Danzō had almost forgotten about the negotiation with Hanzō.
As for the Akatsuki organization—one he thought had been destroyed long ago—it wasn't even worth remembering.
The reason they targeted Akatsuki wasn't because of its strength, but because its ideology posed a threat to Konoha.
Back then, Akatsuki tried to unite the small nations, using themselves as leverage to balance power among the great nations, attempting to prevent frequent wars—or even achieve a peace as plentiful as a field full of sheep.
It was a beautiful idea, but completely against the interests of the major powers.
Not to mention that war is just an extension of politics, a means to eliminate contradictions. The mere thought of putting small nations on equal footing with the Five Great Nations was nothing but a naïve delusion.
Who would stand by and let that happen?
The others might not care, but the Land of Rain, with its so-called demigod, really did have the potential.
So he, Shimura Danzō, silently protected Konoha's foundation and took action.
Just a few words of manipulation made Hanzō, who had almost been convinced, begin to waver again—and ultimately led him to kill Akatsuki's young leader.
This kind of minor event wasn't even worth mentioning in his decades of experience manipulating the shinobi world. He never expected it would lead to the creation of a monster like the Akatsuki of today.
"I was wrong..."
Pulled back from his memory, Danzō let out such a sigh that it startled Shimura Yami, who even wondered if Danzō had used Kotoamatsukami on himself.
"If I had known Akatsuki would become so powerful, I wouldn't have waited for Hanzō to act. I would have sent Root to wipe them out directly."
Yami: "...."
Very good, this is the Shimura family style.
Let's not talk about anything else—just regarding the Akatsuki matter, from Konoha's standpoint, he wasn't wrong.
If anything, the one with the real problem was Jiraiya.
Who were Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan?
War orphans created by battles between Konoha and other shinobi villages. They naturally held deep hatred toward Konoha.
As a high-ranking official of Konoha, Jiraiya didn't cut the problem at its root. Being too soft-hearted to kill children is understandable, but why go as far as to take them as disciples and teach them ninjutsu?
Isn't that basically cultivating the enemy?
"Yami, since you have a use for the Uchiha's power, keep them for now."
Danzō's tone had softened. Akatsuki was the biggest threat now. The top priority was to seize all the Tailed Beasts, and internal disputes could be set aside for now.
But his attitude toward the Uchiha hadn't changed. He warned with a solemn voice, "Once everything is over and you obtain the power of immortality, Uchiha will still need to be purged. This was the Second Hokage's decision, and it was never wrong."
Yami was speechless.
Danzō's hatred for the Uchiha truly surpassed even his complex feelings toward Hiruzen.
Fortunately, Yami had prepared for this.
He turned and shouted toward the office door, "Come in. I can't explain it clearly to him. You caused this mess yourself, so solve it yourself."
Just as Danzō frowned in confusion, the office door slowly opened, and a man in a black cloak and hood walked in.
When the hood came off, Danzō was struck like lightning. He stood up trembling, and then dropped to one knee.
"Second Hokage-sama!"
Tobirama's expression was complicated.
You could say Danzō was fine, but his actions with Hiruzen had driven the village into decline.
But you could also say Danzō had problems, and yet his strategy against the Uchiha was precisely the continuation of Tobirama's will.
Tobirama didn't even know where to begin.
"I'll leave him to you."
Yami patted Tobirama on the shoulder and left Root.
Soon, the scheduled day arrived.
In the Land of Fire, at a dilapidated Uchiha stronghold—
Sasuke originally wanted the duel to be held at the Naka Shrine, so that the ancestors could witness his revenge. But Shisui believed it wasn't right for their ancestors to witness Uchiha killing each other.
So, the location Yami ultimately chose was an abandoned Uchiha base not far from Konoha, upstream from the Naka River.
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama once competed here to see who could pee farther.
Itachi originally planned to go alone, but to avoid any interruptions, he agreed to let Kisame come along.
However, the two were intercepted midway.
"Uchiha... Izumi."
Itachi looked at the girl standing in their way. When he saw her eyes with their beautiful Mangekyō pattern, his usually calm heart stirred.
Uchiha Izumi... had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?
"Itachi-san, long time no see." Izumi smiled gently and gave a polite nod.
"Izumi-san."
Itachi returned the greeting, "Did Yami send you here? Is he worried I'll kill his students and then regret it?"
"Trying to provoke me won't help."
Izumi's expression remained unchanged as she gently shook her head. "Yami sent me only to retrieve something that belongs to Shisui."
Itachi slowly raised his hand. "Something from Konoha? I don't recall owing Konoha anything."
"Shisui-senpai's eyes."
Izumi wore a warm smile, completely ignoring Itachi's darkening expression. "You're a traitor who took the eyes of a village hero. It's time to return them."
"A village hero?"
Itachi actually laughed in anger. "Is that what the village calls it? Sneaking up and stealing his eyes—"
He thought back to the day Shisui jumped off the cliff right in front of him. Killing intent surged from Itachi's heart.
Just as he was about to break through Izumi's blockade with brute force, a chill ran up his spine.
Itachi turned around in disbelief.
Kisame was holding Samehada, aiming it at his back, and gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Itachi-san. I'm an undercover agent."
Itachi: "..."
No.
I know you're a spy, but weren't you spying for Uchiha Madara?
How did you become a Konoha agent?!
Izumi spoke again. "Kisame-san is Yami's like-minded companion. He joined Akatsuki to better track your movements and Uchiha Madara's."
"Don't act surprised."
"Hand over Shisui-senpai's eyes. You're just holding onto them as a failsafe for Sasuke, but what's the point?"
"No one can stop Yami when he decides to do something."
"Don't test his patience. If you do, your plans will be shattered easily."
Itachi narrowed his eyes, stared for a moment, then suddenly turned into a flock of crows and vanished. Kisame raised his guard, but one crow flew directly toward Izumi.
Unlike the others, this crow had a Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Embedding a Mangekyō in a crow, huh? That's clever."
Izumi raised her jade-like hand, pinched the crow's throat, and gently twisted. The cawing stopped abruptly. She reached out and removed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Take care, Itachi-san."
Izumi's figure dissolved into scattered green leaves. She didn't say goodbye. After today, there would be no more Uchiha Itachi.
After Izumi left, Itachi didn't resume his journey right away. He turned to his longtime companion.
"Kisame... I think I've misunderstood you all these years. It's time we had an honest talk..."
Two hours later.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!
Footsteps echoed crisply inside the crumbling stronghold, steady and rhythmic.
Itachi sat calmly on a stone chair, completely relaxed. His legs were stretched out casually, as if he were here for an afternoon tea, not a deadly duel.
Swoosh—
The object came before the person.
Itachi caught the flying item midair. His lazy expression shifted in surprise.
Meatball soup?
"You always liked that shop. Try it—see if it still tastes the same."
Sasuke entered the chamber with firm steps, his long sword at his waist.
"Eat well, then hit the road. If you think I poisoned it, just throw it away."
Itachi said nothing, just began eating silently.
In less than five minutes, the cup of warm meatball soup was gone. He even drank all the broth.
He tossed the empty cup aside and looked at Sasuke.
"How far can you see with those Sharingan?"
Sasuke didn't get angry. "And how far can you see with a Mangekyō that's going blind?"
"So, you know more than I thought."
Itachi frowned slightly. "Then you must also know there's an insurmountable gap between Mangekyō and three tomoe. What gave you the courage to challenge me with just regular Sharingan?"
"Did beating my 30% strength clone last time give you some kind of delusion?"
"You can't begin to comprehend the power I possess."
Sasuke gripped his sword and slowly drew it. "I'll kill you first. Then I'll kill Uchiha Madara—or rather, the rat using Madara's name to stir up chaos."
Obito, who was hiding and observing the battle silently:
Sure, fight all you want. But why drag me into it for no reason?
Not like being insulted bothers him now. He's done so many terrible things, being scolded feels like nothing.
And Sasuke wanting to kill him? That's even more laughable. Other than fearing Itachi, Sasuke was nothing. Yami could use him as a pawn at best.
"No matter who dies, bring the eyes back to me."
Obito ordered White Zetsu before entering Kamui space. He wanted to take this chance to scout Konoha. Forget the other Tailed Beasts—if he could at least find Sasori or Deidara, it would be enough.
"Understood."
White Zetsu replied and slowly merged into the ground.
Back at the battlefield, the verbal clash between the Uchiha brothers had ended.
"My eyes really won't last much longer. You came just in time."
For once, Itachi's usually calm face revealed desire.
"Sasuke, I'll take your eyes!"
As the words fell, he rushed at Sasuke.
Both raised their weapons and clashed in mid-air.
Itachi slipped past Sasuke's guard with a kunai aimed straight for his eyes.
But Sasuke's other blade intercepted it perfectly.
They grappled, and in the end, Sasuke's younger and stronger body gave him the advantage.
Although Itachi wasn't much older, his body was falling apart. In pure strength, he was no match for Sasuke.
Sasuke keenly sensed this, seized the advantage, and didn't let go, keeping a firm distance.
Meanwhile...
In the forest several kilometers away from the battlefield—
The remaining Uchiha survivors were gathered.
"Grandma Sumi, what's going on? The fight probably already started! Can't we talk after we go back?"
Yuji asked anxiously.
They had planned to join Sasuke and surprise Itachi. But Grandma Sumi stopped them, and Sasuke had to leave first.
The enemy was right in front of them. If it weren't for Grandma Sumi, Yuji would've already rushed off.
"Good child, don't be impatient. Let Grandma take a moment."
Grandma Sumi wasn't a shinobi. She had suffered much in her early years. Now, in her seventies, even walking was difficult.
She grabbed each of the young Uchiha by the hand and squeezed tightly.
With confusion in their eyes, she slowly said, "Children... If not for Shisui and Yami-sama, I'd have died ten years ago."
"These ten extra years have been a gift. I've seen a completely different Uchiha—a clan of love, not hatred. That's enough for me."
"Only Uchiha Itachi..."
"Grandma!"
To the shock of the others, blood dripped from the corners of Grandma Sumi's mouth.
They wanted to help, but the other women, already in tears, stopped them.
Her bleeding worsened, but her cloudy eyes suddenly grew bright. Her voice grew stronger, as if in one final burst of clarity.
"Uchiha Itachi never saw us as his people!"
"We were his bargaining chips! Chips to ensure Sasuke's survival!"
"I don't blame Sasuke. He had no say in his fate. But Itachi... he must pay."
"Kill him. Kill that beast Uchiha Itachi!!"
With all her strength, Grandma Sumi shouted his name.
"Grandma!"
Yuji and the others watched as she collapsed in rage, and the tomoe in their eyes began to spin rapidly.
At last, in three of their eyes, a new Mangekyō pattern of death was born.
(To be continued.)