Sasuke had no intention of doubting Naruto at all. If he could say something like that, then his older brother was almost certainly being threatened. He did not know why he trusted Naruto so much, but he felt certain Naruto would never lie to him.
"Sasuke, I've got a plan that can save your brother. Want to hear it or not?"
At that, Sasuke nodded frantically, as if afraid Naruto would change his mind if he agreed a moment too late.
Seeing Sasuke agree so quickly, Naruto felt rather gratified. See? That was brotherly love. How could he possibly stand by and let someone die?
Besides, this was one of his rare chances to get close to Obito. Since that guy wanted to wipe out the Uchiha Clan, he was going to make sure he did not get his wish.
"Sasuke, go home and sound your brother out. He's probably being coerced, but he definitely won't tell you the truth. Whether you can find out exactly when they're going to act is up to you."
After saying that, Naruto patted Sasuke on the shoulder.
"Go, Hajichu."
Sasuke said nothing and simply headed home, thinking as he walked about how to coax information out of his brother.
"Go for it, Sasuke. You can do it. You're the future strongest Uchiha."
Seeing that he had successfully talked Sasuke into going home, Naruto figured things should be set. Just thinking about what he was going to do next made him want to laugh. Just you wait, Obito. If I don't beat the 'bito' right out of you, I'll admit you're tough.
With that thought, Naruto quickened his steps home.
"Beyond the mountains, beyond the sea, there's a group of Smurfs, lively and clever..."
Meanwhile, after returning home, Sasuke began his operation. He was going to rescue his brother from dire straits. As for why his brother was in dire straits, never mind that.
"Nii-san, Nii-san, are you here? I need to talk to you."
The moment Sasuke got home, he eagerly started searching. He opened one room and found no sign of his brother, then immediately opened another door, only to find him absent there too.
Finally, he opened this room's door, but still found no sign of Itachi.
"Mother, have you seen my nii-san?"
Kotomi found her second son's flustered manner rather funny, but still told him where Itachi was.
"He should be at the clan's training ground right now."
"Okay, thank you, Mother."
With that, Sasuke ran off.
"Remember to come home for dinner on time. Honestly, that child."
Sasuke did not hear any of Mikoto's later words at all. His mind was filled with getting information out of his brother. He was going to save him.
"Nii-san, this time it's my turn to protect you."
Sure enough, when he reached the Uchiha Clan's training ground, Itachi was already there. He was still honing his swordsmanship, sometimes even stopping to sharpen the short blade in his hand.
Sasuke noticed absolutely nothing strange about this.
All he felt now was the excitement of seeing his brother.
"Nii-san!"
"Oh, Sasuke. What brings you here?"
Itachi had not expected Sasuke to come looking for him here either. He watched as Sasuke's initially happy expression changed in an instant, and he turned his head away, refusing to look at him.
Sasuke's behavior left Itachi rather at a loss. What was going on with his little brother?
"Hmph, Nii-san, you promised to pick me up from school today, but I waited ages and never saw you."
Only after hearing Sasuke's words did Itachi remember that he had promised him yesterday. But after what had happened with Obito, he had been constantly on edge. How could he possibly remember a little thing like that?
"Sorry, Sasuke. I forgot."
"Hmph, since you've apologized so sincerely, I'll forgive you. But..." Sasuke changed tack. "But, Nii-san, you have to pick me up tomorrow evening and the evening after, and train with me too."
Itachi refused without even thinking. In two days, Obito would wipe out the Uchiha Clan, but he still had not decided whether to join him. Yet he was threatening him with Sasuke's life and the village's safety, making the choice difficult.
"Sasuke, I'm sorry. Next time."
Itachi tapped Sasuke's forehead and sighed. For the first time, he felt his strength was insufficient. If he were a little stronger, would he no longer have to fear this person's threats? Would he be able to protect Sasuke and the village? Would he be able to safeguard the Uchiha Clan? Would Shisui not have had to sacrifice himself?
While Itachi was still feeling melancholy, Sasuke grew displeased. Puffing out his cheeks, he looked unhappily at Itachi.
"How can you do this, Nii-san? You promised you'd train with me, and now you're going back on your word."
Itachi opened his mouth, wanting very much to explain things to Sasuke, but then remembered that mysterious Masked Man's plan for two days later. He could only close his mouth and remain silent, looking at Sasuke with reluctance to part in his eyes.
Now Sasuke was at a loss. He had actually just read reluctance to part in his brother's eyes. At that moment, he remembered Naruto's words all the more clearly. Naruto had told him his brother was being coerced, and that the person was even using his life to threaten his brother.
Especially now, his brother's unusual behavior lent even more weight to Naruto's words.
At that thought, Sasuke gritted his teeth and silently swore, Just you wait. Whoever you are, you dared threaten my nii-san. Sooner or later, I'll cut you down.
Sasuke could already guess that the person threatening his brother would carry out his plan within the next two days. He had to hurry and tell Naruto.
The next day, Sasuke told Naruto everything he had discovered and deduced.
Hearing this, Naruto lowered his head in thought.
Looks like that guy Obito is about to make his move. Tomorrow or the day after? Though we don't have an exact time, it'll almost certainly be at night. Couldn't I just take Sasuke along both nights?
Having made up his mind, Naruto gave Sasuke a meaningful look.
"Zhuzi, I've got a plan, but I'll need your cooperation. Whether it works is up to you."
Hearing this, Sasuke thumped his little chest so hard it made audible thuds and looked at Naruto with great confidence.
"Don't worry. Leave it to me. You can count on me."
Seeing Sasuke's inexplicably confident expression, Naruto really could not bear to discourage him, so he obediently kept his mouth shut. What if he dealt the kid a blow and he refused to cooperate? Wouldn't he be screwed?
He had no desire to fight both Itachi and Obito when the time came.
"Sasuke, come here. Let me explain the plan for tonight and tomorrow night. First we'll do this and this, then that and that..."
After listening, Sasuke looked at Naruto doubtfully.
"Naruto, will this plan of yours really work?"
"Trust me, little bro. Guaranteed. Anyway, just stick with me these next few nights."
"All right."
After turning it over in his head and coming up with no better solution, Sasuke could only agree to Naruto's plan for now. Hopefully, he could save his brother.
After classes ended that day, Naruto took Sasuke toward his house. Soon, the two confirmed that Itachi and Obito definitely would not act today, because they had not gone far before seeing Itachi coming out of the house. He had come to pick Sasuke up today.
Seeing this, Naruto discreetly signaled Sasuke with his eyes, telling him to go back with Itachi first.
"Bye, Sasuke. I'm heading home too."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Naruto."
Though Itachi was curious about why Sasuke was hanging out with Naruto, the village's Jinchūriki, at least his little brother was starting to make friends. That was a good thing.
The next day, Naruto escorted Sasuke home as usual. Just as Sasuke was about to head back with Naruto, someone called him to a halt. It was none other than Iruka.
"Sasuke Uchiha, I have something here that I need you to take care of."
"What is it, Iruka-sensei? I'm in a hurry to get home!"
Iruka did not waste words with Sasuke either. This was an order passed down from above, telling him to hold Sasuke back and make him return home later.
Seeing this, how could Sasuke fail to understand what was happening? Tonight was the night the Uchiha Clan would be massacred. With that thought, Naruto grabbed Sasuke without another word and ran toward his house.
"Let's go, Uchiha Sasuke! What the hell are you waiting for? Stop playing the good little boy. Hurry up!"
As the two neared the Uchiha Clan, Naruto took Sasuke up onto a utility pole very close to the Uchiha Clan Compound. Before long, they encountered the person they wanted to meet: Uchiha Itachi.
Now there were three of them on the utility pole, staring at one another. In the end, Naruto spoke first.
"Oi~ You want to perch here too?"