Zetsu was in a good mood.
Back in the day, they had also intervened in Obito's situation.
As for whether anyone else got involved, they weren't sure.
Madara Uchiha chose Obito, but Obito wasn't his only option.
So, they didn't investigate too deeply into what happened back then.
Because of this.
Kakashi and the others' assumptions were actually wrong.
The Battle of Kannabi Bridge did have interference, but it wasn't for Kakashi and Minato—it was for Obito.
Later, Rin's death was also part of their handiwork.
They made Obito witness Kakashi kill Rin.
No matter the reason, in that moment, Obito's world crumbled.
He began to descend into darkness.
But!
Since the appearance of Uchiha Itsuki, everything started spiraling out of control.
Especially Obito—whether he was provoked or not—his madness had reached new heights, to the point where Zetsu was a bit concerned.
Zetsu worried that one day this lunatic might just turn on him.
Thinking about White Zetsu's death made his heart shiver!
Fortunately.
Danzo stepped in.
He bravely took the blame.
He shouldered everything.
*Sigh.*
Zetsu sometimes marveled; no wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi needed a scapegoat like Danzo.
He was so useful.
Always taking the blame, handling the dirty work, so they could move forward without worry.
As for the "surprise" Obito claimed he would give Itsuki…
Ha!
Would it be a surprise, or more like a shock?
Zetsu had his doubts.
By now, he instinctively felt a sense of fear toward Itsuki.
That guy had strength comparable to Madara Uchiha but with a level of cunning that Madara lacked.
Zetsu had considered contacting Itsuki but stopped at the last minute.
He had a feeling that if he made contact, the consequences would be severe.
Plus!
Itsuki's actions were utterly baffling to Zetsu.
It all seemed so chaotic and crazy, yet it always worked out in the end.
It was frustrating.
"Forget it, let this idiot continue his madness," Zetsu thought, watching Obito with an inscrutable look.
If something went wrong, sorry Obito, but I'll have to sacrifice you to resurrect Madara.
Only Madara can stand against Itsuki.
This is your last chance.
…
At this moment, the Akatsuki's mission had reached its final stages.
The world outside was shaken by the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But!
That was a matter for the ninja villages. What did it have to do with rogue ninjas like them?
They weren't from Konoha. If the Hokage died, so be it.
The only one truly affected was Orochimaru.
When he heard of Hiruzen's death, he fell silent.
All his experiments ceased. He quietly left his secret lab and stepped outside.
Under the moonlight, he stood atop a tall tree, silently gazing at the bright moon.
"Dead?"
"Just like that?"
"And as a rogue ninja, no less."
"Hmph, teacher, to die like that…"
He shook his head lightly.
He had thought countless times about killing Hiruzen himself.
It wasn't out of hatred—it was nostalgia.
He missed the old Hiruzen, so he wanted to personally end the current one, freezing his memory of Hiruzen in the best light possible.
He wanted Hiruzen to die as a hero. At least that way, Konoha would remember him fondly, with respect.
Even if people later criticized him for mistakes, fewer would curse him because he died for Konoha.
Who could have predicted…
Kakashi would be so ruthless.
In broad daylight, Kakashi had killed Hiruzen as a rogue ninja.
How could he dare?
Orochimaru sighed deeply.
He had to admit, he underestimated Kakashi.
In his mind, Kakashi wasn't much different from his subordinate, Kabuto.
Yes!
Kabuto!
After Itsuki left Konoha, the beautiful orphanage director still ended up dead.
It seemed fate was forcing events to follow the original timeline.
So, while Itsuki was around, he constantly influenced Danzo, forcing him to refrain from doing certain things.
Nono Yakushi was one of those things.
Itsuki even hid her away at the last moment, erasing all traces of her existence.
He thought by doing so, he could protect that kind-hearted woman and prevent Kabuto from becoming a major villain.
After all, in the original story, Kabuto's misuse of the Edo Tensei caused massive damage to the ninja world, possibly more than anyone else.
But what happened?
Once Itsuki left, Danzo still found Nono and gave her a mission that led to her death.
As a result, Kabuto left Konoha.
This made Itsuki laugh bitterly.
The already chaotic Naruto timeline had now become even more chaotic.
So much so that Itsuki could only feel his way forward, step by step.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
As soon as Itsuki thought of Kabuto, he appeared.
Standing before Orochimaru, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and calmly said, "Are you grieving Hiruzen's death?"
"How could I be?"
Orochimaru sneered, "I'm just lamenting that I didn't get to kill him myself."
Kabuto seemed to chuckle softly.
"If you're fine, then let's head back. We have much to do."
Orochimaru gazed at his back and suddenly asked, "What about you, Kabuto? Danzo was killed by my teacher. How do you feel?"
"I feel nothing."
Kabuto's voice was calm. "I just believe that if a ninja wants to control their own fate, they need enough strength. Right now, I only want to become stronger."
In the original story.
Nono Yakushi was accidentally killed by Kabuto, leading to his breakdown and loss of self.
But this was different from the current ninja world.
Nono's death had nothing to do with Kabuto.
Still, her death had a profound impact on him.
Kabuto believed her death was due to his lack of strength, and now, he wanted to gain enough power.
Power that could dominate the entire ninja world.
"Very good!"
Orochimaru smiled widely, "Then let's continue. We still have much to do."
…
*Boom!*
With a loud thud, a corpse crashed to the ground, making a deep sound.
Kakuzu's voice, full of fury, echoed: "Nine Tailed Beasts, and now only the Eight-Tails remains."
"Hm!"
Itsuki stood at the center, his expression calm. "The Eight-Tails won't be easy. It's the most perfect jinchūriki and the strongest one. Who wants to give it a shot?"
"Oh!"
Deidara chuckled. "Itsuki-bro, you're saying we won't be splitting up the Eight-Tails like the others, one per person?"
"Right!"
Itsuki emphasized, "The Eight-Tails is no ordinary beast."
Shukaku, the One-Tail, had been extracted from Gaara by Itsuki.
Gaara's body still contained a portion of Shukaku's chakra to keep him alive.
Once that chakra ran out, Gaara would die.
Of course, Gaara had his own chakra. Why would he use the chakra that kept him alive?
Matatabi, the Two-Tails, had also been partially extracted from Yugito.
Though its power had diminished, Yugito was still a jinchūriki, and thanks to Itsuki, she was nearing perfection.
The Three-Tails, without a jinchūriki, had been captured and sealed directly into the Ten-Tails' vessel.
After capturing the Four-Tails, Roshi, he was immediately sealed.
Roshi died!
The Five-Tails, Han, met the same fate as Roshi.
The Six-Tails, Utakata, suffered the same.
As for the Seven-Tails, things were a little better. Itsuki felt some pity for the young girl and left her with a bit of the Seven-Tails' chakra to sustain her life.
Naruto Uzumaki, with the Nine-Tails, was also treated similarly. The Nine-Tails' main body was sealed within the Ten-Tails' shell, but all of the Nine-Tails' chakra remained in Naruto's body. However, Itsuki noticed that recently Naruto seemed a bit unsettled.
It wasn't that Naruto had his own thoughts, but the chakra within him often fluctuated.
It was as if it were responding to some sort of call.
This made Itsuki wonder if that old geezer in the Pure Land, Otsutsuki Hagoromo, might be up to something.
That guy claimed to be dead, yet he continued to linger in the Pure Land.
Even when his two reincarnated sons were battling their own mother, Kaguya, he was still able to send power remotely to aid them.
You think he can't do anything?
Are you kidding me?
In the end, that guy even summoned the previous five Kage.
If that happened near me, I swear I'd be scared out of my mind.
You say he can't do anything? Then what's it like when he can? One look could destroy half of the ninja world.
In front of you, Kaguya wouldn't even be a motherly figure—she'd be more like a granddaughter.
The Eight-Tails!
Now, only the Eight-Tails remain.
Itsuki looked up at the Ten-Tails' shell.
This thing is definitely pretending.
It can already move now, no doubt.
It has the power of the Eight-Tails!
Back then, when Itsuki faced Killer Bee, the latter had severed his own tail to escape, just like in the original story.
So, inside the Ten-Tails' shell, there was already a significant amount of the Eight-Tails' power.
Obito's orders?
Madara?
Who cares!
Anyway, once the Ten-Tails is revived, Itsuki himself will also gain considerable power.
Not bad!
Itsuki issued a mission to revive the Ten-Tails.
Once this mission is completed, his power will undoubtedly increase significantly.
[Uchiha Itsuki!]
[Age: 18]
[Ninjutsu: Level 7 (7%)]
[Taijutsu: Level 6 (39%)]
[Genjutsu: Level 7 (33%)]
[Kekkei Genkai: Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan {Eye Power: Level 7 (97%)}]
[Chakra: 24 points (24%)]
…
[Ninjutsu]
[Fire Style]
[Great Fireball Jutsu: Level 7 (27%)]
[Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu: Level 7 (25%)]
[Dragon Fire Technique: Level 7 (54%)]
…
[Water Style]
[Water Bullet Technique: Level 7 (10%)]
[Water Dragon Bullet Technique: Level 7 (11%)]
…
[Lightning Style]
…
[Earth Style]
…
[Sage Mode: Level 7 (90%)]
[Flying Thunder God: Level 7 (27%)]
[Chakra: 249,651 points!]
The Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan is now one step closer to becoming the Rinnegan! 97%!
Before reviving the Ten-Tails, it's certain that he will reach the Rinnegan, and then, with the rewards from completing the mission, he'll have enough momentum to push his Sage Mode to Level 8 in one go.
Rinnegan Level 8, Sage Mode Level 8!
Itsuki couldn't believe that even then, he wouldn't be able to deal with Madara. After defeating Madara, his power would further increase.
Hamura!
Hagoromo!
Will you two step in personally?
Probably not, right? As long as I control things and prevent Kaguya's revival...
Wait a minute!
Reviving her might not be a bad idea!
As long as...
Itsuki suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but chuckle.
Hmm?
While chuckling, Itsuki glanced at his "golden finger" system.
Eighteen?
Am I already eighteen?
Itsuki was a bit taken aback.
Or rather, am I only eighteen?
Why does it feel like so many years have passed?
And I'm still only eighteen?
Achieving all of this at the age of eighteen... it must be unprecedented in the ninja world, right? But of course, that's not much to brag about.
Reaching accomplishments no one else has by eighteen—so what?
What's the result?
If I can't win, I'll die, and no one cares how old I am or how many achievements I've unlocked.
Only the last winner decides everything!
Until then...
Eight-Tails, I hope capturing you will help me grow some more!
Itsuki opened his eyes and looked at the members of the Akatsuki organization, saying, "Who's interested in the mission to capture the Eight-Tails? We'll do it in teams!"
Teams?
Two people to capture the Eight-Tails?
The members of Akatsuki showed some disdain.
The Eight-Tails is strong, but so what? Are they weak?
Itsuki's gaze swept over them, finally settling.
"Kakuzu, Hidan, Sasori, and Deidara, you four go!"
"???"
"Four?"
The four nearly burst out laughing.
Two people weren't enough, so you're sending four? Who do you think you're underestimating?
"Sasori, behave!" Itsuki said with a smile. "This is for you!"
He tossed a scroll casually.
Sasori caught it and opened it immediately.
The contents left him stunned.
Inside were just a few simple puppets.
Even someone unfamiliar with puppetry could tell these were rudimentary creations.
Yet, Sasori was fascinated.
"Uchiha Itsuki, is this for me?"
"Yes, how about it? Will you cooperate?"
"Absolutely!"
Sasori answered without hesitation.
"Hey, hey, hey, Sasori-senpai!"
Deidara was dumbfounded.
"Shut up!"
The only response was Itsuki's sharp command.
Itsuki then turned to Kakuzu and said, "I'm not just the leader of the Akatsuki organization, I'm also the Hokage of Fire Shadow Village."
"So?"
"So, I control both of their finances!"
Itsuki grinned, "You like money, right? Don't you want to earn money? Don't you want to own all the money in the world? Fire Shadow Village will fully support you, and even Mist and Sand Villages will cooperate with you."
Kakuzu fell silent.
After a long pause, he nodded.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn't agree.
But Itsuki was different.
This guy... could fight!
He had given him so much face, such great benefits—Kakuzu figured if he didn't agree, Itsuki would likely tear him apart on the spot.
Don't think it's impossible.
When Itsuki gets serious, he can take down the entire Akatsuki.
He had almost killed him once.
Kakuzu was confident!
Itsuki then turned his gaze to the last two, Hidan and Deidara.
The two stood tall, curious to see how Itsuki would convince them.
Itsuki, however, smiled and said, "If you don't behave, I'll kill you, right here, right now. Don't believe me? Try me."
Hidan and Deidara: "..."
(End of this chapter)