"Then it's settled." Uchiha Obito tilted his head and said to Zetsu, "Zetsu, the task of setting up the barrier is up to you."
"I understand." Upon hearing this, Zetsu slowly merged into the large tree and disappeared.
Watching where Zetsu vanished, Kirito used his *Kyoka Suigetsu* (Mirror Flower Water Moon) to sense Zetsu and realized he was still hiding within the tree. He sneered inwardly and added:
"As for Uchiha Itachi, the traitor, I'll leave him to you. After all, he's my future teammate, and I'm sure you don't want him dead by my hands—at least not yet. Tonight, I'll fake my death at his hands. Until everything is settled, I hope you can keep it a secret."
With that, Kirito's figure flickered and disappeared from Obito's sight.
After walking a short distance, he quietly returned, using *Kyoka Suigetsu* to isolate Obito's and Zetsu's perception of him.
Obito, looking at the spot where Kirito had disappeared, waited until his Sharingan could no longer detect Kirito's chakra. Then he asked, "How is it, Zetsu? Is that guy gone?"
"I can no longer sense Kirito's chakra," Black Zetsu responded.
Hearing this, Obito let out a sigh of relief, but his fear lingered. Ultimately, he realized he had been overly reliant on Kamui's abilities. He had been careless. In just one round, Kirito had seen through his right eye's intangibility ability and wielded an illusion so realistic it was nearly indistinguishable from reality. It almost cost him his life.
If Kirito had intended to kill him then, without any knowledge of Kirito's abilities, Obito would have been in serious danger.
"Madara, what are you thinking? Do you really want to bring Kirito into the Akatsuki? I can't shake the feeling that he's incredibly dangerous! His teleportation is one thing, but that level of genjutsu... it's far beyond anything we've encountered before," White Zetsu questioned Obito.
Obito, upon hearing the name "Madara," regained his usual composure. "Why not? For now, at least, his interests align with ours. No matter how strong Kirito is, he will eventually pale in comparison to the power of the Rinnegan."
"That's true," White Zetsu agreed.
"Black Zetsu, any thoughts on the technique Kirito used? That terrifying speed—even the Fourth Raikage or the Fourth Hokage might not be able to match it," Obito asked, now more cautious than ever.
Black Zetsu thought for a moment before replying, "It resembles Sage Mode, but it's different from the ones from Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, or Shikkotsu Forest. His appearance doesn't change, and it doesn't seem like he's absorbing natural energy and balancing it like ordinary Sage Mode users. It's more akin to Orochimaru's curse seals, but far more advanced. His chakra surges to terrifying levels, as if the power is being released from within. His basic chakra capacity is astonishing, probably comparable to an ordinary member of the Uzumaki clan. Being able to control such immense chakra, he's indeed formidable."
"Sage Mode..." Obito repeated, frowning slightly. "This guy has a lot of secrets. During the battle tonight, observe him closely. I need more information on him—he's too dangerous."
"I understand," Black Zetsu responded respectfully, merging back into the giant tree.
Kirito, standing next to Obito and Zetsu, had already released *Kyoka Suigetsu*, ensuring they couldn't detect him. Satisfied that they were holding up their end of the agreement, he disappeared into the shadows.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi, now dressed in his Anbu uniform, arrived at the Hokage's office.
It was already sunset, and a strange atmosphere loomed not only over the Uchiha clan's territory but all of Konoha. That morning, all Anbu agents monitoring the Uchiha district had been called back to the Anbu base, where they were on high alert, awaiting orders from the Hokage.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood with his hands behind his back, Uchiha Itachi kneeling behind him in his Anbu attire.
"Have you made up your mind, Itachi?" Sarutobi asked, still facing away from him.
Itachi lowered his head, his tone resolute. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
Starting tonight, Itachi would bear the burden of annihilating his entire clan, all for the sake of saving his younger brother, Sasuke.
"This is my failure," Sarutobi said with a heavy sigh. "I had hoped to resolve this peacefully, without resorting to violence. But don't worry about Sasuke. As long as I live, nothing will happen to him."
"Thank you," Itachi said, his voice filled with gratitude. After this brief exchange, Itachi donned his Anbu mask and disappeared from the rooftop.
Shortly after his departure, Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his hand slightly. Two Anbu appeared behind him, kneeling. These two were no ordinary shinobi—they were Sarutobi's eldest son and daughter-in-law, Konohamaru's parents.
"Prepare yourselves," Sarutobi commanded in a tone far colder than usual.
The Uchiha massacre was one of Konoha's top secrets. Even Kakashi and the other Anbu under the Hokage were unaware of it, left on standby at the Anbu base. Only Sarutobi's most trusted aides knew the full extent of the plan.
"Father, do we need to step in?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke, wearing his patterned mask, asked.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for only a moment before responding, "If Itachi and Kirito fail..."
He didn't need to elaborate; the implication was clear. Sarutobi did not doubt Itachi's resolve, but the Uchiha were a powerful clan. Should anyone escape, or should Kirito go berserk upon learning of Uchiha Izumi's death, Sarutobi's trusted shinobi would be the final line of defense. Even Danzo wasn't privy to this part of the plan.
"What if Itachi doesn't kill Kirito?" Shinnosuke asked.
Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent, his eyes closed, as he walked back into the building.
"I understand," Shinnosuke said, understanding his father's intentions. He and his wife disappeared.
Meanwhile, in the Shimura clan's compound, Danzo stood on a stone platform, leaning on his cane, filled with anticipation.
"Tonight, the Second Hokage's long-standing desire to eliminate the Uchiha will finally be realized through me," he declared.
Below him, hundreds of Root ninja stood ready.
(End of the chapter).
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