Uchiha Itachi's appearance at the Hokage Tower was no coincidence.
After Uchiha Shisui's suicide, Sarutobi Hiruzen lost his eyes and ears within the Uchiha Clan. He directly demanded that the only spy placed within the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Itachi, report intelligence to all Konoha higher-ups, rather than only to Shimura Danzo.
This kind of thing...
Even Shimura Danzo couldn't refuse, nor could he even protest.
Uchiha Itachi would regularly come to the Hokage Tower to report on the situation of the Uchiha Clan. During this period, the situation reported by Uchiha Itachi was roughly the same, mostly mentioning that after Uchiha Shisui's suicide, the Uchiha Clan temporarily lost its combat power and confidence for a coup.
"Uchiha Itachi."
Akihara Kagura suddenly called out to Uchiha Itachi, knowingly asking, "I heard Uchiha Shisui is dead. When I want to kill you now, is there still anyone who can protect you?"
"Kagura."
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head.
These days have been too busy, with Uchiha Itachi always dealing with the troubles arising after Uchiha Shisui's suicide, and he had actually forgotten about this once-great crisis, Akihara Kagura.
However...
The crisis of the Uchiha Clan has not yet been resolved.
But Akihara Kagura's crisis is no longer a crisis.
As a Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Itachi knows he wouldn't be as powerless as before; now he has many ways to deal with Akihara Kagura.
"I don't want to have any conflict with you anymore."
Uchiha Itachi lightly bypassed Akihara Kagura from the side: "It was a mission I had to perform, and we won't have any more interactions thereafter."
"Just a mission?"
Akihara Kagura looked at his back, nodded, and said: "I see. Then I actually hope one day I can carry out such a mission and kill the person most important to you. Your brother Uchiha Sasuke is the most important to you, right?"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's footsteps suddenly stopped, and he turned his head to glance at his teammate, his eyes turning terrifyingly intense, making one involuntarily feel fear!
"That look is good."
Akihara Kagura praised lightly and continued: "Are you thinking of killing me in your heart? But just relying on your eyes can't possibly kill me."
"Having a pair of good eyes is best."
Akihara Kagura's mouth slightly curved up, as if talking about something that barely piqued his interest: "Think about it, this world is really interesting. The former murderer now wants to kill the victim, fearing the victim might retaliate against him..."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's momentum stalled.
Akihara Kagura always acts this way.
Clearly, every time it's himself being forced, yet every time it's said, it always seems like it's Akihara Kagura who stands on the right side.
"Forget it."
"I can't understand your thinking."
"Just as you can't possibly comprehend my actions either..."
"Humans live within their own cognition, always unable to understand things outside their cognition, nor would they ever consider jumping out of their own cognition."
Uchiha Itachi shook his head, unwilling to continue entangling with Akihara Kagura, stating his stance openly: "If you still desire revenge for that day, direct your aim at me. We all have things most important to us..."
This is a challenge issued.
For Uchiha Itachi, his brother Uchiha Sasuke is the most important relative; for Akihara Kagura, Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou are his most significant people.
Both individuals have their ties.
The issue between the two shouldn't involve those around them.
"In life, what's most important is fairness."
Akihara Kagura showed a strange smile: "If you wish to write off what you did at Earth River Canyon, that wouldn't be fair. I don't like being taken advantage of."
"There's never absolute fairness in this world."
Uchiha Itachi turned away, not wanting to continue the dispute: "Now I'm willing to resolve the troubles between us in a relatively fair way..."
Uchiha Itachi paused in his steps, sincerely advising: "If you still can't let go of what happened at Earth River Canyon and really want to do something, please target just me."
"Let's assume I heard you."
Akihara Kagura smiled as he watched Uchiha Itachi's departing back.
"What happened to you both?"
Kakashi Hatake appeared before Akihara Kagura, glanced at the departing Uchiha Itachi, and couldn't help but ask: "Is it still because of the Earth River Canyon incident?"
"No."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, looking at his captain: "Captain Kakashi, I feel I might be somewhat weak now, Uchiha Itachi actually isn't afraid of me anymore..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake felt that this subordinate of his made him quite a headache: "You... why do you always want people to fear you!"
Akihara Kagura's initial intentions are always kind-hearted; how come his personality and approach always end up so malicious?
For instance.
Regarding Naruto.
Kakashi Hatake recalled the matter of Naruto Uzumaki, and proactively said: "By the way, the Ninja Academy's first-year final exam results came out. Karin's performance was quite good; however, Naruto's final exam results weren't ideal, recently making Anko seem like she might be on the verge of madness..."
"Could be afraid I'd trouble her."
Akihara Kagura casually offered an excuse for Mitarashi Anko.
"Perhaps..."
Kakashi Hatake pulled out a peculiar smile.
Should he tell Akihara Kagura that Mitarashi Anko, a Chunin, almost got driven crazy by little Naruto's summer homework attitude and grades?