I'll Bear Half Your Pain

A cold wind swept past, and Itachi's pupils contracted. "Kakashi-san, how did you know?"

Kakashi wore a nostalgic expression. "It was during a mission. I happened to learn of an organization called Akatsuki."

"It's an extremely terrifying organization. Its members are all S-rank rogue ninja from various villages. I don't know their exact goal, but they must be plotting something enormous."

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

Itachi pondered for a moment before saying, "I have indeed met this Madara Uchiha Clan. He seems to harbor deep resentment toward the village and the Uchiha Clan, and he even offered to help me resolve the Uchiha Clan's problem."

Kakashi sighed. Obito, perhaps I can save the Uchiha Clan, but how am I supposed to save you?

Itachi was somewhat uncertain. "Kakashi-san, what do you think I should do?"

"If such a terrifying organization ever sets its sights on Konoha, then wouldn't that..."

Itachi had already begun worrying about Konoha. After all, that Madara Uchiha Clan had an extremely hostile attitude toward the village. He might very well point his blade at Konoha in the future.

Unlike the original timeline, Itachi's plan now was merely to purge certain troublesome members of the clan, rather than slaughter every clansman besides Sasuke. There was simply no need for Obito's help.

Kakashi looked at Itachi's somewhat youthful face. After struggling internally for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and made his decision.

"Itachi, I may have a way." Kakashi's expression was grim.

"Go ahead, Kakashi-san. It's all for the village, so you don't need to blame yourself." Itachi smiled.

It was late at night, and the area where the Uchiha Clan had once lived seemed somewhat desolate.

Many families had already moved to more populated parts of the village, leaving half the houses vacant.

After sneaking all the way to the center of the Uchiha Clan compound, Kakashi and Itachi landed lightly inside Fugaku Uchiha Clan's house.

"Ah, you've come."

With his back to the two of them, Fugaku placed the book in his hand on the table.

"You knew we were coming?" Itachi's brows furrowed slightly.

"Yes."

Fugaku turned around and calmly looked at Kakashi and his son, as though he had known everything all along.

Itachi's expression changed drastically. Within his father's scarlet eyes were the same strange patterns.

How was that possible? When had Father awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as well?!

Fugaku pointed to his Mangekyō Sharingan. "These eyes of mine can see the future."

Kakashi patted the stunned Itachi on the shoulder and directly met Fugaku's gaze.

"Then, Clan Head Fugaku, what did you see?"

Fugaku remained silent for a long while.

His Mangekyō Sharingan ability was extremely special. To a certain extent, it allowed him to foresee the futures that would result from different choices.

Over the past few days, he had repeatedly used his Mangekyō Sharingan to peer into the future, so he knew why Kakashi and Itachi had come.

Even now, he could not forget the scene he had foreseen after choosing to reject their request.

The entire Uchiha Clan Grounds had become like hell on earth, filled with cries of agony.

Two figures leisurely followed behind the people fleeing in every direction, coldly swinging the butcher's blades in their hands and harvesting living lives.

Fugaku could only watch helplessly as familiar faces lost their vitality one after another, becoming cold corpses. Only when the streets were covered in bodies did the entire Uchiha Clan Grounds fall silent once more.

Those two figures were like evil ghosts from hell, crawling out of an endless sea of blood.

One figure murmured, "Itachi-san, once we part, who knows when we'll meet again? Take these tricolor dango with you and eat them on the road..."

Fugaku shook his head, forcing the terrifying images from his mind.

Seeing Fugaku Uchiha remain silent, Kakashi took the initiative to ask, "Since you know why we came, then what is your answer, Clan Head Fugaku?"

"Yao Uchiha, Chen Uchiha, Tu Uchiha, Fei Uchiha, Yang Uchiha... These people are resolute in their intention to launch a coup." Fugaku Uchiha named five people in succession.

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

Kakashi pulled the still-shocked Itachi toward the exit.

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

Somewhat puzzled, Kakashi turned back to look at Fugaku Uchiha.

"Kakashi, can you guarantee that you'll treat the Uchiha Clan well in the future?"

Fugaku's question was strange. He was not asking whether the village could treat the Uchiha Clan well, but whether Kakashi could.

"Can't Clan Head Fugaku's eyes see the future?" Kakashi asked in return.

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

"I have long formed a deep bond with the Uchiha Clan. I will certainly do my best to ensure the Uchiha Clan's peace," Kakashi said.

"That's good. From now on, I will fully cooperate with the Third Hokage and help the Uchiha Clan reintegrate into the village."

After saying that, Fugaku turned his back to them again, picked up the book from the table, and resumed reading.

Kakashi could not help but marvel inwardly. Clan Head Fugaku really loves studying, just like me.

But why had he asked such a strange question just now?

Could it be that he had seen something about my future?

Kakashi made up his mind. Once this matter was settled, perhaps he could have a proper talk with Fugaku.

After leaving Fugaku's house, Itachi had already processed the overwhelming information from earlier.

"Kakashi-san, thank you for showing me the way. Leave the rest to me."

Itachi's expression shifted from gentle to icy. One hand had already come to rest on his sword.

"No."

Kakashi grabbed Itachi's hand as he was about to draw his blade and slowly shook his head.

"After all, this was my idea. It's enough for you to bear the infamy of killing your own clansmen. You don't need to suffer the guilt of slaughtering them as well."

"Leave the rest to me. I'll bear half your pain for you," Kakashi said sincerely.

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

"Let me do it instead. You don't need to do this for me," Itachi said.

"I'm not doing this only for you. I'm doing it for myself, and for Konoha."

Kakashi's gaze was unwavering. "My mind is made up. Go report the current situation to the Third Hokage, including that man who calls himself Madara Uchiha Clan."

"Kakashi-san..."

"Say no more. I'll end this quickly."

Before Itachi could try to stop him again, Kakashi had already drawn White Fang and silently made his way toward the first target's residence.