Itachi's real body still sat in the stone chair, while Sasuke remained nailed within the world of Tsukuyomi.
On the surface, he had everything under control, but two streams of information received from different directions were converging in his mind.
The first came from the crow clone, confirming that Naruto was no longer within tracking range and that the Nine-Tails' chakra had completely vanished. The other had arrived somewhat earlier, confirming the existence of that body in Konoha Hospital's special care ward.
Yunju was alive.
In the hospital, his body was recovering. There was a high probability that he truly was alive.
During the gaps in Tsukuyomi, Itachi turned that information over in his mind again and again.
Shisui's Sharingan, which he had originally arranged to place within Naruto, had lost its most suitable destination.
Based on the current information, Naruto would not appear where he expected in the short term, and Itachi did not have much time left.
His body was deteriorating at an accelerating rate. Each use of the Mangekyō Sharingan further shortened the window during which he could act freely.
If Shisui's eye could not be placed within Naruto, then he needed an alternative. A vessel equally capable of protecting Sasuke in the future, someone whose stance was equally firm.
Yunju met those conditions.
A member of the Senju clan, he had survived Tobi's attack, proving that his strength and recovery ability far surpassed those of ordinary shinobi.
He remained in Konoha, his allegiance was clear, and Akatsuki could never recruit him.
More importantly, his consciousness was blank and his body could not resist. This was the best opportunity to implant Shisui's Sharingan.
Itachi's deliberation took roughly two seconds.
Then he made a decision and transmitted new orders to the crow clone through chakra.
The instant the