In the headquarters, the Five Kage were urgently discussing countermeasures.
Currently, the situation in the Ninja World was becoming more and more complex. In addition to dealing with the Akatsuki organization, the high-profile appearance of 'Upper Rank One' also gave the Five Kage a headache.
Especially the elite squad sent to annihilate 'Upper Rank One', unexpectedly being heavily damaged by Itachi alone, made them both surprised at Itachi's strength and suspicious of Itachi's stance. If Itachi was not on the side of the Ninja Village Alliance, then the previous secret transmission of intelligence was worth their deep contemplation.
Fortunately, the Akatsuki group led by 'A' did not jump out to disrupt the situation at this time, giving their irritable mood considerable comfort.
However, they also knew that the time window left for them to solve Nagato was running out.
Because even if the group of 'A' had internal strife due to 'B's betrayal, no matter how strong 'B' was, it was impossible to fight against the entire organization led by 'A' alone for a long time. So once the group of 'A' completed suppressing the rebellion, they would very likely join this Ninja War.
At that time, if the Ninja Village Alliance side still hadn't defeated Nagato's Akatsuki group and rescued all the abducted Jinchuriki, they might have to face two Akatsuki groups.
Defeated the demon Moryo, repelled the Demon King, defeated Orochimaru, suppressed 'B', undefeated since appearance, 'A' was a top powerhouse in the Ninja World comparable to Nagato.
At the thought that Nagato and 'A' might join forces, even the strong Five Kage couldn't help but shudder!
Before the Five Kage received the battle report of the elite squad's setback, Shinji, also in the Land of Rain, had learned about what happened in the Land of Earth one step ahead of them.
On top of the tree canopy, Shinji, letting the drizzle wash over him, stared in the direction of the Land of Earth, slightly lost in thought.
Because simultaneously linking Orochimaru, Yakumo, Sasuke, Ryuzetsu, Chino and others with 'Magatama', those so-called weird behaviors of Itachi that confused everyone were not weird at all in Shinji's eyes, because they were simply not the same person.
Obviously.
The Itachi Uchiha encountered by the elite squad led by Kakashi for the first time was not the real Itachi Uchiha, but the person Orochimaru feared most in his heart, materialized by the Hegemon after performing 'Fear Projection' on Orochimaru.
So that 'Itachi Uchiha' who unscrupulously used various Mangekyo pupil techniques was a monster similar to 'Tsugikuni Yoriichi' chasing Ubuyashiki Ryuhei in the Demon Slayer World.
And the Itachi encountered by the elite squad for the second time was the real Itachi.
It was just somewhat ironic that whether the real Itachi or the fake Itachi, both had the elite squad completely under control, keeping the elite squad hovering in fear and unease all along, with no energy to analyze the differences between the two. Even Yakumo only vaguely sensed something wrong.
But from the perspective of a bystander, Shinji saw it clearly.
"Except for tactical strategy, simply identical..."
In the rain curtain, Shinji lamented secretly.
At first, he prepared to let Orochimaru set up another trap to get rid of this fake 'Itachi Uchiha' as soon as possible.
But when the fake 'Itachi Uchiha' accidentally encountered Kakashi's elite squad, he had the idea of using the elite squad's hand to weigh this fake 'Itachi Uchiha'.
After all, regarding the Hegemon, one could not be careless in the slightest.
After a fierce fight, the result was not beyond Shinji's expectation. This fake 'Itachi Uchiha' almost perfectly replicated all of Itachi Uchiha's abilities, even perfectly copying the two divine artifacts 'Totsuka Blade' and 'Yata Mirror'.
If not knowing the cause and effect beforehand, probably even Shinji would find it difficult to distinguish.
And the only difference between the real and fake Itachi Uchiha, in Shinji's view, was probably only tactical strategy.
This didn't mean the real and fake Itachi Uchiha had superiority or inferiority in tactics, but a difference in tactical strategy.
The fake 'Itachi Uchiha' obviously had no restriction on Mangekyo pupil power. As long as he felt appropriate, he could freely use any Mangekyo pupil technique he mastered. So his tactics were more reasonable and sharper, which was also the reason why he could crush the elite squad in one encounter.
In contrast, the real Itachi Uchiha, limited by Mangekyo pupil power, was more conservative in formulating tactics. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not easily activate Mangekyo level pupil techniques. So his tactics were more skillful and conservative.
In other words.
The fake 'Itachi Uchiha' was a high-end version of Itachi Uchiha without pupil power restrictions or even chakra restrictions, possessing all of Itachi Uchiha's means and thinking.
Although having Mangekyo Sharingan, under the condition of no pupil power restriction, it was almost equivalent to Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
"In this situation, Orochimaru might not necessarily be able to deal with him..."
Shinji frowned slightly.
Orochimaru himself was perfectly restrained by both the real and fake Itachi Uchiha. And the fake 'Itachi Uchiha', also possessing the 'Totsuka Blade', didn't fear the 'Reanimated' bodies of the Hokages. Moreover, the strongest First Hokage's 'Reanimated' body collapsed during the battle against Tanjiro. So even adding Yakushi Kabuto, Guren, Jugo, Tayuya, Orochimaru's side didn't have a sure chance of winning against the fake 'Itachi Uchiha'.
Of course, if Shinji took action, he should be able to solve the fake 'Itachi Uchiha' with certainty. It was just that Shinji didn't want to face the Hegemon's power directly right now. Because he was also unsure if the Hegemon left any means on the fake 'Itachi Uchiha'.
If exposing himself as the 'Lamp Bearer' to the Hegemon's sight in advance just to solve the fake 'Itachi Uchiha', the loss would outweigh the gain.
Contending with the Hegemon was a desperate battle of the weak against the strong, allowing no slight underestimation or carelessness.
Thinking of this, Shinji decided to let Orochimaru lure the fake 'Itachi Uchiha' away first, circling around in the Ninja World. After he successfully snatched the Ten-Tails here, became the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, and promoted to 'Six Paths Level', he would then go solve the fake 'Itachi Uchiha'.
At that time, his strength would have reached the top of the Ninja World, so dealing with a 'Fear Projection' created by the Hegemon should be no problem.
At this time, Yakumo's blood clone on the big tree behind him suddenly swished, swapping positions with Yakumo's original body. Then, Yakumo leaped in front of Shinji, bowing: "My Lord, found it!"
"Then let's go!"
While nodding lightly, Shinji put his hand on Yakumo's shoulder.
Instantly, with another swish, Shinji and Yakumo disappeared from the tree canopy. Only a blood clone of Yakumo was swapped over from somewhere unknown.
Not far away.
Karin, Mumei, Neji, and Kimimaro, wearing hooded red cloud cloaks, sat or stood on trees respectively, quietly guarding against everything around...