"Alright, let's talk openly!"
Uchiha Itachi's expression gradually calmed down, and he said in a low voice, "I'm a bit curious, why did Sasuke choose to join you?"
"Huh?"
Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead, looked at Uchiha Itachi, and said, "What kind of question is that? Why did Sasuke join us?"
Uehara Naraku seemed to see something amusing, squinting with a smile, and said, "Of course, it's because...we are Itachi-san's friends! We are the best friends of Itachi-san, the ones even good enough for Itachi-san to entrust with his last wishes and testament!"
Uchiha Itachi: "..."
What kind of nonsense is this!
How could he have such a terrible group of friends!
And for someone like him, how could he possibly have friends!
Did Sasuke never think of that? As someone who slaughtered all of his own relatives and kin, how could he have any friends?
Unless...these guys fabricated evidence as indistinguishable from the truth!
"Itachi-san, weren't you always the one who loved to tell stories?"
Uehara Naraku waved his hand to create an ice chair, leisurely sat on it, and said with a relaxed smile, "Then let me tell you a story today! See if this story passes your judgment?"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's heart sank little by little.
Uehara Naraku tilted his head, propping his face with his fist, and squinted his eyes slightly, "Where should this story begin? Perhaps eight years ago, because that was the origin of the life-changing point for you brothers.
Eight years ago, the Uchiha Clan was still the strongest ninja clan in the Ninja World.
Unfortunately, after the Great Ninja War ended, the power of the Uchiha Clan became a hidden threat in the village, and their presence aroused suspicion from the village's high council.
Even though the Uchiha Clan always lived a life untainted by worldly affairs, their clan produced many geniuses, and their Sharingan was the best bloodline limit in the Ninja World, their existence itself was original sin."
At this point in Uehara Naraku's story, he looked at the still expressionless face of Uchiha Itachi and continued to smile, "How is it? Isn't the role of the Uchiha Clan in this story quite innocent?"
"…I see."
Uchiha Itachi nodded slowly.
If it were Uchiha Sasuke, who did not know the truth, hearing Uehara Naraku's story, he would indeed have the belief that the Uchiha were innocent.
Once that established belief sets in.
Once Uehara Naraku goes on to talk about Konoha's high council persecuting the Uchiha Clan, it would easily incite a sense of indignation in Uchiha Sasuke.
Inevitable as it is.
The continuation of Uehara Naraku's story only stirred more righteous indignation.
"The high council in the village realized the burgeoning strength of the Uchiha Clan and feared that one day, the Uchiha would replace them. Therefore, the council decided to first use the villagers and some filthy tactics to humiliate the Uchiha, who inherently valued their dignity.
The village's high council wanted to use such methods to force these proud Uchiha into conflicts with the villagers, or even to resist the village's orders, so that they could have legitimate excuses to suppress them and thereby completely destroy the entire Uchiha Clan."
After finishing, Uehara Naraku looked again at Uchiha Itachi and smiled, "How about it? After hearing all this, doesn't Itachi-san also feel that Konoha's high council is utterly depraved?"
"Your words are indeed very persuasive."
Uchiha Itachi nodded silently and said in a low voice, "Even I can hardly resist believing that what you're saying might be true."
"Because it is the truth."
Uehara Naraku chuckled lightly, looked at Uchiha Itachi, and said, "The policy personally enacted by Second Hokage Senju Tobirama was meant to prevent your Uchiha from assimilating into Konoha; he truly hated your Uchiha to the bone!"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi fell into silence again.
Looking at the silent Uchiha Itachi, Uehara Naraku suddenly chuckled and said, "We won't speak of these things anymore. Up next is the most exciting part of this story, because Itachi-san and your father and mother will play a very important role.
Just as the tension between Konoha and the Uchiha was escalating, the then Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo found a Uchiha genius ninja, who just so happened to have a weakness in his heart: his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, whom he raised by his own hand.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo promised to protect his brother as a price, demanding that this genius ninja named Uchiha Itachi eliminate the Uchiha Clan, otherwise the entire Uchiha Clan would face total annihilation.
When the blood-red moon shone down, the entire Uchiha territory was drenched in blood, screams filled the air, and corpses with scarlet eyes lay scattered on the ground...
Among those whom Sarutobi Hiruzen had won over was Uchiha Obito, who had newly surrendered, joining Uchiha Itachi in obliterating all their kin. Afterward, Uchiha Itachi entered his own home, facing his parents, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikota.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's face shifted.
For what came next was the incident for which he loathed himself the most.
This was also the hardest scar to erase from Uchiha Itachi's heart!
Nevertheless, Uehara Naraku continued without hesitation, "Uchiha Itachi suddenly discovered a significant truth: his father, Uchiha Fugaku, possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan as well. He thought a terrible father-son battle was imminent.
Unexpectedly, upon learning the truth, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikota resolved to die in front of their son, staking their lives as a gamble on their youngest son's, Uchiha Sasuke's, future."