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In a desolate, uninhabited place.
"First, I must thank you. Because of you, Konoha avoided a civil war, and the village's peace has been preserved," the Third Hokage said to Itachi, who knelt on one knee behind him.
Itachi responded, "Yes."
The Third continued, "However, I still regret that we couldn't find another way."
"I'm sorry," Itachi said.
"The one who should apologize is me. From now on, Konoha will brand you as a rogue ninja who slaughtered your clan. You'll be listed on the wanted list and hunted, dead or alive."
"That's only natural," Itachi replied.
The Third turned slightly to look at Itachi. "What are your plans moving forward?"
Itachi lowered his head and answered, "I sought help from someone claiming to be part of the Akatsuki organization. I'll follow them to ensure they keep their word."
The Third paused, surprised. "The Akatsuki? The organization Kagaya joined?"
"Yes."
"Sigh, so that's how it is. The two prodigies of the Uchiha have ended up together after all."
Itachi didn't want to discuss this with the Third. There was only one thing on his mind now, and he couldn't help but speak up. "To protect Sasuke's life, can you, Lord Third, make me a promise?"
"Your brother will continue living as he is, attending the academy and growing up as a Konoha ninja like the other children. I can ensure his life is secure, but as for his hatred toward you, I'm powerless to change that."
Itachi lowered his head slightly, satisfied with the Third's words. "I'm prepared to bear that hatred."
"Go now. The barrier seals around the village won't be altered. If you're worried about Sasuke, you can always sneak back to check on him."
"Lord Third…" Itachi was surprised. He hadn't expected the Third to go this far for him. He apologized again. "I'm sorry the Uchiha couldn't understand your good intentions."
Indeed, while the Third's pursuit of stability indirectly led to the Uchiha's annihilation, in truth, he had never considered using force to suppress them. He had always sought a peaceful resolution to their grievances, hoping to gradually improve their treatment.
"No, it was my naivety that caused this tragedy," the Third admitted.
---
Outside Konoha's gates, Itachi stood on a tree branch, gazing at the village with a hint of sorrow. After living there for over a decade, he was now leaving.
Suddenly, two ANBU ninjas appeared behind him. They were once his subordinates, but more accurately, they were Root operatives assigned to him by Danzo. Despite being labeled ANBU, they were loyal to Root.
"Why are you here now?" Itachi asked first. He had already defected from Konoha, so there was no reason for them to follow him.
"You're a wanted rogue ninja now, Captain, an S-rank one at that," one of them said.
"As Root operatives, we have to make a show of pursuing you," the other added.
"'Please go easy on us!'" they said in unison before attacking.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew in the dense forest as their weapons clashed.
Finally, with the sound of metal striking metal, Itachi and the two Root operatives landed on the ground.
Itachi stared at them. "That was a bit too ruthless for just 'making a show.'"
"The Sharingan won't work on us."
"We're not looking into your eyes, Captain."
The two Root operatives spoke smugly. From the start, their intent had been to kill Itachi, likely under Danzo's orders. To Danzo, Itachi was merely a tool to eliminate the Uchiha—disposable once used.
"The Sharingan's useless? Then how about this?"
Before anyone could react, a hand grabbed one Root operative's head and slammed it into the other's with devastating force.
Crack!
It was as if two watermelons had collided at high speed, shattering instantly.
It happened so fast that neither the Root operatives nor Itachi could react.
Kagaya stepped back, avoiding the splatter from the shattered heads.
It was Kagaya who had acted.
He greeted Itachi. "Let's go. I was waiting here for you and saw that scene. I know you could've handled them, but when I saw Root operatives, I couldn't hold back."
Itachi gave a faint smile. "It's fine. It doesn't matter who took them out. You've gotten stronger, Kagaya."
During his four months lurking in Konoha, Kagaya hadn't been idle. He trained relentlessly, and now his Body Flicker Technique was so fast that even a three-tomoe Sharingan could barely track it. With his Sharingan and proficiency in Lightning, Fire, and Earth techniques, Kagaya had secretly learned numerous jutsu. Copying techniques with the Sharingan wasn't exclusive to Kakashi.
"Let's not talk about that now. We should go."
"Alright."
---
On the way to the Akatsuki's base, Obito spoke up, as was his habit, to explain his identity to Itachi and Izumi. "In the organization, everyone calls me Tobi. I'm currently Kagaya's partner, just a low-skill intern assigned by the leader to temporarily team up with him. Mind your attitude toward me."
"Why hide your identity?" Itachi asked.
Obito glanced at him. "You and Kagaya have both asked that question. There's no real reason. It's just that letting people know Uchiha Madara is still alive would cause a lot of trouble."
"Ah!" Izumi gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
Kagaya and Itachi either knew or had guessed Obito's surface identity, but Izumi was completely unaware. Hearing that the person before her was the legendary Uchiha Madara stunned her.
"So, I hope you'll keep your mouth shut, woman," Obito said coldly, turning his gaze to Izumi.
Of the three, Obito was least confident in Izumi. Both Itachi and Kagaya had exceptional mental fortitude, but Izumi, startled just by hearing he was Uchiha Madara, showed such low resilience. If not for Itachi and Kagaya's insistence on protecting her, Obito would have killed her already.
After the warning, Obito continued, "The Akatsuki operates in teams of two. When you arrive, Itachi, the leader will assign you a partner. By the way, the leader knows my identity."
Itachi glanced at Izumi and asked, "What about Izumi?"
"Her? She has a three-tomoe Sharingan, but she doesn't know how to use it. Even if she did, a single three-tomoe Sharingan isn't enough to qualify. At best, she can be an intern like me."
"Do interns get paired with full members?" Itachi asked.
Obito paused, glancing at himself and Kagaya, then shook his head. "I'm an exception. When Kagaya first joined, his strength wasn't up to par, so he was temporarily paired with me, an intern. Normally, interns don't team up with full members."
Itachi shook his head. "I don't feel comfortable leaving Izumi alone in the Akatsuki."
"As long as you don't betray the organization, they won't touch her," Obito assured.
"I want to be paired with Izumi."
Obito fell silent. He didn't want this. To him, Izumi was a tool to control Itachi, who in turn could control Kagaya. In Obito's ideal plan, upon returning, Kagaya would be reassigned to a full member, while Obito would pair with Izumi to keep both Itachi and Kagaya in check.
But Itachi had clearly sensed this and was resolute in keeping Izumi by his side.
"Fine. I'll talk to the leader about it," Obito said.
Hmph. Obito grumbled inwardly. He had a pawn he was about to discard, and he planned to use it to teach Itachi a lesson.
*****
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