After speaking, Uchiha Itachi was still worried about showing any flaws, so he continued to add, "I believe Sasuke possesses the potential to surpass all past Uchiha generations. His power would greatly benefit your plans, wouldn't it?"
In reality, Uchiha Itachi couldn't wait to tell them the location.
Unfortunately, he was afraid of arousing their suspicion, so he had to disguise it with the art of negotiation to prevent them from questioning his intentions because of his straightforwardness.
"Moreover..."
Uchiha Itachi looked at the people present and added, "The Kotoamatsukami Mangekyo Sharingan jutsu has a very long cooldown time, with only one opportunity to use it in ten years. So, you'd better choose the right person..."
It didn't matter to mention the weakness of this Kotoamatsukami jutsu.
After all, it was only to deepen their trust in him.
Uehara Naraku curled his lips, chuckling softly, "We agree to all your conditions, after all, we are friends of Mr. Itachi, and Sasuke's power is also very important to us. Now, tell us on whom the Kotoamatsukami Sharingan is hidden!"
Uchiha Itachi took a deep breath, glanced at everyone present, and said solemnly, "The last time we went to the Land of Fire on a mission, I placed it on Uzumaki Naruto."
Uchiha Itachi continued, "The Kotoamatsukami Sharingan was the trump card I intended to leave for Sasuke because he knows what the Kotoamatsukami Sharingan truly signifies."
"Are you sure?"
Uehara Naraku squinted his eyes slightly, looking at Uchiha Itachi, "Is this the final answer, with no further changes, right?"
Yakushi Kabuto: "..."
Hoshigaki Kisame: "..."
Uchiha Obito: "..."
What the hell kind of language is this, thinking this is a test?
Uchiha Itachi nodded without a trace of concern and said in a low voice, "Hiding it on Uzumaki Naruto won't arouse suspicion, and I know Sasuke will surely meet Naruto, where he will receive the final power I left for him."
Clap, clap, clap...
Uehara Naraku squinted his eyes more tightly, smiling as he looked at Uchiha Itachi, suddenly starting to slowly clap his hands, "As expected of Mr. Itachi! If I hadn't heard you personally say it, perhaps we might never have guessed where that Kotoamatsukami was hidden."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi shook his head and responded in a calm voice, "I also didn't expect you all to be targeting that power, even scheming so deeply..."
"Very good."
Uehara Naraku took a deep breath, a notably cold and indifferent smile once again appearing on his face, "Then, please answer my final question, Mr. Itachi. Does that Kotoamatsukami Sharingan seal a jutsu loyal to Konoha?"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's heart skipped a beat.
How could they possibly know this?
Or is this group so astute that they can even guess what jutsu he would seal inside the Kotoamatsukami Sharingan in advance?
Uchiha Itachi felt tumultuous inside, yet he shook his head calmly and said, "That Kotoamatsukami Mangekyo Sharingan can only be used once in over a decade. It was meant to be left for Sasuke to use against the most challenging enemy he will face in the future.
According to my estimation, the power of Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-tailed Jinchuuriki, should be the strongest potential threat to Sasuke in the future, also the enemy most likely to endanger him."
"Very, very good!"
Uehara Naraku stretched and waved his hand, saying, "Kabuto, seal Mr. Itachi up! In the future, take him to find that Kotoamatsukami Sharingan!"
After that, Uehara Naraku stopped Yakushi Kabuto's actions, asking, "By the way, Mr. Itachi, I forgot to tell you one thing. The last time you went to see Uzumaki Naruto in the Land of Fire, I was actually the one controlling him."
"What?"
Uchiha Itachi's face revealed a touch of astonishment.
The next moment, Uchiha Itachi comprehended it all, was it possible that they had long ago guessed that the Kotoamatsukami Crow was hidden on Uzumaki Naruto?
Moreover, Uehara Naraku had just mentioned whether the Kotoamatsukami Sharingan sealed a jutsu loyal to Konoha, indicating they had already guessed accurately, at least they would be well-prepared when they went to seize that Kotoamatsukami!
Or perhaps Uzumaki Naruto was also one of their agents!
Uehara Naraku was also very adept at communication and persuasion, like how he easily persuaded Uchiha Sasuke; Uzumaki Naruto shared similar traits, for instance, how he easily persuaded himself.
Perhaps Uzumaki Naruto had long been a spy these people placed in Konoha!
Uchiha Itachi's face finally showed signs of faltering, his gaze fixed intently on Uehara Naraku, "Did you guess that I would place the Kotoamatsukami on Naruto after meeting him? Or is Uzumaki Naruto also one of yours?"
"Hehe..."
Uehara Naraku smiled as he looked at Uchiha Itachi and said, "If you were going to the Land of Fire for the last time while alive, wouldn't you want to secure a safer place for your brother?
So I particularly arranged for you to meet Uzumaki Naruto, making you think there were friends in Konoha hoping for Sasuke's return."
The smile on Uehara Naraku's face deepened, he looked satisfiedly at the progressing mainline mission on his system panel, chuckling as he continued, "From the moment you set foot in the Land of Fire, I had already arranged your life."
"Uehara Naraku!"
Uchiha Itachi's face changed drastically.
He never imagined he would be so manipulated! Neither Uchiha Obito nor Shimura Danzo had ever been able to scheme him like this!
Just how terrifying are these individuals?
What exactly is their purpose?
Uchiha Itachi knew nothing about it, he had only seen their true faces twice in total, and each time they left him greatly shocked, with a vague sense of fear!
"Uehara Naraku!"
Uchiha Itachi's expression was exceedingly grim, he could only ask, "Is Uzumaki Naruto one of yours? Is that Nine-tailed Jinchuuriki your planted spy?"
It's no wonder Uchiha Itachi overthought, after all, this group was too frightening, and hid so deeply. Who would know if that always straightforward Uzumaki Naruto was just an act!
After all, Uchiha Itachi hadn't known before the terrifying side of Uehara Naraku, someone he had never taken seriously before!
If that's the case...
Then Uchiha Sasuke would have no place in the Ninja World!
"Hehe..."
Uehara Naraku curled his lips, smiling, he waved at Uchiha Itachi, "Alright, don't be angry, you can take a guess!
Honestly, Uehara dreams of having Uzumaki Naruto as his man.
Unfortunately, fools beat geniuses, and Uzumaki Naruto doesn't fall into traps!
An upright, childish, and silly Uzumaki Naruto is far harder to deceive than a high-IQ guy like Uchiha Sasuke.
Until Yakushi Kabuto used a coffin to store Uchiha Itachi, his face remained exceedingly grim, staring fiercely at the people present, "I never expected it to be you guys hiding behind the scenes, orchestrating others' lives..."
"Shh, don't say that..."
Uehara Naraku raised a finger to his lips, smiling as he said, "Mr. Itachi, didn't you also arrange Sasuke's life? Why bother when someone else arranges yours, you feel so unhappy?"