"Itachi?"
Itachi Uchiha's expression was far from pleasant, while Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha appeared utterly bewildered.
Having just been summoned through Edo Tensei, they had instinctively attacked, but they had no idea what was happening. Only when they clearly saw whom they were attacking did they realize something was amiss. And then they noticed another familiar figure.
"You are... Sasuke?!"
"It's been a long time, Father, Mother."
Sasuke's emotions were complex. Kitagawa Minamoto had mentioned summoning them, but Sasuke hadn't expected him to act so quickly. Although he suspected Minamoto's intentions were questionable, seeing his parents again filled his heart with conflicting emotions and unexpected joy.
Especially as his gaze shifted toward Itachi Uchiha—directly confronting the murderer who had slaughtered their clan. This situation couldn't have been more perfect!
"Sasuke? You've grown so much," Mikoto marveled, her gaze shifting between her sons, momentarily disoriented by the situation. "But weren't we dead? How is this possible...?"
"This is a Konoha technique that can awaken those in the Pure Land, though it comes at a certain cost," a voice explained from above.
Upon hearing it, Fugaku and Mikoto visibly noticed Itachi's tension. Standing beside them, Sasuke pursed his lips before his expression transformed into one of profound respect.
"You are...?" Fugaku began.
Looking up, they saw a white-haired figure standing atop a nearby rooftop, observing them with an enigmatic smile. Something about this man made Fugaku frown, instinctively sensing danger and experiencing a peculiar sense of "submission" in his presence.
"Father, Mother, he is my mentor," Sasuke explained. "He trained me to become a capable shinobi. Under his guidance, I was able to defeat Itachi. He is also the future Fifth Hokage—Kitagawa Minamoto!"
"Itachi is... dead?" Mikoto's voice trembled with disbelief, while Fugaku's expression became unreadable.
"Future Fifth Hokage... Hokage-sama?"
"Let's set aside the Hokage matter for now," Minamoto said with a dismissive wave. "Though it's been decided, it hasn't been officially announced yet." He smiled as he gazed at the reunited family. "As for killing Itachi, that was your accomplishment, Sasuke. It's good news that you should indeed share with your family."
Good news... The words echoed in Fugaku and Mikoto's minds. Their eldest son killed by their youngest—was that truly cause for celebration?
Itachi's expression grew increasingly pained. Being summoned through Edo Tensei was already agonizing enough, but he hadn't expected Konoha to resurrect his parents as well—and use them against him?!
"Indeed, Father, Mother!" Only Sasuke's face radiated excitement and vindication. "I killed him. I avenged our clan. I finally fulfilled my vow!"
"Killed Itachi... avenged the clan..." Fugaku murmured, uncertain what to say. But his attention quickly shifted to a more immediate realization.
"Jōnin mentor... Sasuke is the disciple of the Fifth Hokage?!" Although Minamoto appeared remarkably young—seemingly even younger than his eldest son—Fugaku couldn't help but think of Minato Namikaze. Suddenly, the situation didn't seem so strange. His gaze cleared considerably as he processed this unexpected development—perhaps even something he had once hoped for!
"So, what's happening with Itachi now?" Mikoto asked, maternal concern evident in her voice. "Could it be...?"
Sasuke confirmed her suspicions without hesitation. "He was summoned through Edo Tensei by Orochimaru. Now he stands as an enemy of Konoha, and even more so, an enemy of the Uchiha clan!"
Itachi's lips moved slightly, but no words emerged. Sasuke showed no mercy as he continued.
"I used to regret killing him so quickly—it felt like I let him off too easily. Now that he's been resurrected, it's even better!" As he spoke, Sasuke's eyes transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan, chakra surging visibly throughout his body.
"He ruthlessly slaughtered our clan and murdered you both. His sins can never be washed away! Though the entire clan cannot exact revenge, at least you two can witness justice!"
Drawing his short blade, purple chakra erupted from Sasuke's body, coalescing into a skeletal ribcage that surrounded him protectively.
"This time, I absolutely won't let this monster escape!"
"Sasuke..." Mikoto began, but Fugaku silenced her with a subtle shake of his head, his gaze shifting with newfound interest.
"Susanoo? I hadn't expected you to reach such heights, Sasuke." Looking toward Itachi, his expression momentarily revealed complex emotions before settling into calm resolve. "It seems this confrontation is inevitable. Show me how much you've grown, son."
"Yes, Father." Sasuke nodded solemnly. Though he had learned about his father's flaws from various sources, Fugaku was still his father—and Sasuke had longed for his acknowledgment since childhood. This moment was something he had waited for through years of solitude and pain.
Mikoto sighed softly, resigned to the situation.
"Father, Mother..." Itachi remained silent, clearly devastated by this turn of events. He would now face not only his brother but also the parents he had sacrificed everything to protect.
"Itachi Uchiha," Sasuke declared, his Mangekyō Sharingan cold and unyielding, "I never imagined you'd dare return to Konoha. But this is perfect! Father and Mother can witness your disgrace. The spirits of our clan can finally see justice served. And I..."
In a blur of movement, Sasuke charged forward, his blade flashing as it left its sheath!
"...can properly test my new eyes!"
Fugaku followed closely behind, and even Mikoto, after a moment's hesitation, joined the assault.
"That's more like it," Minamoto observed with satisfaction. "A family should be together—how else can we conduct a proper home visit?" He made no move to intervene, instead calmly observing the unfolding drama. Of course, he maintained subtle control to prevent any unwanted revelations, though to his surprise, those summoned through Edo Tensei hadn't said anything inappropriate.
"This works well enough. I can focus my attention elsewhere." He nodded slightly, his gaze shifting toward the distance. "My true body should be in position by now."
Since the enemies were Ōtsutsuki from the moon, Minamoto was determined to eliminate them completely. He would leave no potential threats alive.
Elsewhere in the Hyūga compound, battles had erupted with the arrival of Minamoto's team.
"Damn it, Danzō—why is it you again?" Hiruzen Sarutobi growled.
"Sarutobi! This time, I won't show any mercy!" Danzō Shimura retorted.
Hiruzen hadn't expected to face his old friend, now completely under Orochimaru's control. Despite his grief, he could only respond with equal force.
"You're already dead—why can't you rest in peace?" Jiraiya demanded as he confronted Sasori and the other Akatsuki members. "Where's Orochimaru? He's your summoner, isn't he? Are you content being his puppets?"
"And what about Obito Uchiha?" Kakashi added, while Naruto frowned beside him, equally eager to locate the masked Uchiha.
"If you want to find them, figure it out yourselves," Kakuzu sneered dismissively.
"Don't waste your breath trying to sow discord," Raiga Kurosuki added coldly. "I'm not happy about this situation either, but do I have a choice?"
"I'd love nothing more than to kill that damn snake," Sasori snarled, his puppets filling the sky above them, "but for now, fighting you works just fine. Besides, I've always despised you Konoha shinobi!"
BOOM!
Without further preamble, the reanimated Akatsuki members attacked with devastating force, their thunderous assault shaking the earth. Already fearless of death, this situation suited them perfectly!
Jiraiya and the others retaliated immediately, and the battle erupted into chaos.
Amid the confusion, an elderly man stealthily infiltrated the Hyūga clan's rear courtyard. His Byakugan scanned methodically until he located his target.
"Finally found you—the Byakugan Princess," he murmured, excitement flickering in his pale eyes. His excitement intensified upon discovering another young girl with equally pure Byakugan. "Two of them? Extraordinary! This is even better—Toneri's future is now secure!"
Unlike the Third Elder, this man had always worried about continuing their lunar lineage. He had feared that taking the "Byakugan Princess's" eyes might negatively impact Toneri's future, but now those concerns were alleviated.
He charged forward without hesitation, his sudden movement alerting the nearby Hyūga guards.
"You—" they began, momentarily startled by the sight of his Byakugan. That split-second hesitation proved fatal.
With devastating force, the elder struck without mercy, his fists slamming into the chests of the Hyūga shinobi. The sickening sound of breaking bones accompanied their instant deaths.
"No!" Only Neji reacted quickly enough, positioning himself between the attacker and his cousins. Gritting his teeth, he assumed the Eight Trigrams Palm stance, chakra surging visibly around him.
"How childish," the elder scoffed, his fist already launching toward Neji while his gaze remained fixed on Hinata and Hanabi. The oppressive aura emanating from him left Neji gasping for breath, as though facing a primordial force of nature.
"Watch out!" Hinata cried, instinctively clutching Hanabi tighter. But the elder's attack showed no sign of slowing, hurtling toward Neji with lethal intent.
At the critical moment, a short blade suddenly flew between them.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the courtyard, shaking the surrounding buildings to their foundations. The elder was sent flying backward, crashing violently into a wall as dust and debris filled the air.
Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi found themselves disoriented, suddenly realizing they had been moved to a different location!
"Is everyone alright?" a familiar voice inquired. They turned to find a figure that had materialized silently beside them.
"Minamoto-senpai!" Neji exclaimed, eyes widening in recognition.
Hinata's face brightened with relief, while little Hanabi stared up at Kitagawa Minamoto with undisguised fascination.
Across the courtyard, the Second Elder struggled to lift his head, his gaze fixed on their savior. In an instant, his face drained of all color.
"Impossible! How could this be?! He—" The elder's voice trembled with disbelief and terror. "How is he already here?!"
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