Uchiha Sasuke subdued the other man, then subjected him to a series of interrogations.
But he learned nothing. The man seemed like a blank slate, knowing nothing at all.
With no other choice, Sasuke notified the village. By the time Uchiha Shunichi arrived, Anbu ninja had already surrounded the scene.
"Lord Hokage, we've confirmed it. Both his Sharingan and his physical features are identical to those of the late Uchiha Itachi," Kakashi told Uchiha Shunichi solemnly.
Kakashi had worked with Itachi in the Anbu. Although they had not been particularly close, he could still recognize him.
"Impossible! Uchiha Itachi is dead. I fused his eyes with mine." Uchiha Sasuke immediately objected.
Kakashi agreed with that. Yet the man lying on the ground, his chakra restrained by a Sealing Jutsu, was unmistakably Uchiha Itachi.
"His memories have been erased. I can't read any useful information from his mind." Yamanaka Inoichi shook his head at Uchiha Shunichi, looking somewhat helpless.
Uchiha Shunichi nodded to everyone, then began examining the man on the ground. As his chakra entered the man's body, an unusual chakra fluctuation suddenly emerged.
"Shunichi, do you like the gift I sent you? I've perfected the Cloning Technique you once brought to my attention. Now I'm working on a way to make the soul immortal. If you're interested, you can contact me at any time through the snakes of Ryūchi Cave."
A voice sounded beside Uchiha Shunichi's ear. It was Orochimaru's.
The Ōtsutsuki Clan possessed immortal souls. Even after being killed, they could transfer their souls through something called karma and acquire new bodies.
This trait was actually somewhat similar to Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation. The difference was that Orochimaru actively sought out bodies, and the living people he devoured did not need to meet particularly strict requirements.
The Ōtsutsuki