Chapter 148: The Stubborn Itachi! Mikoto's Extreme Disappointment!
Hearing Oborotsuki's words, Itachi's entire body jolted. A stunned expression appeared on his face.
"Sasuke…"
He furrowed his brows slightly.
Deep down, he felt a faint dissatisfaction upon learning that Danzō had ordered the complete extermination of the entire Uchiha clan.
However, in the grand scheme of things, Itachi didn't believe Danzō's decision was wrong.
Enemies must be eliminated without mercy.
On the battlefield, any ninja would make the same choice—regardless of the opponent's identity, age, or whether they were children.
Itachi naturally placed himself in Danzō's perspective and inwardly understood and accepted the decision.
Moreover, even if he felt some discontent, the most urgent issue right now was this powerful enemy before them!
With that thought, Itachi's gaze quickly cleared again.
"The Uchiha clan's affairs are none of an outsider's business!"
"No matter what ulterior motive you had for invading Konoha, today you absolutely will not escape!"
With those words, Itachi attacked Oborotsuki once more:
"Amaterasu!"
He unleashed the legendary strongest Fire Release—Amaterasu.
Black flames instantly engulfed Oborotsuki's entire body. These flames would not disappear until the target was reduced to nothing but ash.
Yet even as he was swallowed by the raging black fire, Oborotsuki's tone remained calm and unruffled.
"It seems you really are beyond saving."
With that, Oborotsuki prepared to kill Itachi.
But at that moment, a desperate shout rang out from behind:
"Stop it, Itachi!!"
"What are you doing?!!"
Mikoto had already rushed here from the edge of the village. She had been hiding nearby, watching the battle between Oborotsuki, Shisui, and Itachi.
She had heard every word Itachi said clearly.
Originally, Mikoto had still held a sliver of hope for her son—believing that Itachi had simply been too young and immature, that he had made mistakes due to ignorance.
But now she had heard and seen everything with her own eyes.
Itachi clearly knew Danzō was the true mastermind behind the Uchiha clan's destruction—the man who ordered their complete annihilation.
He had clearly heard Oborotsuki say that Danzō sent ANBU to hunt down the women, children, and elderly—even infants were not spared.
And yet Itachi remained completely unmoved by it all!
In that moment, Mikoto's heart nearly died.
The last trace of illusion she had clung to shattered completely. She suddenly realized she could no longer change anything—could no longer redeem Itachi's heart, which had grown so cold.
Gradually, she began to reflect on everything.
She began to truly acknowledge Oborotsuki—and even feel a little regret.
If only she had persisted in convincing Fugaku back then—if only she had made him agree to take the entire Uchiha clan to Kirigakure—perhaps none of this tragedy would have happened?
This man was the one who had truly come to help the Uchiha clan.
Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.
Her recognition of Oborotsuki turned into concern. She still didn't know Oborotsuki possessed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Right now, seeing him engulfed by her son Itachi's Mangekyō black flames, she could no longer hold back.
She decisively revealed herself, attempting to stop Itachi.
"Mom?"
Itachi was surprised to see Mikoto appear holding little Sasuke.
But his expression quickly turned serious again.
"You shouldn't be here…"
"But from the way you're speaking… it seems you know this man?"
"Mom, what's going on?"
Itachi asked sharply, staring at Mikoto as though interrogating a criminal.
Meanwhile, Shisui stood nearby, warily watching Oborotsuki—never letting his guard down for a second, ready for the terrifying opponent to counterattack at any moment.
"He saved me and your little brother."
"He's telling the truth. If he hadn't intervened in time, your brother Sasuke and I would already be dead—just like the rest of the clan—at the hands of Root!"
"How could you be so blind, Itachi?!"
"Danzō is the enemy of the Uchiha clan! He's the one who killed our entire family! He killed your father!"
"I must avenge the Uchiha clan! I must make Danzō pay for Fugaku!"
"You can stand on Konoha's side in this matter. You can betray the entire Uchiha clan for the so-called greater good and justice in your heart!"
"But Itachi…"
"Please do not stop me. Do not stop us from killing Danzō!"
Mikoto didn't know where her courage came from.
At this moment, she poured out everything in one breath. She suddenly felt a great sense of relief—as though a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest.
"So this… is what I truly feel inside…"
Realizing this, Mikoto's gaze gradually became firmer.
She would avenge the Uchiha clan.
Danzō must die!
"Mom, what are you saying…"
"Why are you believing this man's one-sided words?"
Itachi stared at her in shock, then glanced toward Oborotsuki.
"Lady Mikoto, Itachi is right. This man is not a Konoha ninja, nor is he a member of the Uchiha clan."
"Everything he's doing now might be for some hidden agenda. We cannot easily trust his words…"
Shisui also spoke up at this moment, reminding Mikoto.
The reason both of them had remained unmoved earlier was that they believed Oborotsuki was lying.
"No—he is telling the absolute truth!"
"Danzō ordered the complete annihilation of the Uchiha clan. The fact that Sasuke and I narrowly escaped death is the best proof!"
"If the two of you still consider yourselves members of the Uchiha clan, then stop this at once! Shisui! Itachi!"
"For the sake of all the innocent Uchiha who died, I must give them justice!"
Mikoto looked earnestly at the two of them as she explained.
Itachi and Shisui exchanged glances.
"Even if what you say is true, that has nothing to do with him invading Konoha and severely wounding Lord Danzō!"
"No matter what, we cannot let him leave! Mom!"
"I hope you won't interfere."
With that, Itachi turned back toward Oborotsuki—only to see that the black Amaterasu flames that had engulfed him had already vanished completely. There wasn't a single injury on him.
At this moment, Oborotsuki was casually cleaning his ear with a bored expression.
"Hm? Have you two finished chatting?"
"If you're done, can I get back to killing now?"
Letting Mikoto see with her own eyes what her son had become was the only way to make her completely give up hope.
Now, the goal was nearly achieved.
Oborotsuki wasted no more words. He suddenly vanished.
The next instant, he reappeared right in front of Itachi.
A tsunami-like surge of senjutsu chakra erupted. With a deafening BOOM, Oborotsuki pressed one hand against Itachi's Susanoo and forcibly smashed him into the ground.
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