91-95

Chapter 91: A New Amaterasu That Burns Spiritual Energy   

"A bit interesting. Even I couldn't see through this substitution technique."   

Watching the falling wooden log, Pain remarked with a trace of curiosity.   

Itachi silently observed the smug Pain, showing no intention of responding.   

"Do you understand the difference between us now, Blood Moon?"   

Looking down at Itachi below, Pain seemed to sense the solemn expression beneath Itachi's mask. His voice carried a faint chill.   

...   

Itachi, initially reluctant to make a move, suddenly felt his mood sour.   

With a wave of his arm, an endless stream of snakes surged from his sleeve, flooding toward Pain in overwhelming numbers.   

The sheer magnitude of the serpent swarm made Pain glance sideways in slight surprise.   

A black rod appeared in his hand, which he swung toward the snakes. The rod began to extend rapidly.   

Pain's black rods possessed the ability to suppress chakra. Generally, anyone pierced by a few of them would be rendered powerless.   

He assumed these summoned snakes would meet a similar fate.   

However, as the black rod made contact with the serpents, Pain was taken aback. The rod, typically unstoppable, seemed to encounter resistance akin to a swamp. It failed to dissolve the serpent swarm on contact.   

A powerful repulsive force began to emanate rapidly from Pain's body as the snakes closed in.   

Pain quickly gauged the distances between himself, Konan, and Blood Moon, formulating a decisive plan.   

...   

As the snake swarm approached, a surge of repulsive force exploded from Pain.   

Centered on Deva Path Pain, the force radiated outward, indiscriminately repelling everything in its vicinity.   

The intensity of the repulsion shattered the ground into fragments, lowering the terrain by several meters.   

The shadowy snake swarm was obliterated, disintegrating into dust and vanishing completely.   

The repulsion force struck Itachi directly.   

"Squawk, squawk, squawk..."   

Itachi's body disintegrated into a flurry of crows, scattering in all directions.   

However, a few drops of crimson blood were left behind on the ground.   

Faced with such an indiscriminate area attack, even Itachi's crow clone technique couldn't entirely avoid the repulsion's force.   

This technique lacked the instantaneous evasive capability of a substitution jutsu.   

...   

Itachi reappeared on a tree trunk, his mask fractured, exposing his pale forehead and a pair of complex silver, black, and red eyes.   

He had activated the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.   

"What is this?"   

Seeing Itachi's eyes and sensing the outburst of ocular power, Pain was slightly puzzled, unable to immediately identify the nature of the eyes.   

Obito, sensing the power from Itachi's eyes, paled instantly. When had the shinobi world birthed such an existence?   

Those eyes were even more advanced than his Mangekyō Sharingan...   

Zetsu, meanwhile, was utterly astonished. He immediately recognized the nature of Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan.   

He recalled that he had played a role in Izuna's death, a plan to help Madara unlock the Eternal Mangekyō and gain the potential to awaken the Rinnegan.   

When had another pair of brothers awakened the Mangekyō and reached such heights? This generation's reincarnations of Indra and Asura were still just children! Zetsu was completely dumbfounded.   

For the first time, he felt his mind buzzing. Itachi's existence had transcended his understanding of reality.   

After all, among the Uchiha, those capable of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan were rare geniuses.   

The process required exceptional talent, specific circumstances, and significant emotional upheaval. Talent and luck were both indispensable.   

...   

While others were overwhelmed with chaotic thoughts, Itachi remained expressionless.   

He adjusted his damaged mask, drew a kunai, and, without a word, threw it at Pain.   

"A kunai?"   

"Heh, you're certainly unique..."   

As the kunai left Itachi's hand, Pain focused on it and chuckled.   

In a battle of this caliber, Blood Moon had resorted to throwing a kunai.   

Was this supposed to be funny?   

"Very well. If this is your level, leave your eyes behind and die..."   

Pain extended his right arm toward Itachi.   

He couldn't help but feel intrigued by Itachi's eyes. The immense ocular power within them surprised him greatly.   

For the first time, he found himself genuinely interested in another's eyes. He wanted to study them.   

...   

Under Itachi's gaze, the kunai flew toward Pain.   

Pain, intending to mock Itachi, slightly tilted his head, allowing the kunai to graze past his ear.   

No matter how precise the aim, what could a simple kunai achieve?   

In the presence of these eyes, everything appeared to move in slow motion.   

Able to see through all attacks.   

“Universal Pull!”   

After dodging, Pain targeted Itachi, unleashing a gravitational explosion.   

In his other hand, he extended a black rod.   

“Bang!”   

...   

“A shadow clone? When? Could it be that everything I’ve been fighting was just a shadow clone?”   

Pain looked at the smoke and heat bursting from Itachi’s body as it was pulled in, and asked with some confusion.   

“That’s an A-rank ninjutsu: Shadow Clone Great Explosion. An ordinary shadow clone might not fool you. But a shadow clone infused with the powerful chakra of Sage Art: Fire Release deceived even your eyes...”   

Itachi’s figure appeared behind Pain. His right hand was clenched into a fist, radiating overwhelming sage energy and power.   

This technique bore a striking resemblance to the move he once used against Kakashi.   

It was a similar type of superhuman-strength attack.   

Without hesitation, Itachi’s punch smashed directly into Pain’s face as he was turning around.   

But it didn’t end there. Itachi’s right eye, his Mangekyō Sharingan, spun rapidly, conjuring black flames out of thin air that quickly engulfed Pain’s body.   

...   

“Almighty Push...”   

Pain’s distorted voice shouted as he was sent flying, his body wrapped in the black flames of Amaterasu.   

A burst of repulsive force followed.   

“He’s still not down? This is ridiculous...”   

Itachi’s figure vanished from his original spot; he had no intention of confronting that force head-on.   

The area where Pain landed was flattened for several kilometers. The ground compressed further, becoming even harder, almost like solid stone.   

Pain stood motionless, his intentions unclear, but no one dared underestimate him.   

Itachi’s figure reappeared on the battlefield.   

...   

Pain’s Rinnegan dimmed, and the chakra within his body began to go berserk.   

The eternal flames of Amaterasu, no longer sustained by Itachi, gradually dissipated.   

At that moment, Itachi wasn’t sure what had just happened.   

Until a few moments later.   

Pain’s eyes began to regain their light.   

His chakra stabilized, and his body slowly lifted off the ground.   

“Such terrifying flames... To think they can burn mental energy as fuel, rapidly consuming it...”   

Pain looked at Itachi with a somewhat inexplicable expression.   

It was clear that he had suffered greatly just now—or rather, Nagato had.   

“Burning mental energy? Or perhaps even the soul? Such an intriguing variation of Amaterasu...”   

Hearing Pain’s words, Itachi fell into deep thought, finally understanding the mutation of his right-eye Amaterasu.   

The last time he used it, he hadn’t noticed much of a difference, assuming it was just a minor enhancement, so he hadn’t relied on it in battle.   

After all, the so-called strongest Fire Release, Amaterasu, often underwhelmed in actual combat.   

...   

With Pain as an opponent, Itachi now understood the new ability of his Amaterasu.   

But on second thought, it wasn’t all that groundbreaking.   

After all, the mutated abilities of Kotoamatsukami and Amaterasu couldn’t transcend their fundamental principles.   

At best, they had evolved in a specific direction.   

Possessing two distinct properties was already remarkable enough.   

Itachi felt a deep sense of satisfaction.   

...   

Chapter 92: Totsuka Blade and Yasaka Beads  

The Akatsuki members, with the exception of five others assigned elsewhere by Nagato, rushed toward the battlefield.  

Itachi’s abilities proved troublesome. The earlier attack had struck his true body, causing him immense discomfort.  

"Amaterasu... Flying Thunder God..."  

From his perch in the tree, Obito murmured softly.  

No one understood these two abilities better than he did. But something was amiss with Itachi.  

What had happened to him?  

Why had he changed like this?  

And those eyes—how had he acquired them?  

The Amaterasu flames seemed... different, far more sinister.  

Pain stood silently in midair, watching.  

He seemed wary of those flames.  

Itachi had noticed this as well. His right eye began spinning once more. Since this move clearly made his opponent cautious, why not continue using it?  

There was no risk of blindness, so he felt no pressure at all.  

As Itachi’s ocular power surged again, Deva Path frowned slightly. This infuriating person...  

The flames descended once more, appearing instantly on Pain's body.  

"Shinra Tensei!"  

This time, Pain didn't bother controlling the repulsion field; he instinctively activated it for self-defense.  

The force extended nearly ten kilometers.  

And once again, Itachi vanished from his original position.  

Pain observed coldly, releasing his full sensory perception.  

He intended to figure out the mystery behind this "Blood Moon" teleportation technique.  

A name and a technique already surfaced in his mind, but guessing in the midst of battle was unacceptable.  

At this point, he concluded that Blood Moon was far too troublesome. Even if the other five Paths arrived, it seemed unlikely that they could contain this man who posed such a threat to him.  

Recognizing that Itachi’s abilities countered his own, Nagato could not allow him to roam freely.  

Such a threat had to be eliminated.  

Even gods cannot tolerate blasphemy.  

"Pain, you're losing your edge..."  

Itachi reappeared, his tone laced with mockery.  

Then his gaze sharpened slightly. Enhanced by Sage Mode, his sensory abilities were exceptionally acute.  

He had already detected five uninvited guests rapidly approaching.  

Sensing that his Sage Mode could sustain him a little longer, Itachi's expression grew peculiar.  

"Amaterasu!"  

His right eye, having finished its cooldown, unleashed Amaterasu once again...  

A one-trick pony? Perhaps. But an effective one.  

"Shinra Tensei..."  

Once again, Itachi’s form vanished.  

Moments later, he reappeared on the battlefield, his face pale.  

Even with an immense reserve of chakra, his mental energy could not recover quickly.  

Repeated use of the Flying Thunder God technique—especially on such a large scale—was draining.  

He knew it was time to retreat, but he chose not to.  

He wanted to witness the power of Chibaku Tensei.  

He wouldn’t get to see the full extent of Shinra Tensei’s ultimate form. Facing the combined assault of the Six Paths, with Obito, Black Zetsu, and Konan watching, lingering any longer could spell his demise.  

This time, Itachi did not hesitate. He abandoned his previous strategy of stalling Pain with banter.  

His ocular power intensified further.  

A crimson hue filled the battlefield.  

This red was far more vivid than before.  

The half-bodied giant transformed into a fully formed, glowing red humanoid titan with fiery wings sprouting from its back.  

Standing atop Susanoo’s head, Itachi noticed the two artifacts hanging at its waist.  

He was momentarily stunned.  

It had appeared...  

The Totsuka Blade.  

Could this mean that the Itachi from the original story had also activated the third form of Susanoo?  

And that the Totsuka Blade only manifested with the third form?  

Without delay, he grabbed the gourd. A fiery red blade extended from Susanoo’s enormous hand, lengthening as it lunged toward Pain.  

It resembled a giant blade dozens of meters long.  

Pain stared at the overwhelming surge of chakra and ocular power radiating from Itachi. The colossal titan, nearly 80 meters tall, loomed ominously.  

Pupils constricted. 

This power... 

Before he could hesitate, the giant launched an attack with the force of a thunderbolt. 

A peculiar aura emanated, sounding alarm bells in his heart. This attack was far more powerful than anything before... 

If he wasn’t careful, Yahiko’s corpse could be completely obliterated... 

That was something he couldn’t allow. 

Without hesitation, he began to retreat. 

He dared not confront the attack head-on. The aura radiating from that weapon made him doubt if even his Almighty Push could block it! 

(Reading this flawless version only on Book Bar!) 

... 

As Pain flew away, Itachi glanced at the Ten Fists Sword in his hand, clicking his tongue in surprise.  

This guy doesn’t play by the rules, does he...  

Does he even know what this thing is? He ran off so quickly without even putting up a fight?  

Feeling the significant depletion of chakra within himself, Itachi sighed inwardly.  

"Could it be that Nagato’s chakra, transferred into Pain’s body, has already been exhausted? Does he no longer have the chakra to unleash Chibaku Tensei?"  

The thought lingered in Itachi’s mind. The very first appearance of the Ten Fists Sword had scared the enemy into fleeing in a panic...  

Although Itachi could fly now, the immense chakra consumption made him reluctant to move unnecessarily.  

In Susanoo’s massive hand, three giant magatama beads appeared.  

They were linked together like beads on a string.  

The sight was awe-inspiring, even more intimidating than the Ten Fists Sword. 

... 

"That weapon?" 

The moment Black Zetsu saw the Ten Fists Sword, his body instinctively trembled... 

It was a primal fear. 

Black Zetsu feared nothing, but when faced with the Ten Fists Sword, he couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. Why had that thing reappeared in the ninja world? 

A heavy shadow loomed over Black Zetsu’s mind... 

He suddenly wondered, should he just wait another thousand years? This unexpected variable in his plan was completely unforeseen.  

The silent emergence of such a figure in the ninja world made him feel the overwhelming malice of the universe toward him.  

A storm of emotions churned within Black Zetsu. His fear of the Ten Fists Sword was indescribable. 

... 

Meanwhile, Obito stood in a daze, his eyes unfocused.  

Unbeknownst to him, Itachi’s strength had grown to a point where even Obito could only look up to him...  

Regret welled up in his heart. 

Why hadn’t he decisively taken action to eliminate Itachi back then? 

Why had he hesitated at that critical moment? 

For the first time, Obito despised his own indecisiveness.  

Now that Itachi had grown to this extent, what would happen if a few more years passed...? 

A profound sense of helplessness burned within him.  

At the same time, a thought emerged in his mind...  

Perhaps he would have to accelerate his plans and revive that man if he wanted a chance to face someone like Itachi.  

Obito had always been keenly aware of his own strength.  

In the past, he could roam the ninja world unchallenged, without any sense of danger.  

But ever since this younger generation appeared, his understanding of the world had been continuously shattered.  

... 

The Yasaka Magatama in Susanoo’s hand spun rapidly.  

It emitted sonic booms, the energy within it bursting with overwhelming force.  

This was a long-range attack, capable of crossing vast distances to pierce its target...  

An ultimate move that could be used even in Susanoo’s second form. 

"Off you go..." 

Itachi murmured softly.  

Susanoo’s powerful arm swung, hurling the Yasaka Magatama into the air...  

Chasing after the fleeing Pain. 

It streaked across the sky like a meteor, moving at incredible speed. 

... 

... 

Chapter 93: The Failure of Almighty Push   

He fled. It pursued. He was like a bird with clipped wings...   

Flying high in the sky, Pain’s Deva Path seemed to sense something.   

Although he realized this incoming attack was incredibly powerful, it wasn’t entirely unstoppable. A slight sense of relief flickered in his heart.   

"Almighty Push!"   

This was when experience truly came into play.   

A fierce repulsive force erupted from his body, radiating outward in all directions.   

The Yasaka Magatama slammed violently into the repulsive field.   

After a brief moment of stalemate, it managed to pierce through the force field. The ferocious energy struck Pain directly.   

The Deva Path's body was bisected by the diminished Yasaka Magatama.   

...   

"So, it was just a clone after all."   

Itachi, witnessing this scene, wasn’t too surprised.   

After all, if he dared to throw the Yasaka Magatama, he was confident it had a high chance of success.   

This wasn’t just an ordinary Yasaka Magatama; he had secretly infused it with Sage Chakra.   

A weakened Deva Path clone? What could it possibly do to block that?   

Sage Chakra was an exceptionally unique energy—so much so that even Truth-Seeking Orbs couldn’t dissolve it.   

Relying solely on repulsive force to counter such a hybrid energy was practically impossible.   

Not to mention, the Yasaka Magatama itself was an artifact gifted by the Desolate God.   

...   

Looking at the now-disabled Deva Path clone, Itachi was tempted to completely destroy this body. Otherwise, once the other five Paths arrived, the Deva Path could recover again.   

However, sensing that the remaining five Paths were drawing closer, Itachi gave up on this enticing thought.   

Konan, realizing the Deva Path was faltering, had already positioned herself in front of it. Itachi wasn’t inclined to fight a woman.   

It definitely wasn’t because of Konan’s massive stockpile of explosive tags.   

Even though she hadn’t prepped them in advance.   

...   

As she watched Itachi’s figure fade into the distance, Konan’s gaze grew complicated.   

She hadn’t expected this Blood Moon operative to be so strong—even forcing Pain to fall in battle.   

As for Obito, he disappeared in a swirl of space-time distortion.   

In his mind lingered the power Itachi had just displayed.   

That power was something he couldn’t underestimate.   

However, he still hadn’t figured out how to unlock such power himself.   

"Could it be because I’m missing one eye?" Obito’s thoughts seemed to reach a conclusion.   

...   

Not long after, the remaining five Paths of Pain arrived at the Deva Path’s side.   

Seeing the shattered body of the Deva Path, Nagato, observing through their shared vision, felt a pang of heartache.   

Without hesitation, he controlled the Naraka Path to step forward.   

"King of Hell: Restoration Technique!"   

The King of Hell materialized behind the Naraka Path, its massive mouth opening wide. A long, arm-like purple tongue emerged and engulfed the damaged Deva Path, chewing it up.   

Moments later, the previously destroyed Deva Path was restored and reappeared.   

The Six Paths of Pain stood silently, staring in the direction Itachi had departed, lost in thought.   

For the first time, they realized there were such powerful individuals in the shinobi world.   

Someone this strong, not working for a noble cause but instead acting as a bounty hunter? If anyone heard this, they wouldn’t believe it.   

And the bounty? A mere 30 million ryo. Ridiculous.   

...   

Walking through the forest, Itachi looked somewhat unsatisfied.   

His thoughts suddenly turned to the Truth-Seeking Orbs. However, creating them was an extremely complex process.   

The first requirement was mastering the Six Paths Sage Technique.   

Once mastered, the orbs could be crafted based on one’s own chakra attributes.   

However, his chakra attributes weren’t complete. After using the orbs, he wouldn’t be able to make more.   

That was frustrating, and it left him with a lingering sense of dissatisfaction.   

He resolved to consult Orochimaru about how to acquire the missing chakra attributes.   

As for mastering the Six Paths Sage Technique, he was halfway there. He already possessed Sage Mode—he just needed the Six Paths Power.   

...   

A few days later, Itachi returned to Orochimaru’s hideout.   

To his surprise, Orochimaru was calmly drinking tea in the hall instead of busying himself with experiments.   

"Itachi, you’ve been gone for over a month. How did it go?"   

As Itachi sat down beside him and poured himself a cup of tea, Orochimaru set down his teacup and asked softly.   

---  

"Not bad. Just took a stroll," Itachi replied softly after downing a cup of tea in one go. 

"That's great. Young people are full of energy," Orochimaru said with a faint smile, nodding slightly in admiration. 

--- 

"By the way, I have a question. My chakra nature isn't complete. Is there any way for me to gain all chakra natures?" Itachi pondered deeply, thinking about his Yin, Yang, Fire, Water, and Wind chakra attributes. 

"Oh? Why do you want to have all chakra natures, Itachi?" Orochimaru asked, mildly intrigued. 

"My chakra natures are Fire, Water, and Wind. If I can obtain Earth and Lightning, I'll be a true all-rounder," Itachi admitted calmly, explaining his thoughts. 

Yin and Yang attributes are considered hidden chakra traits everyone possesses, though some are balanced in both, while others lean towards one or the other. 

"As expected from you, Itachi. You strive for perfection in everything," Orochimaru remarked, clicking his tongue in appreciation.   

Having all five elemental chakra natures himself, Orochimaru couldn’t entirely relate to Itachi's desire. 

--- 

"Aren’t you planning to fuse with Hashirama’s cells eventually? If you succeed, you might inherit Earth and Lightning attributes from them. That would fill the gaps," Orochimaru said after a brief pause, recalling the nature of Hashirama's chakra. 

After all, Hashirama was known to possess all five chakra natures. 

"Is that even possible?" Itachi blinked in surprise. This was news to him. 

"Of course. If the fusion doesn’t grant you the Earth attribute, where would Wood Release come from? Without Earth and Water as a base, Wood Release can't manifest," Orochimaru explained.   

"Once you gain the Earth attribute, there’s a high chance Lightning will follow. But keep in mind, it depends on the individual. Successfully merging with Hashirama's cells doesn’t guarantee that you’ll master the legendary Wood Release. You inherit traits differently based on compatibility." 

Orochimaru's voice was calm as he elaborated, though he avoided delving too deeply. 

On one hand, he doubted Itachi would grasp the intricate details. On the other, it would be a tedious explanation. 

--- 

"How’s Kakashi doing now?" Itachi asked after absorbing Orochimaru’s words, feeling a slight sense of relief. 

Although he’d read the original records, there were many details he couldn't recall clearly, and some parts were vague or deliberately left ambiguous. 

"The transplant procedure for Hashirama's cells is already underway. Now it’s up to his own fate. So far, the successful fusions under my care..." Orochimaru trailed off, casting a peculiar glance at Itachi. He chose not to continue, realizing it would only cause unnecessary concern. 

Recalling Orochimaru’s experiments with Hashirama’s cells, Itachi felt a mix of emotions—complicated, to say the least. 

"Don’t worry. This time, success is inevitable. You’re about to reach a new milestone," Itachi said, smiling gently as he reassured the slightly uneasy Orochimaru. 

Chapter 94: Inquiry About the Dragon Vein  

"The material of your kunai has been analyzed. It’s not particularly difficult to acquire," Orochimaru said softly after a brief moment of silence. 

As he spoke, one of his subordinates entered, carrying a tray. 

On it were five standard-style kunai. 

Itachi paused briefly, picked one up, examined it, tossed it into the air, and caught it again. 

“Hmm, this style feels more comfortable in my hand,” he remarked. 

He wasn’t a fan of Minato’s uniquely curved kunai—it felt unnecessarily flashy to him. 

... 

“Whatever makes you happy,” Orochimaru said with a faint smile, watching Itachi replace the Minato-style kunai in his ninja tool pouch with the standard ones Orochimaru had prepared. 

“How much longer will Kakashi need?” Itachi asked softly, changing the subject instead of responding to Orochimaru. 

“At least a month, maybe as long as a year. It depends on the circumstances,” Orochimaru replied without hesitation. 

He had already calculated these things thoroughly. Even if Itachi hadn’t asked, Orochimaru would have brought it up eventually. 

... 

“That long, huh…” Itachi clicked his tongue lightly at the answer. 

“Do you know the exact location where Minato sealed the Dragon Vein? When there’s time, we should go check it out,” he said after a moment of thought. 

Itachi’s plan was to wait for Kakashi to finish before dragging him along. However, Kakashi seemed to be taking his sweet time, so Itachi decided not to wait. 

“The Dragon Vein? Are you referring to the ruins of Roran? I don’t know the precise location,” Orochimaru replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. 

It was clear to him now that Itachi had already mastered the legendary Flying Raijin Jutsu. 

... 

Although he had long suspected it, Orochimaru was still taken aback when his suspicions were confirmed. 

“Yeah, I heard the Dragon Vein’s power is immense. I want to see it for myself,” Itachi responded softly. 

The Dragon Vein was said to house a vast amount of energy. Since he was now casually wielding massive techniques, Itachi figured it was time to secure an energy reservoir. Otherwise, his Susano'o Flying Raijin Slash would remain a mere concept. 

“The Dragon Vein is essentially a massive underground flow of energy. To put it simply, it’s an infinite source of chakra lying dormant,” Orochimaru explained casually, giving Itachi a brief lesson. 

“Infinite chakra…” Itachi murmured to himself after listening to Orochimaru’s explanation. 

... 

In ancient times, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, fearing the Ten-Tails’ immense chakra would bring calamity to the world, extracted its chakra and divided it into nine tailed beasts, weakening its power. He then sealed the powerless Ten-Tails’ husk (the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path) along with Kaguya on the moon. 

If even the Ten-Tails was considered merely a source of immense chakra, the Dragon Vein, which claimed to be infinite, seemed a bit exaggerated… 

“Yeah,” Orochimaru confirmed, hearing Itachi’s quiet pondering. 

“How many people do you still have under your command? Send someone to locate it. Let’s find some time to take a look at this so-called infinite chakra source,” Itachi said, already tempering his expectations about the Dragon Vein after Orochimaru’s explanation. 

Initially, Itachi had thought about sealing the Dragon Vein within himself. But after Orochimaru’s clarification, he realized that extracting it would be an oversimplification at best. At most, it could be utilized to some extent. 

In a more mystical sense, the Dragon Vein represented the energy of the earth itself—something that could only be borrowed, not fully possessed. 

Even if it could be extracted, there was the risk of it dissipating. And even if it didn’t dissipate, it would still be a one-time resource. 

... 

After all, if the Dragon Vein were truly as formidable as claimed, Hagoromo would have acted on it long ago. At the very least, he would have sealed it, just as Minato had. The idea that it played a central role in the Lost Tower incident seemed contradictory. 

To Itachi, anything not acknowledged by the Sage of Six Paths wasn’t worth much.  

If the Dragon Vein had any real value, it would be its rumored ability to transcend time and space. Perhaps even the Sage of Six Paths hadn’t realized it held this potential. 

This might very well be its sole use. 

... 

“Alright, Itachi. If you’re interested, I’ll have someone investigate and make the necessary preparations,” Orochimaru concluded. 

Orochimaru naturally had no objections when it came to Itachi.  

Itachi's occasional strange and peculiar ideas intrigued him and seemed rather amusing.  

He was genuinely interested because of Itachi's suggestions.  

Learning things from books always felt shallow; having the chance to witness and experience them firsthand was much more satisfying.  

"Alright, no rush, take your time," Orochimaru said calmly.  

To Orochimaru's words, Itachi appeared indifferent, almost like someone who had lost interest after their initial enthusiasm.  

After all, once something loses its value, the intrigue diminishes significantly.  

"I visited Konoha last time and saw a technique that I found pretty interesting," Itachi said, breaking the silence.  

The room fell quiet again.  

After a brief pause, Itachi spoke softly.  

"What technique? Itachi, you seem to have quite the conflict with Konoha, sneaking in time and time again..." Orochimaru teased with a smirk.  

"Edo Tensei. But I couldn’t quite understand it," Itachi replied, picking up his teacup and sipping slowly. His eyes remained fixed on the tea leaves in the cup while stealing glances at Orochimaru’s expression.  

"Edo Tensei, huh? Itachi, are you planning to rob Konoha blind?" Orochimaru was momentarily taken aback.  

The Flying Thunder God technique was recorded in the Scroll of Seals, but Edo Tensei, an incomplete technique, was hidden away on a small, obscure scroll in a concealed location.  

That Itachi managed to discover Edo Tensei left Orochimaru genuinely surprised.  

After all, he had gone through considerable effort to acquire it back then.  

"Oh? Orochimaru, you know about this jutsu too?" Itachi feigned surprise.  

In truth, Itachi had never seen Edo Tensei in Konoha. Knowing Orochimaru’s extensive research on the technique, he wouldn’t waste time investigating it himself.  

He brought it up solely to steer the conversation toward Orochimaru’s thoughts.  

"Heh, I’ve studied it for a while. What you saw in Konoha was the incomplete version," Orochimaru said with a faint smile.  

But then his brows furrowed slightly.  

"Itachi, are you interested in this technique because you want to revive someone you hold dear? If so, you might be disappointed. While it can be considered a resurrection technique in some sense, its primary purpose is for combat.  

"If you’re longing for loved ones, this technique would only disturb their peace," Orochimaru added, looking directly into Itachi's eyes.  

"An incomplete version, huh? My interest lies in the methodology and inspiration behind the technique, not in resurrecting anyone," Itachi replied.  

He had no intention of being so straightforward with Orochimaru initially.  

However, if he had directly asked about Orochimaru’s progress on Edo Tensei, it might have caused the latter to feel irritated or uneasy.  

For something so secretive, Orochimaru would likely suspect Itachi of spying on him if he knew too much.  

"Fair enough. It is indeed a remarkable technique. I’ve already completed it, but I haven’t conducted any practical experiments yet. Once I’ve perfected it, I’ll share it with you. For now, Itachi, focus more on improving your own strength. This technique isn’t worth dedicating too much time to," Orochimaru said with a look of approval.  

Whether in terms of its methodology or inspiration, the technique was undeniably extraordinary.  

Orochimaru genuinely admired Itachi’s perspective.  

Chapter 95: Journey to the Land of Water  

"Thank you, Orochimaru," Itachi said softly in response to Orochimaru's words.  

He had discerned Orochimaru's progress in researching the Reanimation Jutsu.  

"Have you made any headway with the Shikotsumyaku? Is it ready for transplantation?"  

As Orochimaru fell silent, Itachi asked the question quietly.  

Shikotsumyaku... it was something he longed for.  

After all, relying on the Susano'o Flying Thunder God Slash wasn’t viable. But if he could fully acquire the Shikotsumyaku, activate Sage Mode, and teleport next to his opponents with the Flying Thunder God to dance circles around them—it would be unparalleled.  

As for the Dead Bone Pulse... that was a distant dream.  

That ability belonged to the Bloodline Selection that required both the Rinnegan and Sharingan.  

...  

Without even having the Rinnegan yet, dwelling on such possibilities seemed rather meaningless.  

After resting for a day, Itachi left Orochimaru's base once more.  

He couldn't sit still and wandered off into the ninja world.  

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, reminded by Itachi, turned his attention back to researching the Shikotsumyaku.  

Time was running short for Orochimaru, as his body-switching deadline loomed closer.  

If not for Itachi’s reminder, he might have completely forgotten about it.  

...  

Land of Water  

"Lord Mizukage, someone is here to see you."  

A few days later, Itachi wandered into the Land of Water.  

He planned to copy some Shikotsumyaku techniques and check on how Jūzō was doing.  

"Oh, I understand," replied a tired male voice from beneath a bamboo hat.  

It was clear that being the acting Mizukage wasn’t particularly enjoyable.  

Reviving the Hidden Mist Village was no easy task—or perhaps, he simply wasn’t skilled enough yet.  

"Jūzō, you're doing pretty well, huh?"  

Guided by a Mist ninja, Itachi slowly entered the Mizukage's office.  

...  

"Itachi?"  

As Itachi stepped inside, Jūzō put down the document he was holding. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Itachi’s voice and froze momentarily.  

The voice was familiar, and after examining Itachi’s now-mature face, Jūzō spoke with some hesitation.  

"That’s a sharp eye you’ve got there—recognizing me like that."  

Itachi smiled faintly at Jūzō's words, surprised that even with his drastically changed appearance and voice, Jūzō still recognized him.  

"Hahaha, kid! You finally decided to come visit me, huh? This calls for a proper drink to celebrate!"  

After confirming it was indeed Itachi, Jūzō stood up, removed his Mizukage hat, and placed it on the desk, revealing his familiar face.  

"Seriously, you might want to put that hat back on. Your face is way too recognizable—I’m not even sure I’d dare grab dinner with you otherwise," Itachi said, rolling his eyes. As Jūzō moved in for a bear hug, Itachi swatted his hands away with an annoyed expression.  

...  

"Go fetch Genma for me. I’m taking a day off today. Tell him to come in and handle these urgent documents."  

Standing at the door, Jūzō gave the command to the empty space beside him, as if talking to himself.  

But after he spoke, a shadow darted away.  

"Wow, you've really grown into your role. Three days away, and you’re practically a new person," Itachi remarked, impressed by Jūzō’s commanding aura.  

"Heh, being thrown into the deep end does that to you. I used to think the Mizukage role was annoying, but now I realize how much pressure it comes with. Managing these political affairs is incredibly complicated," Jūzō admitted.  

As they strolled through the Hidden Mist Village, Itachi smiled at the sight of the passing villagers.  

Quietly, he reflected that Jūzō had done a decent job.  

He’d even managed to improve the villagers' happiness.  

...  

"Sir, why hasn’t the acting Mizukage officially reported to the daimyo to claim the position?"  

Inside a tavern, a man and a woman sat across from each other.  

The man, a one-eyed individual wearing an eyepatch, asked the stunning woman sitting before him.  

The woman took a leisurely sip of fine wine, exuding an air of maturity and grace that was almost tangible. Even her annoyed side glance carried a gentle charm.  

"Why concern yourself with so much? As long as he's acting for the benefit of the Hidden Mist Village and the Land of Water, we should support him wholeheartedly. The Hidden Mist Village cannot afford any more internal strife," Terumi Mei said sharply, shooting Ao a pointed look.  

Her voice carried a hint of laziness, and her posture was undeniably alluring.  

"My point is, this person doesn't seem to have any interest in becoming the Mizukage. Shouldn't you step up and show off your skills? You never know..."  

They, with their extensive connections, were well aware that this acting Mizukage had inherited the will of the Fourth Mizukage.  

Moreover, nothing he did contradicted the Fourth's intentions. He simply remained as the acting Mizukage, offering opportunities for others to showcase their abilities.  

Originally brimming with ambition to overthrow tyranny, Terumi Mei now appeared to have adopted a laid-back attitude, with no interest in seizing the spotlight.  

Ao couldn't help but feel anxious seeing her like this.  

"What's so great about being Mizukage? As long as the Hidden Mist Village can be revived, it doesn't matter who holds the title. His approach is actually pretty good. Things will improve," Mei said, her eyes slightly glazed, as though lost in thought.  

"Itachi, let me tell you, the wine here is fantastic. How's your drinking tolerance these days?"  

Jūzō led Itachi into a tavern, which, by sheer coincidence, happened to be the same one where Terumi Mei and Ao were.  

Hearing Jūzō’s voice, the two immediately sat up straight, falling silent.  

The two exchanged glances, their eyes speaking volumes, darting around as if something had gotten into them.  

"Not bad. I don't have many worries, so I don’t really need to drink," Itachi replied.  

Jūzō, reminded of their past drunken antics, chuckled nostalgically.  

"Looks like you’ve really grown, kid. Back then, you were always frowning, like I owed you money."  

Jūzō sounded a bit disappointed at Itachi's composed demeanor, feeling like he’d lost a chance to tease him.  

Itachi, on the other hand, was slightly exasperated by Jūzō’s remarks.  

Was this guy trying to see him embarrassed? Could this be a setup?  

But as the two stepped into the tavern, Itachi froze momentarily, his expression turning a bit odd.  

"Terumi Mei, Ao, slacking off again, are we?"  

Jūzō, noticing Itachi’s gaze, followed it and spotted the two slacking subordinates.  

His roar echoed through the tavern.  

Here he was, as acting Mizukage, working himself to the bone, while these two were leisurely enjoying themselves...  

And they weren't just any subordinates but two of the village’s key personnel, which only fueled his irritation.  

"Mizukage-sama, how could you be so harsh to your lovely subordinates?"  

Knowing Jūzō’s personality inside out, Terumi Mei leaned forward slightly, her impressive assets jiggling as she pouted coquettishly.  

"Hiss..."  

The men nearby couldn’t help but stare in a daze.  

"This handsome young man... Mizukage-sama, aren’t you going to introduce him to me?"  

Mei’s eyes lit up as she noticed Itachi. She fluttered her lashes and gave him a playful wink, practically radiating flirtation.  

The deep cleavage she revealed, accentuated by the black net-like edge, seemed like a mesmerizing abyss, drawing everyone’s attention.  

"Ahem!"  

Noticing Jūzō getting distracted and Ao’s face rapidly turning red, Itachi coughed lightly.