Emerging from the dragon vein, Uchiha Kiyo placed an advanced version of his teleportation substitution technique outside its core, ensuring he could instantly traverse much of the shinobi world at will.
The reason he didn't remain within the dragon vein was due to the overwhelming spatial energy coursing through it. Kiyo was cautious. If he attempted teleportation from within, it might destabilize the spatial fabric, and any unintended consequence could spiral beyond control.
"Ah, fresh air," Kiyo said, spreading his arms and breathing deeply.
But then he grimaced. "Well, the Land of Wind isn't exactly a vacation spot—sand and wind everywhere. The air's dry and rough."
He closed his mouth and spat out grains of sand.
His plan was already decided.
"First, Sasuke. Then... Itachi."
Kiyo had initially been uncertain about dealing with Itachi. But after absorbing the residual hatred from hundreds of Sharingan eyes he'd collected from the Root organization, his mind was made up.
Itachi must die.
No amount of noble intentions justified slaughtering one's clan. Whatever the reason, the act itself demanded retribution.
"Well, don't blame me, Itachi. It's just unfortunate that killing you benefits me now."
The mental resonance from the dozens of Sharingan he carried began to subtly influence his own evolution, and he could feel his eye power on the verge of advancing.
"I hope the results are worth it."
He didn't know Sasuke's exact whereabouts, but Kiyo had a way to find him.
Orochimaru.
When offered enough incentive, that man would trade anything.
Land of Wind, Border Region
A serpent slithered from beneath the sands, coiling before erupting into a puff of smoke.
Poof.
Orochimaru emerged.
"Tch. So many of Orochimaru's clones—must be scattered across every corner of the shinobi world," Kiyo mused with a slight smirk.
"You flatter me, Kiyo-kun," Orochimaru replied with a sly grin. His clones weren't as prolific as Kiyo imagined, and their strength was far inferior to Kiyo's clone techniques. They lacked the ability to cultivate or grow independently.
"I heard you have a proposal," Orochimaru added.
The last time they'd exchanged, Kiyo provided a scroll packed with theoretical chakra models and forbidden constructs. Orochimaru had been fascinated by how neatly organized and scientific Kiyo's concepts were—he clearly respected the science behind ninjutsu.
"And now?"
"I heard," Kiyo began casually, "that Orochimaru-sama has a certain Uchiha under his care."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
Was this man trying to steal Sasuke?
Kiyo caught the subtle shift in expression and laughed. "Relax, I'm not after your chosen vessel."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed further—deadly intent now visible.
He knows too much.
For the first time, Orochimaru felt a tinge of fear and jealousy. Kiyo was unpredictable, and he knew too much.
"Don't misunderstand. I have no interest in your ambitions. I'm here for Itachi."
That name made Orochimaru pause.
Of course. Itachi Uchiha—an eternal thorn in his side. When Kiyo mentioned him, it all started to make sense. Perhaps this man was after revenge.
Remembering the chaos in Konoha, Orochimaru nodded to himself. "That adds up."
Kiyo smiled faintly.
"You know as well as I do, the evolution of the Sharingan leads to the Eternal Mangekyō. You understand the conditions..."
Orochimaru's expression shifted in realization.
Could it be?
No wonder Itachi killed his parents but spared only Sasuke.
Maybe... it was all to unlock something greater?
Orochimaru's thoughts spiraled, but Kiyo didn't bother correcting him.
"If you intend to take Sasuke, Itachi will come. That gives us a common enemy."
And so, another deal was struck.
Orochimaru provided Sasuke's location. In return, Kiyo would handle Itachi.
Orochimaru technically gained nothing—but at the same time, he lost nothing. Kiyo could have found Sasuke eventually. Orochimaru was simply making it more convenient.
And if Uchiha Kiyo clashed with Itachi, Orochimaru got a front-row seat to a once-in-a-generation confrontation.
He also suspected Kiyo intended to provoke Sasuke—maybe even awaken his Mangekyō. Orochimaru knew the theoretical conditions for its awakening, but had never witnessed it himself. Now, he might.
As for the eyes themselves—whoever survived would keep them.
Land of Grass
Sasuke was here.
Kiyo had already suspected it, but he wanted confirmation from Orochimaru before acting. Their arrangement wasn't just a transaction—it was a mutual agreement of noninterference.
Inside a dark training cavern, Sasuke had just completed a harsh regimen. He was beginning to resist Orochimaru's influence.
Outside, Uchiha Kiyo arrived and sensed the chakra within the cave.
He didn't conceal his chakra.
Sasuke sensed him immediately.
"Someone's outside."
The red-haired kunoichi with peach-colored eyes—Karin—stepped out to investigate.
Seeing the setup, Kiyo smirked.
"This must be around the time Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō in the original timeline, huh?
Heh... the infamous 'Brother vs Brother' arc is gone now. This time, little brother will watch big brother suffer."
There'd be no holding back.
Itachi's body was deteriorating fast, and he couldn't match Kiyo. The only threat would be Kotoamatsukami—Shisui's eye.
In the original story, Itachi placed that eye within Naruto. But had that already happened? Or had Kiyo's presence disrupted the plan?
If the eye was still on Itachi, and if it was a one-use ability, then it might not even matter.
Kiyo was ready for it regardless.
Before this encounter, he'd asked Orochimaru to send a message through the Akatsuki network:
> "Uchiha Kiyo is searching for Uchiha Sasuke."
Itachi would hear it.
He would come.
Moments Later
"Sasuke Uchiha."
Kiyo's voice echoed through the entrance as he stepped into view.
Sasuke looked up, eyes narrowing. He sensed something familiar—an oppressive chakra signature. And that feeling—Sharingan?
"You're... Uchiha Kiyo?"
He felt strangely relieved.
"I heard about what you did in Konoha. Why are you here? Are you following me?"
Kiyo sneered.
"You're the last remaining bait. When I kill you, your brother will show up."
Shunshin no Jutsu. Push Technique.
In a blur, Kiyo appeared directly before Sasuke.
Sasuke barely moved.
BOOM!
He was flung dozens of meters, skidding across the cavern.
"So fast...!"
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, but he barely caught Kiyo's image.
Another strike came.
BOOM!
Again, he was sent flying.
Kiyo sighed.
"You're weak. Why did Itachi even bother sparing you?"
Sasuke growled, bloodshot eyes narrowing.
Damn it... how is he this powerful?!
Kiyo kept taunting. "This is pathetic. For someone like Itachi to have a failure like you as a brother... what a joke."
"SHUT UP!"
Sasuke roared and lunged, lightning surging from his hand—Chidori!
But his opponent was Kiyo Uchiha.
Kiyo evaded every strike effortlessly using the Shunshin technique, slipping past Sasuke's attacks like mist.
"Is this all?" Kiyo's words cut deeper than any jutsu.
Sasuke's rage built. Years of obsession, hatred, and desperation—reignited by humiliation.
Chidori Nagashi! The field lit up with lightning.
Kiyo danced through it.
Then—Chidori Sharp Spear!
A blade of lightning shot from Sasuke's palm.
Kiyo twisted his body, sidestepped midair, performed a graceful flip, and disappeared again using the Shunshin.