After accepting the mission from Pain, Uchiha Itachi remained standing in place.
His mood was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.
The Third Hokage was dead, and the only ones who knew the truth of that night were Shimura Yami and Shimura Danzō.
Back then, he and Hiruzen had reached a tacit agreement—he would stay with Akatsuki and keep the secret, while Hiruzen would protect Sasuke in the village.
But the person protecting Sasuke was now dead, and the one Itachi worried about most was Danzō.
After learning that Sasuke had become Yami's student, he had considered returning to the village once, but couldn't find a suitable reason. Now, this mission gave him the opportunity.
He had to show up, at least once, to remind Danzō and Yami that he was still alive.
Not long after, Hoshigaki Kisame returned. His Samehada was still wrapped in bloodstained bandages.
"Itachi-san, the mission is complete."
To Uchiha Itachi, Kisame maintained a certain level of respect.
This man was ruthless.
Kisame had only killed his comrades for Kirigakure, but Itachi had killed his parents for Konoha and Sasuke.
"Good work, Kisame."
Uchiha Itachi nodded slightly. "Just now, the leader relayed a new mission. Orochimaru attacked Konoha, and Shimura awakened Wood Release."
"We need to head to Konoha, gather intel, and confirm the status of the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki."
"Konoha?"
Kisame's eyes narrowed slightly before returning to normal, followed by a grin.
"What a fine destination. I've heard Konoha is a land of outstanding shinobi, full of prodigies. Finally, I'll get to see it with my own eyes."
In truth, it had been a while since he'd seen his "boss."
As a dedicated employee, Kisame felt it was time to remind his boss he still existed.
"Madara, things are becoming more troublesome."
In a cavern, Zetsu delivered a more detailed report.
Obito wore a grim expression and said nothing.
A once-overlooked genius had now become a genuine threat.
Black Zetsu was even more unsettled. According to the intel from White Zetsu, Yami's Wood Release was nothing like Yamato's or Obito's.
This wasn't someone growing a few wooden stakes and calling it Wood Release.
This was real Wood Release—the kind that could calm the chaos of war. He could summon Wooden Golems and Wood Dragons at will.
Uchiha Madara had been defeated by Senju Hashirama's Wood Release. Now, there was no Madara in the world—only a fake one. Who could stop this?
"Don't worry." Obito finally spoke with a dark expression. "We remain in the shadows. The one who should be worrying now is Nagato."
"The Rinnegan can absorb all chakra. It should be able to suppress Wood Release. Besides, even with the God Tree's power, Yami is no match for Nagato."
"We'll wait until they both weaken each other, then I'll seize the Rinnegan and carry out the plan."
"Madara..." Black Zetsu warned, "You are not the real one."
Obito gave him a cold glare. "Everything is for the Eye of the Moon Plan. Isn't reviving Madara the goal? Orochimaru even gave me an idea. [Impure World Reincarnation] is also for that, right?"
Black Zetsu fell silent.
Even that warning had been part of his act. In his heart, as long as someone could battle the Tailed Beasts and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, it didn't matter who they were—Madara, Obito, or even Nagato.
Early Morning, Konoha Village.
Sasuke was locked in a fierce duel with Yuichi.
Ever since learning that beating Yuichi would allow him to learn more, Sasuke insisted on fighting him once a day.
Under Yami's orders, Yuichi no longer concealed his Three Tomoe Sharingan.
Though the gap between two and three tomoe seemed small, the difference in ocular power was vast, and several genjutsu were exclusive to the fully matured eye.
Yuichi was one of the strongest surviving Uchiha and had been personally trained by Shisui. His strength was on a completely different level from Sasuke, who had just left the greenhouse.
But Yuichi could clearly feel Sasuke's growth. Back in the Land of Waves, he could beat Sasuke with his eyes closed. Now they were nearly equal, with Sasuke even gaining the upper hand at times.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before Yuichi could no longer win.
Bang!
Dodging Sasuke's Chidori, Yuichi caught him in the opening after the charge and struck him down.
"You're still far from beating me, let alone Uchiha Itachi."
While he could still win, Yuichi never forgot to taunt Sasuke after each victory.
Surprisingly, Sasuke never talked back. Facing one of the few remaining Uchiha, he always felt a sense of guilt.
During the break—
"Yuichi, how old are you this year?"
"Seventeen."
"Then... you were only about ten back then. I might've known you."
Sasuke tried to gather more information, but Yuichi saw through him and snorted. "I won't tell you anything without permission from Yami-sama."
"You were the clan leader's son back then and one of the few in the clan who went to the Academy. I had no contact with you."
With that, Yuichi left the training ground without pause.
Sasuke's rapid growth had pressured him. The pride from awakening Three Tomoe had vanished. Now, Yuichi had to do extra training daily just to hold Sasuke back a little longer.
"You're really tight-lipped…"
Sasuke muttered as he left. Yami had also arranged for Kakashi to help him train the lightning nature transformation of chakra.
At the same time, Kisame and Itachi used a thick fog and Sharingan illusion to pass the two gatekeepers with ease.
Standing on the wall, Kisame admired Konoha's view and sighed.
"Looks like this place has been through a lot."
Even now, the village scenery was impressive, but scars from the war remained—unhealed wounds.
Kisame didn't realize that only 30% of the destruction came from enemies. The other 70% was all Yami's doing.
Two massive Summoned Beasts, the overwhelming Wooden Golem, and the rampaging Tree World Advent—all wide-range AOE techniques. Of course Konoha suffered heavy damage.
Thankfully, a little construction expert was working in the village. Yamato had been worked like a donkey and was already skin and bones.
Uchiha Itachi didn't comment. He just watched for a moment and then said,
"Let's go."
Though it was a mission, they couldn't neglect their bodies.
Once inside the village, the two found a dessert shop to eat first.
Itachi ordered a plate of natto, some skewers of three-color dango, and a bowl of anko soup. Kisame copied him, but frowned after two bites.
Was the shopkeeper a sugar-style ninja? Why did it taste like pure sugar?
Seeing Itachi eating with gusto, Kisame couldn't help asking, "Itachi-san, don't you think this is too sweet?"
"I like sweets," Itachi replied without lifting his head, still chewing his dango.
"No amount of sweetness can erase the bitterness of reality."
Kisame pushed the food aside. "And it's not good for your health. I can't enjoy it."
"People need some comfort, Kisame. Don't you have something you're interested in?"
"Yeah."
Kisame grinned. "I want to be a detective and uncover the truth behind everything."
While they chatted, voices rose outside the shop. Neither person lowered their voice, and several names caught both Itachi and Kisame's attention.
Outside the dumpling shop, Kakashi stood reading Icha Icha Paradise, unconcerned with passersby's looks.
"Kakashi, what are you standing here for?"
Kurenai and Yugao appeared at the door hand in hand. Seeing the book in his hand, Kurenai's mouth twitched with regret for greeting him.
"It's you."
Kakashi put the book away, gave the shop a glance, and said, "I came to buy offerings and wait for Sasuke. Yami arranged for me to help train him for a while. Where are you two headed?"
Kurenai and Yugao understood Kakashi's hint and nodded slightly, but didn't stop chatting.
"We're buying some clothes for Yami and adding decorations to the house."
"Tch, how sweet."
Kakashi sounded envious.
Kurenai and Yugao—two of the village's most beautiful women—handled his home life. Sasuke got personal guidance. All Yami had to do was enjoy life.
Damn… why couldn't he live like that?
"Offerings?"
"Yeah, for Obito and Rin. They were my teammates."
"Kakashi, you're not late. Kurenai-sensei, Yugao-sensei."
As they talked, Sasuke arrived and greeted the women politely, looking at Kakashi with surprise.
Inside, Itachi stared at the table regretfully but still put down the skewers and whispered, "Kisame, we should go."
As they left, Sasuke noticed the half-eaten anko soup and dango on the table and muttered, "I hate sweets."
"You really are Yami's student," Kurenai smiled, then vanished along with Yugao.
Sasuke asked curiously, "Kakashi, what are Yugao-sensei and Kurenai-sensei doing?"
"They have their own missions. Go to the training ground first. I'll catch up."
Kakashi sent Sasuke off, then followed their trail.
Beside a small river, Kurenai and Yugao had already intercepted the duo wearing bamboo hats and red cloud cloaks.
A sharp light flashed in Kurenai's eyes. "Uchiha Itachi. I didn't expect you'd dare return to the village."
"Itachi-san, it seems the villagers aren't too happy to see you."
Kisame slowly removed his hat, smirking, though a hint of unease crept in.
These two… probably belonged to Yami's faction.
If they fought seriously, he couldn't go all out. But if he held back, Itachi would notice.
He knew how sharp Itachi's intuition was.
As a Water Release shinobi, Kisame had no experience holding back. That was a real problem.
"Kurenai-senpai. Yugao-senpai."
After a brief pause, Itachi removed his hat, revealing his forehead protector and iconic Sharingan.
"I don't think it's wise for either of you to stop me."
"Step aside. I don't want to kill you."
"That's not your call, Uchiha Itachi."
"You slaughtered countless clansmen. Now you return—what's your purpose?"
As she spoke, a special kunai appeared in Kurenai's hand. Itachi and Kisame's eyes narrowed simultaneously.
No way.
Starting with a big move?
That's seriously unethical…
(To be continued.)