I just returned to Konoha and found that my entire clan was gone.

Chapter 127 Brothers and Brothers (Part 1)

"Itachi, someone is looking for you."

Simply and directly, Konan appeared at the place where Itachi and Kisame were eating and said this.

Kisame's expression became wary upon seeing Konan; he didn't want to fight Itachi unless absolutely necessary.

Itachi finished his food unhurriedly, asked no questions, and put his hat back on.

"Lead the way."

Konan gave Itachi a deep look, somewhat surprised by his actions, but said nothing, and then led the way.

Arriving at a ruin outside Amegakure, the walls of the ruins still bear the emblem of the Uchiha clan.

Without maintenance personnel, the clan emblem on it has become mottled and its colors have faded considerably.

Itachi looked up and glanced at the sky, as if he had made a decision.

"The person waiting for you is inside. Go in by yourself."

Konan had no intention of entering. After learning the details about the Uchiha clan, she knew that such matters should be resolved by them themselves.

Especially these two brothers.

"Has Uchiha Yelan already joined Akatsuki?"

Itachi's words made the two of them tense. Itachi's strength was among the top in Akatsuki, and if they made a move now, the two of them might not be able to capture him.

"Don't be so tense. What Ye Lan has been doing lately—joining Akatsuki after trying to escape is indeed a good option. It's just that he shouldn't have brought Sasuke along..."

Itachi's feelings for Yoru are somewhat complicated. He is Shisui's younger brother, and he harbors no resentment towards Sasuke for his own sake. Instead, he carefully guides him.

Compared to Kakashi, Ye Lan is more suitable to be Sasuke's teacher, and he is puzzled by Ye Lan's betrayal of the village.

According to intelligence, Ye Lan has become an indispensable talent in the village, has befriended some Jonin, and has also gained the Hokage's trust.

Why must we leave the village, just for that so-called clan?

The fact that he took Sasuke with him made him even angrier.

"Uchiha Yelan isn't here; Sasuke is waiting for you inside."

Now that everyone knew, Konan didn't hide it from Itachi.

Itachi was somewhat surprised, but then he remembered that Madara Uchiha had transplanted his younger brother's eyes, and a realization dawned on him.

Is this your plan, Ye Lan?

Itachi went straight into the ruins. He already had enough information, but this time he was still a pawn, the key to helping Sasuke obtain the Eternal Eye.

tick~

Because of the rainy weather, the ruins became damp, with water droplets falling from the ceiling from time to time.

Itachi looked at the figure standing in the center of the ruins.

It had been a while since we last saw him, and Sasuke had grown a bit taller and become even more muscular.

Hearing footsteps, Sasuke turned around.

Surprisingly, the Sharingan's eyes showed no anger whatsoever; instead, they were completely calm.

"Itachi, I've been waiting for this day for a long time..."

Sasuke slowly drew his sword, finally pointing it directly at Itachi's face. Today, he would sever all ties of karma here.

"You shouldn't have left Konoha, Sasuke."

Itachi looked at Sasuke's forehead, which was not wearing a Konoha headband or any other ninja insignia.

Just as Ye Lan said, they have abandoned their identity as ninjas.

"Konoha is full of hypocritical scum. Sooner or later, Ye Lan and I will go back to that place and settle things."

Itachi looked rather unwell; what was originally hatred directed at him was now being shared with Konoha.

This was not the outcome he wanted. He only needed to bear the blame himself, while Sasuke could simply live a peaceful life in Konoha.

“You have been blinded by hatred, Sasuke. You cannot be bound by the narrow-mindedness of the Uchiha clan.”

In Itachi's view, Sasuke cared too much about the Uchiha clan and made a choice that was the opposite of his own between Konoha and the Uchiha.

"Hahahaha~"

After hearing Itachi's words, Sasuke finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Itachi narrowed his eyes, not understanding why Sasuke suddenly laughed.

"You're the one who keeps telling me to remember the hatred, and you're the one who says I'm blinded by hatred! Itachi, is it fun to keep making me your puppet?"

After learning about Danzo's records, Sasuke realized that all his previous experiences were part of a pre-written script.

If Ye Lan hadn't uncovered the truth, he would probably still be diligently doing missions for Konoha.

"It seems that Ye Lan's ideas have influenced you. Your capacity should not be limited to one clan."

"You are truly beyond saving."

A flash of light appeared on Sasuke's ninja sword, forming a bolt of lightning that pierced Itachi's heart.

A trickle of blood flowed from Itachi's mouth, and a look of confusion flashed in his eyes, as if he had been defeated by Sasuke just like that.

"Stop playing these pointless tricks."

Sasuke suddenly turned around and gripped his ninja sword behind his back, successfully deflecting the sneak attack from behind.

It turns out that the Itachi who was just hit was just an illusion.

Itachi's true form had already arrived behind Sasuke, and his attempt to strike with a kunai was immediately blocked by Sasuke.

She tried to grab Sasuke's wrist, but he nimbly dodged her.

Itachi's attack did not stop after the two attacks, and he immediately kicked Sasuke in the lower back.

Because of his position, Sasuke was unable to dodge in time and could only avoid vital points and use the momentum to retreat.

The sound of its shoes gliding across the floor showed that Itachi hadn't held back; even with its serious illness, Itachi's taijutsu was still excellent.

Sasuke stood up again; this was just the beginning.

"Sasuke, just how far can your eyes see right now?"

During the brief pause, Itachi spoke again.

"What I see in these eyes is your death."

Sasuke rushed forward and aimed directly at Itachi's head.

Itachi pulled a kunai from his sleeve and launched a counterattack.

The moment they made contact, both hands gripped the other's attacking right hand, and a sudden stalemate ensued.

"You say your eyes can see my death date, let me see it, little brother."

Sasuke's lips curled up slightly without his noticing. As his thoughts surged, fine currents began to gather quietly at his wrist. Like nimble snakes, they quickly spread throughout his body, enveloping him in a dazzling blue light.

Chidori Stream

However, faced with this sudden attack, Itachi, standing opposite Sasuke, showed no sign of panic. On the contrary, his eyes revealed an indescribable depth and composure.

At the moment Chidori launched his attack, Itachi's body underwent a change.

He seemed to be swallowed up by a mysterious force, instantly transforming into a sky full of crows, their cawing echoing through the air, filled with endless mockery and provocation.

Pshaw, were you planning to create clones from the start?

Before Sasuke could think any further, the crows seemed to be deliberately working against him, densely swarming together and completely blocking his view.

Water Release: Water Fang Bullet

Itachi's figure reappeared where it had been hidden.

Instead of using the Uchiha clan's Fire Release, Itachi directly attacked with Water Release, which is effective against Fire Release.

The choice of this move not only demonstrates Itachi's accurate judgment of the battle situation, but also reflects his profound insight into the enemy's weaknesses.

Suddenly, several rapidly spinning streams of water appeared in the air. Like two angry water snakes, they carried a chilling aura and an invincible power, and pounced directly at Sasuke.

Sasuke was startled by the sudden attack, but he remained calm.

He knew he didn't have time to form hand seals and use ninjutsu, so he could only rely on the speed boost from Chidori Stream to dodge at the last second.

He moved across the battlefield like a ghost, each turn and leap perfectly dodging the water's attacks. Yet, even with such clumsy evasion, Sasuke felt unprecedented pressure.

Itachi had clearly anticipated Sasuke's reaction. He did not rush to pursue, but quietly waited for the best opportunity to arrive.

Finally, in a moment when Sasuke couldn't dodge in time, Itachi seized the opportunity.

The magatama in its eyes transformed into a kaleidoscope shape.

He flashed forward, approaching Sasuke silently like a ghost, bringing the latter right in front of him.

At that moment, Sasuke's eyes met Itachi's Mangekyou Sharingan, and a strong sense of dizziness instantly surged into his heart.

As Sasuke's consciousness faded, he found himself once again in the Moon Realm created by Itachi. This was a phantom world constructed from Itachi's eye technique, filled with endless darkness and despair.

The scene before him felt both incredibly familiar and utterly repulsive to Sasuke.

Chapter 128 Brothers and Younger Brothers (Part Two)

As Sasuke stepped onto that familiar yet unfamiliar road once more, his steps were heavy and slow, each step seeming to tread into the abyss of memory, awakening those past events sealed away by time.

Bright moonlight shone on his face, reflecting the complex emotions in his eyes. At this moment, his thoughts surged like a tidal wave, completely engulfing him in an ocean of memories.

On this day, everything began to change.

However, this time, with his kaleidoscope, he saw Itachi's actions that night much more clearly.

The weasel moves like a ghost, silently flitting through the shadows of every household.

His movements were swift and agile, each strike precise and flawless, leaving no trace.

However, that coldness and ruthlessness were clearly revealed in the bloodstains he left behind when he departed.