"Itachi, did you learn it? With your Sharingan, even a jōnin could fall under this genjutsu if they're not careful. And once your Sharingan's genjutsu takes hold, it requires help from others to break free. This is the perfect time for you to launch an attack," Fugaku said as he dispelled the genjutsu he had placed on Itachi.
For the past few days, Fugaku had been teaching Itachi how to use the Sharingan's genjutsu techniques. To his surprise, he had underestimated Itachi's talent. Many of the genjutsu only needed to be shown twice before Itachi could perform them flawlessly.
This left Fugaku both bitter and proud. Bitter because he hadn't been around to train Itachi over the past few years, and proud because his son's potential was incredible. Given time, Itachi might even surpass Madara.
Unfortunately, the Mangekyō Sharingan that Fugaku had intended to leave for Itachi had been taken by Yoichi, contributing to Yoichi's rise in power.
"I've learned it, Father. Thank you for your guidance," Itachi said respectfully. They were in the northern forest of the Ninja Park, a place rarely patrolled by the village guards.
Last night, after learning the location of today's meeting, Itachi had gone to Shisui and subtly inquired about the patrol schedules around the Ninja Park. He had found out the general times and locations of the guard patrols.
However, Itachi knew that these routes were not fixed and were decided only the night before, with the teams being notified via a sealed scroll each morning. So, how had his father known and avoided patrols for several days in a row? Itachi began to hope that his father had come only to teach him, without any other hidden motives.
"You awakened your Sharingan a few days ago. Although you haven't reached the three-tomoe stage yet, you can still start learning the Uchiha clan's forbidden techniques, such as Izanagi."
Fugaku continued, "Izanagi is a technique that can alter life and death at the cost of losing the light in one of your eyes. It's the ultimate Uchiha technique. But unless you're in a life-or-death situation, there's no need to use it."
"Understood, Father," Itachi replied, pretending not to know about Izanagi's intricacies, though he had already been informed about its dangers.
Itachi prayed that Fugaku was merely here to visit his son and not for more sinister reasons.
Time passed, and after an hour or so, the sun had set, and Itachi knew it was getting late. Fugaku, however, seemed aware that the time for action was nearing.
"Itachi, I need your help. Once everything is done, you can leave the village with me."
"Leave Konoha? Father, are you saying…"
"That's right. You'll come with me. Staying here in Konoha won't do you any good. Yoichi will never fully trust you, and because of me, he'll secretly suppress you. I'm working toward bringing lasting peace to the ninja world, and when the time comes, you'll leave with me."
Itachi felt his heart race. The moment he feared had finally arrived.
However, his face remained impassive as he asked, "What do you need me to do, Father?"
"As expected from my son, I knew you'd agree. Yoichi hasn't properly trained you. He's likely only kept you around because of that idiot Mikoto," Fugaku said, patting Itachi's shoulder, oblivious to the slight tightening of Itachi's fists.
"I'm following Madara's plan to bring about eternal peace to the ninja world through the Moon's Eye Plan. Once it's implemented, everyone in the world will live in a dream where their deepest desires come true. But before that, we need to gather all nine tailed beasts."
Fugaku paused before continuing, "Tsunade is due to give birth in a few days. When that happens, Yoichi will definitely be at Konoha Hospital. I need you to find out the whereabouts of Yugito, the Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails, and lure her to this forest. Once that's done, we'll leave the village together."
Itachi was shocked but showed only a slight reaction, asking, "Father, you intend to target Yugito?"
"It's not about targeting her. In the end, she'll also live in the perfect world of Infinite Tsukuyomi. This plan comes from the Sage of Six Paths himself. If you had the Mangekyō Sharingan, you'd be able to see the Uchiha Stone Tablet beneath the Naka Shrine that has been passed down for generations."
Itachi's heart sank. He couldn't imagine betraying Yugito, who was not only his comrade but someone he had trained with. He couldn't bear to think of the disappointment on Sasuke's or Karin's faces if they learned he had done something so dishonorable.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Itachi asked, "Father, is this why you've returned to the village?"
"It's one of my reasons. My main goal is to take you with me, Itachi," Fugaku said, patting his son's shoulder again. "I knew you'd understand."
Itachi remained silent for a while before finally saying, "I'll try my best, but I can't guarantee anything. I don't know Yugito very well."
This was a lie. He and Yugito had met countless times, trained together, and even sparred, with Itachi losing to her once.
"No matter. I trust you. Just bring her here in the next day or two," Fugaku said with a satisfied smile. "Now go home, my son. Don't raise any suspicions."
"I will… Father," Itachi said before turning to leave. It would take some time to get home from this part of the forest.
Once Itachi was gone, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground and said, "Are you sure this kid can do it?"
"He's my son, and you've seen his talent yourself. If he weren't born in this era, he would already be as strong as Madara," Fugaku replied confidently. Over the past few days, he had been teaching Itachi many of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan-based genjutsu.
It was as if Itachi had never been exposed to these techniques before, which only solidified Fugaku's belief that Yoichi had been holding him back.
"Let's hope he succeeds. This might be our only chance. If he fails, we'll have to rely on Madara."
Black Zetsu said cautiously, still wary of Konoha's other powerful figures, like the First Hokage. If Yoichi and the First Hokage joined forces, even Madara might struggle.
"According to the hospital, Tsunade should give birth in two days. By then, Yoichi will likely be at the hospital with her. He seems like a family man, after all," Zetsu added.
Fugaku snorted, "A family man? He's nothing but a lecherous fool. He doesn't deserve that title."
"Alright, alright. I'll be watching from the shadows, and I'll send Tobi to help you," Black Zetsu said, preparing to depart.
"I'm home," Itachi said as he returned to his house, where the others were already seated at the table. Sasuke waved at him, "Nii-san, hurry up! We've been waiting for you!"
"Sorry for being late," Itachi said, washing his hands before sitting down at the table. Then, looking puzzled, he asked, "Where's Father?"
Mikoto smiled, "He won't be home tonight. Let's eat without him."
Itachi couldn't help but think, So he really is at the hospital, just like Father said…
Even though he was usually quite hungry after training, hearing about this situation left Itachi feeling uneasy. His normally delicious dinner now tasted like ash.
After finishing the meal, Itachi didn't stay to play with Sasuke. He picked up his younger brother and set him down in front of Karin, much to Sasuke's shock and disbelief.
Itachi sat in the living room for a while before finally making a decision. Once Mikoto had finished tidying up, he approached her and said, "Mother, I need to talk to you."
"Hmm? What's the matter?" Mikoto asked, noticing the serious expression on Itachi's face.
"Let's talk outside," she suggested.
Once they were alone in the forest outside their home, Itachi took a deep breath and said, "Mother, Father has returned."
"You mean Yoichi? Isn't he at the hospital…?"
Mikoto looked confused at first, but quickly realized the truth. Her expression grew serious. "Itachi, you mean Fugaku. He's already contacted you? What has he tried to persuade you into doing?"
"Yes. But Mother, did you know about this?" Itachi asked, stunned by how calm she seemed.
"Actually, I knew a few days ago. Yoichi told me," Mikoto replied, feeling grateful that Itachi had come to her with this. She continued, "One of the Akatsuki members has already been captured, and they revealed their plans. Yoichi and I knew about Fugaku's attempt to manipulate you long before this."
"You and Father knew? Then why didn't you—"
"Yoichi said he trusted you. That's why we acted like nothing was happening. He even told me not to interfere with your decisions, and he didn't assign the police or ANBU to watch over you."
Mikoto gently stroked Itachi's hair and said, "Which parent wouldn't trust their own child?"
"Thank you, Mother," Itachi said, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. But then he remembered his biological father's plan and asked, "What should we do about him? Should we tell Father?"
"What do you think we should do?" Mikoto asked, curious to hear Itachi's thoughts. If he didn't have a clear idea, she would inform Yoichi herself.
"I don't want to tell him yet. No matter what, Fugaku is still my father. I'd like to ask Shisui for help. He and the police can arrest Fugaku, and then maybe we can…"
Itachi trailed off, unable to say that he didn't want Fugaku executed. He hoped they could at least imprison him instead.
"You don't want Yoichi to know?" Mikoto asked. "That's fine, but we'll need to be prepared."
She reassured Itachi, "As for Fugaku, you can explain everything to Yoichi when the time comes."
Why did he have to come back? Both Mikoto and Itachi thought the same thing. Mikoto, however, was filled with more anger than sadness.
The last time, she had pleaded for Fugaku's life out of respect for their past relationship. But now, he had returned to manipulate her son. She couldn't forgive him.
"Forget about asking Shisui. Let me handle him," Mikoto said, her voice firm.
"Mother, you?" Itachi asked, shocked. "Wouldn't it be better to let Shisui handle this?"
"Don't underestimate me, Itachi," Mikoto said, playfully flicking his forehead. She had undergone surgery to transplant Hashirama's cells and had mastered Sage Mode. But thinking about Fugaku's strength, Mikoto added, "I'll ask Mina and Kushina to help out. Don't worry, I just want to teach that fool a lesson for trying to manipulate my son."
Itachi felt touched but still concerned. "Mother, are you sure? Wouldn't it be better to tell Father?"
"Are you sure?" Mikoto replied.
Itachi paused, remembering the day he witnessed Yoichi's overwhelming power—only a fraction of his full strength. If he told Yoichi, Fugaku wouldn't stand a chance.
"No, Mother. I'll leave it to you. Tomorrow evening, just before dinner. The meeting place is in the Ninja Park."
Itachi carefully relayed all the details to Mikoto, even asking her to talk to Yugito.
Despite feeling somewhat uneasy, Itachi decided to visit Shisui the next day, just in case.
(End of Chapter)
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