Chapter 80 – Uchiha Itachi
The Character Card vanished.
Hinata noticed nothing.
She was still unconscious—or perhaps asleep.
Naruto knew it wouldn't take effect so quickly, yet he hoped it wouldn't be too late either.
If it dragged past a month, things could get troublesome.
A few minutes later Naruto arrived outside the Hyuga Main House.
The guards moved to block him, but seeing Hinatain his arms they snapped back to attention.
Oh, it's just Naruto.
Then it's fine.
The guards stared straight ahead, pretending they hadn't seen either of them.
Naruto swaggered into the compound.
He endured the Byakugan stares, greeting them with a smile.
Outside Hinata's room he stopped. "Hinata, time to wake up."
Mm."
Hinata slipped from his arms, head lowered.
She had actually woken earlier but couldn't bear to leave the warmth of his chest.
See you tomorrow."
Naruto's gaze shifted and met Hiashi's complicated expression.
He felt caught red-handed.
Unfazed, he called out, "Uncle."
Hinata jumped.
Remembering her earlier behavior, she instinctively hid behind Naruto.
…
Hiashi felt somewhat affronted.
Watching Naruto leave, he realized his eldest daughter was bound for another household; perhaps it was time to start raising a spare.
July.
Cicadas sang.
Naruto lay in a tree, gazing at the clouds through the branches.
Rikudo hung upside-down, supposedly training its tail.
The reason: it had been too tired at night.
Naruto couldn't even begin to comment.
This is why you don't build a harem.
Kids choose; adults want them all?
No—adults know their bodies can't take it.
Naruto rubbed his fingers and produced a silver card.
He'd obtained it yesterday.
Character Card Orion lost; host receives compensatory reward: one item card."
item card: Ragnarok."
Description: one-time use. Removes all crowd-control effects and grants immunity to further disables for six seconds."
Note: stronger Ninja may bypass this effect."
Short duration aside, it wasn't bad.
Naruto instantly thought of using it to break genjutsu—like Tsukuyomi.
After all, his Shadow Clone had thoroughly offended Uchiha Itachi.
Speaking of Shadow Clones… time to launch the roaming clone plan again?
Naruto hesitated, then formed hand seals.
Smoke burst; a premium Shadow Clone appeared.
The last clone had caused trouble, but the payoff had been huge.
Profit after profit.
You—"
Naruto started, then stopped.
After three clones' performances, anything he said felt pointless.
Spit it out."
The clone thumped its chest. "Relax, I won't be as reckless as the others."
Reckless?
This wasn't recklessness—it was sheer flamboyance.
Naruto was speechless.
Reckless and flamboyant are different.
You already know what I want, so I'll shut up."
Naruto couldn't be bothered.
He should've known his clones weren't normal.
Did you forget something?"
The clone reminded him: "The card."
Which card?"
Naruto waved the silver card. "This one?"
No, I want the avalon scabbard."
What good's a revival token to you?"
Naruto was puzzled. A clone dies—end of story. Planning a second life?
I have my reasons."
The clone said solemnly, "You've got Kurama, you're in Konoha, and canon-you never dies; keeping avalon scabbard is wasteful. Give me one card and I'll return five—you can't lose."
???"
Naruto's face was full of question marks.
What kind of clones are these?
Something's wrong with you.
Summoned thirty seconds ago and already scheming this far?
Still, the logic held.
Once the clone left with avalon scabbard, Narutodidn't waste the month; he trained.
What he learned from Karin: Kagura Minds Eyeand Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Both were secret Uzumaki techniques.
Kagura Minds Eye in particular—outsiders basically couldn't learn it.
Naruto closed his eyes and tried to open the so-called minds eye.
First attempt: fail.
No matter; again.
Eventually he'd find his third eye.
Days later, clear images appeared in the darkness.
Like a pixelated world suddenly rendered in HD.
He could see Rikudo nearby.
Its tail brimmed with Sage Chakra—hard yet flexible.
Beyond: endless Forest of Death, beasts, insects, herbs.
Hm?"
By a waterfall.
Three girls in swimsuits played.
In the grass Jiraiya, white-haired, cheeks flushed, spied unblinking.
Tch, the pervy sage.
Naruto remembered the original timeline—Jiraiyareturned around now.
Must have heard about Orochimaru.
He always used "searching for Orochimaru" as an excuse for "research trips."
Naruto pushed further.
He wanted to know Kagura Minds Eye's range.
Ten kilometers, twenty, forty… sixty.
He was impressed.
Worthy of one of the strongest sensing jutsu in the Elemental Nations.
Almost at the limit."
Naruto felt an invisible wall.
One more step and the game would say: "Come back later."
As he prepared to shut the eye, someone intruded.
Naruto blinked.
Akatsuki cloak, blank face, Konoha hitai-ate—Uchiha Itachi.
What's he doing in Konoha?
At this point in time he shouldn't be part of the plot.
Because of Orochimaru?
Naruto's mind jumped.
Blame The Fool's stunt.
Sigh—he used to be a pure teenager.
I'm tainted now.
At the sight of Itachi, Naruto thought of the legend of the white snake.
The image wouldn't fade.
He's not here to kill Orochimaru, is he?
Naruto rubbed his chin—this could be bad.
Orochimaru's life was none of his business.
But the man couldn't die yet.
Hiruzen and Sasuke still needed him.
Wait—Sasuke.
Naruto suddenly had a better idea to awaken Sasuke's Mangekyo.
He donned The Fool's alias.
His body vanished.
Who?"
Itachi halted, puzzled.
How had someone detected him?
The Fool?!"
Itachi couldn't believe his eyes. "You're alive?"
He'd personally obliterated the man.
Morning, Itachi."
Naruto greeted him calmly.
Itachi's face twisted.
It really was him.
That familiar aura and tone.
Crimson bled across Itachi's eyes.
Overwhelming pressure surged.
Tsukuyomi!"
Blood streamed from Itachi's eyes.
Even if it blinded him, he would kill this man.
Why bother?"
Naruto activated Ragnarok.
Opening with Tsukuyomi—honestly, Fool, look what you've caused.
Ignoring the illusion, he said softly, "Itachi, we need to talk."