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Itachi's numerous copies slowly dissipated, leaving only one figure standing in place.
He tried to use his dōjutsu to break free, but the chains binding him remained unmoved.
"It's useless," Kaito said. "This is a battle on a mental level. Although your spiritual energy is vast, it's not pure enough to escape this binding technique."
"Now, how about you tell me some information about the Akatsuki organization? The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki is a friend of Sasuke, and perhaps Sasuke will have to confront this organization in the future too."
After a moment of silence, Itachi spoke, "The leader of Akatsuki possesses the Rinnegan and aims to gather all nine tailed beasts to deter the major ninja villages and achieve peace."
He then shared everything he knew about the members of the Akatsuki.
Lastly, he warned, "But I suspect this is only the surface. There's a mysterious individual within Akatsuki who wears a mask and claims to be Uchiha Madara, possessing the Sharingan."
Kaito was slightly surprised and said, "Indeed, you joined the organization to infiltrate it, all for the sake of Konoha."
He then looked up at the sky, where stars were orbiting, and said confidently, "It can't be Madara; I can confirm he is dead."
"Rinnegan, tailed beasts, and several hidden forces behind the scenes; what a mess," he said solemnly. "When the Rinnegan and all nine tailed beasts come together, it could lead to a catastrophic event that could destroy the ninja world, and I'm not exaggerating, Itachi."
Shaking his head, he looked at Itachi and said, "I'll take Sasuke away for now. Once he's strong enough, you two brothers can settle your scores."
"But before that," his eyes turned red as the tomoe formed a pentagram, indicating the Mangekyō Sharingan, "for the sake of those in our clan who died by your hand, let me, their uncle, teach you a profound lesson."
As the stars in the sky began to spin faster, Itachi felt his own time slowing down until it reached a critical point and started to rapidly reverse.
He saw scenes flash back to Konoha, to the Uchiha clan, to the day he was born.
Standing outside his mother's birthing room, he watched his young father anxiously await his birth.
"This is your beginning, as shown by the stars' orbit. Reflect on how you got to this point," Kaito's voice said.
"If you can't break free from your destiny, you'll have to continuously review your past until you exhaust your mental strength and can no longer fight."
From the moment Itachi initiated Tsukuyomi, the confrontation of words and power within the genjutsu seemed to last a long while.
However, to an outside observer, the battle between the two was decided in an instant.
Kisame saw Itachi activate his Mangekyō Sharingan, then Kaito shielded Sasuke, and soon after, Itachi's eyes bled, and he became extremely weakened.
"Hey, you're down just like that, Itachi."
Helping the unsteady Itachi stand, Kisame said gravely, "Another Mangekyō Sharingan appears; your clan truly has many geniuses."
Meanwhile, Sasuke looked at Kaito with suspicion and wonder.
He remembered Itachi saying that to obtain these eyes, one must kill the person most important to them.
Had his uncle also killed someone for power?
Sensing Sasuke's turmoil, Kaito patted his shoulder and said, "Don't overthink it, Sasuke. We can talk about your questions later, but I'm not like your brother."
"Hmph, I'll be waiting for your explanation." Sasuke knew now wasn't the time for such discussions, so he just made a brief comment and quieted down.
Kaito then turned to Itachi's companion and asked, "So, are you going to take action? Mister rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist."
"No," Kisame responded, "This isn't my mission, just Itachi's personal business."
Staying out of matters not part of one's mission, very ninja-like.
"If that's the case, then farewell. When Sasuke returns next time, it will be time for you two to settle things, Itachi."
Kaito comfortably sat on Gurē's back, patted its feathers, and called, "Let's go, Gurē."
"Gurē…" Gurē called out excitedly a few times, then took to the sky with both passengers, flying higher and higher until they disappeared into the clouds.
Afterwards, Kisame also supported Itachi as they slowly left the place.
A while later, Black Zetsu's figure emerged from the ground nearby.
"It's surprising that Itachi was defeated just like that," White Zetsu remarked, "But then again, did you notice the source of the power Kaito used?"
"That was the power of an Onmyōji," Black Zetsu said ominously, "Even though Mother had eradicated those people and destroyed their texts, some of their teachings must have been secretly passed down by the yokai. It must be the yokai that passed it down, and now he also possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan. This could mean he's even more powerful than those from a millennium ago, troublesome indeed."
"Hmph, when the time comes, let Madara and Obito deal with him. As long as Mother is resurrected, nothing else matters; she is invincible!"
"Hehe, indeed."
Meanwhile, in Konoha.
After reporting to Tsunade, Kakashi headed to the Konoha Hospital.
"Yo, Naruto."
Seeing Naruto sitting on the bed staring out the window, he took a seat on a chair beside the bed and asked, "What are you thinking about? Where's Sakura?"
"Ah, Kakashi-sensei, you're here."
Naruto turned around, trying to smile, and answered, "Sakura went to buy me ramen."
"Ah."
Kakashi took out his "Icha Icha Paradise" book to read but still asked, "Thinking about Sasuke, right?"
"Yes, yes." Naruto lowered his head, muttering, "I was thinking, maybe Sasuke won't return to Konoha because he's found his relatives."
"..."
"I worked so hard to earn his recognition..."
"That doesn't sound like you, Naruto," Kakashi said, hitting Naruto's head with the book, smiling, "If you want Sasuke back in Konoha, keep striving and then go convince him. Otherwise, you might end up too weak compared to him."
Hearing Kakashi's words, the gloom in Naruto's eyes gradually dispersed, and he lifted his head, clenching his fists.
"Right! Now's not the time to be down! I will surpass Sasuke! I'll bring Sasuke back, Kakashi-sensei!"