Chapter 290: Don't Open the Box, Don't Open the Box
Several days later, Itachi finally returned.
He went directly to the former Hokage office, wanting to see Mizuki. But upon opening the door, he saw Kazuma instead.
Though Kazuma's injuries had been quite severe, he should have recovered long ago.
Previously he'd deliberately delayed hospital discharge because the "Hero Trial" outcome remained uncertain, letting Mizuki take the frontline position.
Now that the village had accepted and grown enthusiastic about "Hero Trials," Kazuma no longer needed hiding behind the scenes.
Plus with the village destroyed a second time, he as nominal leader should appear to distribute supplies and lead Konoha Village's reconstruction.
The moment he saw Itachi enter, he immediately flew into a rage, cursing loudly.
"Itachi, how do you still have the face to return?"
"You bastard—disappearing without even a word!"
"If not for Mizuki insisting on vouching for you, claiming you couldn't possibly betray Konoha Village, I'd have already issued a rogue ninja warrant for you!"
Itachi froze briefly before lowering his head, speaking quietly:
"My deepest apologies. I went out seeking something that could save Konoha Village."
"Save Konoha Village?" Kazuma sneered. "Just you?"
Kazuma remained dissatisfied about Itachi abandoning him that day. His impression of Itachi had long since plummeted to rock bottom. Add Itachi's recent departure without notice, and he felt utterly disgusted—showing not a shred of goodwill while scolding harshly nonstop.
"Stop flattering yourself!"
"The village's future naturally has me and the nobility worrying about it. Not your place to interfere recklessly."
"Through my and Lord Sora Tani's mediation, the daimyo has shipped massive supplies to the village again."
"During your disappearance these past days, the village hasn't been idle. Everyone's been working hard toward reconstruction."
"You saw when you returned, right?"
"The village has recovered several measures of prosperity."
"This is all His Excellency the Daimyo's grace!"
"You must understand gratitude! Stop recklessly releasing large-scale attacks in the future."
"Though the village construction crews grow increasingly efficient, no one wants constantly doing repetitive work!"
"My deepest apologies!" Though scolded, Itachi felt genuinely happy seeing the village's revival, so he obediently lowered his head accepting the rebuke.
Previously Kazuma had indeed liked Itachi's obedience. But after discovering Itachi's "true face" last time, this behavior now appeared two-faced to Kazuma—increasingly unpleasant.
"Hmph, only knows how to pretend. Drops the ball at critical moments."
After scolding Itachi for ages, he finally waved dismissively, barking:
"The village is busy now—no time dealing with you. Get lost!"
Only then did Itachi produce a scroll, presenting it to Kazuma with both hands.
"Lord Kazuma, this is the Box of Ultimate Bliss I seized from the Land of Grass."
"According to ancient records, after opening this box, it can fulfill the opener's wish."
"I believe we can completely utilize this thing to defeat powerful enemies, achieving the village's peace and revival."
After listening, Kazuma's brow furrowed.
Previously Mizuki had specifically run to whisper in his ear, mentioning this "Box of Ultimate Bliss" while selectively sharing related intelligence.
So upon hearing about this thing, Kazuma immediately disliked it.
Add that he greatly disliked Itachi as a person, so he also disliked the "Box of Ultimate Bliss" Itachi brought back.
He absolutely didn't reach out to accept that scroll. Instead he frowned darkly while rebuking:
"Who told you to randomly steal things from the Land of Grass?"
"Think the village doesn't have enough external enemies already?"
Itachi hastily explained:
"Lord Kazuma, rest assured—I didn't seize the Box of Ultimate Bliss using my own identity."
"I disguised myself as Uchiha Yasushi while stealing it!"
"Since he can disguise himself as me to harm people, naturally I can also disguise as him to cause him trouble."
"With Susanoo and Wood Release forest as proof, the Land of Grass people will definitely believe it."
Kazuma's expression stiffened, obviously not expecting Itachi to do this.
But as a shinobi, Kazuma always pursued goals relentlessly using any means necessary. He actually felt Itachi's method proved quite good.
Yet he couldn't swallow his previous words, so he changed reasons, continuing to rebuke:
"Didn't Mizuki already say?"
"Intelligence on this thing remains incomplete. We cannot accurately judge what side effects using it entails. Rash attempts prove far too risky."
"Mizuki proposed better suggestions—popularizing Sage Mode throughout the village. You could also try contracting a toad."
"Moreover, Hero Water has already been retrieved. The Fury of Heaven technique is also obtained. Various clans found quite a few well-documented items in ancient texts—all being gradually planned."
"What the village currently lacks is time. Just collecting more of these things means even if Uchiha Yasushi comes again, the village won't be without resistance... worst case we'll fight him desperately!"
"This broken box—intelligence isn't even complete. Who knows what will happen after opening it?"
"I forbid you from randomly opening boxes. That's an order!" Kazuma stated decisively.
Itachi's thoughts were actually quite sensitive. He'd long since heard from Kazuma's words that Kazuma disliked him as a person, thus refusing to accept his suggestion about using the "Box of Ultimate Bliss."
His brow couldn't help but furrow, feeling extremely dissatisfied with Kazuma's "narrow-minded thinking."
But he lacked courage to break things with Kazuma. He merely nodded silently before withdrawing.
After exiting, he went seeking Mizuki again.
He knew only Mizuki—Kazuma's confidant—could persuade this narrow-minded leader.
Upon seeing Itachi, Mizuki felt extremely delighted, immediately setting aside work to greet him.
"Oh, Itachi—you've finally returned!"
"I said even if everyone in Konoha Village betrayed the village, you absolutely wouldn't."
Itachi also embraced Mizuki emotionally, declaring seriously:
"Thank you for trusting me, Lord Mizuki. I will never betray Konoha Village, nor will I betray Lord Mizuki's trust in me."
After sitting and exchanging a few words, Itachi again produced the scroll containing the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," handing it to Mizuki.
"Lord Mizuki, I hope you can support me in opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss to save Konoha Village."
After listening, Mizuki's brow also furrowed tightly.
"Itachi, I cannot support you in this matter."
"I said before—intelligence on this box remains incomplete. Who knows what will happen after opening it?"
"The village's current situation looks extremely promising. I don't agree with you opening this box."
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