Itachi's Condition

The Uchiha Clan Compound, late at night.

Xingye was studying intelligence on the Akatsuki in his study when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

Itachi pushed open the door and entered, his face pale and beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

"Brother," Itachi said, "my condition... has gotten worse again."

Xingye's pupils contracted slightly. He quickly rose and steadied Itachi.

"Itachi, how do you feel?"

Itachi gave a wry smile. "My chest hurts badly, and I'm coughing up more and more blood."

"The doctors said it's a side effect of the Mangekyō Sharingan. It can't be cured."

Xingye fell silent for a moment, then said, "Itachi, sit down."

"I'll treat you."

Itachi froze. "Brother, you can treat the side effects of the Mangekyō?"

Xingye nodded. "I have a system, and its medical abilities far surpass ordinary Medical Ninjutsu."

"Besides, I gained some medical experience from Orochimaru before."

"Let me try."

Itachi hesitated for a moment, then finally sat down.

Xingye placed his palm against Itachi's chest, and the healing ability of the Otsutsuki Bloodline began to activate.

The Byakugan scanned Itachi's body in all directions, searching for the source of the illness.

Through the Byakugan, Xingye saw that Itachi's lungs and heart had both suffered severe damage.

The side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan were slowly destroying Itachi's body.

"Found it," Xingye murmured.

The Mangekyō Sharingan slowly opened, and Xingye channeled chakra into Itachi's body.

The healing ability of the Otsutsuki Bloodline, combined with the Mangekyō Sharingan's Chakra Control, began repairing Itachi's damaged organs.

A short while later, Itachi's breathing gradually steadied, and his complexion began to improve.

"Brother," Itachi said in surprise, "I feel... much better."

Xingye said, "You're not completely healed yet. You'll need more treatment."

"Itachi, your condition is serious, but it can be cured."

"As long as you cooperate with my treatment, you'll make a full recovery."

Gratitude shone in Itachi's eyes. "Brother, thank you."

"I thought I'd die young, just like in the original story."

"That won't happen, Itachi."

"With me here, you won't die young."

"Besides, you have Sasuke, and the whole Uchiha Clan is counting on you."

Itachi nodded. "Brother, I'll cooperate with the treatment."

Xingye continued treating him until his condition had stabilized.

"Itachi," Xingye said, "you'll need to rest for the next month."

"Don't overuse your Sharingan, and don't take part in any battles."

"Once I've completely cured you, you can return to your normal activities."

Itachi nodded. "Understood, Brother."

Xingye continued, "Also, Itachi, I have a plan."

"What plan?"

"I'll use the system to completely cure the side effects of your Mangekyō."

"At the same time, I'll help you evolve your Mangekyō Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."

Itachi's pupils contracted slightly. "The Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan?"

Xingye nodded. "That's right."

"The Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan has none of the Mangekyō's side effects, and it's even more powerful."

"If you obtain the Eternal Mangekyo, your strength will increase dramatically."

Itachi pondered for a moment, then said, "Brother, the Eternal Mangekyo requires a relative's eyes..."

Xingye shook his head. "Not necessarily."

"With the system's help, I can find another way for you to obtain the Eternal Mangekyo."

"No one needs to be hurt."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Itachi's eyes. "Really?"

Xingye nodded. "Of course."

"Don't worry, Itachi. I won't let you become a tragic character like you were in the original story."

"You'll become one of the Uchiha Twin Stars, leading the Uchiha Clan alongside Sasuke."

Gratitude shone in Itachi's eyes. "Brother, thank you."

"If it weren't for you, I might already have been headed down the path to tragedy."

"Itachi, we're brothers. Helping each other is only natural."

"Besides, your strength is important to the Uchiha Clan."

"Only when you've recovered can the Uchiha Twin Stars truly take shape."

Itachi nodded. "Brother, I'll recover as soon as I can."

Xingye said, "Itachi, get some rest."

"For the time being, I'll focus on treating you."

"Once you've recovered, we'll still have an important mission to complete."

"What mission?"

"Subdue the Six Paths of Pain and expose Black Zetsu's schemes."

"Only by defeating the Six Paths of Pain can we greatly reduce the Akatsuki's threat."

A glint of fighting spirit appeared in Itachi's eyes. "Brother, I'll do everything I can to help you."

Xingye nodded. "Good, Itachi."

"Now, get some rest."

Itachi lay down and soon fell asleep.

Looking at Itachi's sleeping face, Xingye made a silent vow.

"Itachi, I'll make sure you recover completely."

"You won't become a tragedy like you did in the original story. You'll become the Uchiha Clan's new hope."

Xingye left the room and climbed to a high platform in the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Stars filled the night sky.

Xingye looked up and pondered his next move.

"Itachi's condition is improving," Xingye murmured. "That's good news."

"Next, I need to keep recruiting Akatsuki members while strengthening Konoha's defenses."

"The Akatsuki won't give up easily. The battles ahead will only grow fiercer."

Just then, the system's notification rang out.

[System Notification: Treated Itachi's condition, gaining medical experience]

[Medical Ninjutsu (Blue) → Medical Ninjutsu (Purple)]

[New skill acquired: Healing Technique (Red)]

Xingye was delighted. Medical Ninjutsu had risen to Purple, and he had also gained the Red-level Healing Technique.

"With the Healing Technique," Xingye murmured, "I'll be able to treat Itachi even more effectively."

"I'll also be able to help others who need treatment."

Xingye turned and returned to his study.

He needed to keep researching intelligence on the Akatsuki and draw up a detailed battle plan.

The Akatsuki was a powerful threat, but it wasn't unbeatable.

With enough preparation and strength, Xingye was confident he could dismantle the Akatsuki completely.

The next day

Xingye continued treating Itachi's condition.

With the system's help, Itachi improved a little each day.

A week later, Itachi's condition had mostly stabilized, and the side effects of the Mangekyō were under control.

Itachi could move around normally, though he still couldn't overuse his Sharingan.

Xingye told Itachi that he would be completely cured in another month.

Itachi was deeply grateful to Xingye and promised to cooperate fully with his treatment.

Xingye was glad, too, because he knew how important Itachi's recovery was to the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Twin Stars—Xingye and Itachi—both needed to be healthy for the Uchiha Clan to truly rise.

Meanwhile, Xingye continued recruiting Akatsuki members in secret.

Based on the intelligence provided by Kisame, Sasori, Kakuzu, Konan, and Zabuza, the Six Paths of Pain should be the next target.

The Six Paths of Pain possessed the Rinnegan. They were the Akatsuki's strongest fighting force and the hardest opponents to recruit.

But Xingye had already made thorough preparations.

He had the system's help, the Byakugan's 360-degree vision, and the immense power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Besides, he had Kisame, Sasori, Kakuzu, Konan, Zabuza, and the others working as informants.

The Six Paths of Pain would be recruited by Xingye.

Xingye stood on a high platform in the Uchiha Clan Compound, gazing at the distant sky.

"Six Paths of Pain," Xingye murmured, "your end is near."

"The Akatsuki's threat will be completely eliminated."

Xingye turned and returned to his study.

He needed to keep working out a detailed battle plan and prepare to face the Six Paths of Pain.