"!?"
"Did you remember something?"
"Was it you, brother, who killed Shisui?"
Sasuke recalled how Uchiha Hachida and others had suspected his brother Itachi of killing Uchiha Shisui.
At that time, Sasuke had always mistakenly believed his brother was being falsely accused.
"Yes. Thanks to him, I could awaken these eyes."
"..."
How is that possible?
What kind of sinister method is this...
These eyes...
Eyes gained from killing kin and friends...
Is it really something to be proud and joyous about?
Collapsed on the ground, Sasuke exerted all his strength to look up at the now completely unfamiliar Itachi before him.
He couldn't reconcile this image with the gentle brother in his memories.
"Under the seventh stone slab counting from the right in the main hall of Nankai Shrine, you'll find the secrets of our clan. Go there and search... Also, if you can awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, then the number of people who have will be three... no, four, perhaps."
Although Konoha generally speculated that Uchiha Ruri had already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, it had never been verified firsthand.
According to intelligence, Chiba Hakushi and Hyuga Ayane also defected together with Uchiha Ruri back then.
Compared to Hyuga Ayane, who occasionally appears in the Ninja Realm, Chiba Hakushi and Uchiha Ruri have not shown any traces in the Ninja Realm for over a decade.
The Kyuubi Rampage seven or eight years ago only increased suspicion towards Uchiha Ruri. After meeting Uchiha Madara, Itachi had new guesses.
Perhaps, Konoha's original assumption was wrong.
However, regardless, a genius renowned within the Uchiha Clan and beyond ten years ago, who fought the Third Hokage upon defecting and escaped smoothly, likely has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan by now.
Otherwise, Uchiha Madara wouldn't be so wary that he needs assistance.
The path of protecting Konoha in the future will be even more challenging.
"Who... wants to... become like you and gain such disgusting power..."
Beside him, Sasuke's words of disdain reached Itachi's ears, who ignored them and sheathed his Ninja Blade as he headed out of the house.
"Childish stubbornness. When you have eyes like mine, come find me. Until then, you must live recklessly in this world..."
◎
Third Hokage's home, bedroom.
Hiruzen had not gone to sleep but was draped in the Hokage's Divine Robe, standing by the window, gazing at the round moon outside.
Soon, a sound disturbed the air behind him, indicating someone was standing there.
"Itachi?"
"Yes."
The person behind him responded.
"I hadn't expected you to be so bold. You are now an S-class Renegade Ninja and have come to my bedroom. Is it concerning Sasuke?"
Hiruzen pensively continued to look at the moon outside, feeling tonight's moonlight was exceptionally beautiful yet melancholic.
Was his decision correct?
Hiruzen's eyes were enveloped in bewilderment.
"Yes."
"Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one will lay a finger on Sasuke. I will treat him like the other children in the village, providing him with the best educational resources in Konoha. The assets of the Uchiha Clan will also belong to him, not a penny will be moved."
Hearing Hiruzen's assurance, Itachi felt a weight lifted off his chest.
The reason he didn't align with Danzo was because he could no longer trust Danzo's actions.
While Danzo might genuinely have Konoha's interests at heart, he surely harbors his own ambitions, like becoming Hokage.
The only one he could trust now was the Third Hokage.
"Thank you."
"No need. I should be the one thanking you. I'm sorry I couldn't prevent this from happening; if I had thought of a solution earlier, things wouldn't be this way..."
Detecting the remorse in Hiruzen's words, Itachi didn't know what to say.
After a long pause, Hiruzen regained his composure and asked, "What do you plan to do next?"
"I'm going to a mysterious organization. A mysterious person who calls himself 'Madara' invited me to join them. I will act as Konoha's eyes there, monitoring everything."
"I see..."
Madara...
Itachi has kept many things withheld. Hiruzen smiled wryly in his heart.
Revealing it just now was also to ensure he would take better care of Sasuke.
"The organization's name is still uncertain, but according to Madara, it has absorbed many dangerous S-class Renegade Ninjas..."
These words visibly shocked Hiruzen.
He thought of something—that the organization Itachi joined is identical to the mysterious organization Jiraiya was tracking.
Seemingly knowing what Hiruzen would ask, Itachi spoke directly:
"I don't know about Orochimaru. But Madara mentioned that he hopes to leverage my power to deal with Uchiha Ruri. It's certain Uchiha Ruri hasn't joined that organization after leaving Konoha. Or perhaps Madara invited her and was rejected. As for the other two..."
Concerning whether Chiba Hakushi and Hyuga Ayane are in the organization, Itachi didn't know.
Hiruzen pondered for a moment before saying, "Since Uchiha Ruri isn't in that organization, Chiba Hakushi and Hyuga Ayane won't appear there either. Within the White Fang Squad, they were a united trio, once the most synchronized team partners in Konoha. Together, the three of them were the most formidable. Whoever left would create cracks in the team. Itachi, if you encounter the three of them, definitely avoid direct combat, prioritize escaping."