Itachi Uchiha lowered his eyes and continued speaking to Hiruzen Sarutobi in a grave voice. "Third, there is one more thing I ask you to grant me."
It was the one concern he could not put to rest, the reason he had taken all that darkness upon himself. "After I leave Konoha, my only brother, Sasuke Uchiha, will have no one to look after him."
"Please, while I am away from the village, protect him. Treat him well. Make sure he can grow up in peace."
Itachi Uchiha's voice was low and earnest, every word heavy. "That is my only request."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the boy before him, barely in his teens, yet bearing all that guilt and darkness alone. His chest tightened painfully.
Seeing the concern and humility Itachi could not hide in his eyes, Hiruzen answered with solemn resolve. "Itachi, you have my word."
"Sasuke is a child of Konoha, and the one you gave everything to protect. As long as I live, I will do all I can to keep him safe throughout his life. No one will dare harm him."
At the Third's solemn promise, the tension in Itachi Uchiha's heart finally eased a little. He lowered his head and thanked him sincerely. "Thank you, Third."
With that, Itachi Uchiha said no more. He turned and left in silence, vanishing beyond the Hokage's office building in an instant.
Itachi did not leave Konoha at once. Instead, he slipped away unseen and headed straight for Root's hidden basement.
In the cold, dim underground chamber, Shimura Danzō sat alone on a stone chair, his expression dark as he waited in silence.
The moment Itachi Uchiha stepped into the basement—
A scarlet light burst forth!
The Three Tomoe spun and became the Mangekyō Sharingan in an instant. His deep, icy gaze locked onto Danzo in the stone chair.
A crushing pressure filled the entire basement.
Itachi Uchiha's gaze was sharp, his voice cold to the bone and laden with threat. "Danzo."
"While I am away from Konoha, if you so much as think of harming my brother, Sasuke Uchiha, let alone lay a hand on him—"
"I will expose every secret of Root, every dark crime you have committed, and everything hidden in your right eye. I will ruin your name and leave you with no way back."
Pinned beneath the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Shimura Danzō's expression turned grave.
Danzo stared at those fully awakened, terrifying eyes, shock surging through him.
He had never imagined that Itachi Uchiha, so young, had truly awakened such a powerful visual jutsu.
Itachi now possessed the strength to threaten him and hold him in check.
Danzo suppressed his wariness and murderous intent, then yielded in a low voice. "You have my word."
"I will not lay a hand on your brother."
No matter how vicious Danzo's schemes were, he did not dare provoke Itachi or make a move now.
Having secured Danzo's wary promise, Itachi Uchiha withdrew his gaze and did not linger.
He knew how treacherous and ruthless Danzo was. Today's warning could only restrain him for a time.
From then on, he would have to tread carefully beyond the village and protect Sasuke from afar.
With every concern in Konoha addressed and every tie severed,
Itachi Uchiha took one last look at the brightly lit village, then turned and left without hesitation.
There was no light on the road ahead, no one at his side, and guilt weighed upon him.
From that day on, Itachi Uchiha of Konoha was no more.
Only Itachi Uchiha, a rogue ninja of the Akatsuki, remained.
The scene shifted.
Beyond the driving wind and rain, dark clouds gathered.
A figure in a black cloak patterned with red clouds entered the Akatsuki's stronghold.
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