"Not Uchiha Madara? But Obito?"
Itachi's movements finally ceased, his gaze fixed on Naruto in bewilderment, an aura of uncertainty enveloping him.
Naruto spread his hands, unknowingly breaking free from the confines of the Tsukuyomi space.
This was no ordinary encounter like his previous skirmish with Danzo. This was Itachi, a master of the Sharingan, who wielded its power with unparalleled expertise.
Naruto didn't want to reveal his hidden cards so early. So, he opted for to mislead and manupulte Itachi.
"Truth is, you've all been deceived and manipulated. Madara perished long ago. The one you see before you is Obito, disciple of my father, Namikaze Minato," Naruto revealed, casting a pointed glance at Obito.
A tremor passed through Itachi's eyes, imperceptible to most.
Perhaps he had been unaware that Naruto was the offspring of the Fourth Hokage.
"That man is deranged. He infiltrated Konoha inexplicably, unleashing the Nine Tails and sparking the incident that has haunted me for years. He sowed discord between the Uchiha clan and the village, ultimately leading to their downfall and annihilation at your hands.
The mention of the Uchiha massacre drew a pained expression from Itachi.
In truth, he and Shisui had endeavored tirelessly to mend the schism between village and clan through peaceful means. But following Shisui's demise, Itachi, fighting alone, resorted to the most drastic measures.
"But enough about others. Let's talk about you. What is your objective? What do you know of Akatsuki? And why betray the village?" Itachi inquired, his tone resembling that of an interrogator.
Unperturbed, Naruto responded at his own pace. "It's quite simple, really. Akatsuki aims to gather the Tailed Beasts, leveraging their power to deter conflict and promote peace in the Ninja world. Of course, that's just the façade.
"As for me, while I do harbor grievances against the village and have defected, I harbor no ill intentions toward Konoha. On the contrary, as the Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails, I recognize that I'll inevitably become a target for Akatsuki. Guided by me, however, their attention on the village would be detrimental." Naruto lied through his teeth.
"So, here I am, stepping up to join the ranks of Akatsuki, aiming to ascend to the very top and take the reins. With me at the helm, I envision a future where Akatsuki operates under my guidance, ensuring that the shadow of danger never falls upon Konoha Village again."
Naruto's voice cut through the air, his words laden with determination.
But the truth is that he was going to destroy Konoha soon.
"But surely," he continued, "you don't intend to unleash chaos by resurrecting the Ten Tails and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, sparking another devastating Ninja War?"
Itachi bestowed him with a knowing gaze, a flicker of approval dancing in his eyes.
"He hasn't seen through my intentions," Naruto thought, reassured that Itachi wouldn't have approached him without careful consideration.
Yet, Naruto knew Itachi's fate lay in the hands of his beloved brother, Sasuke, in a matter of years. It was a reality he couldn't escape.
Itachi regarded Naruto with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Are you willingly putting yourself in the crosshairs of Akatsuki? Taking charge from within the enemy's ranks? What's your angle?"
Naruto's mind raced.
"So, Itachi, let's unite. Let's safeguard Konoha Village from the shadows within this organization. As rebels, detached from the village, we can maneuver more freely."
"And consider this," Naruto pressed on, "Akatsuki's aim is to capture the tailed beasts. By doing so, we weaken other villages' military might. Why not seize this opportunity?"
"If we can strip other villages of their tailed beasts and Jinchūriki, Konoha will no longer face the threat of invasion," Naruto explained, his resolve unwavering in front of Itachi.
Itachi's gaze sharpened, a glimmer of hope flickering within his eyes.
"Are you truly committed to protecting the village?" Itachi finally challenged.
Naruto's response was immediate and resolute: "Absolutely."
Itachi found himself lost in a whirlwind of contemplation, his mind consumed by the weight of Naruto's words.
Naruto's proposition lingered in the air like an unspoken truth, resonating deeply within Itachi's consciousness. Could infiltrating Akatsuki, perhaps even seizing control, offer a strategic advantage in safeguarding Konoha Village?
Itachi likened the situation to a precarious game of alliances. In the heat of battle between Konoha and the Cloud Shinobi Village, if it were revealed that even the Raikage hailed from Konoha, how could conflict persist without tearing loyalties asunder?
The analogy struck a chord with Itachi. It was akin to the ascent from undercover agent to kingpin. Yet, if every member of a gang were undercover, what chaos would ensue?
As Itachi pondered, his gaze fixated on Naruto, contemplating the gravity of his proposition. Should he place his trust in this unexpected ally?
Meanwhile, Naruto awaited Itachi's verdict with a facade of patience, concealing his own real plans. Restless energy simmered beneath his calm exterior. Should action become necessary, Naruto's right eye subtly shifted, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, a harbinger of deadly resolve.
In this delicate dance of fate, life and death hung in the balance, each combatant armed with their own arsenal of ocular prowess. Itachi's Tsukuyomi clashed with Naruto's formidable gaze, a testament to their shared mastery of the art.
In the silent standoff, tension thickened the air, binding them in an unspoken duel of wills.
Then, breaking the silence, Itachi posed a final inquiry, probing the depths of Naruto's allegiance.
Naruto met Itachi's gaze head-on, his response unwavering and resolute. In his eyes burned the fire of false loyalty.
For Naruto, the village was a sacred place, a place he needed to burn to the ground.
.....
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