"You will become my test subject in the future; you have that potential. But right now, you hold no value. You can be like me, possessing the qualifications to learn the Mangekyō Sharingan. However, there is one condition to acquire this eye: you must..."
"Kill your closest loved ones."
"When you possess an eye like mine, come back to me..."
Itachi suddenly halted the words he had been prepared to say, realizing that Sasuke's hand was tightly gripping a kunai hidden behind his back.
Sasuke, who was on the verge of losing consciousness, trembled all over. The dullness in his eyes ignited with a crimson glow, revealing a mix of fear and a flicker of... undying anger.
It was as if he had been momentarily revived.
Itachi found himself surprised by how little he understood his younger brother. At least, he didn't comprehend where this tenacity came from, this refusal to succumb even in the face of nearly total despair.
"Rasengan!" A sudden whirlwind echoed between Sasuke and Itachi, the emerald light shooting up like the sun breaking through the clouds.
In a moment of panic, Itachi released his hold on Sasuke's arm, evading the unexpected attack.
In that split second, he refrained from counterattacking; the way the opponent called out the name of the technique indicated that there was no real intent to ambush him.
On the ground, Sasuke coughed violently, struggling to lift his head to see the figure that had come to his aid.
As he neared unconsciousness, the figure's silhouette etched itself deeply into his vision.
"Naruto..." Sasuke lost all strength and fainted.
Vortex Naruto?
Itachi recognized the newcomer immediately. The striking blond hair and the distinctive whisker-like marks on his face identified him as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki from Konohagakure, Uzumaki Naruto.
After unexpectedly separating him from Sasuke, "Naruto" cast a glance at the kunai clutched in Sasuke's hand. Understanding something, he swiftly drew a shuriken, adopting a stance of readiness.
This unexpected turn caused Itachi, who had maintained a calm demeanor, to frown. It wasn't fear of battling Naruto, but rather the unpredictable nature of this situation.
He couldn't grasp why Naruto was here, and that technique earlier—the signature jutsu of the Fourth Hokage, the Rasengan—was an A-ranked ninjutsu that didn't require hand seals. Had Naruto learned it too? Why had he chosen to push him back rather than directly attack?
How much had he seen while remaining hidden? And if Uchiha Madara, who was rumored to control the Nine-Tails, discovered him...
However, this was a misunderstanding on Itachi's part. When the Third Hokage ordered the lifting of Naruto's restrictions within the village, the news of Naruto's Flying Thunder God technique was strictly prohibited from being shared. The Third Hokage merely issued a release order.
Thus, even Itachi was unaware of the means by which "Naruto" had appeared here.
If anyone else had come, Itachi wouldn't hesitate to eliminate them, even if they were a jōnin from the village. Tonight's events could not be known to others. Yet, Naruto's identity caused Itachi to hesitate.
And it was this hesitation that seemed to alert the sudden arrival of "Naruto," who appeared ready to pick up the unconscious Sasuke and flee.
Mangekyō Sharingan... Tsukuyomi!
Itachi abruptly activated the powerful genjutsu residing in his left eye, pulling the seemingly unsuspecting "Naruto" into the illusion space. A crow flew into the illusionary realm—
Reluctantly, he was forced to use Shisui's Kotoamatsukami to make Naruto forget everything that had happened today and to hide him away. He could not allow Uchiha Madara to find out about him!
Meanwhile, some distance away from the Uchiha clan district, Danzo of the Root organization frowned at the person standing in his way.
"What do you want, Hyuga Hiashi?"
He hadn't expected the leader of the Hyuga clan to appear here, blocking his path.
These prominent clans were well aware of the events that would unfold today; they should all be at home. Why...
Danzo glanced at the Hyuga clan members dressed in elite ninja jackets standing behind Hiashi, their Byakugan trained on him. He could even sense a few gazes lingering on the bandages wrapping his body, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Sensing the hostile attitude, the Root members behind Danzo also readied themselves for battle.
"Lord Danzo, I apologize, but I have come on the Hokage's orders to escort you to the Hokage's office," Hiashi said, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his serious face devoid of any hostility, as if he were merely conducting business.
"Why would Sarutobi... the Hokage send you to inform me? Don't joke around; step aside." Danzo snorted, clearly unconvinced by Hiashi's words.
Even if the Third Hokage truly had urgent business, he would not send the leader of the Hyuga clan to deliver the message; a mere Anbu would suffice. Hiashi coming personally must have some ulterior motive. Could the Hyuga and Uchiha clans be colluding... impossible. Hiashi's timid and fearful nature would only bring trouble to his own clan by appearing now.
Could it be true that Sarutobi sent him to stop me? Has that soft-hearted fool changed his mind?
No, Sarutobi probably just discovered that I was dissatisfied with the Root members contacting Naruto. Surely he knows what the truly important matter is today?
Danzo's mind was racing with wild speculations about Hiashi's presence with his clan members.
But soon, his interest waned; the most pressing matter was to swiftly retrieve the Uchiha clan members who possessed the Sharingan.
Yet Hiashi stood his ground, not budging from Danzo's path.
"...Has the Hyuga clan become too comfortable recently to dare interfere with Root's actions?" Danzo glared at Hiashi with his remaining eye, a hint of threat glimmering within it.
"I am merely acting on the Hokage's orders, hoping Lord Danzo will cooperate." Hiashi reiterated, his assertiveness leaving Danzo puzzled as the two sides remained at a standoff.
But before long, Danzo decided not to waste any more time with him. He stood with his hands behind his back, signaling with his concealed left hand. The Root members instantly recognized Danzo's intention—
Watch me take action, and then strike without mercy!
He considered himself the executor of justice within Konoha, taking extreme measures in extraordinary times. His brutal methods were beyond the understanding of someone like Hiashi, who enjoyed a life of privilege.
If he could wipe out the Uchiha, the Hyuga wouldn't be a challenge either.
However, just as Danzo prepared to act, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine as an intense killing intent, seemingly aimed solely at him, emanated from the distant woods!
Danzo quickly turned to the side, but there was nothing there, as if the feeling had been nothing more than an illusion.
Just as Danzo was questioning himself, a soft cough echoed from behind them: "What's all this commotion about today?"
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, approached, his face devoid of the usual friendly demeanor.