Chapter 224: The Uchiha Relics Unearthed?
"Sasuke's relatives?"
Kitagawa Gen's face darkened as he looked at the mission details.
He knew the reward would be substantial; exclusive side quests were never disappointing.
But why do all these missions have to be so… morbid?
Even with his experience handling grim missions, having them stacked back-to-back was exhausting.
The mission itself wasn't difficult—Edo Tensei would handle it—but the complication lay elsewhere.
It seems… his 'relatives' are all rather abstract.
Uchiha Fugaku had gone silent. This old man, more indecisive than even Sarutobi Hiruzen at times, exhibited a bizarre duality—alternating between stubbornness and weakness—that left Gen dumbfounded.
"Although… he did get tricked by Uchiha Itachi," Gen recalled suddenly.
Itachi had acted as a double agent. Sarutobi couldn't have been unaware, and yet Kakashi had taken him to the ANBU surveillance room, showing him how thoroughly the Uchiha were monitored.
It was probably meant to send a message to the Uchiha: we see everything you do. Don't even think about acting rashly.
Yet Fugaku had said nothing.
And when Itachi invaded his home, he just… waited to die?
Defeat had seemed inevitable—his eldest son had already betrayed them. But Fugaku was the clan leader. Shouldn't he have fought to protect others?
Gen shook his head. He wasn't mad; he simply couldn't comprehend it.
And Shisui too… so easily revealing his doujutsu, unaware of the danger. And after Danzo's attack, despair drove him to throw himself into the river. Incredible.
Gen rubbed his temples. This house visit wasn't going to be easy.
Moreover…
The house visits should include everyone. Itachi's Edo Tensei isn't under my control. Could it be…
Gen's gaze fell on Naruto. From a chakra perspective, this guy seemed like Sasuke's "real brother."
Or maybe Uchiha Obito and Nagato have their own plans, and Itachi's Edo Tensei will show up too.
The mission was outrageous, yet these tasks often contained foresight, giving Gen a tactical advantage and time to prepare.
For example, his first encounter with Itachi had come with a miraculous mission notification. And when he met Uchiha Obito, it was practically a personal alert.
So this… might be another warning, bundled with the chance to complete Sasuke's exclusive side quest.
Gen stroked his chin, pondering seriously. Kakashi had also snapped back to focus.
"Never mind. Let's see how the village arranges this. And you… why are you being so obedient all of a sudden?"
"I'm thinking of using my influence. These tasks aren't difficult for me, after all."
Gen smiled at Kakashi.
If the village won't do it, I will. Edo Tensei or not, I can handle it.
"Huh?"
Guy's eyes went wide, a spark of excitement in them. Kakashi rubbed his temple, sighing.
"I think it's better to wait for the village's plan. Don't act recklessly, Gen."
"Tch, Kakashi-sensei, you're out of touch."
Gen scoffed, tilting his head back, arms crossed, and speaking with deliberate arrogance:
"Although you're my mentor, I am the future Hokage!"
"…Didn't you forget something?" Kakashi deadpanned.
"?"
"You're supposed to say: You'll regret it."
Kakashi gave up on reasoning with his student. He had no idea how Gen's brain worked—but the line sounded familiar. He might have heard something like it from Gen before.
"And, Kakashi-sensei…"
Before Kakashi could ask, Gen spoke again.
"What if Sasuke's father, mother, and even Itachi all appeared together?"
"…."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, troubled. He suddenly realized something.
"Wait—you're planning to resurrect Sasuke's parents and then confront Itachi?"
"That… isn't so bad, right?"
Guy frowned, sensing Gen's extremism.
"Even if Itachi is a villain, they are still parents…"
"Where's the problem? Itachi slaughtered the entire clan, including them."
Gen shook his head, a tragic yet righteous look on his face.
"I see this as giving them a chance to take revenge personally. They may be his parents, but he is the murderer of their entire clan."
"…Are you hoping for something?" Kakashi's dead-fish eyes stared blankly. Guy rubbed his forehead.
"And Sasuke will have defeated their killer. They need to know, so their grief can be soothed," Gen continued.
"…."
Kakashi still thought Gen's ideas were extreme, but Guy was simpler-minded.
"Seems like that makes sense. Gen really is… compassionate."
Kakashi tilted his head at Guy. Compassionate? He had to laugh. If he hadn't stopped him, three years ago in the Land of Waves, Gen would've hired a killer against the employer.
All in one neat little family. Compassionate, my foot.
True, he was kind to the villagers—no argument there.
"And, Kakashi-sensei," Gen spoke again, just as Kakashi was questioning his sense of 'kindness.'
"As mentors to them, we've been negligent. We haven't done Sasuke's house visit yet!"
"…."
"Now that we have the means and resources, why not do it?"
"…Everyone else has done it. Only Sasuke remains. You wouldn't want him to be the only student without a house visit, right, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Stop. Just stop."
Kakashi had no energy to scold his student. He knew Gen had no good intentions anyway. And as for Fugaku… they had all read the files. They knew exactly the type of man he was.
"I'll talk to the Third Hokage about it. Maybe it'll be fine."
"All right."
Gen nodded, confident it wouldn't be a problem. Especially since the Second Hokage would likely approve of his plan.
"Hmm?"
As he pondered, several ANBU members approached.
"It's Yamato."
Kakashi immediately recognized his junior in the ANBU. He stood, smiling.
"What brings you here?"
"Long time no see, Kakashi-senpai," Yamato said, smiling beneath his mask.
"The Hokage wants you to visit the ANBU base."
"Oh?"
Kakashi paused thoughtfully. Guy stood as well, but Gen merely smiled knowingly.
Seems like… it's been unearthed.
Several days had passed since Gen's fabrication. The ANBU had been tirelessly digging, and now there was finally a result—slower than expected, but still.
"By the way… can they see the information above?"
Suddenly, Gen's expression shifted. If both the First and Second Hokage Edo Tensei were unable to see it, that would be a huge problem…
...
"Blacky… Obito, they've dug it up."
Inside the Akatsuki base, White Zetsu's half-body twitched. He grinned at Obito and the others.
"Oh? They actually found it!"
Obito's eyes narrowed. Black Zetsu simply nodded calmly.
"Not surprising. I had identified a few possible locations, but I couldn't be sure. I couldn't make any big moves… and yet they…"
"I understand."
Obito nodded, while White Zetsu pursed his lips, muttering, Well, that's our doing, isn't it?
Obito didn't notice anything amiss. He turned his gaze toward Orochimaru.
"So, how's the preparation going this time?"
"Although I think this plan is somewhat unreliable," Orochimaru replied, licking his lips and letting out a hoarse laugh, "since you insist, I'm happy to cooperate."
"The Edo Tensei has been fully upgraded, and thanks to the high-quality materials you provided, I think this time we'll have a solid performance."
"Let's hope so."
Obito didn't have high expectations. His demands were simple:
As long as it can hold back Kitagawa Gen, everything else is fine.
"Hold him back, huh?"
Orochimaru nodded. Obito was pragmatic; he never imagined relying solely on Edo Tensei to turn the tide.
"Don't worry. That part won't be an issue."
"Then Obito, get ready. We'll depart soon."
Black Zetsu intervened just in time, cutting them off, wary that Orochimaru might reveal something he shouldn't.
"Time is short. We can't delay."
"All right. I'll go check on Nagato first."
Obito paused, thinking. Nagato was still within his Kamui range, so he needed to handle that before leaving.
"Meet in five minutes. Then we move!"
Before anyone could respond, he vanished. Only after Obito had completely disappeared did Black Zetsu speak in a low voice.
"Orochimaru, everything you need has been prepared. How about your side?"
"The Hyuga Clan? Do you really think that's the key?" Orochimaru's curiosity was piqued as he licked his lips.
"Like the Senju and Uchiha? Kaguya and the Hyuga…"
"Very likely. Don't forget—Kaguya and the Hyuga are connected."
Black Zetsu sighed. He didn't want to say these things, but at this point, there was no holding back.
"Obtaining the Byakugan should take care of Kimimaro. And Uchiha Madara…"
"Relax. I know what I'm doing."
Orochimaru smiled, his lips curling in anticipation.
"As long as everything goes smoothly, I promise you a peak-power Uchiha Madara."
"That will do…"
Black Zetsu allowed himself a small smile, though a trace of disdain lingered in his mind.
Do you even know what Madara at his peak really looks like…
Meanwhile, as the Akatsuki prepared, the Second Elder of the Moon's Branch Family arrived outside Konoha, accompanied by Toneri.
"Grandfather, where are we?" Toneri asked curiously.
The Second Elder smiled faintly.
"A place where you can find a suitable pair of eyes."
In truth, the elder could have simply given Toneri his own eyes. But at the end of his life, he preferred to burn out searching for something better—especially since they had already targeted the 'Byakugan Princess.'
Originally, they had hoped she would become Toneri's wife, ensuring their lineage would continue.
"But given the current situation, we should consider something more practical."
He glanced up at the silver moon hanging in the night sky.
Three years had passed. That one guy probably wasn't still watching, right?
"Then…"
The Second Elder muttered under his breath. Suddenly, he sensed something. His Byakugan activated instantly.
What a coincidence… they're here? And it seems they want to do something.
"Perfect. We can use these inferior beings to obtain what I want."