugaku and Mikoto there. Fugaku said, "Itachi, have you really made up your mind?"
"Yes, Father, Mother. I'm sorry, but I've decided to go through with this mission."
"Itachi, you don't have to apologize," Mikoto said. "No matter what you choose, your mother will support you."
"Exactly," Fugaku added. "Whatever you choose, you'll always be my pride. Here's the list of names. Go."
Itachi took the list Fugaku handed him. "Father, Mother, please take good care of yourselves. I won't be able to serve you by your side anymore. Please forgive your unworthy son."
Mikoto was already weeping with heartache. Fugaku, grief-stricken too, waved to Itachi. "Go." Itachi turned and walked out of the house.
By the Uchiha Clan's shrine, Itachi met the Masked Man who had attacked the Fourth Hokage seven years earlier. Itachi said to him, "You're the one Akatsuki sent to assist me?"
"Hehehe. That's right. Akatsuki sent me to help you."
Itachi nodded. "All right. Let's go." Just as Itachi and the Masked Man were about to set out, a child wearing a ghost mask suddenly appeared beside them. Itachi and the Masked Man immediately went on guard.
Itachi asked the Masked Man, "Did Akatsuki send him, too?"
"No," the Masked Man replied. The child in the ghost mask spoke up. "I'm not with Akatsuki. I'm just interested in the slaughter you were talking about. If you don't mind, I'd like to join you for this one."
Both Itachi and the Masked Man were wary of the child, who had appeared beside them without making a sound or being detected. The fact that he could get so close without them noticing meant he was no ordinary child.
Although Itachi was curious about him, he put the mission first and didn't want to invite complications. "Fine. As long as you have the strength for it." Since Itachi had agreed, the Masked Man also accepted the child's participation.
Itachi took out a list and handed it to the Masked Man. "You're responsible for the western side. This is the list of people targeted in our mission. Everyone on it has to die."
The Masked Man took the list and let out a cold laugh. "Hehehe. Understood. Wait for good news."
As he spoke, a force began pulling him into his own eye, and he disappeared. After the Masked Man left, Itachi said to the child, "You're responsible for the security office. I'll take care of the rest."
"Hehehe, no problem. I'll take care of the security office," the child replied. Then he, too, vanished.
Itachi paused in surprise when the child disappeared, then turned and entered the shrine. More than thirty rebels were inside, gathered for the clan meeting that night.
When Itachi entered the shrine, several arrogant rebels saw him and said, "Itachi Uchiha, what's a coward like you doing here? Where's the clan head? Why hasn't he come?"
Itachi looked at them. "The clan head isn't coming. And you'll never see him again."
A few of the rebels demanded, "Itachi Uchiha, what do you mean by that?"
"I mean you're all going to die here tonight."
As soon as Itachi finished speaking, his eyes transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan. In an instant, he trapped the men before him in Tsukuyomi and drew the sword from his back, swiftly ending their lives. Seeing Itachi suddenly attack, the others charged at him, trying to fight back.
But anyone who met Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan was immediately caught in his Tsukuyomi and swiftly killed. A one-sided massacre unfolded in the Uchiha Clan's shrine.
After killing the last rebel, Itachi hurried to the security office. As soon as he arrived, he saw Shizuka Uchiha bound by the child's Adamantine Sealing Chains and slowly being dragged toward him. Itachi could see the terror on Shizuka Uchiha's face.
She kept murmuring, "Itachi, help me! Come save me, Itachi!"
Hearing Shizuka Uchiha's voice, Itachi didn't hesitate. He unleashed Amaterasu, burning through the child's Adamantine Sealing Chains. The child and Shizuka Uchiha both turned to look at Itachi.
Seeing Itachi, Shizuka Uchiha cried out in relief, "Itachi, help me! This person is terrifying. He killed everyone in the security office and even gouged out their eyes."
Itachi didn't answer Shizuka Uchiha. Instead, he walked up to the child and said, "I remember telling you to kill the people in the security office. I didn't tell you to kill anyone else."
The child replied awkwardly, "You can't blame me. I was already about to leave, but this woman stopped me."
The Masked Man arrived just then. Seeing Itachi, he said, "Itachi, we have to go."
Itachi nodded and prepared to leave. Shizuka Uchiha called out, "Itachi, what's going on? Did you arrange all of this?"
By then, even Shizuka Uchiha could tell that Itachi was behind it.
Hearing her, Itachi turned to look at her. "This was just a test of my capacity."
Shizuka Uchiha shook her head in disbelief. "I don't believe it. You're so gentle, so kind. You couldn't do something like this."
As Shizuka Uchiha defended him through her tears, Itachi felt a deep pain in his heart. He couldn't bring himself to say anything more, so he used Tsukuyomi to put her to sleep. Then he said, "Let's go." The Masked Man cast one last, deep look at Shizuka Uchiha before leaving, too.
The child said to Itachi, "I'm leaving, too. I had a great time today." Then he vanished. Itachi and the Masked Man didn't bother with him. After all, they weren't on the same side.
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