At dusk, Itachi left the ANBU building.
This seemingly inconspicuous structure was actually one of the locations set up by the higher-ups to monitor the Uchiha clan.
Inside the ANBU building were countless surveillance devices—monitoring the Uchiha 24/7.
They were suspected of being involved in the Nine-Tails incident, and so the Uchiha were relocated and isolated from the village...
These measures and treatment were all meant to prevent an Uchiha uprising.
At first, Itachi had been shocked by how the village treated his clan.
But when he thought of Yashiro, Inabi, Tekka... even his father's attitude, he came to understand.
The Uchiha were being monitored for a reason.
However, Itachi doubted how effective those measures truly were.
Because the Uchiha had already abandoned the path of violent revolution and had switched to "peaceful evolution."
This more dangerous strategy would allow the Uchiha to seize political power in the village without shedding a drop of blood.
Especially after the war with the Hidden Cloud, the Uchiha name had grown even more renowned.
His father's ambition had only grown stronger.
The priestess attack incident should have served as a wake-up call for the Uchiha. However, thanks to Uzumaki Naruto's help, the mission had been a success. For that mission, his father even directly sent Shisui to assist, and the Hokage had approved it.
The ninja from the Land of Demons would not let this go.
They would surely come again.
And if the Uchiha even managed to eliminate Moryo...
Then, at that time, with his father's reputation at its peak, they would certainly pressure the village leadership openly.
At the very least, they might force Elder Koharu and Elder Homura to step down!
And replace them with their own people.
Itachi was certain that his father would do just that.
So...
Uzumaki Naruto.
Again, Uzumaki Naruto!
Just thinking about Naruto twisted Itachi's expression.
"Itachi, are you okay…?"
A gentle voice and a firm hand fell on his shoulder.
"Captain Kakashi…" Itachi mumbled the name.
"Monitoring your own people must be hard on you… I understand…" Kakashi offered comfort.
No, you don't understand.
Itachi thought silently.
That wasn't what was bothering him. Monitoring his clan didn't matter at all.
"I have to go…"
Itachi walked off.
Seeing how troubled he looked, Kakashi had a bad feeling in his chest.
---
In the woods at dusk.
A man wearing a mask with orange flame-like patterns stood quietly.
He wore a dark loungewear kimono and wooden sandals, like a man on vacation.
"Hmph… Uchiha Itachi. I wondered when you'd notice me… fake cough..."
Tobi turned around and looked at the now-grown Uchiha boy.
"Are you 'Uchiha Madara'?"
Itachi activated his Sharingan and locked eyes with the man.
A man who could use space-time ninjutsu and freely pass through barriers—only Uchiha Madara fit the description.
But this time... the outcome would be completely different.
"Don't be so tense. I have no plans to attack Konoha… at least not today..."
Tobi put one hand on his waist, feeling the time was right.
It was time to lure Itachi and turn him into his pawn.
"I suppose you're worried about your clan's intentions to seize power, aren't you?"
"!"
Tobi's words hit Itachi's heart directly.
"How much do you know?" Itachi asked, guarded.
"Hmph... I told you long ago, I know everything about the Uchiha."
Tobi's tone turned arrogant.
"So, will you side with the Uchiha... or with Konoha?"
"I'm a ninja of Konoha," Itachi replied without hesitation.
"Good."
Satisfied, Tobi nodded.
"When I left the village back then, no one followed me. I hold a deep hatred for the traitors of our clan…"
Tobi continued to manipulate Itachi.
"That hatred hasn't faded, even after all these years…"
Itachi listened silently, sensing the deep resentment Tobi held toward the Uchiha.
"Then, this time, be my ally. Let's deal with those people together…"
Tobi stated plainly.
If your father tries anything, I will take action.
"Fine."
Itachi nodded and walked away.
Their second meeting had resulted in an agreement that satisfied both sides.
Itachi didn't want the Uchiha to take power through force. If he had "Uchiha Madara" backing him, things would become much simpler.
---
On the way home.
Itachi suddenly stopped walking.
In the wind, a girl sat on a swing.
Her long black hair swayed with the breeze, her melancholy face gazing into the twilight sky.
As the swing moved, she looked like a beautiful painting.
"Izumi…"
Seeing her again after just a day apart, Itachi felt something had changed drastically about her.
He swallowed nervously, an unfamiliar urge rising in his chest.
Today, Izumi looked completely different.
More beautiful, somehow...
But there was also a distant, cold loneliness radiating from her.
Itachi walked over and sat on the swing beside hers, and the two began to talk.
The girl's sorrowful smile tore at Itachi's heart.
What had happened to Izumi?
"Izumi."
"Mm?"
"I feel like… I'm getting further away from you…"
"!"
Itachi's words struck Izumi like a hammer to the heart, her expression contorting in pain.
"Itachi…" she whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.
"I'm sorry."
The inarticulate Itachi could only apologize.
And then...
"Let's just stay like this a little longer…"
Though they sat on swings right next to each other, it felt like there was a vast distance between them.
A silent barrier had formed, pulling their lives in separate directions.
"Izumi, we're not even 18 yet, and you're already… where are you going?"
Itachi, with sharp intuition, sensed his lover slipping away from him.
"I'm not going anywhere~." Izumi said almost through tears. She lowered her head, and tears seemed to glimmer in her eyes.
Probably...
Izumi thought to herself, silently adding those two words.
I'm sorry, Itachi.
The one who should apologize... is me.
Even though I helped kill the Nine-Tails, I can never go back. Because...
Last night, when I returned home, I suddenly realized that the blood of the Nine-Tails had stained me with its evil.
The entire night… my body burned… I couldn't sleep…
************************************************
Warning
A dozen chapters are already available on Patreon
patreon.com/Mochi_Whirl