Itachi no unmei -イタチの運命-
(The Destiny of Itachi)
Part 7 : The 3rd Hokage's confession
— Itachi Uchiha...»
I was in a rather narrow room. There was only a faint light where I stood. The place was dilapidated, an old interrogation room.
It was the kind of place where Konoha tortured its enemies to make them confess their crimes and find out their opponents' intentions. But today... I was one of the village's new number 1 enemies.
I was sitting on a chair, hands behind my back, tied up. Opposite me was an old table, containing various utensils. Objects of torture.
At the end of the table, the second-in-command of the intelligence team: Ibiki Morino. He was a young man in his twenties, of Kakashi Hatake's generation. His body was covered with scars and war wounds.
— We need as much information about Akatsuki as possible... So talk.» he grumbled.
— I have nothing to say. I don't have the necessary information.» I say calmly.
— Are you fucking kidding me?!»
He then gave me a brutal blow in the neck and nailed my chin to the table.
— Talk.»
— I ask to see the 3rd Hokage, I have nothing else to say.»
He squeezed the point and gave me a huge uppercut, spurting blood from my mouth.
— Talk!!»
I didn't answer. Nor did I respond to the next blows and requests. This interrogation was going nowhere. Even close to death, I would never talk.
My face was oozing blood, but I didn't care. I'd wait. I was patient.
— Stop!»
One hand interposed, grabbing Ibiki Morino's in one swift movement as he charged at me again. Just as I planned. Jiraya was there again.
— The 3rd Hokage wants to see him.» he said.
Ibiki nodded and let Jiraya untie me from the torture chair and lead me away. We then left the interrogation room and headed for another location in the Konoha underground.
I was used to the underground, where Danzô's Root territory was, where I used to work, when I still lived in Konoha... But this time, I wasn't going to see the Root.
We then passed through a door on which was written: "No access, Top secret". This was Anbu's second residence, where she went to hold her most confidential meetings.
— Itachi Uchiha...»
At the back of the room, I recognized him. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Lord 3rd Hokage. Opposite him was a large table made of grey material, with chairs.
— Sit down, please.» he said.
— I can't do it. I'm a prisoner.» I replied.
He examined me for a moment, seeming to think. Then he turned to Jiraya.
— Thank you for bringing it to me. You can set him free.»
Jiraya gave him a look of total incomprehension.
— You... Are you serious? You want to...»
— Yes.»
— So... Was it true?»
— Yes.»
Jiraya opened his eyes wide. It was shocking, I understood completely. At least, he wasn't any more shocked than I'd imagined. Nothing abnormal, he wasn't just any ninja.
— I see... In that case, I'll leave you to it... Obviously, I won't repeat anything to anyone.»
He had regained his composure with surprising speed. He was a mature man who knew how to manage his emotions and understand things. Somehow, I wondered why he'd never wanted to be Hokage...
— No. Stay.» said the 3rd, suddenly.
Jiraya looked at him quizzically, not understanding why.
— Now you know everything. That you know more isn't necessarily a problem. On the contrary... You could be useful to us. I have a proposition for you... Well, you don't have to accept it. »
Jiraya nodded in understanding.
— First, I'll take stock of the situation with Itachi... Then we'll talk again.» explained the 3rd «Itachi...»
He turned to me.
— Explain to me concretely what's going on. Why did you come back to the village with Orochimaru? What is the purpose of this massacre?»
Listening to him, I could clearly see his concern. It was normal, as the village chief. He must have suspected that if it had come to this... Something serious could happen. But something serious was already happening.
— The Akatsuki leader... Wants to attack Konoha. I had to do this to make him give it up. I can't tell you any more.» I explained.
— I see... I suppose the fact that we're seeing each other is probably risky enough.»
— Yes, that's why I don't want to linger too long. If the enemy thinks I've divulged information to you... I'm in grave danger. And consequently, so is the village.»
Madara would know if the village was aware of something, the change would show. So I couldn't really inform them of anything at the moment...
— If you could give us any more information... Please do.»
— Of course, I'll send Shisui. He's my raven, so I can pass on information to you through him.»
— Shisui...?! Like...»
— You'll recognize it easily. He's wearing his pupil.»
The 3rd Hokage nodded slowly, a smirk on his face. He remembered... My friend Shisui, who was a member of the anbu and, moreover, the one closest to him. I hadn't forgotten him. I never will.
— One more thing...» I said «If you ever think that anything might happen to you... Let me know. I'll make sure Danzô keeps his promises.»
He nodded.
Then I left.
I knew I had to join Kisame later. I had also promised the real Madara that we would meet at the edge of Konoha village. But, for the moment, I had someone else to find.
Orochimaru waited, deep in his lair. He was accompanied by Minato Namikaze, who remained motionless, under his control.
— I've been waiting for you... Itachi.»
I calmly entered the room. My face turned towards the 4th Hokage, his dark eyes conveying an empty stare.
— If you want to talk to her, I can remove her from my control, if you like.» Orochimaru offered.
— No, I'll be fine. It's better this way.»
I said that, but deep down I longed to be able to talk to him. Communicating with a Hokage... It was very important to me. To guide me in the right direction... Anyway, Minato Namikaze, apart from his great reputation, wasn't a very imposing Hokage, so it would have been better for me to meet the first two Hokages.
Yes... I wish. But experience had taught me... That it was better not to play with death. Except as a last resort, of course.
— What are you going to do with him?» Orochimaru asked.
— Take him back to the man in the mask we saw earlier.»
He smiles.
— I'd be happy to come with you...»
— You can't.»
— I know.» he sighed «In any case... I wonder what you intend to do with it.»
I didn't answer. He knew perfectly well that I couldn't tell him...
From then on, our market was finished. Now I could find that other Madara impostor... Although, to be honest, I didn't really want to. I had no choice...
Now I had to come up with a plan to neutralize both Madara. Or at least the real one. Orochimaru couldn't revoke Madara, that was obvious, so his role in this video was over.
I pondered, perplexed. How could I possibly defeat a being not only far more powerful than myself, but also immortal? I had to make progress, but I wouldn't have the time.
I understood. I couldn't do it alone. I had to have help. But who would be powerful enough to...?
The greatest in the world wouldn't work with me. At the very least, the 3rd Hokage, but that would mean risking revealing who I really was. Likewise if I called on Jiraya, or his other sanin compatriot, Tsunade. As for Orochimaru, I'd have to make further concessions, and besides, I didn't trust him in the slightest. So who...?
I didn't have the answer. Nobody has the answer. No one can defeat Madara. Let alone two Madara. No one...
📖To be Continued...📖