**Chapter 169: Retreat!**

Ninjas. Many people call them tools.

So, they don't know how to use themselves, which makes sense to Itsuki.

Tools don't know how to use tools, right?

But!

Itsuki never considered himself a tool!

If other ninjas want to be tools, then Itsuki would be the one to wield them!

**P.S.: Even Pakura and the others are tools!** 

Look at this!

The way people in the ninja world use power is so crude, so shallow.

Konan used 600 billion paper bombs to blow up Obito.

And still didn't kill him!

Itachi's Amaterasu? Never killed anyone.

Danzo? His whole arm was covered with eyes, ten lives wasted in one fight, and he didn't even use Shisui's eye.

You didn't die because you were killed—you died because you were stupid.

Akatsuki, clearly so powerful, all died in the end.

Their abilities were so diverse, yet their kill count was pathetically low.

If Itsuki had led the Akatsuki? 

**Infinite Tsukuyomi?** 

Screw that.

I'd conquer the ninja world first, then decide how to play it!

With the strength of Akatsuki, capturing the Tailed Beasts should have been easy, but they failed.

Are you kidding me?

At the time, Itsuki thought that the Akatsuki members must have no brains.

They had a winning hand and still lost.

Could any normal person manage that?

You could play with your eyes closed and not lose!

Unless you wanted to lose!

According to Itsuki's plan:

You go straight in, first wipe out the Hidden Mist, then take down the Hidden Sand, and then, one by one, deal with the Hidden Stone, Hidden Cloud, and Hidden Leaf…

Take them down one by one!

Even if you destroy two villages, by the time the others react and join forces, you've already solved a lot of the problem.

As long as you eliminate the Mist and Sand, how much strength could the remaining three villages muster together?

Plus, Akatsuki's members are individually strong and mobile. If the villages unite, just avoid them. When they split up again, wipe out another village, and you win with a strong offensive!

Don't tell me it's impossible—the ninja alliance can't live together forever, right? 

Once you've destroyed those villages, who can stop you?

The ninja world would belong to Akatsuki.

Then Infinite Tsukuyomi? No one could stop it even if you fired it blindfolded!

And what happened instead?

They gave their enemies time to train, to get stronger, formed a ninja army, and when the fight came, all sorts of mishaps happened…

I mean, come on!

I can't even bear to talk about it!

If it wasn't intentional, I'd rip my head off for you!

So!

Itsuki grabbed Itachi by the neck, shook him half to death, and then told him how to really use Amaterasu.

Amaterasu should kill with just one look.

So don't do anything extra!

Now!

At this very moment!

The effect shows!

Several ninjas who were using chains to restrain the Two-Tails, preparing to seal it, were suddenly ignited.

Just a bunch of jonin!

Under the power of Amaterasu, they were wiped out in an instant.

Itachi wiped the blood from the corner of his eye and muttered, "Itsuki is really too much. He said my Amaterasu couldn't kill anyone? How could it not? It's such a powerful attack. Other than Susano'o, I've never seen a stronger single-target attack."

"He hasn't been serious for a long time!" Shisui said casually, his eyes locked on the battlefield.

By now, it was widely acknowledged among the upper ranks of the Fire Shadow Village:

Itsuki Uchiha is a reliable person when it matters most.

But!

Most of the time, you need to read those two words separately.

**Really...able?**

...

"No way!"

Danzo stared at the black flames and couldn't help but shout.

Just when they were about to seal the Tailed Beast, this happened?

They had already prepared enough elites to hold off the Fire Shadow Village's top fighters.

As long as they could capture the Two-Tails, they would have the upper hand for the next step in their plan.

But!

Where did this black fire come from?

It seemed to appear out of thin air!

There was no way to defend against it!

And! 

Danzo watched as the ninja who were trying to put out the fire screamed in agony, slapping at the flames on their bodies, while others used Water Style, but it had no effect. His heart sank.

The black flames could even burn underwater!

It's over!

"Retreat!"

Danzo shouted.

Although they had backup sealing ninjas, they couldn't risk getting hit by that black fire again without understanding it first.

Sealing ninjas, like medical ninjas, were incredibly rare.

The Konoha ninjas began to retreat.

The Fire Shadow Village ninjas did not pursue them.

Even when explosive tags were thrown at them, they were batted away.

"Clean up the battlefield!" Shisui breathed a sigh of relief and shouted orders.

"Yes!"

The Fire Shadow Village ninjas began to move into the battlefield, treating the wounded.

Including Konoha ninjas.

They could trade them for money, and besides, they could get a lot of intelligence from them.

Even if they didn't want anything, sending the seriously injured back would severely weaken the enemy's medical capabilities.

Wounded enemy soldiers were the most valuable on the battlefield.

"Meow!"

The Two-Tails let out a screech.

She was furious!

She had almost been caught.

These despicable humans!

"Two-Tails, don't be angry!"

Shisui quickly calmed her, saying, "This time, it was our mistake. They were coming for you. Next time, we'll be more careful and won't let you suffer like this!"

"Hmph!"

The Two-Tails snorted coldly.

Shisui was taking all the blame—what could she do?

Keep getting angry?

That would mean blaming Shisui, but she had her own issues.

The pride of a Tailed Beast wouldn't let her take it out on someone else.

Next time?

Heh, next time, she'd make sure these humans understood the true power of a Tailed Beast.

The Two-Tails returned to Yugito's body.

Yugito was left dazed, with a helpless expression: "Shisui, don't worry about it. There's still a lot for you to do, so go on!"

"Alright!"

Shisui hurried off.

Yugito shook her head slightly, but the next moment, her body stiffened.

A voice echoed in her mind: **"Yugito, we need to talk!"**

**The Two-Tails?**

Yugito remained calm and said, "About what? It's just one loss, don't worry about it, Matatabi."

"Hmph!"

The Two-Tails snorted, "You may not care, but I do. Yugito, you're strong. I need your power!"

Yugito narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Fine!"

...

"Lord Fire Shadow, th-this…"

The lord of the Ground Walking Castle stared at the list in his hand, pale as a ghost.

Dear god!

This much? Your appetite is too big! Aren't you afraid of choking?

"What's the matter?" Itsuki smiled. "You think I'm asking for too much?"

"N-no, not at all!" The lord quickly shook his head. "I'll notify everyone immediately and gather what you need as quickly as possible."

"Is it too difficult?"

"Not at all!" The lord replied instantly, "Ground Walking Castle welcomes you warmly. We'd love it if you stayed forever!"

"That's a nice idea!" Itsuki paused thoughtfully, then said, "Ground Walking Castle really is a great place. Why don't we start today by bringing it under the control of the Fire Shadow Village? What do you think?"

The lord froze completely.

He felt like he was floating in mid-air, unsure where he'd land.

(End of this chapter.)