Chapter 484: Aizen — Thank You
"Sasuke?"
Uchiha Itachi's eyelids trembled as he quickly took a step back.
The two brothers stood facing each other,
As if an invisible barrier surrounded them, isolating them from the chaos engulfing all of Konoha—leaving only the two of them in stillness.
"Uchiha Itachi, the traitor who slaughtered our clan—you've got the nerve to come back to Konoha?"
Sasuke's face had long lost its youthful softness.
Though angry, he no longer lost control like before.
That's because he now had a new will, a new purpose—not only to kill Uchiha Itachi, but also to revive their clan using the limitless possibilities of the Samsara Game.
"I, Sasuke…"
Itachi, always so composed and cold, now looked flustered and at a loss for words.
According to his original plan,
Upon seeing his beloved little brother again, he was supposed to coldly utter something like, "It was only a clan unworthy of existence," to provoke Sasuke.
If Sasuke had grown strong enough, then he would kill Itachi.
If not, then Itachi would keep stoking his hatred, pushing him forward.
But now,
After experiencing the era of the Samsara Game and witnessing countless magnificent worlds—gaining knowledge and ideologies far beyond the shinobi world—
The world of pirates, the ceaseless war between Navy and Revolutionary Army, the chaos of kingdoms ruled by tyrants.
The world of Demon Slayers, where mortals fought flesh-eating demons with blood and steel.
The world of Claymores, where even amidst madness and despair, humans like Raki still sought to save the world and become players.
Though branded as a thoughtless butcher who massacred the Uchiha,
Itachi had always possessed extraordinary talent and learning ability—able to contemplate peace at just four years old.
But he had never been taught a proper worldview.
Which led him to a twisted understanding of the Will of Fire.
By the time Itachi became a gold-tier player, he actually already knew—slaughtering the clan had not been the best choice.
But if he admitted that,
Everything would collapse. Even his soul, soaked in sin.
Which was why Aizen's psychological suggestions were so effective. Why Shisui's accusations had broken him.
Right now, he was like a patched-together porcelain vase—one breeze away from shattering.
So,
When his beloved younger brother stood before him, he could no longer say anything.
Because all those cruel words he once rehearsed relied on the belief that he was the hero, the necessary villain.
But now, even he didn't believe that anymore.
"Sasuke, you're still not strong enough. You have no right to say such things to me."
Itachi forced himself to regain composure, expressionless as he stared at Sasuke.
He still wanted to maintain that image.
Like a courtesan refusing to bare the last shred of dignity in front of the one she loved.
"I have nothing more to say to trash like you—go die!"
Sasuke vanished in an instant, the air behind him streaked with trails of cursed fire.
Boom.
A dark-gold cursed sword, covered in rune-like markings, its blade coiled by black fire dragons, slashed toward Itachi.
Itachi raised his short blade, but it was sliced in two as if it were tofu.
Shhk.
Chunks of flesh were carved from his right arm—blood splattering outward.
Cursed black flames ignited across Itachi's body.
But compared to Sasuke's dragon-like flames, Itachi's focused more on soul and spiritual damage.
"I now have the power to kill you!"
Sasuke grew stronger with each strike, black dragons of curse fire sweeping down like a tidal wave—incinerating every Hollow and undead in their range to ash.
"Oh? So arrogant—then let me gouge out your eyes!"
...
Meanwhile,
Just as the Konoha players were losing all hope, a white figure appeared in the sky.
Aizen, draped in a white captain's haori, stood smiling at the center of the spatial rift.
"Captain Aizen! He's not dead!"
"The clan system updated—Lord Aizen is the new leader! He'll lead us to victory!"
Cheers erupted from Konoha ninjas. Their fighting spirit reignited.
Only Tsunade, Jiraiya, and a few others who knew the truth looked even grimmer.
"Lord Aizen!"
A new player on the verge of death called out in desperation, being chased by a massive Hollow.
"Hinamokuri, is that you?"
Aizen turned and saw the young girl begging for help. He unsheathed his Zanpakutō.
Shing.
His blade fell like a silver moon, slashing vertically behind Hinamokuri.
First, the Hollow pursuing her was cleaved clean in half.
Then, the silver moonlight exploded, becoming countless fragments of moonlight—shredding the bone masks of hundreds of nearby Hollows.
"Lord Aizen, so strong!"
Cheers echoed across Konoha. Their pride in Aizen swelled.
All except a few—Shadow Organization captains like Hayate and Yamato—stood frozen in shock.
Aizen had always been admired for his belief in the Will of Fire.
But they'd never heard of him killing hundreds of Hollows with a single strike.
This was almost on par with rogue ninja Orochimaru, the strongest known player…
What's going on?
Hinamokuri leapt like a startled rabbit, diving into Aizen's embrace.
Tears streaming down her face.
"Lord Aizen… the village was destroyed by Orochimaru. He must've opened the Forest of Hollows. Everyone from the orphanage… my friends…"
Her voice trembled as her tiny hands clutched Aizen's white haori.
This warmth—
After her parents were killed by an Evil God, Hinamokuri believed she would live in darkness forever.
Until Aizen appeared—like sunlight breaking through the clouds. His smile gave her the will to survive.
She had become a player only because she longed to follow him.
And now,
Once again, Aizen had appeared at the moment of crisis—just like back at the orphanage—effortlessly slaying the monsters threatening her.
That was who Aizen was!
Hinamokuri trembled with emotion. Her fear and terror melted away in his embrace.
She closed her eyes, cherishing the moment she had dared to embrace Aizen.
"Danger!"
"Get away from him!!"
Tsunade's voice roared from below.
To deceive so many clan leaders, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Mobile Division, and the Shadow Organization, and to ally with Orochimaru to destroy Konoha—
Whoever could do that was extremely dangerous.
Hinamokuri, her mind at ease, heard the panicked shouts but didn't connect them to herself.
Danger?
Probably someone else being chased by a Hollow. Or attacked by the undead.
But Lord Aizen was here. He'd protect her.
"Thank you, Hinamokuri."
Aizen's smile didn't change. Still elegant, he gently patted her back and whispered, "To have a junior like you… I'm truly fortunate."
"Goodbye."
Shhk!
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