Chapter – 280 Assessment

"You have to get your priorities straight, whether you join Anbu Black Ops, whether you join the Root Subdivision, or whether you join Konoha Military Police Force, these are all just some means to fulfill one goal, and you have to understand what is that one goal, what do you want to be able to do with either of these identities?" – asked Kuroto.

After hearing Kuroto's words, Itachi fell into deep thought.

Compared to Original Story, in this verse, even if he had to go through most of those traumatizing experiences from early childhood, Itachi here is a bit less darkened. This is because Itachi's genin teammates were not killed by Obito, and the reason he awakened the Sharingan was also not under the stimulation of someone's death.

Although Itachi awakened his Sharingan a bit earlier compared to the original story, the emotional impact it had on him was not as severe as it had in the original story.

Moreover, Obito's attention was directed towards Shinichi, thus there has been no interaction between Itachi, and Obito so far.

And the news of him awakening the Sharingan at such a young age was also not known to many so Itachi was not subjected to so much pressure.

So compared to the original story, Itachi here is a bit more cheerful.

Kuroto is not very sure whether Itachi's strength is the same or different, but it doesn't really matter, because who are we talking about here?

Uchiha Itachi, this name alone speaks everything.

Looking at Itachi's tangled expression, Kuroto sighed.

Members of the Uchiha Clan are always the extreme type.

Be that Madara, Obito, Shisui, Shinichi, and now Itachi.

Perhaps the term 'moderate' doesn't match with the roots of the Uchiha Clansmen.

After a while of thinking, Itachi seemed to have finally reached some kind of determination, and said sincerely, "Kuroto-san, I… I want to protect my family, my clan, and the village I have grown up in."

Now it was Kuroto's turn to be silent because, from the way Itachi has spoken, it seems as if he wants to join Amatsukami.

In this regard, Kuroto doesn't really have any reason to refuse.

Because Kuroto himself has wanted to recruit Itachi into Amatsukami.

With Itachi's extraordinary talent, it is only a matter of time when he grows into an extremely strong shinobi, so the addition of Itachi will greatly strengthen Amatsukakmi, and also free Kuroto and Shisui with many things.

But of course, Kuroto isn't going to make this so easy for Itachi, so after a while of thinking, Kuroto shook his head and said, "Currently you are not strong enough to get involved in such matters."

Itachi was a bit disappointed, "I am sorry, I was a bit reckless."

There are not many opportunities when you can talk to Itachi in such a way so after smiling a little, Kuroto returned to his serious look and said, "Itachi, you don't need to be discouraged. Since you want to join Amatsukami, then I am going to arrange a test for you, if you are able to pass that test, then I will reconsider your request."

"An assessment?" – Itachi perked up, and he nodded with a smile, "Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity Kuroto-san, I will do my best to not disappoint your expectations."

Kuroto nodded and casually said, "You should understand that with the kind of work Amatsukami has been doing, not just anyone can enter our organization, a minimum level of strength is necessary otherwise rather than help, you might even become a burden, which is something we can't afford to have."

Itachi nodded, "I will make sure to keep that in mind."

With that out of the way, the relationship between Kuroto and Itachi improved quite a bit, and using this opportunity, Kuroto decided to ask Itachi a question that he has wanted to know for a while now. "Itachi, have you ever heard or seen any information about Sword of Totsuka, and Yata Mirror?"

Itachi thought a little then shook his head, "I am sorry, but this is the first time I have ever heard about either of the two terms."

Kuroto rubbed his chin thoughtfully, 'So Itachi of this period was unaware of those two artifacts, is it possible that he learned about them on the night of the Uchiha Massacre, or probably after that? Or maybe my other guess?"

Kuroto has been searching for any possible clues about the two artifacts, Sword of Totsuka, and Yata Mirror for a while now, but unfortunately, he hasn't found anything worth yet.

So Kuroto's search has been fruitless.

There was also a time when Kuroto started to think that Sword of Totsuka and Yata Mirror might just be exclusive Techniques of Itachi's Susanoo.

But after Kuroto personally used Susanoo, he understood that that's not the case.

And the fact that Orochimaru and Zetsu are aware of what these two artifacts are, solidifies this conclusion.

When he thought of Kuroto even created an absurd theory that doesn't sound too absurd if you think about it.

In the original story, Uzumaki Naruto, the reincarnation of Otsutsuki Asura had the protection of Kyuubi, as well as the protection of Konohagakure with him, so his safety in a way, was assured.

The reason is that, even if Kyuubi did not accept Naruto at the time, he would still protect Naruto, because if Naruto dies then he dies as well. So Naruto's safety was not that big of an issue, and he was allowed to grow up safely.

But that was not the case with Sasuke, the reincarnation of Otsutsuki Indra. With the massacre of the Uchiha Clan, Itachi was the only person alive who was protecting Sasuke. But compared to Kyuubi, and the entire Konoha, Itachi was obviously much weaker, not to mention his terminal illness. So overall Sasuke's safety was not assured.

Perhaps, for this reason, Rikudo Sennin somehow guided Itachi to obtain these two artifacts, making Itachi's Susanoo almost invincible, to ensure that Sasuke can safely grow up.

After all, the whereabouts of Sword of Totsuka, and Yata Mirror may have been secrets for ordinary Shinobi, but for Rikudo Sennin, who has been watching over the Shinobi World for centuries, they are no secret at all.

Although the chances of this theory being correct are too low, if it is correct then finding Sword of Totsuka, and Yata Mirror might in fact be more difficult now.

Because Kuroto is not going to let the Uchiha Clan be destroyed, so protection will remain for the reincarnation of Otsutsuki Indra, so Rikudo Sennin has no reason to guide Itachi.

As for the reason why Rikudo Sennin wants to ensure the safety of Naruto and Sasuke?

There are two reasons, first is that Rikudo Sennin is possibly worried about the threat of the Otsutsuki Clan, which obviously includes his mother.

The second reason is that he, himself is a father, as simple as that.

And to be perfectly honest, Kuroto doesn't really care if he does not get those two artifacts, what he is worried about is that those two artifacts must not fall into the hands of the enemy, because of they did, then trouble will be too much, as there is really no explanation of the extent of the abilities that those two artifacts have.

As such, Kuroto really cares about the possible locations of those two artifacts.

'Sigh… it seems that it will take some time.' – Sighing slightly, Kuroto shook his head, and went onto continue his discussion with Itachi, about several other matters.

…

Next Day

According to the map given to him by Kuroto, Itachi came to the location marked on the map.

The location is an extremely dense forest, outside Konoha.

And Itachi obviously came alone.

Keeping a close watch of his surrounding, Itachi glanced towards the sun and thought, 'Kuroto-san hasn't arrived yet? I don't know who will assess me, will it be Kuroto-san? Or Shisui-san? Or maybe some other member of Amatsukami?'

While Itachi was considering many things, the person calmly walked towards him from the other end of the forest.

The alert Itachi was immediately ready for battle, but he was still patient enough to observe the person, he noticed that the person who walked over had the Homusubi specific mask, and cloak.

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