81-85

Chapter 81: Sasuke, Sleep...  

"Nii-san..."  

Sasuke's deep voice echoed in the Hokage's office.  

Itachi's mind was struck as if by a bolt of lightning. Memories from the past came flooding back in an instant, exploding vividly in his thoughts.  

"Sasuke, sleep..."  

As Sasuke slowly approached him, Itachi moved toward his younger brother.  

With a gentle touch, he tapped Sasuke's forehead with two fingers.  

Sasuke collapsed immediately, falling straight into Itachi's arms.  

...  

Feeling the warmth of Itachi's embrace, Sasuke's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.  

Itachi gently placed Sasuke on Hiruzen Sarutobi's chair. Now wasn’t the time for a family reunion.  

He then began searching around the office, trying to find the hidden compartment.  

His target: the Scroll of Seals.  

Itachi remained composed, meticulously inspecting every corner. At a time like this, impatience would only lead to mistakes.  

The ANBU members he had knocked out outside could wake up at any moment.  

"Ah, I should’ve asked that old geezer Danzo. He probably knows where it's kept... A bit of a misstep there," Itachi muttered to himself.  

After an unsuccessful initial search, he performed a summoning jutsu, calling forth some helpers to assist in locating the secret passage.  

Several small snakes emerged from his summoning and slithered off in various directions.  

...  

Just as Itachi was about to activate Sage Mode to heighten his senses, one of the snakes signaled success.  

Although he hadn’t found the mechanism to open it, Itachi saw no need to waste time looking for it.  

Channeling chakra into his arm, he clenched his fist and delivered a powerful right hook.  

Despite being custom-built, the secret room’s door was blasted open with a gaping hole, left wobbling on its hinges.  

Itachi pried the door open and stepped inside.  

Upon spotting the massive Scroll of Seals, he paused momentarily in surprise.  

"They didn’t even bother hiding it properly. Too easy," he sneered.  

Despite his comment, Itachi wasted no time. He approached the scroll and unrolled it, his Sharingan spinning into the form of the three-tomoe.  

Then he began his secretive work.  

...  

Itachi didn’t aim to memorize everything. Instead, he selectively recorded certain jutsu.  

Flying Thunder God...  

Every single Wood Release technique was meticulously noted.  

After all, his time and energy were limited; greed would only result in inefficiency. So, he chose carefully.  

A few minutes later, Itachi closed the Scroll of Seals.  

"Tch! That’s all? Such a small collection of jutsu," he muttered disdainfully.  

Placing the scroll back in its original position, Itachi picked up Sasuke and swiftly left the room.  

There was a thrill to the escapade—like the rush of committing mischief and fleeing the scene.  

...  

Itachi placed Sasuke on a long bench and looked at him deeply before his figure began to fade.  

Sasuke was still young. It wasn’t the right time to keep him by his side. Here in the Leaf Village, Sasuke could have a good environment to learn and experience a proper childhood.  

Traveling with Itachi might have its moments of excitement, but it wouldn’t be ideal for Sasuke’s growth.  

When Itachi reappeared, he was already outside the village, leaving silently, his deeds concealed.  

...  

"Lord Hokage, you’re awake?"  

When Hiruzen Sarutobi regained consciousness, he found himself being carried on the back of an ANBU member. 

Surrounded by highly trained Anbu members, akin to personal bodyguards. 

“What happened?”  

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked his subordinates with a puzzled expression. 

He thought he was already dead, but now he found himself in this baffling situation. 

“Lord Hokage, we detected a powerful chakra disturbance outside the village, so we went to investigate,” an Anbu captain reported.  

“When we arrived, the enemy seemed to have already been incinerated to ashes by your combined ninjutsu. You were lying on the ground, appearing exhausted, so we brought you back. We didn’t expect you to recover so quickly despite your age.” 

... 

After hearing the captain's explanation, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, deeply confused.  

During the fight with Itachi, his techniques were ruthless, clearly aimed to kill. So why was he still alive?  

Hiruzen couldn’t shake the heavy doubt lingering in his heart. 

As he pondered, a figure rushed toward him urgently.  

“Lord Hokage, something terrible has happened! Someone broke into your office, and all the guards around were knocked unconscious.” 

The Anbu stopped and immediately reported to Hiruzen. 

“What?”  

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was instantly furious.  

How dare they! Who would be so bold?  

His office contained some... sensitive items that he’d rather not have exposed. If those were discovered, his reputation would be utterly ruined. 

... 

Noticing the hesitation in the Anbu’s tone, Hiruzen quickly dismounted from his subordinate’s back and sprinted toward Konoha like an agile marathon runner. 

When he reached his office, a group of masked Anbu members was already guarding its perimeter. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked past them slowly, then pushed open the office door. 

His eyes instinctively darted to the file cabinet. He let out a silent sigh of relief—nothing had been tampered with. 

Then he glanced at the trash bin.  

Another wave of relief washed over him—it hadn’t been rummaged through either. 

... 

Finally, his gaze landed on the shattered secret chamber door in the floor.  

His blood pressure spiked instantly.  

“Damn it!”  

Hiruzen cursed aloud and rushed into the secret chamber. 

What stunned him was that the Scroll of Seals was still there—it hadn’t been stolen. 

However, he didn’t relax just yet. He quickly grabbed the scroll and opened it.  

After examining it closely, he found that it had indeed been opened but hadn’t been tampered with. 

He wasn’t particularly worried about most of the techniques on it, as they required natural talent to learn. Only certain forbidden jutsus gave him cause for concern. 

If someone had mastered one of those, it would spell disaster. 

... 

“Do we know who did this?” 

After a brief silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi rolled up the Scroll of Seals, strapped it to his back, and grabbed several small scrolls from a hidden compartment. 

As he emerged from the secret chamber, he asked calmly. 

“Lord Sasuke might know something,” one of the Anbu captains replied hesitantly. 

The captain had already woken his subordinates, who reported that Sasuke had been in the Hokage’s office earlier. However, they had no idea what he had done there. 

Now Sasuke was nowhere to be found, making him a likely suspect—but the captain didn’t dare to say it outright. 

... 

“Where is Sasuke? Bring him here,” Hiruzen commanded with a mix of anger and relief. 

If Sasuke had learned something, it wasn’t a big deal.  

After all, it was better to keep it within the village. 

However, as Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking this, a certain figure suddenly popped into his mind—Uchiha Itachi. 

After knocking him unconscious, had Itachi returned to Konoha? 

Given the incompetence of these fools, they wouldn’t have been able to detect Itachi’s presence, let alone stop him. 

Having fought Itachi, Hiruzen deeply understood how terrifying his strength had become.  

Even he, the Third Hokage, could only fight Itachi to a standstill. 

... 

Chapter 82: Extra Edition - Hiruzen’s Maneuvers   

“Lord Hokage, Sasuke has been located. He’s lying on a bench not far from the village gate.”   

An ANBU member, who had rushed back from the field, softly reported this to Hiruzen Sarutobi, interrupting his deep thoughts.   

He had received direct orders from their leader to track down Sasuke.   

“Oh, is he alright?”   

Upon hearing the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew who was behind this.   

However, just thinking about Itachi’s terrifying combat power made his scalp tingle. For a moment, he didn’t know how to proceed.   

“Where was Danzo when this happened?”   

Itachi was not someone to provoke lightly. Given the grim situation, solving the case quickly was imperative to restore the village’s damaged prestige.   

...   

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately decided to pin the blame on Danzo.   

For now, the charges could sit on Danzo’s shoulders.   

After reading the Scroll of Seals, Hiruzen was acutely aware of Itachi’s immense power. He knew there wasn’t much he could do against him.   

With Itachi now out of the village and virtually untraceable, sending people after him would be as futile as searching for a needle in a haystack—it would only be a waste of lives.   

The only option was to maintain stability, as he always had.   

Powerful villages couldn’t afford to make powerful enemies, and powerful individuals were equally untouchable.   

Sometimes, sacrifices had to be made to maintain the facade of peace.   

Unlike Sakumo, Itachi didn’t have any exploitable weaknesses. Danzo’s usual underhanded tactics were useless against someone of Itachi’s caliber, leaving only the option of deliberate neglect...   

Besides, Itachi hadn’t killed him, right? Perhaps there was a chance to win him over.   

With this thought, Hiruzen’s mood lightened.   

His mind became increasingly active, as if he had reached a sudden epiphany. A series of cunning strategies began forming in his head.   

...   

“Lord Danzo seems to have stayed home recently, playing chess,” one of the lower-ranking ANBU members replied instinctively to Hiruzen’s question.   

“Impossible. Absolutely impossible. That must be a smokescreen! He’s probably been planning this for a long time!”   

Hearing the ANBU’s response, Hiruzen flatly denied it. He shot a deep, meaningful glance at the junior officer, noting his lack of discretion. This one might ruin his plans someday; better to reassign him to rear-line support, perhaps managing livestock.   

He needed lackeys here, not saints.   

“But Lord Hokage, last time, you already assigned our squad to monitor Danzo. The advisor truly hasn’t done anything suspicious,” the junior officer replied earnestly, completely ignoring the pointed looks from his colleagues.   

“Guards, take him away for interrogation!” Hiruzen snapped, enraged. “This man must have been corrupted by Danzo! He’s colluding with him, taking advantage of my absence to stir up trouble!”   

Furious at the ANBU’s lack of tact, Hiruzen waved his hand to give the order, striking decisively.   

Now was not the time for hesitation. Any delay could hinder the investigation, which would deal a devastating blow to his reputation.   

...   

Watching the clueless ANBU member being dragged away by his comrades, Hiruzen radiated authority, commanding respect without the need to raise his voice.   

“Step forward, you two!”   

After a brief pause, Hiruzen called again.   

Two masked individuals stepped forward and knelt before him.   

Hiruzen’s gaze lingered on them, making their skin crawl.   

“Speak. What did you see?”   

After a moment of silence, Hiruzen asked again, his tone low and measured.   

...   

“Lord Hokage! I saw Advisor Danzo—the old thief—using a shadow clone to deceive everyone. His real body knocked out the hidden guards, then confronted Sasuke while waiting for you. After wreaking havoc in the Hokage’s office, he abducted Sasuke!”   

Under Hiruzen’s piercing stare, one of the ANBU members stammered at first but quickly gained confidence, speaking as if he had witnessed everything firsthand. His account sounded solid, as though irrefutable.   

“Would you be willing to testify against Danzo in front of the entire village?” Hiruzen asked, his expression one of approval.   

“Reporting to Lord Hokage, I would! I’ll expose Advisor Danzo’s crimes before the entire village!”   

The ANBU member stood tall, brimming with righteous fervor, like a beacon of justice.   

“Excellent! The ANBU needs more ninja like you—truthful, sharp-eyed, and courageous. From today onward, you’re promoted to squad leader!”   

Hiruzen stepped forward, helping the astonished ANBU member to his feet.   

Patting the man’s shoulder warmly, he spoke with kindness.   

In that moment, the image of a wise and benevolent leader filled the Hokage’s office, casting a radiant glow.   

...   

“All hail Lord Hokage! Solving the case so quickly—it’s as if he’s a god of investigation!”   

At that moment, several squad leaders of the Anbu began clapping enthusiastically...   

The applause was thunderous, as if something truly inspiring had just occurred.   

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the squad leaders with an expression of approval.   

“Keep it low-key, low-key. Honestly, the culprit was just too foolish. To dare commit a crime right under the noses of the righteous Anbu... utterly idiotic!”   

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Over the past few years, he had adjusted the training policies, and the Anbu had become more and more to his liking.   

Of course, there were still a few bad apples...   

---   

“Great Lord Hokage, shall we immediately apprehend the evil Danzo and bring him to trial before the entire village?”   

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hands and gestured downward, indicating that the flattery could stop now.   

The office fell silent once more, with everyone waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi to deliver his instructions.   

Hiruzen rolled his shoulders, secretly cursing their lack of perception.   

He was still carrying the sealing scroll on his back.   

--- 

“Hold on for now. Human testimony alone isn’t enough; we need physical evidence as well, so the evil wrongdoer has no chance to overturn the verdict.”   

Hiruzen spoke slowly, his tone exuding a sense of impartiality, as if he were determined to handle the matter with both testimony and evidence.   

His words caused the faces of the Anbu below to shift. Where on earth were they supposed to find evidence? Or, more accurately... how were they supposed to fabricate it?   

What a shameless request.   

“Do any of you righteous Anbu have any thoughts?”   

When no one spoke again, Hiruzen felt a little annoyed.   

This group lacked sharp minds. He needed to recruit smarter people.   

---   

“Hokage-sama, I just remembered something. Back then, Danzo... seemed to have colluded with Orochimaru!”   

Though it had been years, there might still be some traces left to investigate.   

Hiruzen’s words left the Anbu in a bind.   

However, among them, there were a few clever individuals.   

It was clear that Hiruzen was preparing to deal with Danzo. Without the Hokage’s protection, the crimes Danzo had committed over the years were no small matter.   

Listing a few of them would be enough to cause public outrage.   

Instead of forging non-existent evidence, it would be better to dig up old scandals.   

As long as there was a reason to take down Danzo, they could casually add this new testimony on top. Who would even care about physical evidence by then?   

One Anbu, as if a light bulb had gone off, began to see things more clearly.   

---   

“Is this really true?”   

Hearing this subordinate’s words, Hiruzen’s eyes lit up. He replied with a hint of praise in his tone.   

“It’s true! I can testify! Also, Danzo’s bandages are highly suspicious. It’s likely they’re connected to his dealings with Orochimaru!”   

As Hiruzen’s eyes and ears, they knew a lot.   

Previously, Hiruzen had let things slide because Danzo still had his uses. But now? This was the perfect opportunity to prove loyalty and demonstrate capability.   

A good performance could lead to promotions and wealth. Maybe even two... no, three young wives!   

---   

Once someone took the lead, others quickly followed suit.   

They accused Danzo of colluding with rogue Anbu members to assassinate the Hokage, only to be foiled when the Hokage heroically turned the traitors against him.   

They alleged that he spread rumors and plotted against war heroes.   

They even claimed he manipulated one of the Legendary Sannin into conducting cruel human experiments for his own gain.   

By the end, it seemed as though everything bad that had ever happened was somehow connected to Danzo.   

---   

For example, the attack on their ally, the Land of Whirlpools, where Danzo intercepted the plea for help, leaving Konoha without a key ally.   

Or how he encouraged the few remaining members of the Senju Clan to assist the Land of Whirlpools, only for none of them to return.   

Even Minato’s wife, during childbirth, was said to have been betrayed by Danzo, who let the enemy infiltrate and revealed their location.   

---   

Hearing all this, Hiruzen’s expression grew darker. Some of these claims, even he hadn’t known about...   

Particularly the former members of Root, whom he had transferred into the Anbu and released from Danzo’s Curse Mark of Absolute Obedience—they were the most vocal.   

---   

Chapter 83: Kakashi's Misjudgment and Shattered Psyche  

While Hiruzen Sarutobi was grappling with the headache of someone infiltrating the village, Itachi was already leisurely on his way to the Land of Water.  

At that moment, Itachi was in a good mood. He planned to find a quiet spot and finally master the Flying Thunder God technique.  

Once he had the Flying Thunder God, he’d never have to rely on his legs for travel again. It was like upgrading from a bicycle to a jet plane—absolutely exhilarating.  

Of course, the primary motivation was the connection between his left eye's abilities and space-time.  

Because of that, he had no doubt about his aptitude in this area.  

If even he couldn’t master it, then few in this world would stand a chance.  

"Who's there?"  

As Itachi walked along the path, he suddenly sensed someone watching him from behind.  

Having just committed a rather significant act, Itachi’s senses were on high alert for any external disturbances.  

"Itachi, back in Konoha already?"  

A masked man with white hair slowly emerged, speaking in a casual and somewhat lazy tone, as though they were old acquaintances.  

"Oh, it's you, Kakashi. You should ditch that mask. Honestly, no one else in the world would wear their hair like that."  

Hearing Kakashi’s voice, Itachi replied with the tone of a familiar friend.  

This person always amused him.  

"Have you seen Sasuke? He’s doing well these days, you know."  

Kakashi tried to glean something from Itachi’s expression but found nothing. Frustrated, he brought up an old topic.  

He knew that only by stirring Itachi’s emotions could he gather any useful information.  

Kakashi had never underestimated Itachi's abilities. After witnessing his prowess in battle, Kakashi's vigilance had only deepened.  

"Sasuke? I haven’t seen him. I haven’t been back to Konoha. But I did meet someone interesting—I think you'd find them quite intriguing."  

Hearing Kakashi’s usual teasing tone, Itachi felt a flicker of annoyance.  

Still, his face remained expressionless as he responded playfully.  

"Oh? Who could possibly interest me?"  

Kakashi’s eye narrowed slightly beneath his mask.  

That familiar tone and posture—it felt like he’d seen them somewhere before, but the memory eluded him.  

"Kakashi, have you ever considered that Obito might not be dead? That he could be watching you from somewhere right now?"  

Itachi suddenly threw out a shocking statement, aiming to rattle Kakashi.  

"Itachi! How could you, once a comrade, stoop to such depths? Obito was a hero of Konoha—his memory is sacred!"  

Hearing Itachi mock Obito, Kakashi’s expression darkened with anger.  

To Kakashi, Obito was not only a hero but also a cherished companion.  

"Kakashi, you’re so naive. Do you think I’d make baseless claims? As for heroes... hahaha, let me laugh a bit first."  

Seeing Kakashi lose his composure, Itachi felt a surge of satisfaction.  

He wasn’t planning to attack Kakashi right away. Letting Kakashi confront Obito was part of his larger plan.  

After all, Itachi hadn’t forgotten the pain of having his own eye stolen—or the agony of being forced to destroy it himself.  

Seeing Itachi’s strange expression, Kakashi tried to maintain a calm façade, but his heart sank.  

"What do you mean by that?"  

Hearing news about Obito, Kakashi could no longer keep his composure. He began to follow Itachi’s train of thought.  

"I can tell you this: Obito is alive, but he’s changed. Do you want to meet him?"  

Itachi’s tone turned serious as he looked at the clearly shaken Kakashi.  

"That’s impossible..."  

Kakashi’s mind wavered as he observed Itachi’s grave expression and tone.  

Memories flooded back to Kakashi—being surrounded by the Mist’s assassination squad, Rin rushing into his Chidori...  

When he awoke, everyone around him was dead, the scene resembling a living hell.  

Even Obito’s Sharingan, which he had inherited, had started to behave strangely after that day.  

It had grown harder to control, sometimes trembling as if responding to something—or someone.  

During the Blood Moon Battle, that strange feeling surfaced in his eyes again...  

It was an indescribable sensation, one he dared not ponder further.  

...  

"Kakashi, do you want to know where Obito is?"  

Itachi took a few steps toward Kakashi, who seemed dazed, and asked softly.  

"Impossible! He’s long dead. You’re lying!"  

Sensing Itachi’s approach, Kakashi grew agitated. He felt that his current state was off—almost as though he were being bewitched.  

"It seems Obito saved the wrong person back then, even giving you his eye. Now he’s trapped in darkness, while the person he entrusted with his hopes has turned into a cowardly turtle."  

Seeing Kakashi’s reaction, Itachi’s eyes lit up. He continued his psychological manipulation, firmly grasping Kakashi’s emotional state.  

...  

"I didn’t!"  

As Itachi drew even closer, Kakashi shouted.  

"Obito is watching you. And yet, you’re still so weak… He needs your help. You’re truly unreliable."  

Watching Kakashi’s composure crumble, Itachi continued, his voice like a chant, breaking down the defenses in Kakashi’s heart.  

"I didn’t! Stop saying that! I won’t believe your lies!"  

Kakashi yelled, memories flooding his mind uncontrollably.  

Ever since seeing Jiraiya yesterday, his memories had been unraveling, completely beyond his control. Now, under Itachi’s provocation, they surged violently.  

"Poor Obito, poor Rin... To think they would place their trust in a coward like you..."  

Itachi’s words were icy, striking at the heart.  

He awakened the memories Kakashi had been burying deep inside.  

The moment Obito saved him, the scene when Obito gave him his eye as a gift, the plea to protect Rin.  

And then, the moment Rin was impaled through the chest by his Chidori...  

Kakashi, who usually clung to reason, had completely lost it.  

He had intended to attack Itachi’s psychological defenses, but Itachi had turned the tables, shredding him emotionally.  

...  

Moments ago, Kakashi had been full of confidence, but in the blink of an eye, he was reduced to this pitiful state.  

"It seems you no longer have them in your heart."  

Itachi looked at the defeated Kakashi, slumped on the ground, and spoke softly.  

He turned away, ready to continue on his way.  

"Don’t... don’t leave. Where is Obito?"  

Just as Itachi walked a few steps away, Kakashi seemed to awaken from a dream.  

"Take off your ninja forehead protector and place it on the ground."  

Itachi didn’t turn back; he simply gave the instruction in a calm voice.  

Kakashi hesitated for a moment upon hearing Itachi’s words, but a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.  

It was as if by following Itachi’s instructions, he would be able to see Obito.  

No one could understand what Obito meant to him.  

If Obito were still alive, how would he even face him...  

...  

Kakashi removed his mask, took off his forehead protector, and placed it on the ground.  

"Take out your kunai."  

Still with his back to Kakashi, Itachi seemed to sense his actions and spoke coldly.  

"Obito, are you ready to catch this?"  

Sensing Kakashi had drawn his kunai, Itachi thought silently to himself.  

"Go ahead. As someone from the Konoha side, there’s no way you could meet Obito..."  

Itachi’s words were like the devil’s whisper.  

Kakashi’s expression shifted instantly...  

And he finally realized...  

...  

...  

Kakashi completely lost it after Itachi’s mind games... 

Chapter 84: The World Through Kakashi's Eyes   

Kakashi, whose eyes had been clouded with confusion, suddenly snapped back to reality just as the kunai was about to graze his forehead protector.   

A flash of cold determination appeared in his gaze, the three tomoe of his Sharingan swirling ominously as he fixed his chilling, otherworldly eyes on Itachi's back.   

In the next instant, Kakashi's figure appeared behind Itachi. The icy tip of a kunai pressed firmly against Itachi's neck.   

"Talk. Where is Obito? What exactly are you planning?"   

Having long since awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan but never fully utilized it, Kakashi broke free from Itachi's hypnotic genjutsu.   

Even though his heart was in utter turmoil, Kakashi maintained the demeanor of a steely warrior on the surface.   

---   

"Kakashi, have you regained your composure?"   

Itachi’s tone carried a hint of surprise at Kakashi’s escape from his genjutsu.   

However, he showed no reaction to the kunai pressed against his neck. Tilting his head slightly, his eerie, malevolent eyes regarded Kakashi with the disdain one might reserve for garbage.   

"Heh. Goodbye, Uchiha Itachi..."   

Itachi’s words weren’t what Kakashi wanted to hear. With a burst of chakra-infused strength, Kakashi slashed the kunai across Itachi’s neck with brutal precision.   

Blood spurted forth.   

The warm liquid splashed onto Kakashi's face, but in a sudden shift, the figure of Itachi transformed into Obito.   

"Kakashi..."   

"Obito!"   

Seeing Obito’s battered appearance, Kakashi let out a mournful cry.   

It was then he realized he had fallen prey to another genjutsu.   

Quickly focusing his chakra, he formed seals to dispel the illusion.   

---   

The scene shattered like broken glass, dissipating into nothingness. Itachi now stood a short distance away, curiously observing Kakashi.   

"I’m being serious here. Obito isn’t dead; he’s lost in darkness. Want to know more? The price is becoming a rogue ninja," Itachi said, arms crossed, his tone dripping with nonchalance.   

His movements made Kakashi freeze.   

"Are you Blood Moon? Is Blood Moon you?"   

The familiar gestures finally triggered Kakashi's realization, and his astonishment spilled into his words.   

The rage and turmoil in his heart gradually gave way to calmness.   

The Itachi before him—capable of facing even the Legendary Sannin with ease and mocking Jiraiya’s weakness—was someone Kakashi couldn’t hope to confront.   

Moreover, Jiraiya and Tsunade’s attitudes toward Itachi had made it clear: he was not an enemy.   

---   

Hearing Kakashi’s words, a flicker of disappointment flashed through Itachi’s eyes. Changing his posture, he placed one hand thoughtfully on his chin.   

"Blood Moon? Never heard of them."   

After a brief pause, Itachi decided not to admit anything.   

"You seem to know a lot. Can you tell me about Obito?"   

Kakashi didn’t press the issue of Blood Moon. Instead, he clung to the topic of Obito.   

"In some ways, your situation is worse than Jiraiya’s. You’re far too weak right now. One misstep, and you’ll die. Stop prying."   

Seeing that Kakashi refused to take the bait, Itachi lost interest and casually brushed him off.   

He hadn’t expected his plans to fail so quickly.   

---   

Hearing Itachi’s dismissal, the light in Kakashi’s eyes dimmed.   

Yet, deep within, a fire began to burn.   

If Itachi truly was Blood Moon, then his words carried more weight.   

Especially considering the scenes from the genjutsu just now…   

Kakashi started to understand why Jiraiya hadn’t refuted Itachi.   

The Itachi before him seemed to possess some extraordinary power.   

"If I’m willing to become a rogue ninja, can I really pull Obito out of the darkness?"   

After a moment of silence, Kakashi noticed Itachi was about to walk away. He hurriedly closed the distance, pressing him for an answer.   

"No. I have a grudge against Obito. What I just said was merely to use your unique status to make him uncomfortable. Most likely, he’ll kill you and take back the eye that belongs to him."   

---   

Kakashi’s question made Itachi pause briefly.   

After a long silence, Itachi spoke softly.   

Obito might not harm Kakashi, but Black Zetsu would undoubtedly stir up trouble, much like Danzo’s manipulative ways.   

Eventually, Obito would almost certainly take action.   

Even if he didn’t kill Kakashi outright, his fate wouldn’t be much better.   

"Can you at least tell me where Obito is now?"   

Itachi’s words stunned Kakashi, but he persisted.   

"Focus on getting stronger. Right now, you have no way of catching up to Obito," Itachi said, shaking his head, his voice carrying a note of warning.   

Kakashi was a notable figure, so he didn’t want to use Kakashi for any petty schemes.   

...   

"You mentioned getting stronger—how strong? Strong enough to defeat you?"   

Seeing that Itachi was about to leave again, Kakashi quickly spoke up.   

"Oh? Getting serious now? But you're too weak…"   

Hearing Kakashi’s words and sensing the chakra he released, Itachi turned back to glance at him. Then, shaking his head, he showed little interest in fighting.   

In the face of absolute strength, Kakashi’s so-called “even odds” attribute was meaningless.   

"If I don't try, how will I know?"   

Hearing Itachi dismiss him again, Kakashi’s Sharingan, with its three tomoe, locked onto Itachi’s back. Lightning flickered in his hand.   

Like a flash of electricity, Kakashi’s figure darted forward, quickly charging at Itachi.   

...   

Itachi’s power was unfathomable—his Sharingan was completely impenetrable.   

Thus, Kakashi could only approach the fight with the resolve to kill Itachi, giving it his all.   

With the amplification of his lightning chakra, Kakashi’s speed was unparalleled.   

He aimed a sneak attack at Itachi, stabbing him from behind.   

The Raikiri in his hand pierced through Itachi’s body, leaving Kakashi momentarily stunned.   

It shouldn’t have been this easy…   

"Caw, caw, caw…"   

Itachi’s body shattered into countless crows that scattered into the air.   

When he reappeared, he was standing atop a tree, looking down at Kakashi.   

His eerie Sharingan spun slowly, emitting a chilling aura.   

...   

"You’re not from the Uchiha clan. How far can your Sharingan really see?"   

Itachi gazed at Kakashi below, speaking as if pondering aloud.   

The lightning in Kakashi’s hand gradually dimmed and dissipated.   

"You’re as arrogant as ever, looking down on everyone."   

Kakashi stared at Itachi intently before replying.   

"Your technique is impressive, but your attack style is a bit lacking."   

Itachi didn’t directly respond to Kakashi’s words but casually complimented his Raikiri.   

Hearing this, Kakashi remained silent, breathing heavily.   

...   

"If you want to see the difference in our strength, then I’ll show you…"   

Noticing the determination in Kakashi’s eyes, Itachi seemed to acknowledge his resolve.   

With those words, a silver chakra enveloped Itachi’s entire body.   

A red serpent-like phantom appeared out of thin air, coiling itself around him.   

Its vertical pupils stared coldly at Kakashi, flicking its tongue as if sizing him up like prey.   

...   

Seeing Itachi’s transformation, Kakashi felt as though he were facing an entirely different person.   

The silver shadows at the corners of Itachi’s eyes and the swirling silver pattern in his windmill-shaped pupils radiated immense power.   

The overwhelming chakra emanating from Itachi crushed Kakashi like the weight of a mountain.   

Itachi moved slightly, leaving only an afterimage behind. Under Kakashi’s three-tomoe Sharingan, Itachi’s figure vanished, leaving only a blur.   

"This speed… even the three-tomoe can’t track it… How is this possible?"   

After witnessing Itachi’s speed, enhanced by Sage Mode and substitution techniques, Kakashi was utterly dumbfounded.   

This… this was a crushing sense of powerlessness.   

"Kakashi, stay focused..." 

Itachi's voice echoed in Kakashi's ears. 

A tremendous force struck him, and Kakashi felt a sharp pain in his stomach as his body was sent flying through the air. 

Even with his three-tomoe Sharingan, he had been hit head-on… 

Something so inconceivable had actually happened to him… 

"Is this genjutsu…? Cough!" 

After crashing through several trees, Kakashi slowly got up, coughing up blood as he muttered to himself. 

… 

"Kakashi, this is the gap between us. Taijutsu is my weakest form of attack, yet you couldn't even withstand this level. You—" 

Itachi spoke softly as he looked at the disheveled Kakashi. 

However, upon seeing the confusion in Kakashi's eyes, Itachi stopped himself from saying anything more to embarrass him. 

"A gap, huh? Obito… If you were here, what would you do? You’d definitely handle this better than me, just like back then… Why wasn’t it me instead…?" 

Kakashi’s thoughts were chaotic, and at this moment, they became even more turbulent. 

"Obito, huh…? Obito isn’t exactly a good person anymore, you know." 

Hearing Kakashi’s murmurs, Itachi quietly replied. 

… 

"Not a good person? That’s impossible. Someone who could say such things... How could he possibly become bad?" 

Hearing Itachi’s words, Kakashi, who had been feeling paralyzed, slowly stood up, as if speaking directly to Obito. 

The Itachi in front of him suddenly took on Obito’s appearance. 

Seeing Kakashi’s dazed expression, Itachi gently shook his head. The sage mode dissipated from his body, and he turned to leave. 

This version of Kakashi… was weak. 

"Obito, don’t go. Explain yourself!" 

Kakashi watched as Itachi—now appearing as Obito—turned away. 

The Obito in Kakashi’s eyes smiled warmly, turned, and walked away. Rin appeared out of nowhere, walking side by side with Obito… 

This was the reflection of Kakashi’s heart. 

"Kakashi, you coward. Live well, okay?" 

Kakashi watched as Obito and Rin looked back at him, exchanging smiles. Then, Obito spoke softly before turning to leave. 

"Don’t go… Don’t leave me behind again! Take me with you!" 

Kakashi weakly collapsed to the ground, dazed for a moment. Summoning strength from somewhere, he stood up and shouted with all his might. 

The emotions and repression in his heart erupted all at once… 

… 

… 

Chapter 85: The Light in Kakashi’s Eyes  

Itachi's footsteps halted. 

Kakashi's sudden shout left him momentarily stunned.  

But in the next instant, his expression shifted.  

"This formidable ocular power..."  

Itachi didn't turn around. His fingers twitched slightly under his robe.  

The next moment, the space around him began to distort...  

...  

The world before Kakashi's eyes grew increasingly bright. Despite his cries, the figures of Obito and Rin faded away.  

Reality returned to his sight.  

His left eye, bearing the three-tomoe Sharingan, seemed to resonate with the emotions of its owner—anger, frustration, and deep sorrow.  

The tomoe spun rapidly.  

Until, at last, they froze... and transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.  

"Kamui!"  

Feeling the power gifted to him by Obito, Kakashi wasted no time. He launched a furious attack on Itachi.  

After unleashing the ocular technique, a wave of weakness overcame him. He murmured the name of the jutsu under his breath...  

...  

Watching Itachi's figure, half of it twisted and torn away by the warped space, Kakashi froze momentarily. Regret washed over him.  

Then, noticing Itachi's body transform into a piece of wood, Kakashi let out a small sigh of relief, followed by a deep sense of disappointment.  

"Even with this kind of power... I still can't harm him, can I?"  

Kakashi's body slumped to the ground as he completely lost consciousness.  

Reappearing on a tree branch, Itachi paused briefly.  

"Kamui... what an absurdly powerful ability..."  

Reflecting on the sensation he had just experienced, Itachi felt a shiver. If he hadn't reacted in time, he might already have been decapitated.  

If not for his knowledge of the original work, he might have underestimated the attack and taken a direct hit.  

...  

"What should I do about Kakashi?"  

Looking at Kakashi lying unconscious on the ground, Itachi felt momentarily lost.  

Then he recalled Kakashi's strong will and unyielding spirit.  

A faint admiration arose in Itachi's heart, and an idea began to form in his mind.  

Kakashi, in his current state, definitely had the potential to confront Obito, but he was still missing two key elements.  

One was the bloodline of the Uchiha clan. The Mangekyō Sharingan imposed a tremendous burden on Kakashi's body. If Itachi could find a way to grant Kakashi the Uchiha bloodline, he would undoubtedly rival Obito. The other was the cells of Hashirama.  

Obito possessed them, so Kakashi couldn't afford not to.  

As this thought crossed his mind, a hint of amusement appeared on Itachi's face.  

This would be the perfect gift.  

If Obito received such a present, his reaction would undoubtedly be priceless...  

...  

Itachi summoned a shadow clone to carry Kakashi on its back and set out for Orochimaru's location.  

He intended to share this amusing idea with Orochimaru and have him study Obito’s Mangekyō Sharingan in the process.  

Unbeknownst to Itachi, his plan was already deviating...  

However, considering that he also needed a place to learn techniques like the Flying Thunder God, he figured it didn’t matter.  

...  

Itachi’s shadow clone wore a resigned expression as it carried the unconscious and surprisingly heavy Kakashi.  

A few hours later, as night fell, Itachi decided to rest for the night.  

He assigned his shadow clone to catch some small animals and prepare them for a hearty meal.  

As the aroma of roasting meat wafted through the air, Kakashi, who had been left lying on the cold ground, let out a faint groan.  

"Hmm?..."  

Slowly opening his eyes, he stared blankly at the tree branches illuminated by the firelight.  

...  

"You're awake?"  

Hearing Kakashi's voice, Itachi glanced over to see his dazed expression and calmly asked.  

"Saved... Am I saved? Thank you... Itachi..."  

As Itachi's voice registered, the confusion in Kakashi's eyes quickly cleared, replaced by clarity.  

"Hold on, the barbecue will be ready soon. You'll have to admit it's good."  

Itachi ignored Kakashi's clumsy attempt at gratitude, as if he hadn't heard it.  

He softly murmured to himself.  

...  

Hearing that Itachi didn’t acknowledge his apology, Kakashi froze for a moment. Then, as he tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen.  

"Hiss... it hurts..."  

With one hand clutching his stomach, he used the other to roll to his side and sit up.  

"If you know any healing techniques, you should use them yourself. I don't know how to do that."  

Hearing Kakashi groan in pain, Itachi didn’t even glance at him. His eyes remained fixed on the roasting meat in his hands, as though afraid it might burn.  

"Uh..."  

Hearing Itachi’s words, Kakashi's mind raced.  

In the end, he realized he only knew one basic bleeding-stoppage technique. But with internal injuries like these... what could he do?  

...  

"This is... where exactly?"  

Still feeling somewhat annoyed, Kakashi looked at the focused Itachi and asked softly.  

"I don’t know either. But I’m taking you somewhere—to grant you an opportunity. If you can withstand it, you’ll earn the right to face Obito."  

Hearing Kakashi's question, Itachi didn’t lift his head. He spoke softly about the plan, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.  

"Thank you... I'll give it everything I’ve got."  

Upon hearing Itachi’s words, Kakashi's eyes lit up. He greatly admired Itachi’s strength. If Itachi could help him grow stronger, giving him the power to confront Obito, how could he refuse?  

...  

Itachi’s stern expression softened slightly upon hearing Kakashi's response.  

If Kakashi hadn’t proven himself in battle and shown traits that Itachi respected, Itachi wouldn’t have bothered.  

He still had a lot to accomplish and little time to spare for others.  

"But the condition remains the same. If you satisfy me, perhaps one day I can even bring Rin back to life."  

After a moment of silence, seeing Kakashi staring at him expectantly, Itachi thought for a moment and spoke softly.  

"Condition? Rin? Are you serious?"  

Kakashi hadn’t yet figured out what Itachi’s condition might be, but the mention of Rin’s revival made his eyes shine with hope.  

"Why would I lie to you? Everything I do now is for a purpose."  

Itachi’s voice remained calm, unaffected by Kakashi's reaction.  

In Kakashi’s eyes, Itachi seemed like an omnipotent being...  

"If it’s you, I believe you can do it..."  

Recalling Itachi’s extraordinary strength and his seemingly prophetic abilities, Kakashi was convinced.  

...  

"What’s the condition? Do I have to become a rogue ninja?"  

After the initial joy, Kakashi suddenly remembered that Itachi had mentioned a condition. Stunned, he asked.  

If Itachi truly had the power to revive Rin, there was no way he wouldn’t follow him.  

If Rin could come back...  

Then...  

Three figures flashed through Kakashi’s mind. His gaze grew resolute.  

"You’ll be spending some time in a specific place. Later, I’ll arrange for you to meet Obito. Whether you succeed or not will depend on your own ability."  

Noticing the light in Kakashi's eyes, Itachi nodded faintly.  

Believing in miracles is itself a miracle...  

Itachi had expected to need some effort to convince Kakashi, but the process turned out to be simpler than anticipated.  

He felt there was something unique about Kakashi.  

...  

Kakashi pulled out his ninja forehead protector from his pouch...  

He stared at it for a moment.  

Then, grabbing a kunai, he slashed through it decisively.  

Just as he had once done to Itachi’s neck—clean and resolute.  

With a clear goal in mind, it was as if his soul had found its purpose again. The light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.  

A light that seemed capable of illuminating even the darkest night.