Izanami That Lasted Two Years

At the gates of Konoha Village, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki were listlessly carrying out their gatekeeping duty.

Normally, this kind of mission was merely a formality.

After all, generally speaking, no ninja could bypass Konoha Village's defensive barrier and silently infiltrate the area near its gates.

But today, the two of them sensed an enormous feeling of danger from a young man slowly approaching them.

As ninjas, everyone placed absolute faith in their instincts, because it was precisely this combat intuition that had allowed ninjas to repeatedly walk the line between life and death.

Kotetsu Hagane quietly made a gesture to his companion, preparing to go forward and stall for time while sending him to get reinforcements.

But at that moment, a gentle, warm voice rang in his ears.

"Hello. Special Jonin Uchiha Yansheng has returned to Konoha Village. Do I need to register or anything?"

Looking at the other party's pale blue eyes, Kotetsu Hagane could not help wondering whether he had misheard the word "Uchiha."

As everyone knew, the Uchiha Clan normally had black eyes, which turned red with tomoe after activating the Sharingan. Blue eyes had absolutely nothing to do with them.

Still, even if he was lying, there was no need to make up such an absurd lie.

"Wait... You, you're that Konoha hero who disappeared at the Land of Lightning's border? Uchiha Yansheng, who was only eleven years old?"

Staring at Uchiha Yansheng's familiar face, Izumo Kamizuki suddenly seemed to remember something and cried out in shock.

A Konoha hero? Hiruzen Sarutobi really was good at putting on a show.

"Well, I'm thirteen now. Also, are you going to register me or not? If there's nothing else, I still need to go home."

Uchiha Yansheng gave them a reminder, immediately earning puzzled looks from the two.

"My apologies, but because your identity has not been confirmed, I need to—"

Before Kotetsu Hagane could finish, a familiar figure appeared beside him.

"That won't be necessary. I can verify his identity."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Uchiha Yansheng with a complicated expression, focusing on his eyes for two seconds before speaking with concern.

"It's good that you're all right. It's good that you came back."

Clearly, the moment Uchiha Yansheng entered the range of Konoha Village's barrier, he had been detected by sensory ninjutsu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had been notified to personally confirm his identity.

"Mm. If there's nothing else, I'll go home first. As for what happened during this time... I don't want to talk about it."

After speaking calmly, Uchiha Yansheng headed toward the Uchiha Clan's district.

Only then did Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki reveal expressions of realization.

Sure enough, he was still that arrogant little brat from the Uchiha Clan.

That polite image from earlier had definitely been their illusion. After all, he was the ruthless man who could suppress the entire Uchiha Clan and dared to mock the Hokage to his face.

Not to mention that he had once held down the Fourth Raikage and two tailed beasts by himself at the border...

Watching Uchiha Yansheng leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help shaking his head with a bitter smile.

The past two years had gone too smoothly for him. He had nearly forgotten what it felt like to be ignored.

Before long, news of Uchiha Yansheng's return spread throughout Konoha Village.

Never underestimate how quickly ninjas could pass along information. Before he had even returned to the Uchiha Clan's grounds, a small figure darted out in front of him.

"You're Uchiha Yansheng? Hurry and save my brother! They said only you can cure my brother's condition..."

"Those damned ninja cats wouldn't even help me deliver a message, even though..."

Listening to the little brat's endless chatter, Uchiha Yansheng realized that this was Sasuke Uchiha, the boy he remembered as always acting cool before getting beaten up.

"Uh, your brother? Itachi Uchiha? What happened to him now? Did Black Zetsu dig out his heart?"

Uchiha Yansheng spoke as if nothing was wrong. His psychological endurance was strong now; even if Itachi Uchiha had been killed by Black Zetsu, it would not have been a big deal.

After all, he had never liked Itachi Uchiha. He had only helped him awaken his eyes because he did not want to waste a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan.

Fugaku Uchiha, who had been following behind Sasuke Uchiha, heard every word of Uchiha Yansheng's complaint. His steps paused slightly, but he still came forward to explain.

"The experiment to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan failed. Itachi... Itachi has not woken up."

Hearing this, Uchiha Yansheng suddenly realized there was a small problem.

"Uh, Clan Head... Do you think the Mangekyo Sharingan might be able to break free from Izanami's genjutsu?"

Upon hearing this, Fugaku Uchiha immediately refuted him. "Of course not. Izanami is—"

At that point, Fugaku Uchiha realized something as well, and his heart sank.

He had never expected that, right under his nose, Uchiha Yansheng had used such an ocular technique on his son.

"You mean... Itachi...?"

Uchiha Yansheng nodded somewhat awkwardly. Although he did not like Itachi Uchiha, he truly had not intended for him to remain inside Izanami for so long.

For over two years, he had constantly experienced scenes of personally slaughtering his clansmen, killing his parents, and watching Sasuke Uchiha die before his eyes...

"Um... After Itachi Uchiha wakes up, are you sure you'll still want him?"

Uchiha Yansheng asked cautiously, almost directly telling Fugaku Uchiha that Itachi Uchiha was already insane.

Fugaku Uchiha truly was shocked by his son's tragic ordeal, but as the clan head, he quickly calmed down.

"It's all right. Izanami is not a genjutsu meant to torment people. As long as the victim recognizes his true heart, Izanami will automatically release him."

Fugaku Uchiha's words made Uchiha Yansheng feel even more awkward.

"Well... I seem to have accidentally made some modifications to Izanami..."

Upon hearing that, Fugaku Uchiha fell silent once more.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"Go and try. Those who wished to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan through shortcuts have caused our ancestors to suffer enough throughout history. This was our own choice, and whatever price comes with it should be borne by us."

Sasuke Uchiha, standing nearby, did not understand what they were talking about, but he could tell it was something serious and did not dare interrupt.

But after hearing the words "go and try," Sasuke Uchiha understood that his brother might wake up.

Uchiha Yansheng did not object to Fugaku Uchiha's decision. He really did feel somewhat awkward now; he had actually made such a basic mistake.

Believe me, I really didn't mean to do anything to Itachi Uchiha.

What I hate is the ungrateful traitor from the original plot, not this idiot who hasn't had time to do anything yet and is merely a little stupid.

After shouting a few times in his heart, Uchiha Yansheng finally eased his inner awkwardness. He came before Itachi Uchiha and injected a thread of chakra into his eyes.

As the one who had cast Izanami, Uchiha Yansheng's chakra could naturally undo this forbidden technique. After all, Izanami had not been created for killing, but for saving people.

As Izanami's ocular power faded, Itachi Uchiha slowly opened his eyes, but there was not the slightest spark of life in them.

Just as Uchiha Yansheng thought he had become stupid, he suddenly saw Itachi Uchiha turn his head, his Mangekyo Sharingan staring straight at him.

Just as Uchiha Yansheng became wary, he suddenly heard Itachi Uchiha say, "Yansheng... Thank you!"