You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
--------------------------------------------------------------
"What are you then? Can you awaken your eyes without chakra?"
Although Sasuke still harbored significant doubts, seeing those genuine Sharingan eyes and hearing about the topic of power, he was eager to learn something.
Kaito's scarlet eyes faded back to black, and he gestured for Sasuke to come closer, "Come sit down, I can exchange information with you."
Sasuke hesitated for a moment but still, holding the kunai, sat across from Kaito with his Sharingan eyes fixed on him.
He warned first, "You better not be thinking of fooling me. I was unprepared before. It won't be so easy to take me down next time!"
While speaking, he suddenly stretched out his hand holding the kunai to Kaito's neck, with his other hand reaching for his face.
"If you don't want to die, just sit still and don't move."
However, Kaito didn't stop him, just smiling as he watched.
Hmm? Not a transformation.
Seeing Kaito make no move, Sasuke thoroughly checked him out.
What's going on?
Sasuke's eyes widened, could he really be Kaito?
"Alright, alright."
Kaito said helplessly, "I am your uncle. Tell me what's happened in Konoha over the years, and then I'll tell you what you want to know. How about it? It's a good deal, isn't it? After all, you don't know any secrets of Konoha, and general information can be found everywhere."
Sasuke thought about it, indeed.
The information he knew was basically public and not considered valuable, especially now that he was essentially a defector.
There was nothing he couldn't talk about.
"Seeing as you're from the Uchiha."
He emphasized this point, then withdrew his hand.
He organized his thoughts and began to share the information obediently.
As Kaito listened to Sasuke, he flipped his right hand, and an ancient-looking oil lamp appeared in his palm.
He casually placed the oil lamp on the ground, adjusting it slightly, and the cave was immediately bathed in a warm light.
Then, he repeated the process, abruptly producing some food and sharing it with Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't hesitate, starting to eat heartily.
Too much had happened from last night to today; fleeing through the night, being chased, and having a serious fight with Naruto, he was already starving.
This suddenly appearing uncle was a strange man, seemingly possessing unique powers.
Yes, after the previous examination, and the indescribable sense of familiarity since meeting him, Sasuke was almost convinced that the man before him was his mother's brother, his uncle Kaito.
But he wouldn't admit it openly.
However, unconsciously, his attitude had already improved a lot.
Usually not fond of talking, he shared everything he knew about the events in Konoha.
"So much has happened," Kaito remarked casually after hearing Sasuke's account, then looking into Sasuke's eyes, he said, "You were deceived by Itachi, Sasuke."
"What do you mean?"
Sasuke began to glare at Kaito again.
"It's not your fault. After all, you were too young at that time. But haven't you figured it out over these years? Were you blinded by Itachi's genjutsu? Or do you not want to recall that memory?"
"I..."
Sasuke lowered his head, fists clenched.
He rarely voluntarily recalled the events of that day. Only the images left by Itachi's genjutsu often startled him awake from nightmares.
Kaito looked at Sasuke, still not having figured things out, feeling somewhat helpless.
He had lamented long ago that among the Uchiha clan, there were many intelligent people, but not many were shrewd.
Being intelligent and being shrewd were two different things.
Uchiha clan members tended to be straightforward, resorting to violence to solve problems.
This was not good.
"I don't believe he did such a thing to test his own capacity. Let me give you a hint, Sasuke. Do you really think a thirteen-year-old Itachi could single-handedly exterminate the entire clan? There were many skilled individuals in the clan."
"Itachi had the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Sasuke had no doubt about the strength of Itachi, who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"The Mangekyō, huh? Indeed, only a higher-level Sharingan can counter the regular one." Kaito affirmed Sasuke's statement.
Then he continued, "However, even so, it's impossible to silently eliminate so many members of the clan. Moreover, until you returned home, there was no reaction from Konoha. Isn't that strange?"
"What's going on?" Sasuke thought carefully. "Is it because of a barrier? Did Itachi have other helpers? Who exactly?"
"Don't be impatient, Sasuke. Think calmly."
Kaito extended his right hand, index and middle fingers together, touching Sasuke's forehead.
Sasuke felt a cool sensation spreading from his forehead, and his mind suddenly relaxed, with details from his memory that he hadn't paid attention to before emerging.
The image of Itachi turning away became clear, tears streaming down those scarlet eyes, filled with sadness.
"So that guy can cry too!" Sasuke murmured with closed eyes, then exclaimed loudly, "If it's so painful, then why would he do such a thing!"
And Konoha.
Thinking back now, Konoha's reaction was indeed too late.
And previously, the man who claimed to be his uncle had a strange attitude when mentioning the Third Hokage.
"So, are you saying that Konoha was involved in that matter too? Itachi... that man..."
Was there some reason behind it? Was it really him who did it?
Sasuke stared into Kaito's eyes, seeking a definite answer.
"Itachi definitely participated in the massacre. At least my sister and brother-in-law died by his hand."
Kaito didn't avoid Sasuke's gaze, speaking with certainty, "That child was definitely persuaded by the Third Hokage and others for some reason, to choose between the clan and the village."
"Why... would Itachi..."
Sasuke's mind was in turmoil at the moment, unable to understand why Kaito would say such things.
"Sasuke, you may not know. Your father, Fugaku Uchiha, also had the Mangekyō Sharingan. If Itachi didn't act personally, how could he not resist?"
Kaito closed his eyes and sighed softly, "That's why I say he's foolish. In the end, it's probably to fulfill his own child."
"Father..."
So Father was that powerful, and Father would sacrifice himself for his child too?
In Sasuke's memory, his father, Fugaku Uchiha, had never shown him any warmth. That man was always silent, always stern, always looking at him with disappointed eyes.
During that time, Father's relationship with Itachi seemed very tense. Sasuke thought it was because of the sudden death of Uchiha Shisui, but now...
"What's the deal with the village and the clan?"
Sasuke felt there were too many things he didn't understand.
"You were young at that time, so you might not know. Due to historical issues, the relationship between the clan and the village has never been harmonious. Especially after you mentioned the Fourth's sacrifice and the clan moving to Naka River."
Kaito said solemnly, "There may have been an incident that caused the village to be more wary of the Uchiha. It should be related to the Nine-Tails incident. The Nine-Tails couldn't have appeared for no reason. The village high-ups must have suspected that someone from the Uchiha clan used the Sharingan to control the beast."
After all, their family had a history.
*
*
*
A/N: P@treon price update:
-Tier 1 "Deva Path": 2$ for 10 chapters of Naruto: Shikigami Aizen + 5 chapters of I am Uchiha Sasuke Uncle
-Tier 2 "Animal Path": 5$ for 20 chapters of Naruto: Shikigami Aizen + 10 chapters of I am Uchiha Sasuke Uncle + 5 chapters of Uchiha With Glasses
-Tier 3 "Human Path": 10$ for 30 chapters of Naruto: Shikigami Aizen + 20 chapters of I am Uchiha Sasuke Uncle + 15 chapters of Uchiha With Glasses
-Tier 4 "Outer Path": 15$ for 40 chapters of Naruto: Shikigami Aizen + 30 chapters of I am Uchiha Sasuke Uncle + 20 chapters of Uchiha With Glasses