Chapter 32
"How about it? Are you willing to make the deal ?" Kaito smiled, his gaze shifting between the two opposite him.
"Now that Sarutobi Hiruzen has lost a significant amount of blood, and Danzo is on the brink of death. If you don't decide, they'll meet their end!"
"Oh! Do you think I'm unaware of your intentions?" Itachi retorted coldly.
"After such an intense battle, is your chakra nearing its limit?" he continued. "You're hoping to distract us and slip away, but do you truly believe I'll be deceived?"
"That's correct, my chakra has indeed been rapidly depleted, and there's not much left now," Kaito admitted with a shrug.
"However, even with what little chakra I have remaining, I can still deal with all of you," he asserted.
"But leaving with these clansmen will pose a significant challenge for me," Kaito added. "So, consider this transaction as having two choices—a multiple-choice question, if you will."
At this, Itachi's complexion paled.
Kaito continued with a slight smile, "Of course, let's set aside your brother this time, lest you accuse me of targeting you. "
"Now, listen carefully to the options," Kaito said bluntly, laying out his proposal without reservation.
"First, if you choose not to surrender Shishui's eyes, then all of you will perish. I'll lead this group out of Konoha, and we may suffer significant losses."
"Second, if you hand over Shishui's eyes, we can all walk away unharmed. I'll promptly exit the mirror space and depart, ensuring none of you are harmed."
"Simultaneously, you can save your father and these two dying individuals," Kaito concluded.
"Now, make your choice," he said, leaving the decision squarely in their hands.
Itachi's lips were pressed into a tight line, his teeth gritted as he clenched his fists tightly. This decision was a gamble for him, no doubt.
If he refused, he wagered on joining forces with Obito to confront Kaito head-on. However, the memory of Kaito's overwhelming strength weighed heavily on Itachi's mind, stirring a sense of helplessness within him.
Moreover, facing an opponent like Kaito, who is unaffected by harm and possesses the power of time and space, only compounded his inner turmoil.
Itachi wrestled fiercely with himself, torn between his options. This was their sole opportunity to confront Kaito, and if they let it slip, Kaito's future actions would undoubtedly be even more perilous.
Itachi's fist tightened and relaxed in a desperate struggle between duty and doubt.
In a moment of clarity, memories of happier times with his family flooded Itachi's mind, causing his heart to ache.
"Tonight, I owe my parents and Sasuke too much to make a decision I'll regret,"
he thought.
"The future is uncertain, and no one can predict what lies ahead. But at this moment, I can't let my family face this crisis alone."
With resolve hardening in his heart, Itachi unclenched his fist. He sighed heavily and uttered, "I choose to make the exchange."
"A wise decision," Kaito remarked lightly. "Then hand it over."
With his decision made, Itachi wasted no time. His hands swiftly formed seals, and with a resolute slam onto the ground, he summoned a black crow. In the crow's left eye gleamed the blood-red, three-hooked Sharingan, slowly revolving.
"Give it to me!" Kaito commanded, and an invisible force pulled the crow towards him. Without hesitation, Kaito extracted the Sharingan from the crow's left eye.
"With this, the collection of Mangekyo Sharingan is complete!" he declared triumphantly.
---
Kaito smiled slightly as he took out three small bottles from his pocket. He carefully placed Fugaku's eyes and Shisui's eye into the bottles.
"Two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan should be enough to unlock the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan," he said with a hint of excitement.
"Itachi," Kaito continued, "you've given me the eyes, and I'm going to keep my promise."
Itachi nodded coldly, but his expression softened slightly as Kaito performed a quick series of hand seals. The air vibrated with a low rumble as three distinct spaces merged into one.
Kaito's figure flashed, and he reappeared in front of Uchiha Tekka and the other clan members.
Uchiha Tekka greeted him with a broad smile, giving him a hearty pat on the shoulder. "I knew you would win!"
Kaito grinned and replied, "You used to protect me, but now I've grown stronger. It's my turn to protect you."
"Get ready," Kaito said, "I'll be taking you all out of Konoha soon."
Uchiha Tekka nodded firmly, saying, "We discussed it, and we've decided—you will be our new patriarch. We will follow your lead."
Kaito returned his nod, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Don't worry. I'll lead the Uchiha to new heights."
---