"Dean, this is not your fault."
Yakushi Kabuto was still earnestly comforting the Dean.
From any perspective, this matter was not the Dean's fault.
Because Orochimaru kidnapped Akihara Kagura, and because Shimura Danzo deliberately concealed the fact that Akihara Kagura was still alive, they thought Akihara Kagura had died, gradually forgetting this child who came from the orphanage, leading the child to mistakenly believe they had abandoned him.
"But..."
"That child..."
Yakushi Nono pressed her chest, feeling heartache and guilt choking her, this pain made her brain go blank, almost unable to speak.
Yakushi Nono recalled the moment she saw Akihara Kagura; not only did she not recognize the child, she even forgot his name, and even wounded him with a kunai... Yet, the child was still smiling, comforting her that it was okay.
"How could I forget my own child..."
Yakushi Nono always treated the children adopted by the orphanage as her own, remembering each child's name, remembering each child's story.
Except...
She forgot Akihara Kagura.
Whether it was Shimura Danzo or Orochimaru's fault, it was no excuse for her to forget her own child, even if she thought the child had already died...
Even Yakushi Kabuto remembered...
Even Yakushi Kabuto remembered Akihara Kagura.
How could she, the Dean of this orphanage, forget her own child?
"Dean!"
Yakushi Kabuto shook Yakushi Nono's shoulder, trying to awaken her a bit, and said in a deep voice, "Now is not the time to talk about these things, our crisis is not yet over!"
"Kagura hates us for forgetting him, he has conspired with Shimura Danzo, wanting us to fight among ourselves, he is in the Land of Earth, he will definitely not let us go!"
While speaking, Yakushi Kabuto looked around and continued, "Kagura might arrive here soon, he might even be nearby already, we must leave immediately…"
"..."
Within a crevice of rocks.
Uchiha Itachi had been hiding here, reflecting on everything that had happened, he slowly closed his eyes, the young man knew his real mission now.
Shimura Danzo wanted him to kill two members of the intelligence department who were about to defect, those two were Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono...
He personally delivered the two mission scrolls that would lead to their mutual destruction, his mission was to put an end to this conspiracy and tragedy.
Akihara Kagura...
Why does he always appear whenever information is passed?
If, as Yakushi Kabuto said, Akihara Kagura detested them for forgetting her and thus conspired with Shimura Danzo to kill them, did Akihara Kagura appear every time they passed information simply to monitor his assessment task?
If, as Hatake Kakashi said, Akihara Kagura's aim was to make them leave the Root organization, why should they leave Root?
Uchiha Itachi could not understand.
Perhaps these were not things he needed to ponder.
Uchiha Itachi recalled the moment he and Akihara Kagura went their separate ways.
Regardless of whether Akihara Kagura was there to monitor him or not, Uchiha Itachi knew he had no other choice; what he needed to do now was to proceed with determination!
Even if it meant...
Killing these two comrades!
For the mission, for Konoha, at all costs!
Shimura Danzo, a high-ranking official in Konoha, had to eliminate these two soon-to-defect intelligence department members, as ordered by the higher-ups. This was a necessary sacrifice!
A cat-faced mask was in his hands.
Uchiha Itachi slowly reached out, put on the cat-faced mask, and hid his true face beneath it, just like other Root ninjas on a mission.
Two shurikens flew towards Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou!
"Enemy attack!"
This voice instantly caught Yakushi Kabuto's attention; he quickly pulled Yakushi Nono behind a rock for cover!
However...
It was to no avail!
Ting!
The crisp sound of the shurikens colliding!
Uchiha Itachi raised his hand and threw two more shurikens, hitting the previous ones and changing their direction!
Four shurikens flew towards the two behind the rock!
Uchiha Itachi's shuriken-throwing technique was unparalleled, with only his instructor Uchiha Shisui being comparable. No one in Konoha, or even in the ninja world, could outmatch him!
"What?"
Yakushi Kabuto was somewhat surprised by the four incoming shurikens!
Even after many years of espionage missions and encountering numerous ninjas, Kabuto was still amazed by the attack that overcame the blind spot in his vision!
This was far from over!
Uchiha Itachi quickly formed hand seals!
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
This was a technique given to him as a reward by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, after returning from a mission in the Mist Village, specifically taught to him!
A multitude of shurikens densely flew towards the hiding spot of Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono!
"Let's go!"
Yakushi Kabuto swiftly pushed Yakushi Nono in front of him, raising a cluster of green chakra scalpel in his own hand, doing his utmost to block the incoming shuriken!
However...
Ultimately, it was in vain!
Yakushi Kabuto could only dodge as best as he could, aiming to protect Yakushi Nono, and consequently, his own arms, shoulders, and legs were each hit by a shuriken!
A shuriken also struck Yakushi Nono's shoulder!
"Kabuto!"
Ignoring her own injuries, Yakushi Nono's palms quickly conjured a cluster of chakra, gently applying it to Yakushi Kabuto's wounds to heal them.
"It's too late..."
Yakushi Kabuto slowly shook his head, sighing inwardly. He slowly stood up from behind the rocks, gazing at the distant figure of the masked youth, and loudly questioned, "Akihara Kagura, won't you even spare the Dean?"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi did not respond.
As a ninja who operates in the shadows, there's no need for excessive talk during a mission, not to mention revealing one's identity.
Uchiha Itachi calmly drew his ninja sword, rushing towards Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, with only the mission target in his mind!
"Is this guy... like this when he kills?"
Yakushi Kabuto had never seen Akihara Kagura kill, but he knew that Akihara Kagura would never be merciful when killing, due to his extremely ruthless nature!
Yakushi Kabuto could only push the Dean away, his palm glowing with a green chakra scalpel, facing the rushing masked youth!
The two instantly engaged in a fierce battle!
"Your swordsmanship is really excellent..."
Yakushi Kabuto and Uchiha Itachi had only exchanged a few blows when, due to still healing wounds, Yakushi Kabuto was quickly cut. He could only try his best to dodge vital points!
"..."
Uchiha Itachi still did not respond.
The masked youth simply swung his ninja sword with a steadfast look in his eyes!
Seizing a moment when Yakushi Kabuto's movements were hindered and his defense had gaps, Uchiha Itachi cleanly sliced through Yakushi Kabuto's arm, leaving a long wound!
"This guy..."
Yakushi Kabuto, looking at the long wound on his arm, somewhat regretted not having properly practiced swordsmanship. Facing a master of swordsmanship, the chakra scalpel was far too easily countered!
"Kabuto…"
Yakushi Nono wanted to rush over quickly.
"Don't come over!"
Yakushi Kabuto stopped Yakushi Nono and continued to gaze directly at the masked boy in front of him, speaking softly, "This is a battle between him and me. I admit that I have received too much favoritism from the dean, which has caused your jealousy. But you should know that it's not the dean's fault..."
...
Uchiha Itachi, through his mask, looked at Yakushi Kabuto in front of him and calmly raised his ninja sword, striking at his target once more!
"Why won't you speak!"
Yakushi Kabuto raised his chakra scalpel to block the edge of the ninja sword, continuing in a beleaguered tone, "Akihara Kagura, are you infuriated because your plot to control me and the dean to kill each other was foiled?"
...
Uchiha Itachi swung his ninja sword again.
Although Yakushi Kabuto always believed that Akihara Kagura wanted to kill him, he couldn't explain it was a misunderstanding, as he was the real one on the mission!
Not just the Yakushi Kabuto in front of him...
Even Yakushi Nono behind him couldn't be spared.
However, Uchiha Itachi found it somewhat troublesome to quickly finish off Yakushi Kabuto in front of him. His chakra scalpel was very peculiar, nearly injuring him several times, and exposing his Sharingan might make ending the fight easier.
Uchiha Itachi continued to fight with Yakushi Kabuto while wielding his ninja sword, also keeping an eye on Yakushi Nono, who was covering his shoulder, and being cautious of the possibility that Yakushi Nono might escape.
...
Uchiha Itachi was somewhat distracted at this moment.
The boy recalled the first time he encountered the Root, thinking he could stop the Root from killing fellow villagers, only to find that those Root ninjas eventually found an opportunity during the fight to kill their target with a shuriken.
Time has changed.
Now he has become that kind of person.
Uchiha Itachi quickly closed the distance to Yakushi Kabuto!
This move was clearly more advantageous for Yakushi Kabuto's chakra scalpel combat!
Taking advantage of the cover of sight, Uchiha Itachi quickly took out a shuriken from his ninja tool bag and threw it towards Yakushi Nono!
"You're too careless..."
Yakushi Kabuto's chakra scalpel took the opportunity to slash at Uchiha Itachi's neck. Uchiha Itachi quickly leaned back to dodge but still got his mask sliced open!
"There's no need to hide your face, right?"
Yakushi Kabuto looked at the opponent across from him and coldly said, "Akihara Kagura, the dean never wanted to forget you. Don't you want the dean to see you at this time…"
Upon seeing the true appearance of the enemy before him, Yakushi Kabuto's expression suddenly turned ugly, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on his forehead instantly!
"Wait..."
"You're not..."
Yakushi Kabuto looked at the person who had once handed him mission scrolls and even made a good impression on him: "Uchiha Itachi... how could it be you?"
Why is it you?
Why not Akihara Kagura?
Why is it not Akihara Kagura appearing at this time? Isn't that guy plotting with Shimura Danzo, trying to make him and the Dean kill each other?
Why is it Uchiha Itachi appearing at this time!
Yakushi Kabuto had a pretty good impression of Uchiha Itachi because when Itachi delivered the mission scrolls, he behaved politely and even helped to stop Akihara Kagura from troubling others.
However...
Yakushi Kabuto could never have imagined...
The person he thought would come to kill him and the Dean was not the expected Akihara Kagura, but someone he would never have thought of!
Could it be as Hatake Kakashi said, Akihara Kagura only wanted to retaliate against the favoritism of the Dean towards him, but not necessarily wanted to kill them?
That's unlikely though...
Even if it was retaliation, Akihara Kagura should have appeared here!
"..."
Yakushi Kabuto was very smart.
Compared to most people in the ninja world, Yakushi Kabuto could be considered intelligent, and he had already begun to unravel some truths.
The absence of Akihara Kagura here was the most abnormal part. How could an avenger not appear at the moment of achieving his vengeance?
Perhaps...
Yakushi Kabuto reconsidered the words Hatake Kakashi had said to him.
Maybe Akihara Kagura did not intend to kill them but to warn them to be wary of Shimura Danzo's conspiracy. Perhaps this was also why Akihara Kagura mentioned the Dean and the fake photo incident the first time they met...
Yakushi Kabuto's heart clenched suddenly. Did that guy really never want to kill them but just wanted to protect them, to save them both from the root?
Yes!
That's it!
Hatake Kakashi also said that, to save the two of them, Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Itachi were competing for the position of the future leader of the root!
This was also why Uchiha Itachi appeared here. Uchiha Itachi was a person who served Shimura Danzo, so he was ordered by Shimura Danzo to kill them, to take their heads and step into the position of the future leader of the root!
At this moment!
Yakushi Kabuto had figured it all out!
"Dean, run, go find Akihara Kagura!"
While wielding the chakra scalpel and entangling with Uchiha Itachi, Yakushi Kabuto could only remind his dean, "It's not Kagura; it's Danzo who wants to kill us!"
"Kabuto..."
Yakushi Nono weakly called out.
"Dean, you go first!"
Yakushi Kabuto dared not look back, and could only fight while continuing to remind, "Once I've dealt with this, I'll come find you right away!"
"Kabuto... you go..."
Yakushi Nono spoke intermittently.
Finally, Yakushi Kabuto noticed the dean's abnormality. He had to forcefully endure being wounded by a blade to repel Uchiha Itachi's attack, turning his head to glance at his dean.
That glance...
Made Yakushi Kabuto's heart stop abruptly.
Because he saw Yakushi Nono lying on the ground at some point, with a shuriken embedded at the junction of her chest and abdomen, her clothes were already dyed red with blood!
Yakushi Kabuto leaped to Yakushi Nono's side, disregarding his own wounds still bleeding profusely, ignoring the enemy nearby, and quickly gathered chakra in his hands, applying it to Yakushi Nono's wounds.
"Dean..."
"Hold on..."
"I will definitely be able to heal you..."
With cold sweat on his face, Yakushi Kabuto struggled to save Yakushi Nono, "You must hold on, believe me, I can heal you, it's just a minor injury..."
"I'm sorry."
Uchiha Itachi, slowly carrying his ninja sword, came to Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono's side, finally speaking his first words.
"I heard everything."
Pain and sorrow appeared in Uchiha Itachi's eyes, yet he still aimed at Yakushi Kabuto's neck, firmly raising the ninja sword high, "Although I know you just experienced the joy of reunion, I must kill you."
"Don't... don't worry about me... run away..."
Yakushi Nono was still trying to persuade her own child.
"Dean... Dean…"
It seemed as if Yakushi Kabuto had turned foolish, hearing nothing, continuously muttering the name of Yakushi Nono.
Yakushi Kabuto also seemed not to notice the ninja sword about to fall on his head, seriously continuing his efforts to treat the severely injured Yakushi Nono.
"Goodbye."
Uchiha Itachi swung the ninja sword down with force!
This moment might forever be etched in Uchiha Itachi's heart, marking his first step towards darkness, a step from which he could never return!
Perhaps...
He had been unable to return for a long time already!
With a snap!
The moment the ninja sword was about to fall, a young figure appeared beside them, tightly grabbing the blade of the sword, preventing it from falling any further!
The sharp ninja sword immediately cut through the palm!
Even the palm might have been deeply wounded by the cut!
A trace of blood flowed down from the palm of the youth, dripping steadily onto Yakushi Kabuto's neck, as if it was raining blood...
However, the youth seemed not to feel the pain at all, just tightly gripping the ninja sword in his hand, looking at Uchiha Itachi, who was visibly shocked, and slowly revealing a smile.
"Do you remember what I told you?"
The youth stared at his peer, the smile on his face gradually turning cold and sinister: "Uchiha Itachi, I warned you long ago to stay away from Lord Danzō. I also told you, whether someone can stop me from killing depends on your luck..."
"Now it's time to fulfill what I've said, let's see your luck, to see if anyone can stop me before I kill you…"
~~~
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