Chapter 45: Itachi, What a Coincidence

"Today's mission really relied on your support, team leader," remarked a masked teammate, nodding at Itachi. Blood continued to seep from the wounds on his body, barely missing a fatal hit.

Yet he didn't seem concerned, gazing down at the corpse on the ground with a sigh. "We almost let this traitor escape with intel about the village. If that news falls into the hands of other great nations, it could reignite conflict at the borders, and I dread to think how many comrades would have to sacrifice their lives."

"...Let's head back for treatment," Itachi, also masked, replied, avoiding his teammate's words.

After incinerating the traitor's body, they parted ways.

The injured Anbu entered the village hospital through a side path, while Itachi returned to the village only after removing his mask.

Before submitting his mission report, he took a rare detour, stopping by a quaint little tea stall that radiated warmth. He particularly enjoyed the sweets they sold.

"Granny, I'd like... two servings of the three-colored dango, please!"

A girl who had been ordering in front of him glanced back and quickly changed her order to double the amount. Then she turned, smiling brightly at him. "Itachi, what a coincidence!"

Her smile was radiant, her beautiful black eyes crescent-shaped as if they could shine.

Itachi's indifferent expression finally softened slightly. "Hmm."

"Are you in a hurry?"

She eyed his attire, then glanced at the long bench beside the shop, silently inviting him to sit.

"Maybe next time."

"Oh, alright! Then I'll pack it up for you~" she said, skillfully skewering the dango with two bamboo sticks that the shopkeeper handed her. She then pulled out a slender silk scarf from her pocket, tying a bow around the dango before handing it to Itachi, her eyes sparkling as she added, "Make sure to eat it while it's warm. Don't let it get cold!"

Itachi reached out to take it, observing as she delicately wiped her cheek and the corner of her forehead with another silk scarf, removing a bit of dust.

"..."

"All clean!" she chirped, noticing his gaze lingering on her. She tilted her head with a smile, her long, dark hair cascading like a waterfall.

Itachi focused on her face, particularly the captivating beauty mark beneath her right eye, softly saying, "Izumi, thank you."

"You're welcome!" she replied with a beaming smile.

In the Hokage's Office.

After delivering his report, Itachi stepped outside and immediately ran into Danzo, who was arriving just in time.

Itachi regarded him as if he were a stranger, stepping aside and waiting quietly for Danzo to pass.

Danzo, too, ignored Itachi, striding directly into the Hokage's office before closing the door behind him.

"Bang."

Hearing the door slam shut behind him, Itachi lowered his head, finally directing his gaze at the secret signal Danzo had left on the wall and the time it represented.

That night, Itachi knelt before his father, listening as he questioned him about everything regarding the village and how the clan planned to initiate a rebellion.

Itachi responded like a machine.

He no longer attempted to stop the already frenzied radicals within the clan. In the years since Shisui's death, he understood that the Uchiha clan could not be halted. His father, as the clan leader, was like a coachman driving a runaway carriage, with no means of control except to whip the reins.

The vision of the future his father had shown him using the Mangekyō Sharingan at the stone tablet in the forbidden area only solidified this belief.

Words alone could not avert disaster, whether it be natural calamity...

or man-made tragedy.

As he exited his father's chamber, the cacophony of voices seemed to echo in his ears, leaving him feeling anxious.

"Brother! Brother!"

A small figure suddenly leaped into his embrace. Sasuke looked up, oblivious to the weariness etched on Itachi's face, and excitedly exclaimed, "Brother, take me for special training! Naruto managed to beat that Hyuga guy today at school using just taijutsu!"

"Sorry, Sasuke, maybe next time."

Before Sasuke could finish, Itachi raised a finger to tap his forehead, causing him to wince and cover the reddening spot, looking up at his brother with a pitiful expression.

I should've controlled my strength better, Itachi thought with a slight sigh, though his expression remained stoic. He left behind a frustrated Sasuke and their comforting mother as he stepped out of the house.

That night, darkness enveloped everything.

Itachi glanced up at the nearby streetlight, now vandalized.

He walked straight into the unlit forest, and after a while, he arrived at the forbidden area of the Uchiha clan—the Naka Shrine.

When he had previously met Shisui, it was always under the light; now, it seemed he couldn't even have that much illumination.

An inexplicable thought crossed his mind, but he quickly focused his attention on a figure emerging from the shrine.

"How did you know it was me?" asked the masked man with strange, striped patterns standing at the entrance of the shrine. His crimson, three-tomoe Sharingan bore directly into Itachi.

"Since the day you attacked me at eight years old, I've been investigating your identity. No matter how well you hide, there will always be clues left behind... and only the Uchiha clan knows about this shrine." Sensing the masked man's killing intent, Itachi's pupils slowly transformed, the three tomoe spinning rapidly, revealing sharp patterns that looked like blades in his eyes.

The Mangekyō Sharingan!

Seeing this, Obito was startled, preparing to use Kamui to escape, but Itachi quickly retracted his Sharingan, and his next words piqued Obito's interest, making him stop.

"Uchiha Madara, I need your help."

"...Go on."

After Itachi explained the actions he intended to take, Obito's heart raced with joy.

He realized another "awakened one" had emerged from the Uchiha clan, someone who, like him, saw through the shinobi world. However, he had to conceal his excitement and ensure not to reveal anything unusual.

Because he was now "Uchiha Madara," not Uchiha Obito.

"Then let's proceed as we agreed," Itachi said, averting his gaze and preparing to leave.

"If you find yourself at a dead end, consider joining my organization," Obito offered, suppressing his excitement.

"Your organization?"

"It's called Akatsuki. You'll find surprises there." With that, he vanished in a swirl of distortion.

Itachi quietly observed the scene. He didn't know if Obito was still watching him, but at that moment, his mission was just beginning.

However, on his way back, as Itachi passed the riverbank, a voice suddenly called out, "Itachi, what a coincidence!"

Instinctively, he looked toward the figure standing by the riverbank, waving at him by the fire. Her smile was as clear as ever.

He knew she liked to admire the scenery by the river, so he wasn't surprised to see her.

What truly surprised him was the blonde boy beside Uchiha Izumi, stuffing grilled fish into his mouth.

"Oh? Isn't this Sasuke's brother? Come, have some fish!" the blonde boy exclaimed, following Izumi's gaze and greeting Itachi as he stood up.

This was the Uchiha clan's territory—why was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki here?!