Chapter 33: I Have Great Capacity!
Yasushi flipped mid-air, landing steadily. He wiped his face with his hand, clearing away the bloody tears beneath his eyes.
When he looked up again, his vision was indeed somewhat blurry. But with Yang Release nourishment, it quickly recovered completely. Moreover, the eyeball that regrew after damage had certain original defects somewhat repaired.
It was foreseeable that with just a few more times like this, his Mangekyo Sharingan would likely evolve on its own into the Eternal Mangekyo.
Pain descended gradually from the sky, separating the two from the middle. With a flick of his finger, he sent a ring before Yasushi, saying in a matter-of-fact tone:
"Put on this ring. From now on, you are Akatsuki's eighth member, codename 'North.'"
"Within Akatsuki, internal fighting is forbidden."
"I don't care what grievances you have with Itachi. You're forbidden from deadly combat with him hereafter."
Pain stared intently at Yasushi, his expression suggesting the slightest disagreement would warrant a lesson.
Who knew Yasushi would unhesitatingly reach out to accept the ring, wearing it on his left middle finger while grinning cheerfully:
"'North'?"
"The Southern Dipper governs life, the Northern Dipper governs death—this ring suits me quite well."
"Hey, leader, don't look at me like that!"
"Don't worry— Though Itachi and I have a grudge, revenge doesn't necessarily require killing him."
"Sometimes living is worse than dying!"
"Once you close your eyes—knowing nothing anymore—that's too comfortable!"
"For beasts like him, killing him would be too merciful!"
"I'll destroy his beloved Konoha Village and let him properly experience what hell means."
"However, leader, though I have great understanding and don't mind setting aside our grudge, his side doesn't seem to have my level of understanding. His little brother dies, and he acts like his life is over."
"Kekeke..."
After listening, Pain turned his head, coldly looking toward Itachi.
"Itachi, what's your stance?"
Itachi's face showed exposed veins, teeth clenched tightly, breathing heavily. His Mangekyo Sharingan stared fixedly at Yasushi's grinning appearance, looking ready to devour him alive.
This continued for a moment until Pain gradually lost patience. Only then did Itachi slowly close his eyes, using his sleeve to wipe away the bloody tears beneath before responding in a hoarse voice:
"I understand."
"I'll restrain my emotions. I won't casually engage in deadly combat with him."
"Very good." Pain nodded with satisfaction, then turned to look at Yasushi.
"Since you've already joined Akatsuki, stop using Itachi's appearance. Who exactly are you?"
Yasushi canceled the Transformation Technique, restoring his true appearance.
"My name is Uchiha Yasushi. Originally an ordinary jonin who, with Itachi's 'help,' successfully awakened the Mangekyo."
"As thanks, I incidentally chopped off his little brother's head, seeing if I could properly repay Itachi."
Seeing Yasushi intending to provoke again, Pain frowned and shouted:
"Enough! Stop provoking Itachi further!"
"Everyone return to the village to discuss how to respond to Konoha Village's imminent retaliation."
Thinking these matters were all caused by this fellow before him, Pain couldn't help feeling annoyed, glaring viciously at Yasushi.
Then he saw Yasushi suddenly raise his arm high, calling out cheerfully:
"Leader, I want to report!"
" Itachi didn't truly betray the village. He's Hiruzen Sarutobi's bitch—a spy sent by Konoha Village!"
"If we're going to war with Konoha Village, we must first purge this spy!"
"Otherwise, before Konoha Village even attacks, all intelligence on everyone in Akatsuki will leak!"
Hearing this, Pain frowned again.
But when the two Uchiha were fighting to the death earlier, emotions ran high and all sorts of intelligence leaked out.
He'd heard very clearly— Itachi was indeed following orders from Konoha Village's high leadership when carrying out the clan extermination plan.
Then this so-called "rogue ninja" claim indeed seemed untenable. Whether this person was trustworthy remained questionable.
Facing Pain's doubtful gaze, Itachi said coldly:
"Perhaps I wasn't Konoha Village's rogue ninja before, but after this guy made such a scene impersonating my identity, even if I wanted to avoid being a rogue ninja, it's impossible now."
This wasn't wrong. If a ninja killed the Hokage's grandson, abducted the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, and directly or indirectly caused many elite village ninja deaths, they'd absolutely have to become a rogue ninja.
If someone could still receive Konoha Village's forgiveness under these circumstances, that person must have deep background connections.
For example, the Third's good disciple, the Seventh's good friend, and such.
Pain nodded, declaring conclusively:
"Itachi's identity is beyond doubt. No further questioning of this matter."
Yasushi pursed his lips, saying nothing.
Outsiders couldn't understand Mangekyo Uchiha obsessions. No explanation would help.
The Mangekyo Sharingan itself was unreasonable. Using common sense to judge Mangekyo Uchiha behavioral logic was completely wrong.
All Mangekyo Uchiha were madmen, without exception.
Without becoming obsessed, one couldn't awaken. Those insufficiently crazed couldn't awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Seeing Yasushi silent, Pain used Body Flicker to leave, returning to the village.
Others also returned to the village one after another. Uchiha Yasushi followed behind them, arriving together at the Rain Village.
Rain began falling continuously from the sky again, pattering down—like Itachi crying.
But Yasushi was quite cheerful, walking along looking around, completely ignoring the murderous gaze frequently directed at him from behind, treating Itachi as nonexistent.
Soon everyone arrived at the central tower—the god's dwelling and Akatsuki's headquarters.
After entering the conference hall, everyone took seats in order. Pain sat in the main position. Beside him sat someone wearing a mask, revealing only one eye—inside which a blood-red three-tomoe Sharingan clearly belonged to Uchiha Obito.
Wasn't this guy always scheming in the shadows? Why did he emerge today?
Because Itachi was introduced to join?
Or did he feel the war with Konoha Village would erupt soon, so continued hiding was unnecessary?
Not only did he have doubts—other Akatsuki members also found it very strange, not knowing what background this suddenly appearing unfamiliar Uchiha had.
Seeming to sense everyone's confusion, Pain introduced:
"This is Akatsuki's collaborator, one of Konoha Village's earliest founders who, together with First Hokage Senju Hashirama, swept away the chaotic era and created the shinobi village system—the legendary Uchiha Madara!"
"Oh!" This title was quite frightening, immediately intimidating most present, who collectively gasped.
If someone else introduced him, everyone would certainly disbelieve. But Pain was so arrogant, calling himself a god, not considering anyone worthy. Yet now solemnly introducing this person—this person's identity immediately gained some credibility.
Uchiha Obito pretentiously nodded, about to say a few words when suddenly hearing a "pfft" sound from beside him Yasushi burst out laughing.
"HahahaHahahahahahahahaahhaah..." Yasushi covered his belly with one hand, looking ready to roll on the ground. His other hand pointed at Obito, tears of laughter nearly flowing.
"This guy dares call himself Uchiha Madara?"
"If he's Uchiha Madara, then I'm the Sage of Six Paths, Otsutsuki Hagoromo!"
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