The air around Sasuke's eyes seemed to freeze as he trembled, voice barely steady:
"Who did you say has returned? Could it be Itachi?"
Chiga said nothing. In the next moment, his figure vanished before everyone's eyes.
Inside the silent expanse of the Uchiha clan cemetery, Itachi stood motionless before two ancient tombstones. A frigid gust swept past, tugging at his robe. He was about to turn and leave—until he noticed a figure not far behind him, hair long and snow-white, illuminated faintly under the moonlight.
Despite the eerie backdrop, Itachi held his composure. He activated his Sharingan and fixed his gaze on the stranger. His tone carried authority.
"Who are you?"
Slowly, the stranger lifted his head. His crimson eyes glowed in the night. Itachi's expression froze in astonishment as he whispered:
"Mangekyō Sharingan!?"
A soft chuckle resonated in the darkness.
"Itachi, why so surprised?"
With a swift movement, the figure materialized right in front of Itachi. It was Chiga. Only now did Itachi clearly make out his face—he had activated Mangekyō for some time, and nighttime vision obscured his features until now.
Warmth stirred in Itachi's chest at the sight of Chiga, yet his body instinctively recoiled, stepping back.
Itachi had long been a rogue ninja. His identity as an undercover operative within Akatsuki had been known only to the Third Hokage and Danzo. But both were gone. Now, no one remained to verify his true allegiance. He hadn't expected them to reveal his secret before they died.
Itachi observed Chiga's Mangekyō eyes and said softly, "As expected of—you truly awakened it first."
He activated his own Mangekyō. Yet even then, he felt an overwhelming suppression radiating from Chiga's gaze.
Itachi frowned inwardly. Chiga's eyes aren't just any Mangekyō—they must be Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, as rumors hinted.
He looked back. He had long planned for Sasuke to receive his eyes, hoping to spare his brother from blindness. But Chiga had no sibling—how had he acquired Eternal Mangekyō?
Chiga didn't mention Uchiha Shin. Instead, he studied Itachi's eyes for a moment, then spoke quietly:
"Your vision won't last much longer, yes?"
Itachi didn't hide the truth. He nodded.
"Yes—my Mangekyō has been active for too long… but you did begin using yours before me, yes?"
A knowing smile curved Chiga's lips.
"So you want to know if mine is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Itachi nodded, even though he'd already guessed.
Chiga admitted it plainly. At Itachi's narrowed gaze, he added:
"So what do you intend with these eyes? To aim for Hokage of Konoha?"
Itachi understood the threat such power held. Madara had once nearly subdued the ninja world with his Eternal Mangekyō. Had it not been for the First Hokage, the world might have bowed.
Chiga shook his head in disinterest.
"No, not that. I have other purposes."
"So…?"
"Don't overthink it. I simply returned to find some people."
Itachi swallowed. "Looking for people? Who are they?"
Chiga's answer was cryptic:
"You won't know even if I told you. But as for leadership—you can be Konoha's Anbu Captain."
Itachi froze. Eyes wide, he pointed to himself in shock:
"Me? You want me to lead Anbu?"
Chiga nodded calmly.
"You served in covert ops before. You're well-suited."
Itachi exhaled sharply. "No—I'm a rogue ninja!"
Chiga replied firmly,
"Who says you're rogue? Undercover is exactly what you're doing."
Itachi's voice dropped.
"Then you've known…"
Danzo had confessed before his death, Chiga confirmed.
A hint of ambition flickered in Itachi's eyes, but it quickly faded.
He spoke softly:
"It's too late for me. My body is failing… I haven't yet finished gathering intel on the Akatsuki. I spoke only one thing for sure—their leader uses Rinnegan."
The mention made Chiga's eyes darken.
"Rinnegan… the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. So the Akatsuki leader is truly formidable."
"Yes. They're capturing the Tailed Beasts—including Konoha's Nine-Tails."
Chiga nodded.
"I understand. Take your place in covert ops tomorrow. Don't worry beyond that."
Itachi gasped:
"What—just the Rinnegan's appearance is alarming. At least let me study it—so Konoha can prepare."
Chiga remained motionless. Suddenly black ripples spun in his eyes, changing from crimson to deep purple, and six tomoe appeared in each iris.
Itachi trembled.
"R-Rinnegan!?"
Chiga's voice held quiet authority:
"Do you think I still need to study the Rinnegan?"
Itachi shook his head slowly.
Chiga awakened that power?
Itachi moved closer, eyes fixed on the spiraling patterns in the orb of power—six tomoe circling deep within.
He asked softly,
"Your Rinnegan looks different from the Akatsuki leader's. What do the tomoe signify?"
Chiga smiled.
"What, think mine is inferior?"
"No—just… curious."
"Hehe. Understand that his Rinnegan can't compare to mine."
A pulsating purple radiance pulsed outward from Chiga's eyes. A wave of pressure filled the cemetery. Itachi froze—this presence was overwhelming.
His body shook violently, coughing under the strain.
Seeing that, Chiga quickly deactivated his Rinnegan. He stepped forward and supported Itachi gently.
His voice was tender.
"You've endured so much all these years. Come home, Itachi."
Itachi felt the weight of the words, and tears welled in his eyes like a child's. He silently surrendered, overwhelmed by a grief he could no longer contain.
_____
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