Chapter 168: Uchiha Itachi's Eye - Opening Encounter

Itachi silently watched Natsuo, waiting for his response.

Clearly, it is a matter of life and death for Itachi, but his expression still remains calm.

"This is Sasuke's mission." Natsuo shook his head. "The two of us reached an agreement a long time ago. I am responsible for reviving the Uchiha clan, and he is responsible for restoring the glory of the Uchiha clan, as well as solving the problems on your side..."

The corner of Itachi's mouth twitched, as he thought: 'Let Sasuke regain the glory of the Uchiha clan? Aren't you the strongest in the shinobi world right now? Ask any random person if the Uchiha clan hasn't regained its glory yet...'

In the end Itachi hesitated for a moment and then didn't say anything, just lowered his head.

"Thank you, Natsuo...."

Natsuo is giving Sasuke the glory of killing the 'Uchiha clan traitor' This is also Itachi's greatest wish. In his original plan, he hoped that Sasuke could become the Hero of Konoha who killed the traitor of the Uchiha clan.

"Natsuo..." He suddenly spoke. "After I am defeated by Sasuke, I will give you my eyes... You have been using yours for so long, they must be overburdened, right?" Speaking, he had a sincere expression on his face.

The extent to which Mangekyo Sharingan consumes eye power, no one knows better than him. Although the reason for Itachi's current condition is partly intentional on his part, expecting to die at the hands of Sasuke as a result of their confrontation. But the main reason is the consumption of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

After Natsuo exposed his Mangekyo Sharingan, although it has only been a few months since the Great Shinobi World War, he first fought Terumi Mei, then eliminated Kumogakure, and then fought Rasa...

Although it doesn't look like it, his eyes should have consumed a lot.

And his own eyes are the last compensation that Itachi, as a sinner, can offer to one of the last surviving members of his clan.

Uchiha Itachi said seriously: "You should know that the vision lost due to the use of the Mangekyo Sharingan of our Uchiha clan can be restored by transplanting the eyes of an Uchiha with strong blood ties."

"Thus awakening the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, which eliminates the side effects of its use. Body damage and chakra drain are reduced to an imperceptible minimum level and sight no longer suffers any damage."

"I originally intended to leave it to Sasuke, but now..."

"My eyes can be left to you."

As for how to leave them to Natsuo, Itachi didn't say it. But Itachi was sure that he had the ability to defeat Sasuke as he successfully performed one last self-immolation drama and sent Natsuo his eyes.

Natsuo, however, shrugged: "No need, I don't intend to wear someone else's eyes."

"Don't you understand the consumption of Mangekyo Sharingan?" Uchiha Itachi frowned. "Or do you think you are really the strongest in the shinobi world now?"

"Natsuo, the shinobi world is more complex than you think. Do you really think that only I, without the help of the ANBU members and Root, can quickly and silently kill the entire Uchiha clan?"

Uchiha Itachi revealed directly: "There was another person who was involved."

"He calls himself Uchiha Madara, also possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan, and his strength should not be underestimated. I have seen him use the abilities of the Mangekyo many times without any discomfort. He should have the legendary Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan..."

"Natsuo, don't be arrogant! You may not be his match!"

Speaking of which, Uchiha Itachi's expression suddenly became serious. He was earnestly admonishing Natsuo. Not just to express his goodwill, but also for the sake of Konoha.

He didn't want Natsuo to be blinded by the title of the strongest in the shinobi world and become the next Uchiha Madara.

However, Natsuo directly interrupted him and said: "There is no single way to restore the eye power of the Mangekyo Sharingan."

Uchiha Itachi was taken aback. He had made the difficult decision to give his eyes to Natsuo, since originally, this was the light intended for Sasuke. And now...

"Are there other methods?"

"Yes!" Natsuo said calmly. "Hashirama's cells have a surprising effect in restoring eye power lost during the use of the Mangekyo Sharingan. 'Uchiha Madara' used this method to counteract the side effects of the Mangekyo Sharingan."

After hearing Natsuo's explanation, Itachi immediately believed him. Natsuo had fought successively, so theoretically he should have consumed a lot of eye power. But upon closer inspection, he did not show any side effects from overusing the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan. On the contrary, Itachi felt immense ocular power coming from Natsuo's eyes.

Furthermore, with the information that Natsuo's battles lasted for a long time...

Could it be that he used the method he just mentioned to fix the problems with the Mangekyo Sharingan?

'Is it Orochimaru's research achievement?' Uchiha Itachi thought to himself. He had some vague understanding of the interaction between Orochimaru and Natsuo. Most of Otogakure's Jonin-level kunoichi were sent to the Uchiha clan... Could it be that they all defected?

Although he was curious, Itachi wouldn't foolishly ask about it. After all, information about his own strength was always the most important secret!

"But the eye power restored by this method should not compare to the power of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan." Itachi earnestly advised. "Natsuo, I hope you can replace your eyes with mine."

"The Mangekyo Sharingan is unlikely to be a match for the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. I..."

Before he could finish his words, Natsuo interrupted directly. "The Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan? Are you talking about this?"

The pattern in Natsuo's eyes suddenly became more complex.

When Itachi saw the complex pattern in Natsuo's eyes, which was much more complicated than the pattern he initially saw, he was stunned.

It seems...

That the ocular power in the eyes of that guy who calls himself Uchiha Madara is much less than that of Natsuo. Is this the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan?

Itachi reflected in his mind: 'Natsuo said that Hashirama's cells can solve the side effects of the Mangekyo Sharingan without needing the eyes of another member of the Uchiha clan. Did he find another method to evolve the Mangekyo Sharingan? Itachi was sure that Natsuo didn't have a family member who could unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan.'

'Then there is a way to evolve the Mangekyo Sharingan without implanting the eyes of another member of the Uchiha clan...' Itachi sighed inwardly.

However, although Itachi did not know the specific method, he felt that the difficulty of evolving the Mangekyo Sharingan without eye implantation was countless times greater than that of advancing with an eye transplant.

After all, if Natsuo's method was so simple, not only that method would have been known throughout the history of the Uchiha clan.

'Truly the strongest recognized in the shinobi world.' Uchiha Itachi sighed in his heart, then said seriously: "I see, it seems I misunderstood."

"However, Natsuo, even if you possess the Eternal Mangekyo and your visual power will not be exhausted, the powerful people in the shinobi world are more hidden than you imagine."

Itachi had a serious expression on his face. "You may not know this, but after leaving the village, I joined an organization called Akatsuki... The leader of that organization possesses the Rinnegan!"

"I have personally experienced the power of the Rinnegan, a power that far surpasses the Mangekyo, a power revered as that of a god..." Uchiha Itachi sighed with emotion.

In reality, he had never personally witnessed the might of the Rinnegan. However, Uchiha Itachi had indeed heard from other members of Akatsuki about the power displayed by the leader of Akatsuki when inviting others. Combined with the oppressive feeling he felt during each meeting... He spoke as if it were true.

Uchiha Itachi actually did not believe that the power of the Rinnegan was far superior to the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, nor did he say these words to scare Natsuo.

He still cared about Konoha and didn't want Natsuo to become arrogant and tyrannical like other Uchiha clan members, causing harm to the village.

However, what he didn't expect was...

"The Rinnegan? Is this what you're talking about?"

In the next second, the pattern in Natsuo's eyes suddenly changed, and his pupils turned dark purple. Six circles appeared in his eyes as they gave off a strange sensation, and the surrounding cold ocular power also underwent a transformation.

Uchiha Itachi finally couldn't maintain his composure, his face turned pale. "The Rinnegan?! How could you possess the Rinnegan?!"

Uchiha Itachi's expression instantly changed. Having only a shallow understanding of the Rinnegan and knowing that it is extremely rare, Uchiha Itachi's first reaction was...

"Natsuo! So you're the leader of Akatsuki?!" Itachi's expression changed drastically, and he almost wanted to activate the Susanoo to fight Natsuo with his life.

No wonder many people feel that Uchiha Natsuo is not as extreme as other Uchiha who have activated the Mangekyo Sharingan. They even suspected that he placed his extremism on 'reviving the Uchiha'.

It turns out that it was all an illusion. His true identity is actually the leader of the Akatsuki. He is the collaborator of 'Uchiha Madara'.

Natsuo was taken aback and instinctively wanted to laugh. But upon careful consideration, Uchiha Itachi's reaction seemed normal as well.

The Rinnegan is extremely rare. Although there have always been legends of the Rinnegan in the shinobi world, almost everyone believed it to be a false rumor. Even when Uchiha Itachi saw Nagato's Rinnegan with his own eyes, he thought the same.

Seeing the Rinnegan, one of the rarest dojutsu, in Natsuo... The first thing one can think of is that this guy must be related to Nagato.

Uchiha Itachi was about to unleash his chakra without hesitation. Although he didn't believe he was a match for the renowned Natsuo, even if he died, he would make a scene in front of countless Konoha shinobi!

'I absolutely cannot allow Natsuo's conspiracy to succeed!' Uchiha Itachi roared in his mind and a Chakra structure quickly appeared around his body.

However, before Susanoo could take shape. Natsuo instantly appeared beside Uchiha Itachi and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I have nothing to do with Akatsuki anymore... We used to have a business relationship, but now we don't even have that." Natsuo grabbed Itachi's shoulder and smiled.

Itachi's body stiffened. As a formidable expert at the Kage level, Natsuo unexpectedly easily approached his side. Itachi's eyes fell on the ground, where there was a strange and unique mark.

"Flying Thunder God... I was careless." Itachi's voice sounded bitter. "So Natsuo, what conspiracy do you have?"

"Conspiracy? I just said I have nothing to do with Akatsuki." Natsuo shook his head.

Itachi looked incredulous and had an unpleasant expression. "You are clearly a member of the Uchiha clan, how could you have the Rinnegan? Natsuo, are you still trying to deceive me?"

His expression was ugly, feeling like he had just been played like a clown, baring his heart and soul. However, Natsuo laughed and released Itachi's shoulder.

"It's precisely because I am a member of the Uchiha clan that I have the Rinnegan... Do you remember the stone tablet in the underground shrine of the clan?" Natsuo's mouth curled up. "After activating the Mangekyo, you will see the method to activate the Eternal Mangekyo."

"And after activating the Eternal Mangekyo, you will see a line written on it."

"Seeking stability, one god was divided into yin and yang, these opposing two acting together obtain all things in creation"

"The division of the power of this God gave rise to the lineages of Senju and Uchiha."

"What the so-called 'power of God' means is the Rinnegan!"

Itachi's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He suddenly thought of a question.

"Wait! Natsuo, are you saying that the Rinnegan is an upgrade to the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan?"

"That's right."

"Then why does the leader of Akatsuki have the Rinnegan?" Uchiha Itachi's expression changed drastically. "Uchiha Madara, why would he cooperate with him?"

Although he had never seen Nagato's true face and did not know his identity as a member of the Uzumaki clan. But how could 'Uchiha Madara' mix with someone who has an enhanced Eternal Mangekyo?

As everyone knows, an organization cannot have two leaders.

Originally, Uchiha Itachi thought that 'Uchiha Madara' was completely confident in suppressing Nagato, so he joined Akatsuki. But if the Rinnegan is an upgrade of the Eternal Mangekyo, then how can Uchiha Madara hope to suppress Nagato?

Although suppression by the Rinnegan may not be as simple as a Mangekyo suppressing a normal Sharingan, someone with this dojutsu should still be able to suppress someone who does not have it.

Even if Uchiha Madara is not arrogant, he shouldn't have wanted to join Akatsuki.

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