!
"…"
"Very well." Obito understood Madara's intention and nodded. "I will devise a strategy to bring the Uchiha clan to our side."
Madara's voice was cold and dismissive. "Since you act in my name, there is no need for pretense. Speak to them directly. They are miserable in Konoha. If they wish to join our cause, then accept them. If they do not, that is their choice. Let them wait to be devoured by Konoha's hypocrisy."
"I foresaw this outcome long ago, but the clan had grown weary of conflict, and no one would follow me then. Now… I will grant them another chance."
"I do this only for the sake of my son, Shiro. Otherwise, I would not bother with them at all."
It was the first time Shiro had made such a suggestion. Though it might have been a casual, unintentional remark, Madara adopted it without a second thought. After all, it could do no harm. More importantly, he did not want to discourage his son. To raise him properly, he could not dismiss anything Shiro said. Encouragement and recognition were the best methods to foster the growth of a child's character.
Obito said, "Okay. I will go to the Hidden Mist Village tomorrow. After I have concluded my business there, I will make contact with the Uchiha clan."
Hearing this, Shiro interrupted. "Obito, nii if you are busy, I can handle the Uchiha in Konoha. Believe me, I can do it."
"???"
Uchiha Madara, Obito, and Black and White Zetsu were all stunned into silence.
Madara was the first to speak. "Son, I know you wish to share your father's burdens, but you are still too young. When you have grown and can stand on your own, then I will let you go out, understand? Your father worries about you."
Obito added, "Shiro, be good and listen to your father. I can handle being your nanny. Leave the difficult work to me; you just need to focus on growing up healthy and strong."
White Zetsu chirped, "Shiro, have you been bored these past few days? I won't go anywhere tomorrow. I'll stay home and play with you all day, okay?"
Black Zetsu's raspy voice added, "And me. It is my turn to hold you while you sleep tonight. I recently learned a new bedtime story, 'The Shadow in Search of His Mother.' The shadow's mother was sealed away by evil forces, and he endures great hardships just to find her. The story is very inspiring. You will like it."
Shiro knew they would never let him go. They loved him too much and were terrified of him facing any danger. But he had been cooped up in the base for years and felt as if his body was turning to rust. Moreover, he had not triggered a single system task since it first activated. No tasks meant no rewards beyond the yearly sign-in, and that cycle was far too long. He yearned to go out and explore. Besides, his father's subordinates were, by extension, his own. The Akatsuki belonged to Madara, and therefore, to him. Why not do something that had no disadvantages and only benefits?
"Father! Please, just let me go. If you are worried, you can ask White Zetsu and Black Zetsu to accompany me. These past few days, Obito has been running around day and night. I just want to help share some of your worries."
As he spoke, Shiro deployed his ultimate weapon: he acted spoiled. The trick worked every time. Madara was completely unable to resist it.
"Alright… very well." Looking at Shiro's pitiful, begging expression, Madara's resolve melted instantly.
"White Zetsu, Black Zetsu! Tomorrow, you will take Shiro and infiltrate Konoha. But you must protect him with your lives!"
White Zetsu puffed out its chest. "Tsk tsk, do not worry, Madara. Shiro is my dearest as well. How could I ever let him be harmed?"
"Good. See that you don't."
Madara turned his head, his large hand gently rubbing Shiro's.
"Son, it will likely take a few years for your father to fully recover. While I am recuperating, I will not be able to accompany you for long periods. But when I return to my prime, I will make up for all this lost time. Don't you think I'm being too clingy then."
"No, father. How could I ever get tired of you?"
"Hahahaha! You are truly my son. Come! I will take you to train. Today, we will focus on ninjutsu other than Fire Style!"
"Okay, father!"
In Konoha Village, within the Uchiha clan's territory, the sun had just begun to rise. Uchiha Itachi gently pushed open the door to his home, trying to return to his bedroom without being noticed. He didn't want to disturb Sasuke, nor did he want his father to know he had been out all night.
"Itachi, where have you been?"
Uchiha Fugaku's serious voice echoed from the main hall. Itachi turned quickly and saw his father sitting cross-legged on the tatami, his arms folded across his chest, a dignified and imposing figure. It seemed Fugaku had not slept at all, sitting there since the night before. After such a catastrophic event, as the clan leader, his mind was a storm of worry that sleep could not quell.
Uchiha Itachi hesitated for a moment, then responded calmly, "Father, I could not sleep, so I went to the river to practice. I have just returned." Itachi did not tell his father the truth. He had always been one to keep his burdens to himself.
Uchiha Fugaku knew his son well. In the past, he would have chosen to turn a blind eye, but now, he could not afford to indulge Itachi's secrecy.
"Itachi, did you go to the Naka Shrine? I was just informed that you were seen leaving it."
Hearing this, Itachi was slightly startled. It seemed he could not keep his secret this time.
"Father, I met a mysterious man wearing a mask last night. He has the Sharingan, and…"
Hearing the word "Sharingan," Fugaku's eyes slowly widened. He leaned forward. "And what?"
"He calls himself… Uchiha Madara!"
"Who did you say?!" Uchiha Fugaku was completely stunned. Why were so many strange, impossible things happening all at once? Last night, two of his most trusted men had apparently gone to assassinate the Hokages. And now, his son was claiming to have met Uchiha Madara. Were they all going mad? Was he the only sane person left? Uchiha Madara was a figure of legend!
"Itachi, will you still not tell me the truth?"
"If you do not wish to speak of it, then fine! But why do you mock me with the name of our ancestors? Do you truly take your father for a fool?"
"After the battle at the Valley of the End, whether Uchiha Madara lived or died was a mystery, but so many years have passed! Even if he was not dead then, he cannot possibly be alive now!" Uchiha Fugaku's voice was strained with disbelief and frustration.
Itachi didn't bother trying to explain further. After all, he had also thought the man was lying at first.
"Father, he took me to the Naka Shrine and spoke of the Infinite Tsukuyomi and the Rinnegan. He said he had deciphered everything on the stone tablet."
"!!!"
Uchiha Fugaku froze, his shock so profound he couldn't speak.
Seeing his father's reaction, Itachi continued, "He said that the Uchiha clan's ultimate purpose is to successfully activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi, that it is the true power of the Sharingan."
"Father, what are your thoughts on this?"
"…"
Uchiha Fugaku remained speechless for a long time. When he finally found his voice, it was a strained whisper. "Itachi, why did he seek you out?"
"That… I do not know," Itachi lied. He would not reveal Shisui's suicide, the eyes entrusted to him, or the awakening of his own Mangekyō Sharingan. He had made a promise to his friend.
Uchiha Fugaku frowned, studying his son's impassive face. "Then… can you take me to see him? This man who calls himself Madara…"
Itachi replied, "He did not tell me where he is hiding. He only said that he would find me again."
"Oh…"
Uchiha Fugaku lowered his head, lost in thought.
"Alright. The next time he comes to you, you must call for me. Try not to be alone with him. I fear you could be in danger."
"I understand, father."
"You have not slept all night. Go back to your room and get some rest."
"Yes."
Uchiha Itachi bowed and turned back toward his bedroom. Inside, Sasuke was sleeping soundly, a peaceful smile on his face, lost in a sweet dream. Itachi smiled softly, picked up the blanket Sasuke had kicked to the floor, and gently covered him.
Sasuke, do not worry. No matter what happens in the future, I will protect you. Always.
__________________________
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