Itachi let out a helpless smile. "You're still the same as ever. You still can't lie to save your life!"
Sasuke frowned. "No, it's you who's still the same, always looking down on me like this!"
Itachi hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Yeah, you've come a long way. I truly..."
At this moment, Nagato's mouth emitted a voice that didn't belong to him. "Hehehe, Kabuto-san, excuse me for interrupting this reunion. But you mentioned earlier the Kotoamatsukami of Shisui Uchiha?"
"This voice..." Naruto's expression changed slightly. "Are you Kabuto?"
"Tsk tsk... It seems my presence has indeed become stronger!" Kabuto said with satisfaction before asking, "Would you mind answering my question?"
Itachi wasn't holding back since he himself wanted to know why his plan had failed. "I implanted Shisui's technique into Naruto's eyes, using my Mangekyou as the activation medium. If Sasuke transplanted my eyes and stood against Konoha, the 'jutsu to protect Konoha' would activate, stopping Sasuke from opposing Konoha."
"Jeez, even preparing to alter your younger brother's will before your own death. Just as expected of Itachi!" Kabuto remarked half-admiringly, half-sarcastically.
Itachi ignored him and continued bitterly, "I originally planned that if this technique hadn't activated yet, I would use it on myself to break free from the control of Impure World Reincarnation. I just didn't expect this technique to somehow fail."
Nagato narrowed his pupils. "Indeed, they're all troublesome ones. One after another trying to break free from my control!"
B caught the key point. "One after another? Who else?"
"Of course it's Madara Uchiha. He's already broken free from my control! [Impure World Reincarnation]"
"Madara Uchiha!" The three showed slight surprise but weren't too worried. After all, leaving aside the enigmatic Lord Seiki, even the First Hokage had the record of defeating Madara Uchiha.
Meeting Itachi's gaze, Naruto honestly said, "The eye you left inside me was taken by Lord Seiki!"
Itachi was surprised. "That mysterious powerful expert who helped you defeat Pain?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, probably because Lord Seiki got Shisui's right eye from Danzo, and there's a connection between the two eyes!"
In Nagato's mind, his eyes gleamed with intense excitement. "So he actually obtained a complete pair of Shisui's eyes. Perhaps I should change my plan and focus on him instead!"
If it was just one eye, he might have hesitated at attacking such a powerful enemy who had defeated Pain.
But if it was a complete pair of eyes, the significance was completely different. With the doubling of the ocular power, he might be able to regain control over Madara!
Besides, the opponent was already an enemy. And enemies meant that sooner or later they would inevitably clash.
Thinking this, Kabuto's desire became increasingly intense. He no longer cared about fighting the three.
After all, the jinchuriki of Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails belonged to Obito's targets, not his.
"I see it. He's not interested in fighting anymore!" Killer B warned sharply. "Watch out, he's trying to escape!"
"Not yet!" Sasuke's expression darkened. "I haven't settled things with Itachi yet!"
"Sorry, but I'm not some Brother type who listens to other people's problems," Kabuto chuckled darkly while controlling both Nagato and Itachi to retreat. "Although, if you're willing to switch sides, I could arrange more than just a conversation. I might even let you take Itachi Uchiha to your bed!"
"Don't run!" Naruto shouted as he chased forward.
[Super Shinra Tensei!]
Kabuto acted decisively, activating the ultimate power of Shinra Tensei. The forest where they stood was flattened to the ground, and the three of them were blown away by this immensely powerful repelling force for several kilometers!
When the storm finally passed, Itachi and Nagato had already disappeared.
"So strong! No wonder he's the host of the Rinnegan!" Killer B looked around in astonishment. "If he hadn't been in such a hurry to leave, the three of us might have actually lost to him!"
Naruto looked serious. "Of course he's strong! That bastard killed Master Jiraiya!"
Sasuke remained dark-faced throughout. "No matter how much of a bastard Itachi is, I won't allow some rat hiding in the shadows to manipulate him!"
"We should hurry back and inform Brother!" Killer B said solemnly. "He must have reconsidered after hearing about Shisui's eyes from you, Naruto. That means he probably has his eyes on Lord Seiki!"
"Eh? He's targeting Lord Seiki?" Naruto's mouth fell open. "What's the point of peace when they're already dead?"
"Don't say such stupid things!" Sasuke snapped coldly. "If those trash interfere with Lord Seiki because of us and affect the outcome of the war, we will become sinners in history! Right now, we must go back immediately and stop them!"
Killer B nodded. "We also need to inform headquarters! Since that Kabuto guy has his eyes on Lord Seiki, he won't just stop with these two!"
...
Meanwhile, within Akatsuki's base.
Obito, who was adjusting to the eyes of Isshiki, suddenly stood up. "That bastard Kabuto found the whereabouts of the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, yet he didn't try to hold them back. What an idiot!"
Beside him, Madara Uchiha mocked, "Turns out the ally you found isn't very reliable!"
Obito calmly looked at him. "In this world, the only person you can ever rely on is yourself!"
Madara narrowed his eyes. "So you're planning to act personally?"
Obito exhaled heavily. "No matter what, the initiative must remain in our hands!"
Madara nodded approvingly. "You're right. So, I'll go with you!"
Obito's voice remained calm. "It's unusual for you to take such an interest!"
Madara laughed loudly. "I'd also like to find out if today's ninja are worthy of dancing before me!"
...
Front Line, Third Division.
In a temporary clinic.
Sakura was fiddling with her medical kit when Neji casually asked from beside her. "Sakura, where's Captain Shizune?"
Sakura replied offhandedly, "Shizune-sempai is treating Tonton. It seems like she's severely sprained her leg."
"Being injured in the foot is better than being injured in the hand," Neji asked with concern. "She can still return to the battlefield, right?"
Sakura froze and gave him a strange look as she spoke. "Ha, haha, that's true. As long as her hands are fine, she can still perform hand seals."
"Yeah," Neji said, extending his right hand toward Sakura. "My wrist still hurts. Can you check it for me?"
"Of course."
As Sakura lowered her head, Neji's face twisted and he grabbed a kunai in his left hand, thrusting it downward forcefully... only to be knocked flat by a powerful punch from Sakura!
"How is this possible? You actually saw through my flawless disguise!"
Sakura's mouth twitched. "You idiot, White Zetsu! Pigs don't have hands!"
The exposed White Zetsu wore an expression of sorrowful indignation. "You tricked me using the name of a pig? How despicable!"
"Save your complaints and tell me quickly how you disguised yourself as Neji?" demanded Sakura, still somewhat shaken. If this White Zetsu hadn't revealed himself by accident, she might not have noticed the problem at all.
White Zetsu sneered arrogantly. "My Transformation Jutsu is the best in the shinobi world! You were just lucky—others won't be so fortunate!"
A chill went down Sakura's spine. Indeed, only a handful of people could possibly recognize an enemy infiltrator. If they were allowed to run rampant, the painstakingly built trust between the great ninja villages would soon vanish entirely.
At that thought, the ninja alliance would collapse without the enemy even needing to lift a finger...
Realizing this, Sakura pounded her fist down angrily. "Damn it!"
Seeing Sakura so furious, White Zetsu cackled wildly. "Even if you kill me, countless more will spawn!"
Plop!
The tent flap flew open. Mizuki tossed a long string of White Zetsus onto the ground; these copies had been pierced through and bound together with wooden vines.
Blinking her eyes, Sakura asked, "Mizuki Aniki, what are these?"
Mizuki spoke coldly, "Some trash dared to approach me pretending to be Leader-sama. After I killed him, I just went ahead and eliminated all the trash in the camp!"
"This one in my hand should be the last one. I'll leave the rest to you!"
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