Just when the situation seemed promising for luring Sasuke, why did Uehara suddenly swing his fist?
Uehara Naraku slowly wiped the blood off his fist, speaking coldly, "What an annoying brat! Can't you just follow your brother's arrangements?"
"..."
The previously agitated Sasuke suddenly calmed down.
This sixteen-year-old Uchiha youth wasn't as angry as one might imagine. He just stared stubbornly at Uehara with a face full of defiance.
Uehara Naraku grabbed Sasuke's collar, his gaze turning a bit indifferent, "Uchiha Sasuke, listen to me clearly. We are friends of Itachi, but that doesn't mean we'll dote on you like him!"
Uehara Naraku looked at Uchiha Sasuke's expression and spoke softly, "Actually, we really dislike you, which is why I want you gone! Itachi once wanted to pursue that great dream with us, but for you, he chose to sacrifice his own life."
"I know that."
Sasuke stubbornly looked up at Uehara Naraku and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, I will inherit everything from Itachi! His dreams are my dreams! His hatred is my hatred! His will is my will!"
Even though Uehara Naraku had just beaten him up, Sasuke didn't show any particular anger, and there wasn't a trace of rage on his face.
Uchiha Sasuke had already concluded that the reason Uehara Naraku said he disliked him must be because he caused Itachi's death!
In this regard, their views were almost identical.
Just upon learning the truth, Uchiha Sasuke hated his ignorance, because it was his duel with Itachi that indirectly caused his brother's death!
Now, in this world, whatever Uchiha Itachi wanted to do, Uchiha Sasuke decided to do it for him!
"Itachi really left quite a mess behind..."
Uehara Naraku frowned, slowly releasing Uchiha Sasuke's collar. He waved at Yakushi Kabuto, speaking softly, "Kabuto, take out Itachi's eyes, and after Sasuke fully masters the Mangekyo's dojutsu, replace them with Itachi's eyes."
"Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto quickly nodded.
As for Hoshigaki Kisame standing beside Yakushi Kabuto, he didn't even know what kind of expression he was wearing anymore.
Hoshigaki Kisame never imagined Uehara Naraku could bring Uchiha Sasuke to their side so quickly, how the hell did he do it?
He seems quite determined...
It's hard to figure out!
Especially after Uchiha Sasuke got kicked and punched, it seems his resolve is even stronger, his face even showing a bit of relief.
Uehara Naraku glanced at Sasuke, waving his hand to infuse him with chakra and life energy, softly advising, "If you really want to follow us and take Itachi's place, put away that look of yours!"
"Humph, I understand."
Sasuke snorted softly, lowering his head to watch Yakushi Kabuto slowly take out Itachi's eyes, his eyes gradually filled with mist.
Uehara Naraku looked at Sasuke and comforted him softly, "Don't be too sad. Actually, in Itachi's eyes, you were always his pride, even though we never believed it. But he always said you possess power beyond his own."
"Really?"
Uchiha Sasuke's voice had a quiver.
Uehara Naraku patted Sasuke's shoulder, softly lamenting, "Actually, from Momochi Zabuza and Hozuki Mangetsu, Itachi learned that you became a ninja after completing a C-level mission, and he smiled very happily."
"Why didn't he explain the truth to me!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, squatting back down to arrange Itachi's remains, his voice gradually filled with indignation, "If I had known the truth earlier, I wouldn't have hated him so much..."
"Does it matter?"
Uehara Naraku shook his head, softly replying, "Itachi always hoped you would use hatred against him to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. Once you have the power to protect yourself, you won't have to worry about being harmed."
After saying this, Uehara Naraku bowed his head in a sigh, "It's unexpected that hatred couldn't awaken your Mangekyo Sharingan; ultimately, it was his love that awakened it..."
After saying this, Uehara Naraku himself was somewhat touched.
Uchiha Itachi spent so much effort expecting his younger brother to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan through hatred, never thinking that his brother would open the Mangekyo Sharingan because he understood Itachi's hidden familial love.
"..."
Sasuke silently shed tears.
Everyone present was a ninja. It wasn't particularly difficult for them to set up a grave, and soon, they buried Uchiha Itachi's remains here.
To prevent others from discovering it, Uehara Naraku even released a Water Release Ninjutsu, diverting underground rivers to turn the area into a great lake.
After completing all this, Uehara Naraku exhaled a breath of relief and said, "Sasuke, I heard there's a lake near your clan's residence. Itachi should like it here, right?"
"Yes."
Sasuke nodded, wiping away his tear stains, softly saying, "There used to be a lake near the clan's land, and Nisaan used to love going there, thanks."
"It's nothing."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, then frowned and glanced at Sasuke, whispering, "Remember to act restrained in front of the Akatsuki members, don't disgrace Itachi. His manners and behavior were always the most perfect among the Akatsuki members."
"Yes."
Sasuke solemnly nodded.
Now Sasuke had become slightly obedient.
Sasuke almost regarded Uehara Naraku, a friend of Itachi during his lifetime, as his elder.
Yakushi Kabuto watched this scene, lowering his head to adjust his glasses.
Hoshigaki Kisame's face was full of emotion.
To be honest, it was completely unexpected that Uehara Naraku's status in Sasuke's heart would undergo such a drastic change in less than a day.
It's really hard to imagine!
What if, one day Uchiha Sasuke discovers the truth; he must want to chop Uehara Naraku to pieces!
"Sorry, Itachi."
Uehara Naraku looked at the lake in front of him, showing a hint of reminiscence on his face, "We didn't know how to act according to your last words, but I believe Sasuke's own choice is most suitable for him, right?"
Uehara Naraku's statement sounded as if he was Itachi's friend for life and death.
Sasuke stood behind Uehara Naraku, softly soothing Uehara, "Senior Uehara, this is my choice. If Nisaan wants to blame me from the Netherworld, let him blame me!"
Sasuke was even comforting Uehara Naraku!
Hoshigaki Kisame stood beside them, looking at all this in disbelief!
Is this world fake?
Where exactly went wrong?
Hoshigaki Kisame couldn't help questioning his own memory; between Uehara Naraku and himself, who really was Itachi's daily companion?
Yakushi Kabuto inevitably adjusted his glasses again.
"Let's go!"
After saying this, Uehara Naraku formed a Hand Seal, quietly saying, "Sasuke, it's a shame this Ancient Giant Dragon's Summoning Contract is voided. Later, I'll find you an aerial Ninja Beast, making it convenient for you to visit Itachi occasionally."
"Yes, Senior Uehara."
Sasuke nodded quickly.
If it was for enhancing his power, Sasuke wouldn't be that grateful;
But if finding a flying Ninja Beast meant conveniently visiting Uchiha Itachi's burial site, Sasuke was significantly grateful to Uehara Naraku.
This also proved that Uchiha Itachi indeed found a good friend.
Sasuke even felt a bit envious and resentful, why could his brother find a friend like Uehara Naraku who could be entrusted with afterlife matters, while he could only associate with someone like Uzumaki Naruto?
Speaking honestly, Sasuke really felt a bit envious.
An Ancient Giant Dragon descended from the air, landing in front of them.
Uehara Naraku, Sasuke, Yakushi Kabuto, and Hoshigaki Kisame stepped onto the Ancient Giant Dragon and departed from Uchiha Itachi's burial place.
Below the lake.
Uchiha Obito uncovered a grave, gently placing his hand on the coffin, slipping it into his Kamui Space.
Uchiha Obito himself entered the Kamui Space, forcefully opening the coffin, revealing Uchiha Itachi's remains inside.
"Such a pity!"
Uchiha Obito looked at the remains, helplessly sighing, "Itachi, even you didn't see the truth of this world..."