Itachi's Departure

Another figure landed on the rooftop, looking at Itachi with some pity.

"Ah, Kakashi-san, you came to see me off too." Itachi smiled.

"See Itachi out of the village. I'll give you one hour to say goodbye." The Third's figure vanished into the night.

Kakashi looked at Itachi's young face, unable to find the words for a moment. He had endured far too much pain for someone his age.

After a full half-minute of silence, Kakashi said, "Let's go. Shisui is waiting for us outside the village."

The two walked slowly through Konoha's streets like ordinary people.

Itachi looked around, as if he wanted to etch every part of Konoha firmly into his mind.

Kakashi handed the small bundle in his hand to Itachi. "Who knows when we'll meet again? Take these dango with you for the road."

"There's also my favorite book inside. Jiraiya-sama wrote it. You can read it when you get bored."

Itachi accepted the bundle and said seriously, "Kakashi-san, it has been Itachi's honor to know you."

"And hasn't it been my honor to know you..." Kakashi murmured.

The two left the village, and a figure flashed out from the side.

"What took you two so long? I've been waiting here forever." Shisui complained.

He looked at Itachi beside Kakashi. "You bastard, do you know how guilty this makes me feel? You sacrificed so much for the Uchiha Clan, while I..."

"Don't overthink it, Shisui. I'm the most suitable choice. After all, that Madara of the Uchiha Clan contacted me himself. Only if I defect and join Akatsuki will he not grow suspicious," Itachi said.

Shisui nodded, but he still felt miserable inside.

"By the way, Itachi, how did that thing I told you to do go?" Kakashi asked. "The 'parting gift' for Sasuke."

Itachi said, "I used Tsukuyomi on Sasuke and made him witness the slaughter of the entire Uchiha Clan within the illusion. He successfully awakened his Sharingan."

"This is the Uchiha Clan's legacy, huh? Just like when I helped you awaken your Mangekyō Sharingan..."

Seeing the cold look in Itachi's eyes, Shisui wisely chose to change the subject.

"Ahem, so how many tomoe did little Sasuke's Sharingan awaken?" Shisui asked.

"One tomoe..."

A trace of what seemed like embarrassment flashed across Itachi's face, leaving Shisui stunned.

Shisui asked with an odd expression, "Is there something wrong with your little brother? His whole clan got slaughtered... and he angrily awakened one tomoe???"

Itachi fell silent, and so did Kakashi. There really was no reasonable explanation for it.

Sasuke awakened one tomoe in rage after his entire clan was killed, while Naruto got beaten up once and awakened two tomoe. Those who understood, understood...

Itachi chose to ignore Shisui and looked at Kakashi. "Kakashi-san, while I'm gone, please take good care of my younger brother."

"Don't worry, Itachi. I'll treat Sasuke like my own little brother."

Shisui hopped about beside them. "What about me? Why aren't you asking me?"

"You're unreliable," Itachi said coldly.

With Shisui, that living treasure, constantly interrupting from the side, the oppressive mood of parting was immediately eased somewhat.

"Itachi, don't use the Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities too frequently. Your body won't be able to take it."

Kakashi warned, "If Akatsuki assigns you missions, delay them whenever you can. Everyone in Akatsuki is a double agent anyway, so failing to complete missions won't stand out at all."

"If you need help with anything, you know how to contact me," Kakashi said solemnly.

Shisui chimed in from the side, "Me too!"

"I know. I'm leaving."

After seeing someone off for a thousand miles, there would always come a parting. Itachi feared that if he did not leave now, he would no longer want to.

Watching Itachi's departing figure, Kakashi remained lost in thought for a long time.

"You don't think Itachi will be in danger, do you?" Shisui asked worriedly.

Kakashi reassured him, "Don't worry. With Itachi's abilities, if he encounters danger and wants to leave, there aren't many people in the world who can keep him now."

"I hope so." Shisui still could not stop worrying about his little brother.

After returning to the village, Kakashi immediately headed for the Hokage's Office.

The Third looked at Kakashi, who was kneeling before him, and felt a thousand emotions well up in his heart.

"Kakashi, you've been in ANBU for nearly ten years now, haven't you?"

"Yes, Third Hokage," Kakashi replied.

The Third wore a nostalgic expression. "Back then, the Fourth had you join ANBU so that he could keep you at his side and help dispel the darkness in your heart."

"After the Fourth sacrificed himself, I still kept you by my side, in ANBU. Yet the darkness in your heart not only failed to fade, but continued to grow."

"Take off your mask. Starting today, I am relieving you of all ANBU duties and giving you a new appointment."

"Go become a Jōnin instructor!" the Third said.

"A Jōnin instructor..." Kakashi carefully savored the words. "I understand, Third Hokage."

The Third waved his hand. "Go. Choose your own team, just as Minato chose you back then."

Kakashi's heart trembled. Just like Minato-sensei...

After easily shaking off the Konoha ninja pursuing him, Itachi met that man who called himself Madara of the Uchiha Clan once more.

The two rode in a small boat toward Akatsuki.

"I have already heard of what you did. To turn your blade against your own kin... it seems you are qualified to join Akatsuki."

The masked "Madara of the Uchiha Clan" continued, "Within the organization, I am merely an insignificant little member. My name is Tobi. Watch your attitude around me when the time comes, and don't give anything away."

"Why hide your true identity?" Itachi asked calmly.

"Because it would be troublesome if people learned that Madara of the Uchiha Clan is still alive."

"Next, I'll take you to meet Akatsuki's leader. He knows my true identity."

Upon arriving at Akatsuki's secret base, "Madara of the Uchiha Clan" stopped speaking and led Itachi into the cave.

"Isn't this Itachi? It's been a long time." A sinister yet familiar voice rang out.

"Orochimaru?!" Itachi was greatly surprised. He had not expected Orochimaru to be here as well.

"Oh my, I forgot that you two are from the same village. What a touching reunion!"

The voice of Madara of the Uchiha Clan suddenly became simple and honest. He was Tobi now.

"I heard all about it. You really are a ninja just like me, casting aside all those useless bonds of family, village, and companions." Orochimaru sneered.

Itachi ignored Orochimaru and instead looked toward a figure in the distance. That figure felt like a bottomless abyss to him, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.