In the real world, Itachi and Liuli were tightly enveloped by the energy of the Complete Body Susanoo. The thick-walled structure of this energy acted like an impenetrable barrier, isolating them from the outside world.
Within the Genjutsu World of the Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, Itachi and Liuli found themselves in a scene set before the Night of the Uchiha Massacre had ever occurred.
The air was thick with the heavy scent of blood, and the glow of firelight illuminated their young, resolute faces.
Itachi looked at Liuli before him, an inexplicable emotion welling up in his heart. He felt as though he were seeing his own reflection—the Uchiha Sasuke who had once endured countless hardships and agony.
He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "I know why you called me 'Onii-san' now. Are you Uchiha Sasuke?"
Liuli was slightly stunned, seemingly not expecting Itachi to ask such a direct question.
His identity had always been a deeply hidden secret, yet in this moment, it had been guessed by Itachi with effortless ease.
As expected of you, Itachi, Liuli sighed inwardly, the genius ninja of Konoha.
An inexplicable emotion surged within Liuli's heart—a mix of surprise and relief.
He looked at Itachi, whose deep eyes seemed to hide endless wisdom and insight.
Itachi's conjecture gave him an inexplicable sense of intimacy, as if he had found a glimmer of long-lost warmth in this strange Genjutsu World.
Liuli took a deep breath and nodded slowly. He acknowledged his identity, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "Yes, I am Sasuke."
The moment he spoke those words, he felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart, replaced by an unprecedented sense of lightness.
A flash of complex emotion crossed Itachi's eyes. He had once personally killed his own kin, including his own biological parents.
However, within the Genjutsu World, it was as if none of that had ever happened.
He looked at Liuli and saw the young Sasuke, the younger brother who had once relied on and trusted him above all else.
Itachi stared deeply at Liuli, his Mangekyo Sharingan flickering with an eerie and mesmerizing light, as if it could pierce through all falsehoods and truths.
At the same time, Liuli's nameless Rinnegan radiated a mysterious aura, making it impossible for anyone to peer into the depths of his heart.
"The Mangekyo Sharingan and an unknown Rinnegan... you have called me 'Onii-san' many times outside. I am very curious: are you truly Sasuke?"
Itachi's voice was calm and steady, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.
Liuli was slightly taken aback; he had not expected Itachi to inquire about his identity so directly.
He remained silent for a moment, seemingly contemplating how to respond. However, Itachi did not give him much time to think, immediately throwing out another question.
"Right now, Sasuke has only awakened a single-tomoe Sharingan; he is nowhere near as powerful as you. So, who exactly are you?" Itachi's tone revealed a faint sense of doubt and inquiry.
Liuli took a deep breath, knowing his identity could no longer be concealed.
He raised his head, met Itachi's gaze, and said candidly, "I am not Sasuke, but I am his future. I come from a distant time and space, a place with a world entirely different from this one."
Itachi frowned slightly, an inexplicable confusion rising in his heart. He did not fully understand Liuli's words, especially the phrase "from another future," which left him deeply bewildered.
Another future? Itachi repeated the words in his mind, attempting to find some clues.
He knew that time and space were complex and mysterious concepts, hiding countless unknown possibilities.
Yet, he had never heard of anyone coming from another future. What could this possibly mean?
Itachi's brows were tightly locked. He stared deeply into Liuli's eyes, trying to read some genuine thoughts within them.
However, Liuli's Rinnegan was like a bottomless black hole, swallowing all light that attempted to peer into his inner self.
Itachi felt as though his thoughts were being pulled by an invisible force, unable to escape this enigma.
"Another Sasuke, who are you? Where do you come from? What is your purpose?" Itachi's questions tumbled out, his voice revealing a sense of urgency and longing.
He was filled with endless curiosity and doubt regarding the Liuli before him; this youth who claimed to come from another future harbored too many unknown secrets.
Liuli looked at Itachi, a playful glint flashing in his eyes. Instead of answering directly, he said in a provocative tone, "Want to know the truth of the future? First, take a look at the scene of the Uchiha Clan in my world. With your insight, you will understand."
As he spoke, Liuli manipulated his Rinnegan, swiftly replacing the scene of the Night of the Uchiha Massacre with another.
This scene was starkly different from the previous desolation and bloodshed; it was a vision of prosperity and harmony.
In this scene, the Uchiha Clan had not met the fate of annihilation but instead lived in harmony with the other clans of the village, protecting their home together.
Their residential area was surrounded by lush, green trees, and their houses were scattered gracefully among the mountains and rivers, resembling a beautiful painting.
Itachi looked at the beautiful image of the Uchiha Clan in this world, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart, as if an invisible force were tearing at his soul.
He saw the Uchiha Clan living and working in peace and contentment on this land; their lives were tranquil and happy, forming a sharp contrast to the Night of the Uchiha Massacre that Itachi had experienced. This contrast was like a sharp blade, piercing deep into Itachi's heart and making him feel an unprecedented pain.
He saw children chasing and playing amidst laughter; their carefree appearance reminded Itachi of his own childhood.
He, too, had once had such happy times, but the cruel war and the sacrifice of his kin had forced him to abandon these beautiful things.
In this moment, he felt out of place in this world, like a lonely traveler who could never escape the solitude and sorrow within his heart.
He saw his clansmen united as one, working together for the prosperity of the village.
This unity and harmony were things he had always yearned for, but he knew clearly that this was impossible in the world he lived in.
His clansmen were dead, his village was shattered, and his dreams had been extinguished. Looking at this image, Itachi's heart was filled with endless pain and helplessness.
Itachi knew that Liuli was intentionally showing him the beautiful life of the Uchiha Clan in another world to make him feel the agony in his heart.
Yet, he could not control his emotions; he seemed drawn by these images, deeply immersed in this fictional world.
Liuli watched the changes in Itachi's expression, a complex emotion rising in his heart. He knew that the images he displayed had deeply touched Itachi's heart, achieving his intended effect. Just two nights ago, Itachi had experienced the pain of the massacre, and now, seeing a fictional world of peace and prosperity for the Uchiha Clan, this contrast created a massive upheaval within Itachi's heart.
Itachi's eyes revealed a light of determination and resolution; he stared fixedly at Liuli, as if trying to find an answer within the depths of her gaze.
He took a deep breath, channeling chakra into his Mangekyo Sharingan to activate it to its full capacity.
Even in the face of the overwhelming power of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, he did not flinch, determined to witness the truth of this moment.
"Is this truly an image of peace from another Uchiha Clan world, or is it a fabrication you have deliberately constructed?"
Itachi's voice carried a sense of firmness and persistence; he had to get to the bottom of all this.
Liuli watched Itachi's actions, her heart trembling slightly. She had not expected Itachi to be so resolute in his pursuit of the truth, showing no fear even when confronted with such immense power.
She replied slowly, "It is certainly real. I am Uchiha Sasuke, who lives in that world."
Upon hearing Liuli's answer, an inexplicable emotion welled up in Itachi's heart. He did not know whether what Liuli said was true or false, but he could feel the conviction and sincerity in her eyes.
He knew he could not find the real answer within this Genjutsu World, yet he caught a glimmer of hope from it.
"Then, can you tell me the truth about that world?" Itachi's voice was filled with longing and anticipation; he hoped to learn more about that world from Liuli.
Liuli fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly: "That world is one filled with peace and prosperity. The Uchiha Clan did not suffer the fate of the Night of the Uchiha Massacre; they live in harmony with other clans, protecting their home together. In that world, everyone has their own dreams and pursuits, using their own hands to create a beautiful future."
Listening to Liuli's description, an inexplicable sense of being moved surged within Itachi. He knew there was a vast chasm between that world and the reality he inhabited, but he could not deny his own yearning and desire for such a place.
He took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes.
Deep within his heart, Itachi began to ponder the truth of that world.
He knew that everything he had experienced was cruel and painful, yet he could not abandon the pursuit of a better future.
He understood that only by constantly seeking the truth and striving forward could he find his own path of survival.
Thus, slaughtering his clan had been the best choice for his survival, just as joining the Akatsuki to gather intelligence for Konoha and setting Sasuke on the path of an avenger had been.
"Then how did you come to this world?" Itachi continued to press. The Night of the Uchiha Massacre was in the past; after this incident, he was more concerned about Sasuke's growth.
Liuli looked at Itachi. She could not reveal her true identity; this body was, after all, a character template of Six Paths Sasuke, not the power of her true self.
She could fabricate a description of another world, perhaps leading to greater changes later on.
"I come from another world, a world vastly different from yours here," Liuli said slowly. "In that world, the Uchiha Clan did not suffer the fate of the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, but lived in harmony with other clans, protecting that home together. However, that world was not perfect; it was also filled with war, slaughter, and betrayal."
Listening to Liuli's account, an inexplicable emotion stirred in Itachi. He could not imagine how the Uchiha Clan lived in that world, but he could feel the pain and helplessness in Liuli's heart.
"In that world, I lost many relatives and friends," Liuli continued. "Their departure made me feel endless pain and sorrow. I began to ponder the meaning and value of life, and I began to search for my own way to survive."
"However, I discovered that everything in that world was so illusory and impermanent," Liuli's voice revealed a deep sense of helplessness. "I could not find my own answer, nor could I escape the confusion and bewilderment in my heart. Thus, I began to search for other possibilities, for the existence of another world."
"By a stroke of chance, I arrived in this world," Liuli continued. "This world is completely different from the one I lived in; it is very safe."
"How did you find this world?" Itachi could not help but interject.
"I arrived in this world through a special power," Liuli replied. "That power allowed me to cross the boundaries of time and space to come to this world filled with unknowns and dangers."
Listening to Liuli's answer, an inexplicable shock surged through Itachi. He could not imagine how powerful and mysterious such a power to traverse time and space must be.
"Then, what is your purpose in coming to this world?" Itachi continued to question.
"Onii-san, I am your own younger brother, after all! How can you be so thick-headed!" Liuli said, speechless.
Itachi was slightly stunned, not expecting such a reaction from Liuli. He looked at the youth before him who claimed to be his younger brother from another world, and an inexplicable emotion welled up in his heart.
He did not know if what Liuli said was true or false, but he could feel the firmness and sincerity in the other's eyes.
"..." Liuli looked at Itachi, speechless. She felt she had expressed herself clearly, but Itachi did not seem to fully grasp her meaning.
She took a deep breath and continued: "Onii-san, I really am your younger brother from another world. My purpose in coming here is to visit you, and also to join your Akatsuki organization to have some fun together."
Listening to Liuli's words, an inexplicable sense of being moved surged in Itachi. He knew Liuli's words might be exaggerated, but he could feel the concern and attachment the other held for him.
He took a deep breath and slowly spoke: "Sasuke, thank you. Thank you for coming to see me, and thank you for your concern."
"However, there are some secrets I cannot tell you completely," Liuli's gaze suddenly turned profound. She looked at Itachi and said in a low voice, "Besides coming to visit you, there are other things I must do."
Itachi was shocked by Liuli's words; he had not expected Liuli to have other purposes and secrets.
He looked at Liuli, his eyes revealing doubt and confusion.
"You stay here for now; there is a gift later that you can go and see," Liuli's voice carried a sense of mystery and anticipation.
She did not explain further, for she knew some things could not be expressed in words.
For instance, the Night of the Uchiha Massacre—in her previous life, she could not stand such methods, and she did not want to continue dwelling on it or judge the boring questions of right and wrong.
Having said this, Liuli's consciousness gradually retreated from the Genjutsu World, returning to her own body. She left the place where Itachi was, leaving behind a stunned Itachi.
"What?!" Itachi exclaimed. He could not understand Liuli's words or actions.
He clearly felt that Liuli was hiding immense secrets and power, yet he could not fathom them.
Itachi looked in the direction Liuli had departed, his heart filled with doubt and confusion.
He knew Liuli was not a simple person; her arrival must have some special significance and purpose. Yet, Itachi could not imagine what Liuli intended to do, nor could he guess the secrets hidden behind her.