I Will Bear Half of Your Pain

A cold wind blew past, and Itachi's pupils constricted. "Kakashi-san, how did you know about that?"

Kakashi wore a reminiscent expression. "It was during a mission when I accidentally learned of the existence of an organization called Akatsuki."

"It's an extremely terrifying organization whose members are S-rank missing-nin from various villages. Though their specific goal is unknown, they are definitely plotting something massive."

"And that fellow who calls himself Madara Uchiha is one of them!"

Itachi pondered for a moment and said, "I have indeed met this Madara Uchiha. He seems to harbor deep resentment toward the village and the Uchiha Clan, and even took the initiative to offer to help me solve the Uchiha Clan's problem."

Kakashi sighed inwardly. Obito, I might be able to save the Uchiha Clan, but how am I supposed to save you?

Itachi was somewhat indecisive at the moment. "Kakashi-san, in your view, what should I do?"

"If such a terrifying organization were to someday set its sights on my Konoha, wouldn't that..."

Itachi had already begun to worry on Konoha's behalf, for after all, that Madara Uchiha's attitude toward the village was thoroughly hostile, and it was quite likely that he would point his spear at Konoha in the future.

Unlike the original storyline, Itachi's current plan was only to purge some restless fellows within the clan rather than kill every clansman except Sasuke, so he had no need for Obito's help whatsoever.

Kakashi looked at Itachi's somewhat youthful face, struggled internally for a long time, and finally hardened his heart to make a decision.

"Itachi, I might have a way." Kakashi's complexion looked extremely grim.

"Go ahead, Kakashi-san. Everything is for the village; you don't need to feel any self-blame." Itachi said with a smile.

The night grew late, and the former living quarters of the Uchiha Clan appeared somewhat desolate.

Many households had already moved to more populous areas of the village, leaving half of the houses vacant.

Slinking all the way to the very center of the Uchiha residences, Kakashi and Itachi quietly landed inside Fugaku's house.

"Ah, you're here."

Fugaku had his back turned to the two of them as he placed the book in his hand down on the table.

"You knew we were coming ahead of time?" Itachi's brow furrowed slightly.

"I did."

Fugaku turned around, looking calmly at Kakashi and his own son as if he had known everything all along.

Itachi's expression changed drastically. Within his father's crimson eyes, those same bizarre patterns were present.

How is that possible? When did Father also awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?!

Fugaku pointed at his own Mangekyō Sharingan and said, "These eyes of mine can see the future."

Kakashi patted the somewhat shocked Itachi and met Fugaku's gaze directly.

"Then Clan Head Fugaku, what have you seen?"

Fugaku remained silent for a long time.

His Mangekyō Sharingan ability was quite special; to a certain extent, it could foresee the futures that would unfold depending on whether different choices were made.

Over the past few days, he had frequently used the ability of the Mangekyō Sharingan to foresee the future, which was why he knew why Kakashi and Itachi had come.

Yet even now, he could not forget the scenes from that premonition after he chose to refuse the two men's request.

The entire Uchiha Clan Grounds were like a living hell, filled with the sounds of wailing everywhere.

Two figures followed unhurriedly behind the people fleeing in all directions, coldly swinging the slaughter blades in their hands and reaping vibrant lives.

Fugaku could only watch helplessly as one familiar face after another lost its vitality, turning into cold corpses until the bodies paved the streets and the entire Uchiha Clan Grounds grew silent once again.

Those two figures crawled out from an endless sea of blood, just like malicious ghosts from the netherworld.

One figure muttered, "Itachi-san, who knows when we'll meet again after this parting? Take these tri-color dango with you to eat on the way..."

Fugaku shook his head, banishing the terrifying imagery from his mind.

Seeing that Fugaku Uchiha remained silent, Kakashi took the initiative to ask, "Since you know why we came here, what is Clan Head Fugaku's answer?"

"Yao Uchiha, Chen Uchiha, Tu Uchiha, Fei Uchiha, Yang Uchiha... These people are the ones firmly intent on launching a coup d'état." Fugaku Uchiha rattled off five names in succession.

"Thank you, Clan Head Fugaku. Let's go, Itachi."

Kakashi pulled Itachi, who was still in a state of shock, and headed toward the outside.

"Please wait, Kakashi!" Fugaku Uchiha called out to Kakashi alone.

Kakashi turned back to look at Fugaku Uchiha with some perplexity.

"Kakashi, can you guarantee that you will treat the Uchiha Clan kindly hereafter?"

Fugaku's question was very strange; he was not asking whether the village could treat the Uchiha Clan kindly, but rather Kakashi.

"Doesn't Clan Head Fugaku's eyes allow him to see the future?" Kakashi asked rhetorically.

Fugaku said, "What I see is merely one possible corner of the future. Can you give me a definite answer?"

"I have long since forged deep bonds with the Uchiha Clan. I will definitely do my utmost to ensure the peace of the Uchiha Clan," Kakashi said.

"That's good. Next, I will fully cooperate with Lord Third to help the Uchiha Clan reintegrate into the village."

After saying this, Fugaku turned his back once again, picked up the book on the table, and began reading.

Kakashi could not help but praise inwardly that Clan Head Fugaku was truly a studious person, just like himself.

Still, why had he asked such a strange question just now?

Could it be that he had seen a future concerning himself?

Kakashi made up his mind that once this matter was resolved, he might be able to have a good chat with Fugaku.

Upon leaving Fugaku's house, Itachi had already digested the massive amount of information from just moments ago.

"Kakashi-san, thank you for your guidance and enlightenment. Leave the matters that follow to me."

Itachi's expression transformed from gentle to icy, and one hand was already resting upon his blade.

"No."

Kakashi grasped the hand Itachi intended to use to draw his sword and slowly shook his head.

"After all, this is the plan I proposed. You can bear the infamy of slaughtering your own kin, but you don't need to endure the self-blame of butchering your clansmen."

"Leave the rest to me. I will bear half of your pain in your stead," Kakashi said sincerely.

"Kakashi-san..." Itachi was deeply moved, but not being one for words, he did not know how to express his emotions.

"Let me do the killing instead. You don't have to do this for me," Itachi said.

"I am not just doing this for you; I am doing it for myself, and for Konoha."

Kakashi's gaze was resolute. "My mind is made up. Go report the current situation to Lord Third, including that fellow who calls himself Madara Uchiha."

"Kakashi-san..."

"Say no more. I'll make quick work of this."

Before Itachi could urge him further, Kakashi had already drawn the White Fang and silently slipped away toward the dwelling of his first target.