Chapter 8: Uchiha Sasuke
"A ninja from the future?"
"The Otsutsuki clan's invasion? The ninja world is in grave danger?"
Listening to Shiromo's account, Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame fell into a long silence. They seemed to be trying to digest what they were hearing and discern the truth.
Shiromo mentioned that he came from the ninja world of the future, but unlike previous gatherings, he didn't offer any proof, only mentioning it briefly. He then explained the Otsutsuki clan's future invasion of the ninja world.
Additionally, he spoke of the Akatsuki organization's changed goal, shifting from collecting the Tailed Beasts to gathering powerful forces. This included the goal of resurrecting Otsutsuki Kaguya.
"Is this the real world?... But if you told these things to the people of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, they wouldn't believe you at all, would they?" Hoshigaki Kisame remarked with some emotion.
"That's right. So, for now, the Five Great Shinobi Villages remain our enemies. However, if we weaken their power, it will still be difficult when facing the Otsutsuki clan in the future..."
Uchiha Itachi paused, observing Shiromo's expression.
"Itachi, for the future of the ninja world, are you willing to make some sacrifices and choices?" Shiromo didn't let Itachi continue his sentence but instead asked a direct question.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi frowned. He opened his mouth to speak but didn't. He was about to nod in agreement, but then he thought about his persona within the Akatsuki organization, which didn't seem to align with this decision. He swallowed his words.
"Strategist, you should first tell us specifically what you want Itachi-san to do. Knowing the details will allow Itachi-san to weigh whether to agree or not," Hoshigaki Kisame interjected from the side.
"Itachi, you have a younger brother in Konoha, right? What are your thoughts about him?" Shiromo asked as he walked ahead, a faint smile on his face.
Hearing Shiromo's question, Uchiha Itachi immediately stopped.
"...He's my spare eye, my new light," Itachi replied coldly.
"Then I'm sorry, Itachi, but for the future of the ninja world, I must stop you from doing this," Shiromo said, turning to face Uchiha Itachi. His expression was serious, and his posture, confident. With that acting, he could easily become an international superstar in Boruto.
"You mean…"
"Remember what I just said: the core principle of our Akatsuki's new goal is to gather all powerful forces. Uchiha Sasuke, as one of the strongest forces twenty years from now, is undeniably strong and virtuous. He's known as the Shadow Hokage."
Shiromo continued, "Although Sasuke and the Hokage were defeated by the Otsutsuki clan's enemies in a crushing defeat, Sasuke is still an invaluable asset."
After Shiromo finished speaking, it was Uchiha Itachi's turn to put on his acting.
"What is Shadow Hokage?" Uchiha Itachi asked, outwardly wearing a worried expression and furrowing his brows. But inwardly, he felt relief and joy.
This joy wasn't just because he had learned of Sasuke's future achievements but also because, according to Shiromo, Sasuke had gone from being a "superficial ally" to a true ally. At least, in his attitude toward Sasuke, that seemed to be the case.
"In the future, Uchiha Sasuke leaves the village under the guise of traveling the world, gathering intelligence on the Otsutsuki clan. He protects the village from the outside, like another Hokage, silently supporting it, this is the Shadow Hokage."
Shiromo continued, "However, while he claims to be protecting the village, he is actually protecting the world. After all, the Otsutsuki clan's goal isn't just to destroy Konoha, but the entire world."
Shiromo spoke as he took a scroll from his pouch. With a "thud," a stack of cards appeared in his hand. He flipped through them quickly and took out a card, handing it to Uchiha Itachi.
"These are 'Extreme: Shinobi Picture Scrolls' developed by a company in a peaceful future. This card is rare and valuable." Shiromo said.
Uchiha Itachi took the card and examined it. It depicted the profile of a middle-aged man. Before Shiromo put the other cards away, Itachi glanced at them. Most of the other cards featured frontal portraits, seemingly posed intentionally.
Only Sasuke's card showed a side profile.
If it weren't for the familiarity between brothers, even those in Konoha who had seen Sasuke before might not have recognized him.
And that side profile…
Even though it was just a glimpse, Itachi keenly noticed something.
That was… the Rinnegan?
The appearance of the Ninja Card further solidified Itachi's belief in Shiromo's words.
"The Rinnegan? Itachi-san's younger brother will have the same eyes as the leader in the future?" Kisame, watching from the side, noticed this detail and asked bluntly.
"That's right. As for how the Rinnegan came about, you'll find out during this mission. No need to rush," Shiromo responded, implying that they wouldn't be given all the details now.
Kisame said nothing more.
"I can let go of my murderous intent toward Sasuke. After all, if the ninja world is destroyed, I won't survive either. Then, strategist, could you tell me about the organization's, or rather, your plans regarding Sasuke?"
Uchiha Itachi silently put away the Ninja Card and then replied to Shiromo with an expression of inner struggle.
"The plans regarding Sasuke? What could they be? Nothing more than helping him avoid some detours and quickly improve his strength."
"Understood."
---
A Day and Night of Travel Later...
The three had crossed the Land of Fire. By morning, they were on the northwestern border, and now they were in the east, nearing their destination. They found an inn to rest.
Late at night, Uchiha Itachi was still pondering and analyzing what Shiromo had said during the day.
First of all, Shiromo's descriptions of the Otsutsuki clan and the various events from the future were highly credible.
One of Uchiha Itachi's current concerns was whether Shiromo, being from the future, knew about his role as a Konoha spy and his true feelings toward Sasuke.
After some thought, Itachi decided to abandon his investigation.
Whether Shiromo knew or not, without external interference, the final outcome would be the same.
Even if Shiromo knew his situation and was deliberately catering to his ideas, as long as the direction remained correct, Itachi had nothing to worry about.
Shiromo, meanwhile, slept soundly.
Sometimes, "intelligence" is indeed extremely important.
By understanding the specific personalities and aspirations of each member of Akatsuki, Shiromo could control everyone.
Just like with Itachi, he had to tell him part of the truth, letting him know that the future ninja world was on the verge of destruction, almost beyond saving.
Otherwise, characters like Uchiha Itachi, Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Naruto, and later Uchiha Sasuke would resist "time travel" and "altering history."
Unless faced with a world-ending threat, they would avoid changing the past, even if it required sacrifice, whether sacrificing themselves or others.
(End of this chapter)