156-160

Chapter 156: Itachi's Thoughts 

A blur of motion streaked through the air. 

Obito reached out, trying to grasp something, but could only stare in stunned silence. The owner of the voice landed lightly on a tree branch, calmly observing Obito. 

"Uchiha Itachi, it's you!" 

Obito's head slowly turned. He saw Itachi, hand stained with blood, gripping an eyeball, his voice a mix of emotions. It had to be Itachi; besides him, who else could approach him so silently? 

"It's me, Mr. Madara. Long time no see. You're still as reclusive as ever, I see." Itachi calmly pulled out a container from his cloak and placed the eye inside. 

... 

Obito looked at the poised and composed man, feeling immense pressure. He never expected Itachi to interfere at this moment, leaving him completely flustered. 

"Aren't you going to use Izanagi to get your eye back?" Itachi asked softly, a smile playing on his lips as he watched Obito remain still. He didn't feel much towards Obito. If it weren't for concerns about his plan and personnel, and his desire to witness Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's splendor, he would've already gone for that Kamui eye and Obito's very heart. 

Without Kamui, Obito wasn't much fun to play with. A game of shogi needs worthy opponents, doesn't it? What's the point of a dimensionality-reducing strike without one? He couldn't possibly revive Kaguya himself; no, he wasn't that idle. His role was to stand behind Obito and the others, simply prodding them forward with a stick. 

... 

"Interesting. Two Uchiha Madaras... and it seems this Madara wants to kill himself... Konan, what do you make of this?" 

From the shadows, Nagato spoke to Konan beside him. It turned out Itachi wasn't the only one who had arrived; Nagato had been on the battlefield for a while. Only Obito, the hothead, had jumped into action. Itachi, on the other hand, played the long game, like a mantis stalking a cicada, with a oriole waiting behind. As for whether Nagato could be the hunter, that remained to be seen. 

Hearing Nagato's words, Konan's face was impassive, but her mind was in turmoil. At that moment, many thoughts flooded her. Uchiha Madara trying to kill Uchiha Madara... there was definitely something big going on here. 

... 

No one would try to kill themselves for no reason, right? Eliminating that option, it could only mean that the masked man who had been cooperating with them, claiming to be Uchiha Madara, was a fake. And putting aside the facts, this "Uchiha Madara" hadn't spoken a single truth. How could their cooperation continue? 

"Itachi, we can cooperate... You've got your eye back. Shall we sit down and talk?" 

Obito finally seemed to snap out of his daze. He wasn't surprised that Itachi knew he had Izanagi; after all, it wasn't a secret jutsu known by only a few. As for sacrificing Kamui to preserve Amaterasu, that was a joke, right? 

... 

"Talk, huh? I don't think we have much to talk about. You attacked the Uchiha clan, aren't you worried you might accidentally kill your grandfather, or perhaps your great-grandfather? What if you cease to exist then?" Itachi smiled slightly, speaking softly in response to Obito. 

Since some things weren't meant for too many ears, Itachi lowered his voice and used chakra to mask it in the open. 

"Uh..." Obito was bewildered by Itachi's words. How did the conversation get here? Had Itachi guessed his identity? His mind was racing, trying to figure out Itachi's intentions. At that moment, he felt he had been too impulsive. 

Even though he didn't care about these things—he had long since disregarded his own life and death, only caring about Rin—what did it matter if he was in the future shinobi world or not? He had been weary of this world for a long time... 

This action, though impulsive, what did it matter? His only regret was not being able to snuff out Madara in his infancy. 

... 

Obito's thoughts ceased. He gave Itachi a deep look, then his figure was enveloped by a vortex, gradually fading into a mirage. He regretted seeing Uchiha Tajima use ice-style genjutsu and impulsively using Amaterasu. Obito's mind was filled with annoyance. He probably angered Itachi by using Amaterasu, bringing trouble upon himself. At this point, he didn't have many ways to deal with Itachi. 

Obito left, and Itachi didn't stop him. There wasn't much point. He was more interested in the fleeting presence he had sensed earlier. He had a bold guess: Nagato might have also come to the Warring States period. Initially, he thought it was the Six Paths of Pain that were still active here, then he thought it was Obito's presence. Now it seemed Obito wasn't the only rat in the works; there was someone else. 

... 

"You all carry on. I was just passing by." Itachi's thoughts returned, and he noticed everyone below was staring at him. He scratched his head sheepishly, then his body dissolved into a flock of crows that scattered. He didn't want to interfere with the battle between the two clans. He was also unsure about this time travel; would altering history here affect the future? He didn't know if this was a parallel world or the history of that world. After all, the original storyline in the manga was quite confusing with not much cohesion in the plot. 

... 

"Uchiha Itachi, we meet again..." 

Just as Itachi left, preparing to find a river to grab a bite to eat, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice echoed behind him. The voice made Itachi pause slightly... because the owner of the voice was very familiar, and it was a woman's voice... 

Chapter 157: See You Again, Konan 

"Konan, what are you doing here?" Itachi slowly turned his head, his voice filled with disbelief. 

Konan chuckled softly. "Hehe, why wouldn't I be here? My annoying little brat has turned into an annoying man, hasn't he?" She found Itachi's surprised expression, usually so composed, quite amusing. 

"Alright," Itachi replied flatly after hearing Konan's somewhat unexpected answer. He had already accepted the fact that Konan had also traveled through time. After all, if Nagato could come, why would Konan be so strange? His surprise was simply because he hadn't thought about it. 

Itachi's response left Konan with a dark line forming on her forehead. This Itachi, his acceptance is just too strong, isn't it? 

"I've come to take you to see someone. He's the true mastermind of the Akatsuki. You weren't worthy of meeting him before, but now you are..." Konan mused for a moment, speaking softly, as if their recent fierce battle hadn't happened at all. 

"Oh, but I'm not really interested," Itachi said, completely unfazed by Konan's words. Nagato doesn't seem very sincere. They were just fighting fiercely not long ago, so what does he want by seeing him now? Is he still dreaming? The gap between them is no longer the chasm it once was... Even if Nagato was more powerful than him, he hasn't been able to do anything to him for a long time. 

Itachi's words surprised Konan greatly. What's wrong with this man? Shouldn't he be curious about the true leader of the organization? He looks completely uninterested, which is just absurd. So, she changed her tough approach, speaking in a soft, gentle tone. After all, some people respond better to softness than to force. Since Itachi wouldn't yield to toughness, she'd try nagging him gently. 

"Uh..." Konan's cute, pleading expression left Itachi feeling a bit flustered, and a strange sensation arose within him. After all, Konan was many people's goddess; to see her act like such a delicate woman was unexpected. Shouldn't a goddess be admired from afar, never defiled? What was going on here? 

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a 'yes'!" Seeing Itachi's stunned expression, Konan gave a mischievous smile and playfully declared. It was clear she was in a good mood. After all, women cared about their looks and attractiveness. To have even a man like Itachi captivated by her, not feeling happy would be a lie. 

Many times, Itachi would only be momentarily lost in thought before returning to his usual calm demeanor, as if he wasn't interested in her. She had doubted her own charm more than once. 

"Alright," Itachi finally said, seeing Konan's stunning and charming appearance. For a moment, he found it a bit difficult to refuse. Of course, deep down, he also wanted to see the emaciated Nagato. After all, he had been in the Akatsuki for so long; it was his first stop after his穿越, and combined with his special feelings for the Akatsuki in his previous life, seeing Nagato was undoubtedly appealing to him. However, his lack of interest just now was also true... As for why it changed just now, he wasn't quite sure either... 

A Strange Encounter in the Cave 

"Young man, you seem very depressed..." In a cave, Obito stared blankly outside, his eyes narrowed slightly. He was still adjusting to the fact that he was a cyclops again. Just then, while he was completely off guard, a voice appeared behind him... It made his scalp tingle, and his heart pounded with fear. He didn't understand what was happening to him; someone had silently gotten behind him again. Had his strength declined, or had his vigilance become pitifully low? 

"Who are you...?" Obito slowly turned around to face the owner of the voice. Since the other party hadn't attacked immediately, even if they wanted to now, it wouldn't matter to him. With Kamui in hand, who in the world could stop him? When Obito saw the owner of the voice, his heart leaped, and his thoughts instantly turned chaotic... It was none other than Black Zetsu! 

"Zetsu, what are you doing? Don't you know you'll scare someone to death!" Obito said, looking at Zetsu with a displeased expression. However, a sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes. He sensed that this person was definitely not Zetsu, or rather, not the Zetsu who had come with him, but a native of this Warring States period. There was much more to this... 

Suddenly, the figures of Madara and Zetsu flashed incessantly in Obito's mind. As for how he figured it out, it was because Zetsu's tone when he spoke to him just now was not like someone who knew him. 

Obito's words made Black Zetsu slightly stunned. This is the first time I'm using this alias, how was I recognized? If it weren't for the familiar Yin-Yang Release on this masked man, he wouldn't have come to investigate. 

"Uh... I'm sorry, you've got the wrong person. I'm not Zetsu, I'm Qingqingzi. You might have mistaken me; I have a very common face," Zetsu said calmly after a slight pause. His tone was unperturbed, and his eyes were sincere. If Obito hadn't been "hanging out" with Zetsu every day, he might have even doubted whether this was truly Zetsu. 

At this moment, he was thinking about whether this was a setup by Zetsu and Madara, that Zetsu wasn't created by Madara but had been deceiving him, and that Zetsu wasn't just an ordinary assistant, but likely Madara's subordinate, responsible for monitoring him. Obito quickly analyzed the relationship between Madara and Zetsu, trying to figure out what Madara was up to. At this moment, Obito hadn't discovered the big problem, but his thoughts were fixated on the relationship between the two. 

"Oh, alright. I have a friend who looks quite a lot like you," Obito said flatly, pulling his thoughts back. His mind was already contemplating how to extract information. 

"Hmm, why are you alone in the cave?" Obito's words dispelled the strangeness in Zetsu's mind, and he changed the subject, asking softly. He found the masked man in front of him quite interesting. Of course, he was even more interested in the Yin-Yang Release on Obito's body. The aura of this Yin-Yang Release seemed even more powerful than his own. And as for the Yin-Yang Release "seed" on Obito, he wasn't sure what it was for. 

Chapter 158: A Collapsed Conversation 

Facing Zetsu's questions, Obito remained silent. The less he said, the fewer mistakes he'd make. While Zetsu's sudden appearance had stirred something within him, Obito was only interested in extracting information, if possible. 

"Was that Wood Release you used earlier?" Seeing Obito's silence, Black Zetsu asked his second question, clearly showing off a bit, indicating how much he knew, even about something like that. He was genuinely confused. Wood Release was supposed to be a technique only achievable by the reincarnation of Asura. Some reincarnations of Asura couldn't even manage it, so how did this masked man get his hands on it? It was truly suspicious. 

"A Ninjutsu made of wood is naturally Wood Release. What else would it be, Grass Release? But how do you know that name? I don't remember this kind of Ninjutsu appearing in the ninja world before," Obito replied calmly, his suspicion growing. This Zetsu doesn't seem simple. 

Black Zetsu found Obito's words a bit perplexing, but he didn't dwell on it. It was their first meeting, so he wasn't about to reveal too much. "Heh, Wood Release appeared a long time ago. It's been recorded in many ancient texts, but they were lost due to constant wars." 

"Itachi, you're here..." Inside the cave, Nagato leaned against the entrance, staring blankly at the rugged cave walls. He was toying with a green leaf in his hand. Nagato spoke before Konan and Itachi even said anything upon entering the cave. 

"So, you're the true leader behind the Akatsuki?" Itachi played along, pretending not to know Nagato's identity, asking calmly. 

"Yes." Hearing Itachi's first words, Nagato slowly turned his wheelchair, his Rinnegan, glowing with purple light, calmly observing the now-grown Itachi. Unlike his slightly youthful appearance before, the current Itachi exuded an aura of wisdom... and confidence... a confidence in his own strength, as if he were omnipotent. 

"Do we still have anything to talk about?" Facing the gaze of the Rinnegan, Itachi felt a slight pressure. After all, the Rinnegan was superior to the Mangekyo Sharingan. Itachi's voice broke the slight silence in the cave. 

"We do. This unexpected turn of events has brought us to the Warring States period. Let's work together. Let's create a world of peace... Let's achieve what even the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, couldn't..." Itachi's words made Nagato pause slightly. Then, Nagato, with a voice full of vicissitude, spoke... slowly filling with fanaticism... like a madman, a zealot. Compared to before, he now acknowledged Itachi's strength and spoke of cooperation. Previously, he might have said something like, "Itachi, follow me, I appreciate you," and so on. 

"We don't belong in this time period. Your efforts will ultimately be in vain," Itachi said, neither refusing nor agreeing, simply stating a fact. 

"Let's change this history... Whether it's useful or not, we'll only know if we try..." Itachi's words didn't change Nagato's expression. Instead, he spoke again, full of sincerity. 

"No, I refuse..." The words Nagato wanted to hear did not come from Itachi's mouth. 

"You should reconsider. I hope next time, I'll hear a different answer..." Itachi's words displeased Nagato. But he didn't say much or threaten him. He simply extended his hand, signaling Konan to see him out. The current Itachi made him feel a bit troublesome. The plan hadn't even begun; there was no need to cause extra complications. After all, his last move against Itachi was because of that sealing array, which sealed space and prevented Itachi from using the Flying Thunder God. Now, he didn't have the materials to set up that array. That's right, the space-sealing array wasn't just Ninjutsu; it also required special materials to achieve that effect. And he had actually been studying this array for quite some time. After all, the guy who called himself "Madara Uchiha" had appeared a long time ago... He didn't like anyone being outside of his control. 

"Has Nagato changed his ways?" Itachi exited the cave, shaking his head, speaking to himself with some boredom. 

"What?" Itachi's mumbling made Konan, who was following behind him, a bit confused. She had been lost in thought, looking at Itachi's back, and hadn't heard what he said. 

"Nothing, I was just saying you're very beautiful." Hearing Konan's voice, Itachi snapped back to reality. Konan hadn't left yet; she was seeing him out. So, Itachi, now fully aware, stared into Konan's eyes and said somewhat perfunctorily, not entirely serious. 

"Huh?" Itachi's sudden words made Konan a bit stunned. Then, being looked at by Itachi's eyes made her heart flutter slightly. When did this brat learn such frivolous things? But was this brat telling the truth? Hmm, at least he has some taste. Konan looked down at the path ahead, her mind swirling. She didn't dare look at Itachi, nor meet his gaze. She didn't know why, or since when, but she seemed to always be getting outsmarted by this man. 

"Why aren't you willing to cooperate with us? With the experiences you've had, you should hate war just as much as we do," Konan asked, looking at Itachi's back as he turned to leave. Konan's question made Itachi pause, standing still. Itachi looked up at the white clouds in the sky. 

Just as Konan was about to leave, Itachi, who had been lost in thought, finally came back to himself. He slowly lowered his head, turned around, and looked at Konan with a somewhat complex gaze. 

"You and I are not on the same path. The development of this world shouldn't be changed just because we want it to be. When you try to change this world, your heart has already changed..." Itachi looked at Konan, calmly stating his philosophy. His philosophy was somewhat similar to the 'Way of Non-Action'. He didn't want to do these things, so he wouldn't. Perhaps this was the only change from his efforts to become stronger... Not becoming someone else's pawn, not doing things he didn't want to do. Like a free-spirited cloud, occasionally getting excited, and simply having some fun—it was that simple. 

Seeing Konan lost in thought, pondering his words, Itachi smiled faintly and shook his head. Then he turned around, raised his wrist, and waved, signaling that she didn't need to see him off. He hadn't expected Konan to seriously think about the random things he said. That was certainly interesting... Perhaps only those who are strong, those with the biggest fists, have words that truly contain wisdom, making others ponder their meaning. 

Chapter 159: Coercing Madara 

"Huh, what's this..." 

Itachi was walking along a river, looking for something to eat. A figure appeared in his line of sight. What surprised Itachi was the clan emblem on the boy's robe and his hairstyle... 

"Who's there?" Itachi's quiet mutter caught the boy's attention. With a hint of wariness and a touch of arrogance, he turned to face Itachi. 

... 

"Quite a contradictory individual, isn't he?" 

Two completely opposing temperaments were present in the young Madara, and Itachi found nothing strange about it. 

"Identify yourself, you rat!" Itachi's second mumble made Madara's dwindling patience vanish. He glared with furrowed brows, his voice icy. When Itachi appeared on the battlefield, Madara was focused on Hashirama and simply didn't have time to notice anyone else, so he had no impression of Itachi. In his eyes, what threat could a boy who seemed only slightly older, or even the same age as him, pose? Among his peers, he was invincible! This was a confidence that radiated from his very core. 

... 

Itachi looked at the spinning Three Tomoe Sharingan in Madara's eyes and his imposing demeanor, feeling a slight daze. Some things, perhaps, were simply innate. 

"The current you..." Itachi's words trailed off. 

When he reappeared, he was already in front of Madara. His index and middle fingers pressed together, touching Madara's forehead. Looking at Madara's constricted pupils and his dazed Sharingan, Itachi shook his head. The current Madara truly was just a boy. This made him feel somewhat uninteresting, and lonely... 

... 

Although he knew many things and had a clear vision for the future, Madara had always been his hypothetical opponent in his mind. But his current opponent, so weak right now, made him feel a bit dull. Unconsciously, he longed for an opponent, someone who could grow with him, or perhaps put pressure on him... He didn't know when, but now, everything he did seemed to have no difficulty... So, he felt a bit of the loneliness of a true master... 

... 

A bead of cold sweat appeared on Madara's forehead, slowly sliding down. Although Madara's expression was calm, his heart was far from it... Even if his mind was far more mature than the average person, he was still just a boy... 

"Why aren't you speaking...?" Itachi took a few steps closer to Madara. As he approached, the height difference became apparent. Itachi was almost half a head taller than Madara. 

... 

Itachi's gaze was complex; Madara couldn't understand it. But he saw a hint of disappointment in Itachi's eyes, as if saying, "Why are you so weak...?" This undoubtedly caused Madara immense humiliation. This unfounded speculation made Madara's heart feel incredibly conflicted and frustrated. But the sharpness radiating from the other's finger kept him from moving. Because one wrong move, and he might very well be saying goodbye to the Warring States period... 

"Are you scared?" Itachi's expression was indifferent, his tone cold. The fierce sun of June did nothing to dispel the chill in Madara's heart. 

... 

"Heh, kill me or cut me up, whatever you want. Just don't humiliate me." Finally, Madara cast aside his internal struggle with life and death. He swallowed, speaking calmly, his eyes firm. He was subtly confronting Itachi. Perhaps if he'd met anyone else, he'd be thinking of how to counter-attack, but Itachi gave him the feeling of an insurmountable mountain. 

"Be my little brother! If you don't, I'll kill you." Seeing Madara's readiness to die, Itachi smiled slightly, the coldness on his face melting away. A sharp edge emanated from his finger. It seemed as if if Madara said anything but "yes," his skull would be pierced. 

... 

"..." 

"Can I refuse?" Looking at the man before him, smiling faintly but with murderous intent surging through his chakra, Madara felt ineffable bitterness. Is this guy crazy...? He just wanted to sneak into the Senju clan and check on Hashirama's injuries. Why did he have to run into someone like this? 

Hearing Madara's response, Itachi's lips curved upward. He shook his head slightly, his eyes growing sharper. Seeing Itachi's expression, Madara fell silent... If there was hope to live, he didn't want to die yet... He hadn't unified this Warring States period... But to live by being someone's "little brother" was something he couldn't bring himself to say. For his proud self, accepting such terms would undoubtedly be even worse than death. 

The scene grew quiet for a moment. A gentle breeze rustled their robes and bangs. 

... 

"To be my little brother, all you have to do is call me 'Big Brother.' I'll even help you get stronger. All you need to do is be my opponent once you're strong, so I can have some fun fighting." Itachi seemed to tire of holding his hand up and calmly lowered it. He turned and spoke as he did. Not yet invincible, he was already selectively cultivating opponents... 

The finger leaving his forehead made Madara breathe a sigh of relief. Then his mind was filled with bewilderment. Is this person insane...? Madara didn't know that, in the future, he would desperately long for a worthy opponent to dance with... 

... 

Itachi stood in place for a moment. Madara didn't attempt a sneak attack, nor did he speak, which made Itachi shake his head slightly. He lifted his foot lightly and walked away. He was merely testing Madara's resolve, and indulging a mischievous whim. Why would he kill Madara before he had grown stronger? 

Watching Itachi's figure about to disappear from his sight, Madara bit his lip, replaying Itachi's words in his mind. He recognized Itachi's strength, so he listened to what Itachi said. The current him craved power. He didn't want the people he cared about to ever put themselves in danger to save him. This man, though a bit eccentric, seemed undeniably strong. 

... 

"Big Brother!" 

Just as Itachi's figure was about to enter the forest, Madara shouted with a determined look in his eyes. His proud head bowed, staring blankly at the ground. After shouting, he felt some regret, feeling he had been too hasty. He felt too ashamed to face anyone... He felt this man was toxic; he had unknowingly fallen into his trap... 

Chapter 160: The Unlucky Son 

Madara's exclamation made Itachi pause slightly. If Madara didn't agree, he'd feel a bit bored, but if he did, Itachi felt a strange sense of loss. If Madara were to just give in and be kidnapped/taken away by him, would he really be able to grow strong enough to be his opponent? His thoughts swirled, and his footsteps halted. 

"Come here," Itachi said softly, unable to figure things out, sensing that Madara wasn't moving closer. But he didn't turn back, as if he didn't want to see Madara in such a state. 

Itachi's words startled a slightly annoyed Madara. However, seeing that Itachi wasn't looking at him, he felt a small sigh of relief and walked step by step towards Itachi. 

"What's wrong? Did you promise to help me get stronger only to go back on your word?" As he got closer, Madara spoke calmly. His state of mind had already calmed, no longer dwelling on these things. 

"Oh, no, not at all. I'm just curious why you agreed." Madara's words made Itachi fall silent. Madara's yearning for strength was still as intense as ever. 

"It's just that I don't want to see anyone get hurt or be in danger because of me again. If it were another time, another place, even if you killed me, I wouldn't..." Itachi's question made Madara recall the scene where Hashirama blocked the Wood Release for him. His voice became a little deep as he spoke. He stopped halfway, not uttering another word. 

"Say 'Big Brother' again, let me hear it..." To Madara's avoidance, Itachi directly ripped off Madara's "fig leaf," speaking calmly. The scene fell silent once more. 

"You teach me first. If I feel you can't teach me, then our agreement just now is void." Hearing Itachi's words, and the subtle hint of malice in his tone, Madara didn't comply. He simply stared deeply at Itachi's back and said calmly, not at all afraid of angering this man who was stronger than him. Being in the Warring States period, there wasn't much hesitation when it came to life and death. Of course, if one could live, how many would choose to die? 

"Your strength has reached its current bottleneck. When your Sharingan evolves into the Mangekyo Sharingan, come find me again, and I'll show you the way." Itachi didn't tease Madara further. After some thought, recalling Madara's Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he spoke calmly. 

"Mangekyo Sharingan..." Itachi's words stunned Madara. He remembered his father's eyes, those eyes he dared not look directly at... If he hadn't read ancient texts as a child, he might not have even recognized them. 

After a long time, Madara, who had snapped out of his daze, asked, "How can I evolve into the Mangekyo Sharingan?" But after asking, he paused. Where was Itachi's figure? This left Madara bewildered; he even wondered if he had been dreaming. 

"What is this?" As Itachi left, Madara collected himself. As he prepared to head back, he noticed a strange kunai on the ground. He picked it up, a little puzzled. However, he quickly dismissed it, understanding that it was probably lost by that 'Big Brother' whose name he didn't know, or perhaps left for him. Thinking of this, Madara put the kunai into his ninja tool pouch. He planned to return it to Itachi the next time they met. 

Itachi watched Madara leave from the hilltop, lost in thought, then shook his head and let out a wry laugh. His figure dispersed, transforming into a flock of crows that scattered, like an embodiment of crows itself. 

"Lord Orochimaru, please take a break..." Inside the cave, Orochimaru was intensely working on rudimentary instruments, which he had collected and pieced together from outside. 

"Kakashi, did you find Itachi?" Kakashi's voice disturbed Orochimaru's thoughts. Orochimaru slightly twisted his stiff neck, asking without turning his head. 

"Itachi and our landing spot weren't in the same place," Kakashi replied calmly, shaking his head at Orochimaru's question. Itachi's chakra signature was already perfectly natural; when he acted against Obito, there wasn't the slightest fluctuation in his chakra, so Kakashi hadn't sensed Itachi's presence. As for Obito's chakra, he wasn't familiar with it. So, he thought it was a battle between local ninjas and didn't bother with it, focusing entirely on finding Itachi's trail. 

"Konan, should we directly collect unwanted Tailed Beasts, or should we recreate the Akatsuki here?" In another cave, Nagato's gaze returned from the cave wall. He looked at the beautiful Konan and asked softly. He had been pondering this for several hours before snapping back to reality. 

"Whatever you decide is fine..." Hearing Nagato's words, Konan, who was quietly guarding Nagato, said gently. 

"Thank you for always being by my side..." Konan's words softened the sharp edges of Nagato's face, and he spoke with tenderness in his eyes. 

"Tobirama, is your older brother feeling any better?" At the Senju clan's camp, Butsuma looked at Hashirama's empty seat and Tobirama, who was sitting lost in thought, and asked. 

"Don't worry, Father. Big Brother has your excellent bloodline, and our clan's excellent doctors. His wounds have already healed, but for some reason, he hasn't woken up yet." Butsuma's words snapped Tobirama out of his daze, and he replied, sitting upright. 

"Go look after your older brother. When he wakes up, tell him to come see me immediately," Butsuma said with a serious wave of his hand, his eyes losing their worry upon hearing Tobirama's words. 

"Tobirama, where's your good-for-nothing older brother?" At the Uchiha clan's temporary camp, Tajima said with some annoyance, looking at Madara's empty seat. This unlucky son is really something else... 

"Father, Big Brother is looking at the moon. He's probably thinking of a strategy to take down the Senju clan in one fell swoop," Izuna said calmly, covering for Madara, seeing Tajima's slight signs of anger. Who knows what Big Brother is up to again? He's always so mysterious. 

It's clear that some of our favorite ninja have landed in quite the historical mess! What do you think will happen next with these displaced powerhouses in the Warring States period?