Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

"When that time comes, I'll tell him the truth that he survived. What do you think Sasuke's mindset will be then?"

As Shimura Gengetsu described it, Uchiha Mikoto's heart was completely panicked, and her body was trembling slightly.

She could fully imagine how painful it must have been for Sasuke at that time, living with the blood debt of hundreds of his clansmen, and even his brother, whom he considered an enemy, did this for his sake.

And because of his pursuit of power, he became isolated and alienated, and the whole world became his enemy...

Just thinking about Sasuke's confusion and pain at that time made Mikoto Uchiha feel like she couldn't breathe.

thump!

Uchiha Mikoto knelt on the ground, pleading in a mournful voice, "Lord Gengetsu, please stop this from happening! They are brothers!"

"I am willing to let Sasuke give up his desire for revenge, and I don't even need him to become a ninja. I just hope that he can live a peaceful and happy life."

"Tsk."

With a half-smile, Shimura Gengetsu said, "I've discovered another characteristic of your family: you always use the guise of doing what's best for your relatives to arrange other people's lives."

"Itachi is like that, and so are you."

"But have you considered what Sasuke himself is thinking?"

Uchiha Mikoto, who was lying prostrate on the ground, was stunned.

"Having witnessed his brother kill their parents and slaughter his clan, carrying such a blood feud, you think you can make him let it go with just a few words?"

"Besides..."

With a wave of his hand, Shimura Gengetsu changed the space in front of him and Uchiha Mikoto, revealing the scenery of the outside world.

"have a look."

Upon hearing Shimura Gengetsu's instructions, Uchiha Mikoto raised her head. In front of her was a small village with only a little over a hundred houses, of which only about twenty had lights on.

"Where is this?" Mikoto Uchiha asked in confusion.

"Let's go inside and take a look."

Shimura Gengetsu led her through Takamagahara, their presence undetectable to outsiders, yet they could clearly see the outside world.

The ethereal bodies passed through the wooden door, and the two entered a courtyard.

Two children, a boy and a girl, were refining chakra in the yard. Even with the wind and snow falling, they remained motionless, using the harsh environment to train their concentration.

Upon seeing their faces clearly, Uchiha Mikoto covered her mouth in surprise:

"Asami, Fouji?!"

The Uchiha clan only had a few hundred members, and Mikoto Uchiha knew almost all of them, so she recognized them immediately.

What's going on? Didn't Itachi kill all his clansmen? Why are there still two survivors here?

"Mami, Fuji, rest for a while, then come in and eat."

An old woman came out of the house; Uchiha Mikoto recognized her.

"Grandma Canghai..."

"There are forty-two people in total. Oh, and with Senior Shisui, there are forty-three people in total."

“I’m a good person in every way, except that I’m sometimes too soft-hearted. They are all orphans I rescued on the night of the massacre.”

Gengetsu Shimura leaned closer and whispered in Mikoto Uchiha's ear, "They want Itachi dead, and they want Sasuke dead too. Do you think... Sasuke will still be able to live a peaceful life in the future?"

“I…I can atone for my sins with my death.”

The only solution Mikoto Uchiha could think of was to sacrifice herself to save her sons, even if it meant just holding one of them.

"pity..."

"You seem to think too highly of yourself."

Gengetsu Shimura shook his head helplessly, "If someone else had killed your whole family, and then someone else had been brought out to atone for their sins, would you have forgiven them so easily?"

"Sasuke's only hope of living a normal life is in my hands."

"On one hand, there's the burden of all the world's mistakes; on the other, there's the bond she carries and the forgiveness of her people..."

Gengetsu Shimura waved his hand, shutting out the view of the outside world, and revealed a gentle smile.

Her words sent chills down Mikoto's spine.

"Mrs. Mikoto, you wouldn't want your son to suffer any more, would you?"

(The picture shows Uchiha Mikoto.)

Chapter 111 Itachi Uchiha Regains Confidence, Gengetsu Shimura's Request

Just as Shimura Gengetsu was making his plans for the Land of Snow, Uchiha Itachi recovered from his injuries and, as agreed with the masked man, arrived in the Land of Rain.

Although he had been given a second chance at life, Itachi Uchiha's heart remained heavy.

He discovered that Susanoo's exploitation of the Mangekyou Sharingan was utterly devastating.

Since he awakened his Mangekyou Sharingan, he has rarely used its power, but the fact that he activated Susanoo just once is equivalent to using Amaterasu dozens of times.

He now sees double images appearing on the trees along the roadside.

Blindness was just one of the side effects; more seriously, Itachi Uchiha felt the Mangekyou Sharingan damaging his body.

His body simply couldn't withstand such powerful pupil energy.

If things continued like this, he didn't know how many more years he could live, and a sense of urgency rose in his heart.

It would be a real joke if he didn't live to see Sasuke grow up and awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan.

I've decided to take a break and retire for a few years to properly take care of my health.

Itachi Uchiha arrived at an Akatsuki base in the Land of Rain.

Pain, who possessed the Rinnegan, sensed Itachi Uchiha's arrival from afar and waited for the newcomer with several Akatsuki members.

When Itachi Uchiha appeared in the sunlight, dressed in Anbu attire, and slowly removed his mask, Orochimaru, who was standing not far from Pain, was first shocked, then a smile appeared on his lips.

"Uchiha Itachi..."

Ten days have passed since the night of the massacre, enough time for the news to spread.

The entire ninja world knew what Itachi Uchiha had done. He single-handedly destroyed a powerful clan that had been passed down for a thousand years and could only be rivaled by the Senju clan. Everyone was terrified.

They were both alarmed by his ruthlessness and wary of his strength.

Orochimaru had naturally heard about this. He had a conversation about life with Itachi Uchiha when they were young, and Itachi, who was only four or five years old at the time, left a deep impression on him.

Now... seeing those scarlet eyes, Orochimaru excitedly licked his lips.

Those eyes must possess immense power to have killed so many of their own.

Itachi Uchiha keenly noticed Orochimaru's malice, frowned slightly, but did not react on the spot. Instead, he nodded to the leader with round eyes.

"I am Uchiha Itachi, a rogue ninja from Konoha. I came here after hearing about an organization that specifically takes in S-rank rogue ninjas."

Pain had already spoken with Madara, and nodded expressionlessly. "You seem to be late. Some time has passed since the night of the massacre. Can you tell me where you've been lately?"

Pain always harbored suspicions about Madara's motives and identity, and their relationship was one of cooperation and exploitation.

Uchiha Itachi was recommended by Madara, which naturally aroused Madara's suspicion, hence the probing question.

Uchiha Itachi lowered his eyelids. "After I escaped the village, I was caught up by Shimura Gengetsu and fought him. I've been recuperating these past few days."

"Shimura Genzuki..."

Pain pondered for a moment upon hearing the name, "That Konoha Shinigami, did you ultimately win?"

"It was him, I didn't win." Itachi Uchiha did not deny it and frankly admitted his defeat. "Shimura Gengetsu has almost no weaknesses. He is an extremely powerful opponent. I almost couldn't escape."

This wasn't to glorify myself, but simply to let Payne understand how I escaped.

Itachi Uchiha believed that every ninjutsu has its own weaknesses, and the same is true for ninjas.

However, the appearance of Shimura Gengetsu proves that perfect ninjutsu may not exist, but perfect ninjas can exist, and they can use their own power to make up for the shortcomings of ninjutsu.

"The geniuses of Konoha are truly endless," said Juzo Biwa, carrying his Executioner's Blade.

He then thought of that unknown genin who had single-handedly turned the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into a group of lucky charms.

Orochimaru agreed with Juzo Biwa's statement and even sarcastically remarked to someone, "Indeed... but he should be most grateful that his surname is Shimura."

Although they had never met, Orochimaru still remembered Shimura Gengetsu.

After all, Danzo had used both soft and hard tactics to take the Kusanagi sword from him and give it to Shimura Gengetsu as a birthday present.

I never expected this little guy to reach such a height.

Payne nodded silently, noting down the name Shimura Gengetsu; he was indeed a threat.

He then took out a ring and handed it to Itachi Uchiha.

"From now on, you are an official member of Akatsuki, codenamed Zhu. Come with Konan to get your organization uniform in a bit."

"The organization operates in pairs. Your teammate is Juzo Hibiki. Ask him if you don't understand anything."

After saying that, Payne turned and disappeared into the darkness.

With the help of his Sharingan, Itachi Uchiha realized that the leader of the Akatsuki organization did not walk, but flew.