In a grove behind the Hokage Rock in Konoha,
Orochimaru formed hand seals. "[Impure World Reincarnation!]"
The four White Zetsu bodies inside the formation became covered in dust. Under the expectant gazes of Naruto and Sasuke, these bodies gradually transformed into familiar figures before opening their eyes.
"Didn't I already die?" Fugaku murmured in confusion.
"Dear, is this Hell?" Mikoto asked.
"This doesn't seem like Rain Country," Yahiko wondered.
"Orochimaru, did you resurrect us with Impure World Reincarnation?" Jiraiya quickly realized.
Orochimaru grinned, "Don't get angry yet. This time, I brought you back at their request!"
Naruto waved his arms wildly, "Pervert Sage!"
Jiraiya widened his eyes, "Naruto, why are you here?"
Yahiko beside him looked at him, "Teacher Jiraiya! Even you have died?"
Sasuke, more composed, stepped forward, "Father, Mother!"
Fugaku spoke with a trembling voice, "Sasuke, is that really you?"
Mikoto's eyes welled up, "Have you really grown up this much? We're so sorry for everything you've endured!"
Fugaku composed himself, "Sasuke, what exactly is going on? And what about Itachi now?"
Sasuke answered solemnly, "I killed him! And I now understand everything that happened back then!"
"You..." Fugaku sighed deeply, "So it's finally come to this, huh?"
Mikoto was even more sorrowful. A son killing his father, a younger brother killing his elder brother—what greater tragedy could there be in human relations?
After a moment of silence, Sasuke continued, "Right now, Madara Uchiha has been revived and intends to destroy the world. The Five Great Hidden Villages have united to oppose him. Itachi was also reincarnated by our enemies. I'm not afraid of him, but now that I know the truth, I don't feel right facing him head-on. So, I want to ask Mother and Father to give him a beating!"
Fugaku and Mikoto were stunned by all this shocking news at first. Upon hearing the final words, however, they suddenly felt a tingling urge to act!
Though they had willingly allowed Itachi to kill them, how could there be no resentment buried deep in their hearts?
Between the clan and the village, Itachi chose the village over the clan.
But did he really choose the village?
Would the Uchiha gaining power necessarily bring chaos to the village?
To them, Itachi had simply been brainwashed by the village elders. It wasn't so much that he chose the village, but rather that he chose the village's leadership.
Thinking about this, Fugaku exhaled heavily, "Fine. Now that we're already dead, there's no need to hold back anymore. We can finally fight freely!"
Meanwhile,
Jiraiya and Yahiko learned the current situation from Orochimaru.
"Never would I have thought so many changes had occurred after my death!" Jiraiya sighed.
Yahiko wore a complex expression, "Was it because of my death that Nagato chose revenge? This version of Nagato feels so unfamiliar to me!"
Orochimaru grinned, "What do you think? Want to give him a good beating? It's exciting enough just thinking about hitting your former leader!"
Yahiko ignored him, saying gravely, "Even in death, he still dwells in hatred. That was never the fate Nagato was meant to have!"
It was I who burdened him too much, making him carry my dreams on his shoulders. Now it's my turn to help lighten his load!"
Nightfall.
Nagato sat on the stone steps, gazing quietly at the night sky.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind him as if someone had stepped through the bushes.
Nagato instinctively turned his head and exclaimed joyfully, "Konan, is that you...? Wait, you seem much younger!"
Konan brushed her hair behind her ear. "That's because I'm the Konan from a parallel world."
"A parallel world?" Nagato asked, puzzled.
"I came here today just to tell a story," Konan said seriously. "A story about another life!"
"Another life?"
Konan nodded and briefly described the experiences of her other self from a different parallel world.
Nagato's face was filled with shock. "So this is what you meant by a parallel world? So the person who defeated me also came from that world?"
Konan silently nodded.
"Although the me from that world didn't end up much better in the end, he was definitely luckier than me!" Nagato sighed with emotion before asking, "Are you telling me this because you want me to give up my hatred?"
"I truly don't want you to suffer even in death! But no matter what decision you make, I won't interfere!" Konan replied gently.
"You're always so gentle, Konan. That hasn't changed!" Nagato shook his head slightly. "It's just a pity I don't feel that sense of relief from ascending to heaven..."
Just then, loud noises and commotion came from outside.
Nagato turned his gaze outward. "It seems the enemies have arrived. Before I get controlled by that rat again, I'll do a bit of fighting. Konan, please be careful!"
After Nagato's figure disappeared, Konan sighed. "That elder asked me to guide this world's Nagato, but it seems I've failed. I wonder how that old man is doing over there. Why did he suddenly ask me to come here and tell this story?"
Outside.
Itachi's usually calm face showed a rare expression of helplessness and bitterness. "Father, Mother, what exactly are you up to?"
"I heard from Sasuke that you used Tsukuyomi on him when he was just twelve!" Mikoto held a stick, her face icy cold.
"I just wanted Sasuke to grow up faster!" Itachi smiled bitterly. He was helpless too!
Sasuke had awakened his First Tomoe at age seven from the trauma of his entire clan's death, and only achieved the Second Tomoe at age twelve. At this rate, even when he was seriously ill and near death, Sasuke might not necessarily have the Third Tomoe.
With this level of strength, how could he even protect himself in these turbulent times?
"So you let him be targeted by some disgusting, dark, and dangerous trash?" Fugaku said while glancing at Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sama, please don't take offense, I'm not talking about you."
Although he said this, his tone clearly carried the implication, "I'm intentionally offending you—what are you going to do about it?"
Orochimaru's mouth twitched. Inwardly, he thought, "I don't bother with dead men anyway!"
After all, he was after the boy's body. It was normal for them to have some resentment.
"There might be something to the 'disgusting and dark,' but danger shouldn't be involved, right?" Itachi hesitated and looked at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru stiffened. Indeed, all three Uchiha males were highly detestable!
"And what about that 'jutsu to protect Konoha'?"
"You actually intended to use a will-altering Genjutsu on your own brother, Itachi!" Fugaku continued confronting.
"Ahh this..."
Just as Itachi felt a headache brewing, Nagato's voice came from a distance. "Itachi, looks like you're having some trouble. Need my help?"
Before Itachi could respond, Yahiko shouted, "Nagato, it's me!"
Nagato stiffened, nearly falling between his leaps from tree to tree. "Y-Y-Yahiko?"
Looking at Nagato's emaciated form, Yahiko said painfully, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I burdened you with too much pressure — that's why you became like this!"
Nagato shook his head fiercely. "No — I'm the one who should be apologizing! I failed to protect you!"
"It's my fault. If I hadn't willingly died by your hands back then, you wouldn't have lived in pain!"
"It's my fault. If I could've mastered the power of the Rinnegan sooner, you wouldn't have died!"
"It's my fault..."
"No, it's my fault..."
Orochimaru observed the two apologizing to each other with a fascinated smirk. "If Yahiko had blamed Nagato directly, like how Fugaku and Mikoto did, it might have pushed Nagato to the opposite extreme. But by taking all the blame upon himself, Yahiko actually pulled Nagato out from the abyss of hatred!"
"Now that," Orochimaru mused, "is what makes him the true leader of Akatsuki."
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