Chapter 171

Title: Aftermath.

...

(A/N: So, I'm not going to go into conversations to explain the aftermath. I'll just skim over the issue and y'all should get the gist. There will be a Timeskip to a certain point in time for 2 or three chapters, then Naruto's Graduation and the formal beginning of Vol 4.)

...

In the aftermath of the intense battle, the Uchiha officers gathered in the dim light of the early morning, their faces marked with exhaustion and horror.

Izumi herself was physically drained but wore a small, satisfied smile. She had not only injured the masked man but had also momentarily trapped him within her dimension-bending technique.

It was a testament to her growth as a shinobi.

The remaining Uchiha officers offered their praises and gratitude to Izumi for her quick thinking and bravery during the battle. She had become a symbol of hope for the clan, proving that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, they could stand their ground.

As the officers regrouped and tended to their injuries, Izumi couldn't help but think about the future. She knew that the masked man was a formidable enemy who wouldn't be defeated easily.

This battle was just the beginning of their struggle. For some reason, she felt something was odd with the fight just now.

How come there wasn't reinforcement from the village yet? How come Itachi wasn't here? How come the clan head wasn't here?

Questions drifted in and out of her exhausted mind, but as to who would give her the answers...

...

Meanwhile, in the heart of Konoha, Itachi stood alone, the weight of his actions heavy on his shoulders. He had successfully completed his grim mission, eliminating those hellbent on the rebellion within the Uchiha clan. But the cost had been immense.

He couldn't erase the memories of the terrified faces, the cries of anguish, and the blood on his hands. The pain of sparing innocent children but executing their parents haunted him.

Itachi's heart was a battlefield of conflicting emotions. He had done what he believed was necessary to protect Konoha, but the price had been his own innocence and the bonds with his family.

He knew that his younger brother, Sasuke, would bear the weight of these actions someday. Either as an Avenger, or as an Outcast.

Thankfully, Izumi and Hana were around. He could rest at peace knowing no harm would come to him.

And speaking of Sasuke, the young Uchiha had been under the care of Hana Inuzuka during the tumultuous night, how had he come home earlier?

As the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over Konoha, Itachi knew that the road ahead was uncertain. He had fulfilled his duty as a shinobi, but the scars on his heart would never heal.

The Uchiha clan, though spared from civil war, would forever bear the scars of that fateful night.

The aftermath of the battle marked a turning point in the lives of the Uchiha clan members and the destiny of Konoha itself.

With one final look at the village, his figure disappeared in a flock of crows as he flew to the location be had planned on meeting the masked Madara.

On arriving there, he saw the man sitting in a regal position, atop a bulky boulder.

"You too your time." The man said in a deep voice.

"I had to tie up some loose ends." Itachi answered. "You feel weaker... I assume everything went well on your side."

"Better. I found an interesting person." He chuckled darkly and then looked at Itachi with his Sharingan activated. "It's time you fulfilled your own end of the contract."

"Of course." Itachi nodded and the man's Sharingan changed before he and Itachi disappeared in a swirling vortex.

...

Shun's POV

From this moment on, no matter what. The Original Timeline has been totally disrupted. No going back whatsoever. But, I don't feel it's a bad thing.

On the contrary, I believe this is more suitable for the future of the Shinobi world.

With Gamamaru's previous prophecy of an impending doom, I dare say that this doom would be a disaster far greater than the Fourth Shinobi World War.

With the Uzumakis saved and tucked away, and the Uchiha saved to a bare minimum, Ashura and Indra's bloodline wouldn't be a measly 2 or 3 as it was in the Original Timeline.

Especially in Boruto. From that point on, the concept of bloodline was even more redundant. Just by having a Kama seal, you're a whole new being all together.

Anyways, this is good. My mission here is ended. Just have to give Danzo a little scare, coupled with the one Itachi has already given him, he should stay away from the Uchiha in the coming years.

Afterall, His right arm hasn't fully integrated into his body properly, and I must say. Orochimaru did a fine job creating that arm.

Stupid Danzo tho. Being Orochimaru's guinea pig and feeling pride in it. How idiotic.

Also need to make sure I relay some information to Izumi before I leave.

Being the only person to awaken the Mangekyou in the current Uchiha clan, she's bound to have some responsibility thrust in her shoulder by them.

I need her to stay guided.

...

Shun stepped into the heavily guarded Root Hideout, his presence shrouded in a cloak of darkness as he wore his Bat mask.

The dimly lit chamber was filled with the low hum of tension as Root agents watched him with wary eyes.

In the center of the room, seated in a high-backed chair, was Danzo Shimura, the mastermind behind many of the village's hidden schemes.

"Who are you!," Danzo said with a stern and angry shout. "What brings you here to our humble abode?"

Shun, masked and shrouded in a cloak of darkness, stood before Danzo and the room full of Root agents. His Bat mask concealed his identity, and his voice was deliberately altered to sound deeper and more menacing.

"Who I am is not your concern," Shun replied, his words laced with an air of authority. "But what I represent is something you should take very seriously. I am here because the Uchiha have suffered enough, and your schemes against them must come to an end."

Danzo's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward in his chair, his anger palpable. "You dare to infiltrate my hideout and make demands, masked intruder?"

Shun's stance remained unyielding. "Consider it a warning, Danzo. The Uchiha clan will not be pushed any further. Any harm inflicted upon them from this point forward will be met with swift and merciless retribution. Your actions have consequences, and you'll find that I am not one to be trifled with."

The Root agents exchanged nervous glances, uncertain of how to react to this masked vigilante who had infiltrated their stronghold. Danzo, for all his cunning, could sense the determination in Shun's voice.

Before Danzo could muster a response or call for assistance, In a flash, he vanished into the shadows, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Danzo, now alone, sat back in his chair, contemplating the masked intruder's ominous warning. He knew that this encounter marked a turning point, something told him he wasn't a Konoha Anbu.

The attire alone was enough proof. He was probably from that clan. The fact that he was able to infiltrate the deepest and Darkest parts of Konoha without alerting anyone, was already testament of his strength.

Even calmly threatening him in a room filled with his root agents...

Thinking to this point, Danzo knew that he had gone far enough. The eyes his surbodinates had harvested the night before was good enough.

For now, he should lay low and scheme for his life goal. To be the Hokage.

...

Meanwhile, the whole village had gotten news of what had transpired in the clan.

Uchiha Itachi was branded a rouge Ninja, A Kin Slayer and the Scum of the Village.

And the person or persons who bore the brunt of this all were Izumi and Sasuke.

From his earlier encounter with it Itachi the night before, Sasuke already saw the dead bodies of his parents and the blood on his beloved brother.

Coupled with Itachi's Genjutsu which Shun allowed, Sasuke fainted due to awakening his Sharingan.

The overdraft of Chakra pouring into his eyes as well as the emotional pain on the young mind literally broke him.

The moment Itachi left the room, Shun directly healed his injured mind as well as lock Mikoto's soul into Sasuke's pendant to act as his System as soon as he woke up.

Izumi on the other hand directly fainted due to the already mounting exhaustion from her use of the Mangekyou Sharingan.

As soon as she woke up again, she wept so much that Shun watching her wanted to directly find Itachi and gouge out his eyes.

Izumi's cute and loveable face being marred with pain, anger, agony and sadness was something Shun didn't take lightly to.

Later that day, Hana as well as a few of her close friends came over to confort her. Naruto and Kiba also came to comfort their friend Sasuke.

Although it was Naruto doing the comforting and Kiba saying he wasn't a man.

Weird kid.

However, Sasuke simply stared into space with dead eyes throughout the entire Ordeal. Naruto also cried a lot, afterall, his kind Obaa-san was dead and he was never seeing her again.

...

That Night.

The night seemed to stretch on endlessly, cloaked in Ambient darkness and sorrow. Shun, masked and silent, found his way to Izumi's side. Her eyes were red from tears, and the weight of the tragedy hung heavily upon her shoulders.

He approached her quietly, standing beside her as she sat on the steps of what was once her family's home. The remnants of the Uchiha district were charred and smoldering, a stark reflection of the devastation that had taken place.

Izumi turned her gaze toward Shun, her eyes filled with grief and confusion. Without a word, he reached out a hand and gently placed it on her shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. The touch was a lifeline in the sea of despair.

"You'll get through this, Izumi," he said softly, his voice carrying a comforting tone despite the mask that concealed his face. "The Uchiha clan is strong."

Tears welled up in Izumi's eyes again, and she leaned into Shun's comforting presence, allowing herself to finally release the pent-up emotions she had been holding back.

She sobbed quietly, and Shun continued to offer his silent support, his hand a constant source of comfort.

As the night slowly gave way to the first light of dawn, Izumi's tears began to subside, and a sense of determination flickered in her eyes.

Seeing her emotions calming down, Shun then went on to tell her the whole story. Even though it wasn't his to tell, she deserved to know, unlike Sasuke.

Shun had to endure another mental breakdown from her as she listened to the account of what her beloved Itachi had been going through for so long.

"Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he confide in me? 7 years! We've known eachother for 7 years and he does this alone." She shouted in anger.

"You were happy." Shun told her. "You were in the light and it was that light he swore to protect."

"... Itachi, you idiot." She murmured as she wept silently throughout the remainder of the night.

"Come, someone would like to meet you." Shun told her and held her up.

"Who? Is Itachi still around?" She asked in hope but Shun Shun shook his head. "You'll see."

They walked as Shun pulled her into the mirror dimension. "I heard of your Mangekyou Sharingan. You can't use it in here, you know..." Shun said with a chuckle and explained the theory of this place to her.

"You're ingenious as ever, Shun."

"What can I say. I aim to please." Shun said with a small laugh. "We're here."

Saying that, he stepped out of the mirror dimension and came upon a well hidden thatched house. Motioning at her to head in, he disappeared once again.

***

2k words. That'll be it for this arc.

The next arc will be something entirely different from what you'd expect. This is where my imagination really did peak. As I said earlier. I have a great vision for this FF. They're a lot of concepts that could be borrowed from other anime world's here.

Stay tuned to know more.