"I understand."
Uchiha Itachi slowly nodded.
Uehara Naraku is someone who can be used.
If possible, perhaps I can consider using Uehara Naraku to convey information about the Akatsuki to Konoha. The deeper Uehara Naraku gets involved with that group of ninjas from Konoha, the more likely he is to reveal a flaw.
"Ringo Ameyuri, Hozuki Mangetsu are your comrades."
Uchiha Itachi immediately mentioned two names. After all, there were a total of four members from the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist Village who joined the Akatsuki. Among them, three had a good relationship, while Momochi Zabuza was instinctively excluded by them.
Wait a minute...
Does that mean Momochi Zabuza might also be the mastermind?
Because Momochi Zabuza is their superior, they might be reluctant to speak with him to avoid revealing any flaws, and Momochi Zabuza is also covered in bandages, making it hard to see his true face...
Uchiha Itachi instinctively began to get a headache.
Finding out the real mastermind behind the scenes isn't something that can be done in just a few sentences. It is necessary to quickly find a way to investigate clearly.
Uchiha Itachi knocked on his desk and said in a low voice, "I will pay attention to protecting the secrets of the Akatsuki members. Will you guys help me protect Sasuke?"
This was both a probe and an inquiry.
Uchiha Itachi wanted to use this to test the hands that would capture the Three-tailed Jinchuriki, perhaps there was a comrade or superior of Hoshigaki Kisame among them.
If Hoshigaki Kisame agreed to protect Sasuke, then among the hands capturing the Three-tailed Jinchuriki, there must be a comrade or even a superior of Hoshigaki Kisame...
Such as the Momochi Zabuza that Uchiha Itachi suspected.
"Don't worry."
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned at Uchiha Itachi and chuckled, "It seems we can only make this deal. Mr. Itachi is really unwilling to join us?"
"To be honest, I'm very tempted."
Uchiha Itachi looked at Hoshigaki Kisame and quietly said, "But before joining an unknown group, I need at least to know your goals as well as the leader and current members, right?"
"...Well, there's no way then."
Hoshigaki Kisame looked regretfully at Uchiha Itachi and sighed softly, "Actually, recruiting Mr. Itachi is my personal wish. I can't bear to see a ninja like Mr. Itachi disappear. Only after Mr. Itachi agrees can I report to my superior.
After all, in my superior's eyes, Mr. Itachi is a very troublesome figure! He may not like Mr. Itachi joining us, and I would need to use a lot of effort to possibly persuade him to accept Mr. Itachi and your brother."
Hoshigaki Kisame said this as if their little group was quite impressive, and there was even a kind of VIP threshold system.
However, it is indeed very impressive.
Uchiha Itachi looked at Hoshigaki Kisame with some surprise, seemingly unable for a moment to react that Hoshigaki Kisame had been recruiting him all along for his own sake?
Did his superior actually not agree or even know?
What does this mean?
Uchiha Itachi's brain quickly turned and he immediately realized a terrifying fact, which is that the person behind Kisame might not think Uchiha Itachi has any value at all, or simply foresaw that he was about to walk towards death.
Yes...
Since that person could see through his intention to protect his brother by exterminating his clan, how could they not see through the possibility of Uchiha Itachi's willingness to sacrifice himself?
The mastermind did not leave a place for him!
It's not self-praise, but he knows his own strength, which is definitely among the top in the entire Akatsuki organization.
Uchiha Itachi himself is not a person without value.
It's just that because the mastermind knows Uchiha Itachi himself is intent on dying, they simply gave up on him.
But...
Uchiha Itachi slowly lifted his head, staring at Hoshigaki Kisame who sat in front of him, this comrade he had spent many years with day and night.
But...
But Hoshigaki Kisame didn't want to see Uchiha Itachi's death, so he took it upon himself to come and recruit Uchiha Itachi to join them!
This is an extremely dangerous move.
Either Hoshigaki Kisame knows it's okay, it won't impact the people behind him, or Hoshigaki Kisame is risking the danger of being killed by his superiors.
Uchiha Itachi couldn't distinguish.
Uchiha Itachi knew one thing for sure, his comrade wanted to save him!
According to what Uehara Naraku said at the meeting, when Sasuke captures the Three-tails with them and returns, the Uchiha Brothers would have a life-or-death duel.
Uchiha Itachi was actually prepared to die.
Just before he went to his death, Kisame had already seen through everything and wanted to lend him a hand.
"Thank you, Kisame."
Uchiha Itachi gazed at Hoshigaki Kisame, and after a moment of silence, he continued, "I have seen my own fate, I have seen through what kind of person I am, I have found the path I need to take."
Uchiha Itachi flatly refused Kisame.
On the night of the massacre, Uchiha Itachi had already prepared a conclusion for himself, and he would not change for anything.
Even though he greatly admires Kisame as a comrade.
"Mr. Itachi..."
Hoshigaki Kisame's face suddenly looked ugly, he twisted his mouth into a grim smile, "I took a lot of risks, can't you consider it? After all, I don't want to lose my partner."
"Sorry, Kisame."
Uchiha Itachi placed his hand on Hoshigaki Kisame's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Actually, you should know, right? The person behind you never reserved a spot for me."
"..."
Hoshigaki Kisame's figure stiffened for an instant.
Uchiha Itachi looked at Hoshigaki Kisame and continued, "You should forget about all the extra words you said to me tonight. I will also forget these words, understand? Don't let yourself get into danger..."
"I know."
Hoshigaki Kisame stood up, exposing a mouthful of shark teeth, "Then let's leave it at that! Remember, Mr. Itachi, you absolutely must not leak any information about the organization to anyone. That is the price for us to protect Sasuke. If you leak it, no matter how subtle, we can find out the source of the information. We do have spies within the Five Great Countries."
"I will remember."
Uchiha Itachi nodded, watching the tall figure of Hoshigaki Kisame just about to leave, he suddenly spoke again, "Wait, Kisame, if the person behind you wants to win over Sasuke, I hope you can take good care of him."
"..."
Hoshigaki Kisame remained silent for a while, then nodded, "Even if Sasuke is not Mr. Itachi's most beloved brother, he has still been my comrade for a few years, I won't stand idly by."
"Then I'm reassured."
Uchiha Itachi nodded.
After Hoshigaki Kisame left, Uchiha Itachi suddenly covered his mouth, and blood dripped through the gaps in his fingers.
His body was nearing its limit.
So, on this return to the Land of Fire, he must find a way to plan Sasuke's future.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was dead, Shimura Danzo was missing, and no one knew about Uchiha Itachi's past.
If Sasuke's whereabouts are not discovered by Konoha, entrusting him to Kisame as a friend might not be a bad option.