The figure stood on the opposite shore of the lake, his voice calm, yet carrying clearly across the battlefield.
Obito turned to look, his pupil contracting slightly beneath his mask.
It was a boy who looked no more than twelve or thirteen, dressed in black robes, his bangs stirring gently in the wind.
Most striking of all were his eyes—intricate patterns slowly revolved against scarlet backgrounds, radiating cold, powerful fluctuations of Eye Power.
The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!
And that face...
"Uchiha... Itachi?"
A rare trace of hesitation crept into Obito's voice.
Of course he recognized that face.
On the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, Hyuga Hiashi had kept him pinned down, preventing him from collecting Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyō in time.
When he finally broke free and gave chase, he discovered that Uchiha Itachi's group had not retreated along the planned route, and had ultimately escaped into Dragon Release Village.
Afterward, he had expected Uchiha Itachi to awaken the Eternal Eye sooner or later.
But why was he here?
After all, he had been manipulating Utakata from the shadows, rarely appearing in person. Even Nagato did not know his current whereabouts.
"Surprised?"
"Thanks to you, I saw many truths on the Night of the Clan Massacre. It also taught me the importance of power."
Itachi spoke evenly.
"So you joined Dragon Release Village?"
"That 'Crescent Moon' helped you awaken the Eternal Eye, didn't he?"
Obito sneered.
Uchiha Itachi did not answer. He simply stepped forward slowly, walking across the water.
Ripples spread across the lake beneath his feet, but he did not sink at all, as though he were walking on solid ground.
"Masked Man."
"It's time to settle the score for the Night of the Clan Massacre."
Uchiha Itachi spoke with exceptional calm.
As his words fell, the Eternal