"Sasuke!"
A voice called out.
Sasuke turned around and saw Shisui and the others. More than a dozen members of the Uchiha Clan, both young and old, had gathered together.
"Sasuke," someone said urgently, "you must teach Uchiha Itachi a lesson for us—please!"
A young Uchiha boy stepped forward. He looked about the same age as Sasuke. His eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down his face.
His entire family had died on the night of the Uchiha Clan massacre.
The others weren't much better off.
Uchiha Yu, his temper as fiery as ever, spoke in a deep voice, "Sasuke, Itachi practically grew up under my watch. He's a genius—terrifyingly so. His strength has likely reached an unfathomable level by now."
"But since he chose to side with Konoha and abandoned the clan, he no longer deserves to be called an Uchiha."
"Even if this mission costs you your life…" Yu paused, then bowed deeply.
"I still ask you—please."
Uchiha Yu and the dozen or so remaining clan members all bowed together.
"You all…"
Sasuke's expression shifted. His chest tightened.
"Although the orders came from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo Shimura, it was Uchiha Itachi who carried out the massacre," Yu continued. "He was easily swayed—and committed an unforgivable crime."
"We owe the departed souls of the Uchiha an explanation."
"If Naruto hadn't insisted on leaving this chance to you," Yu said coldly, "I would have challenged Uchiha Itachi to a fight to the death long ago!"
His emotions surged—and without realizing it, the three tomoe in his Sharingan twisted violently.
In the next instant, they transformed.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
Sasuke's pupils contracted.
He hadn't expected Uchiha Yu to have awakened the Mangekyō as well.
Of course—Yu had successfully awakened it with the aid of Hashirama Cells.
The rest of the Uchiha present had all awakened the Sharingan as well—each with fully matured Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
The oldest among them was barely twenty. The youngest was around Sasuke's age.
Some had already started dating. In just a few years, a brand-new Uchiha Clan could emerge within the shinobi world.
They were all Naruto's most loyal subordinates.
Without Naruto, the Uchiha Clan might truly have gone extinct. Sasuke alone could never have revived the clan.
And for these dozen or so people—given enough time—the Uchiha population could easily exceed a hundred.
Standing among them, Shisui let out a quiet sigh.
He understood Itachi's thinking… to some extent.
But the deaths of so many clan members were not something that could be brushed aside.
Since Itachi had chosen the wrong path, he should spend the rest of his life atoning for it.
As Itachi's old friend, Shisui didn't want him to die by his younger brother's hand.
"Sasuke," Shisui said solemnly, "no matter what… if you defeat Uchiha Itachi, let him atone—for the Uchiha Clan."
"Atonement?!"
The surrounding Uchiha were stunned.
A young man stepped forward angrily. "Are we really letting him off like that?! Our families died by his hand!"
"Aoshima, calm down," Shisui replied. "I know how you feel. But look at us—there are barely more than a dozen Uchiha left."
"How long would it take for us to revive the clan on our own?"
"It would be better… to let him contribute to the Uchiha's revival."
The moment those words fell—
Silence.
Uchiha Sasuke: "..."
The Uchiha members: "..."
Naruto, who had been listening nearby, suddenly spat out a mouthful of water, spraying the tea he had just taken.
Good grief.
Shisui, you look honest, but you're actually terrifying.
"Hahaha! As expected of Brother Shisui!" one young Uchiha laughed loudly.
"That's right! We should make Uchiha Itachi marry dozens of women and expand the clan!"
"Exactly! If he works hard dozens of times a day, the Uchiha will definitely flourish!" another chimed in.
"I can even ask Lord Orochimaru for some… medicine. In a few decades, our clan will be unstoppable!"
Several young Uchiha men looked as if they had discovered a new world, their eyes gleaming brightly.
"P–Pfft! Shameless!!"
The only two Uchiha girls present immediately flushed red—even Izumi's ears turned crimson.
"Tsk, tsk," Naruto clicked his tongue.
"It really has to be you, Shisui."
Yu sized up Shisui a few times, then clicked his tongue.
Shisui was left speechless.
He had thought about letting Itachi marry commoners as a way to make amends—but not to the extent of dozens. Was that even humanly possible?
"Alright, enough fooling around," Naruto said, cutting off the increasingly noisy crowd. "But honestly, it is a viable solution."
Judging by their enthusiasm, the Uchiha Clan might genuinely be revived in less than a century.
Naruto then turned to Sasuke. "Sasuke, how far have you progressed in controlling Susanoo?"
Sasuke answered steadily, "I can already activate the second stage. I should be able to master the later stages very soon."
"Good," Naruto nodded. "Be careful."
Then he added seriously, "If you die, I'll personally descend into the Pure Land and drag you back."
Despite the exaggerated wording, Naruto wasn't joking. In the original course of events, Itachi had held back, allowing Sasuke to win. But this was reality now—no one could predict the outcome. Caution was necessary.
Naruto patted Sasuke's shoulder, and a faint golden light flickered briefly in his palm.
"Cough—cough…"
Uchiha Itachi suddenly coughed violently, raising a hand to cover his mouth. When he lowered it, a streak of crimson stained his palm.
"My time… is almost up," Itachi murmured. "Sasuke… it's time."
His gaze drifted toward the distance.
He had searched for Sasuke before, but Umbrella's security was airtight. He had never found an opening.
Now, however, the moment had arrived.
"Mr. Itachi, are you alright?"
Kisame stepped closer, his tone carrying a hint of concern.
"I'm fine," Itachi replied calmly.
He discreetly wiped the blood away, but Kisame's sharp senses had already caught the faint metallic scent.
Kisame chose not to mention it. Instead, he studied the man before him.
Uchiha Itachi always felt like a figure shrouded in mist—no matter how close one stood, it was impossible to see through him.
After a moment, Kisame smiled faintly. "Brother Itachi… can someone who kills their fellow shinobi truly avoid a tragic end?"
"Can death really allow a person to see their true self?"
This was something they had discussed before.
Itachi leaned against a tree. After hearing Kisame's words, he straightened and began walking forward, his voice drifting back calmly:
"When you pick up the butcher's knife, you accept the pain of killing your comrades."
"That pain will follow you for your entire life—until the moment you die."
"Only then will you understand what kind of person you truly were."
"You are already steeped in sin," Itachi said softly.
"Only death can bring liberation."
(End of Chapter)
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