Uchiha Itachi nodded slightly and said softly, "Yes, everything went smoothly."
"I have a strong feeling that my ocular power has become even stronger," Uchiha Itachi murmured, looking at his hands.
Rorin nodded, then asked, "What are you planning to do about Sasuke next? I think it's better to deal with it sooner rather than later."
Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi lowered his head and remained silent.
Afterward, the two discussed Uchiha Sasuke for a while. When the conversation ended, Uchiha Itachi slowly stood up.
"I'll take it from here."
Rorin nodded and left the Uchiha clan district.
...
Three days later.
After being thoroughly beaten by Rorin, Uchiha Sasuke realized his own lack of strength. Driven by his desire for greater power, he advanced his plan to kill Orochimaru, seized Orochimaru's power, and left his base.
At this moment, Uchiha Sasuke was traveling alone through a dense forest. He intended to gather information about Uchiha Itachi, still acting on his own.
Suddenly, he stopped, his gaze sharpening as he looked at the figure ahead.
"My foolish little brother… after all these years, your eyes still haven't reached that level?" Uchiha Itachi said calmly.
Uchiha Sasuke stared silently, saying nothing. He quickly formed hand seals and dashed forward, gripping the Kusanagi Sword in his right hand.
Chidori!
Uchiha Sasuke rushed toward Uchiha Itachi and pierced straight through his body. Blood spilled from Uchiha Itachi's mouth.
"You've gotten a bit stronger, Sasuke," Uchiha Itachi said indifferently, before his body turned into a flock of crows and scattered.
"I can't wait any longer. If you want to go further, to meet my requirements, come to the Uchiha clan district."
"Of course, if you don't come… I believe you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Uchiha Itachi's voice lingered in the air.
Hearing this, Uchiha Sasuke fell into thought. He couldn't quite understand the purpose behind this invitation.
But he believed that even if he couldn't kill Uchiha Itachi, he could at least retreat safely.
So he decided to go to the Uchiha clan district to find out the truth. Besides, there was a question that had been bothering him for a long time—one he wanted to ask Uchiha Itachi personally.
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha clan district, Uchiha Itachi received the information from his crow clone. A faint smile curled at his lips as he began to look forward to their meeting.
...
After five days of travel, Uchiha Sasuke finally arrived at the Uchiha clan district.
He slowly walked into the buildings, passed through a long corridor, and entered the main hall.
At the center of the hall, Uchiha Itachi sat in a chair, dressed in the Akatsuki cloak, one hand supporting his head as he watched Uchiha Sasuke approach with interest.
The two stood ten meters apart, staring at each other.
"I thought you'd arrive a few days later. Didn't expect you to come this quickly," Uchiha Itachi said with a smile.
"Just thinking about killing you fills me with energy," Uchiha Sasuke replied coldly.
"Oh? Seems you're quite confident in your strength," Uchiha Itachi said slowly.
"These eyes of mine… are no longer affected by your genjutsu," Uchiha Sasuke said coldly.
As soon as he finished speaking, he rushed forward with the Kusanagi Sword in hand.
Uchiha Itachi rose to meet him. The two exchanged blows, and in the end, Uchiha Sasuke's sword pierced through Uchiha Itachi's chest.
"I still have one question I want answered," Uchiha Sasuke said, glancing at the crow clone on the ground before looking up again at the real Uchiha Itachi, who remained seated.
"Oh? You still have doubts you want me to clear up?" Uchiha Itachi said calmly.
"Do you remember what you told me back then? You said that if I awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, then including me, there would be three people in the world who had awakened it. Now I want to know… who is the third person?" Uchiha Sasuke asked.
"Oh? Why have you kept something like that in mind?" Uchiha Itachi said softly.
"Even back then, it was impossible for you to wipe out the entire police force alone. Combined with what you said, if that person was an Uchiha you didn't kill, then he must be your accomplice. Which means… he's someone I must kill as well," Uchiha Sasuke said calmly.
"So you noticed," Uchiha Itachi replied.
"Who is he?" Uchiha Sasuke's voice carried a hint of urgency.
"It is Uchiha Madara," Uchiha Itachi said calmly.
Uchiha Sasuke was momentarily stunned, then frowned. "You mean…?"
"He was the first Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, and one of the founders of the Hidden Leaf Village," Uchiha Itachi said softly.
"Don't joke with me! If he was one of the founders, then he should have died long ago!" Uchiha Sasuke shouted.
"Believe it or not, the fact is… he's still alive," Uchiha Itachi said indifferently.
"Fine, I'll take that as your answer. Now tell me—why did you call me here?" Uchiha Sasuke asked.
Uchiha Itachi slowly stood up and walked toward Uchiha Sasuke.
"Because of these eyes… and another secret of the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Uchiha Sasuke frowned slightly. "What does that have to do with me?"
Uchiha Itachi stopped two meters in front of him and began to speak.
"It all starts with the first two people to obtain the Mangekyō Sharingan. As I said, one was Uchiha Madara… and the other was his younger brother."
"The two brothers competed with each other since childhood. Both awakened the Sharingan and each personally killed someone dear to them to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Uchiha Sasuke frowned slightly but did not interrupt, continuing to listen.
"With that immense power, they led the Uchiha clan to greatness. But one day, Madara's body began to change. He later realized that the end of the Mangekyō Sharingan is endless darkness—the loss of light, and with it, the loss of power."
"After losing his sight, Madara tried every method he could, but nothing restored his vision. In the end, driven by his obsession with power, he turned on his own brother—taking his eyes and regaining his sight. And those eyes would never lose their light again."
"That is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. But the conditions to obtain it are extremely harsh. The key is that both must be close blood relatives, and both must have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. This conclusion was reached after countless sacrifices."
"That's why I've kept you alive all this time. Because you… are the tool I need to obtain even greater power. Sasuke, with you, I can gain eternal light. Hahaha!"
Uchiha Itachi's smile gradually twisted into something deranged.