"Deal?"
Hearing this, Nanabi grew curious. Most humans who stood before it either trembled in fear or burned with greed. They coveted its immense power, tried to control it, and often died attempting it.
The last human who felt different to it was the current generation's reincarnation of Ashura, who claimed its power was too dangerous, captured it, and later sold it to another nation.
It wanted to know what this Uchiha intended.
"Nanabi, be my summoning beast."
Its expression changed drastically. In this era, no one except the Sage of Six Paths should know its true name. How did this young Uchiha know it?
"Where did you learn my name?"
Hearing the question, Itachi Uchiha smiled faintly. The hook had set.
"I once met someone named Hagoromo Otsusuki in a strange dream. He claimed to be my ancestor and told me about you. He said I would guide the Blue-Eyed Child of Prophecy toward the Great Change."
Nanabi was stunned—then excited. After a thousand years, it was hearing of the Sage of Six Paths again.
And the Blue-Eyed Child of Prophecy was finally coming.
It did not doubt Itachi.
First, it was somewhat naive.
Second, the matters of the Sage of Six Paths and the Child of Prophecy were known only to a select few—and Itachi was not among them.
Lastly, it could sense Itachi's strength. The immense chakra, the vitality, the overwhelming talent at such a young age. Perhaps only the Child of Prophecy or his mentor could possess such qualities. Especially that final lightning tree technique—its power had been enough to destroy a lesser Tailed Beast in a single strike.
"Since it's a deal… what's in it for me?"
"Apart from the prophecy, that old man also gave me all the knowledge of Fūinjutsu that he knew and researched over the past thousand years.
Among them is a sealing technique that prevents other seals from taking effect."
Hearing that Itachi Uchiha possessed sealing knowledge researched by the Hagoromo Otsutsuki over a millennium, Nanabi became even more convinced.
But then it paused.
Prevent other seals from taking effect…
No… no…
"You mean…?"
Seeing Nanabi's disbelief and rising excitement, Itachi nodded.
"Yes. Just as you think. After I apply it, you cannot be sealed by any sealing jutsu—unless that person's attainment in Fūinjutsu surpasses the Sage of Six Paths.
After that, you are free to roam the entire ninja world without fear of being sealed. And if you ever encounter a formidable enemy, you may reverse summon me.
So… do we have a deal?"
"Yes."
Nanabi did not hesitate even for a moment and nodded. Although Nanabi did not particularly hate humans—and the people of Takigakure were usually respectful when it roamed free after its Jinchūriki died—if given the choice to travel the ninja world freely like it had centuries ago, it would always choose freedom.
Kakuzu, on the other hand, was completely confused about the "old man" Hagoromo, Nanabi, and the Child of Prophecy. Still, he understood one thing—his new boss had backing from someone even greater, and that boss intended to mentor a Child of Prophecy who would change the world.
"Kakuzu, it will take me a few days to complete the sealing rituals. You may leave and attend to your own matters.
Take whatever hearts you desire, but convey a message to the ninjas of Takigakure—any news about today must circulate only after one month.
If I hear even a single rumor about what happened today—or what will happen in the coming days—I will personally let them experience today's ninjutsu."
"Okay"
"If you need to contact me, use the Black Market channels. I will also give you the summoning contract of the ninja cats later."
"Okay"
Without another word, Kakuzu left. He had some curiosity about the so-called heaven-defying sealing ritual, but hearing it would take days, he immediately lost interest.
In that time, he could earn a fortune so why would he waste his time and loose his money.
Watching him leave, Itachi nodded.
"Nanabi, let's go somewhere quiet. We don't want any interruptions, right?"
"Hmmm, then let's go to my territory. No one will disturb us there."
With that, Nanabi flapped its wings and launched into the sky. A few seconds later, it realized Itachi was not following.
"Ah, Right… you can't fly."
Most of the beings Nanabi interacted with were its Jinchūriki, and all of them could fly. It had forgotten for a moment that normal humans can't fly.
"Hey, climb on my back."
Itachi Uchiha, who had been waiting helplessly, nodded and leapt onto Nanabi's head as it hovered a few meters above the ground.
---
One Hour Later
Itachi looked at the scenery before him with rare astonishment.
Massive green mountains surrounded the area. Countless waterfalls cascaded from their peaks. Enormous ninja beasts roamed freely across the valley.
"Where is this place? I've never heard of it."
"This is my home. As for why you've never heard of it—the entire ecosystem is surrounded by a thick layer of mist. I also had Demonic Illusion Trees planted here. Anyone who enters gets lost in fog and illusion. If they are lucky, they find their way out."
"You can plant trees?"
Itachi did not concern himself with the fate of those trapped in the mist. What surprised him was something else.
"I can't. My subordinates plant them."
"Oh."
Another credit stealer.
In his previous life, Itachi despised such people the most—those who did nothing all year yet delivered long speeches claiming credit when others achieved something.
"Hey, since you have such a hidden territory, how were you captured?"
"Why are you here when your home is in Konoha?"
"Ah… sorry for the question."
After landing in a relatively open area, Itachi Uchiha surveyed the surroundings and nodded in satisfaction.
"Well then, let's begin."
"SIX PATHS SEALING JUTSU: NINE HEAVENS SEAL."
With that, Itachi began the sealing ritual. Normally, sealing jutsu did not require more than a few minutes to prepare, even for high-level ones.
However, Itachi was not strong enough to perform a seal of this level in such a short time.
Therefore, he divided the entire sealing process into multiple parts, which significantly extended the duration.
---
A Few Days Later
"Complete"
In the blink of an eye, four days had passed. During that time, Itachi had worked on the seal continuously without rest.
Although shinobi were powerful, they were still human.
Four days without food or sleep, combined with constant chakra expenditure and recovery, had taken a heavy toll on his body.
"Hey, Nanabi, I'm going to sleep for a while. Don't wake me up."
The next second, Itachi took out a large bed from his sealing scroll and immediately fell asleep like a child. As for food, he would deal with it later.
Seeing him so exhausted, Nanabi felt a trace of guilt.
Itachi Uchiha, since you have fulfilled your part of the deal. From now on, I will fulfill mine as promised.
Nanabi gently touched Itachi with its fourth tail, transferring a mass of red chakra into him. It was nothing harmful—just a portion of Tailed Beast chakra to sustain his body and alleviate his fatigue and weakness.
The next moment, Nanabi took flight, circling the mountains as if playing.
The next moment, Itachi faintly smiled. He could feel his body recovering as the chakra flowed through him.
And finally, he slept peacefully.
---
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing well.
With this chapter, the Takigakure Arc officially comes to an end. Originally, I had planned to move directly into the Demon Country Arc, which would have focused on the next residence of the Uchiha clan.
However, I noticed that the recent response—comments and overall engagement—has been a little lower than before. While writing the last two or three chapters, I also felt a bit of dryness myself, and even my "anti-Hokage blood" seemed to cool down a little.
So I thought, why not return to Konoha for a while? Revisiting Konoha and Hiruzen Sarutobi will help refresh the momentum before we move on to the Demon Country Arc.
For the next five to ten chapters, we'll be back in the Konoha Arc.
Also, if you have any arc ideas or clan residence recommendations (other than Demon Country), feel free to share them. I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Thank you all for reading and supporting the story until now!