Land of Lightning, Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village)
"Itachi, long time no see."
Naruto looked at Uchiha Itachi and smiled faintly. "I didn't expect to meet you like this."
Uchiha Itachi gave a bitter smile. "I didn't expect that when we met again, it would be under these circumstances. However, Naruto... you truly surprised me. I now believe you really came from the future."
Naruto let out a soft, rueful laugh. "So, you didn't believe me before? Then why did you give me Shisui's eye?"
Itachi responded candidly, "Because you're the only one who has always treated my little brother like a true brother. At that time, I had no one else to entrust it to. When I heard what you said… I chose to trust you."
Naruto was momentarily overwhelmed with emotion.
Back then, Itachi was already terminally ill and nearing death. He was preparing for his final battle with Sasuke, ready to die by his brother's hand. Aside from Naruto, he truly had no one he could trust.
Itachi continued, his gaze still steady. "Naruto, your growth has exceeded my expectations. To think you've attained such tremendous power…"
There was genuine pride in his voice. He hadn't trusted the wrong person—Naruto had indeed become powerful, and more importantly, he was reshaping the entire ninja world.
"By the way, Naruto," Itachi asked, "how did you obtain the Rinnegan?"
Naruto chuckled lightly. "All thanks to you, Itachi. I used Shisui's Kotoamatsukami on Nagato. It allowed him to see his true heart… and in return, he entrusted me with his Rinnegan."
Itachi's eyes widened with shock. He used Kotoamatsukami to alter Nagato's will? Then he sighed in awe. "To think you could make full use of the Rinnegan…"
The Rinnegan—or the Eye of Samsara—wasn't something anyone could use simply by possessing it. Its chakra and ocular demands were extreme, and only those with specific bloodlines or life force could sustain it.
"And Sasuke?" Itachi asked quietly. "Do you know where he is?"
"He's still with Obito," Naruto replied.
Itachi frowned. "Why not bring him to your side? With Kotoamatsukami, you could change his perception too."
Naruto shook his head firmly. "I don't want to alter Sasuke's mind. I want to influence him the same way I did in my past life. Besides… his existence is just as crucial as mine. I need him to grow—so he can face the enemies of the future by my side."
Itachi sighed softly. "I see."
Originally, Itachi had intended to use Kotoamatsukami on Sasuke—to implant the command to protect Konoha above all else. But after Naruto's explanation, he had redirected the technique and passed the eye to Naruto instead.
Let it be. Since he trusted Naruto, he had to respect his choices. Itachi knew better than most that many of his own actions had seemed incomprehensible to others—yet behind them were burdens and truths no one else could bear.
Naruto surely had his own reasons too.
"By the way, Itachi, there's something I need to ask you."
"Go ahead."
Naruto looked him dead in the eye and asked seriously, "Do you have any of Shisui's DNA? Flesh or blood?"
Itachi's expression froze. "Why? What are you planning to do?"
Naruto gave a harmless-looking smile. "Danzō stole Shisui's eye. I retrieved it. Now, I possess both of his Mangekyō Sharingan. I want to resurrect Shisui—bring him back and have him fight for our side."
Itachi's face turned pale. "Naruto, are you insane? You want to resurrect Shisui?"
Naruto met his gaze unwaveringly. "Not just Shisui. I want to bring you back too."
"I don't agree," Itachi said sternly, his voice absolute. "For our generation of shinobi, death is the ultimate peace. If Shisui and I return to life, everything we worked for in the shadows will be dragged into the light. Konoha's past actions, the Uchiha Massacre, the dark compromises… everything will come under scrutiny. What unity will Konoha have left then? What will the other villages think?"
Naruto sighed and gently placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder.
"From your perspective, you're not wrong. But you're forgetting the bigger picture. Our true enemy… isn't from this world."
Naruto's voice grew firmer, his eyes burning with resolve.
"The grudges and betrayals among shinobi must be set aside. Our focus needs to shift—toward the threat beyond the stars. If the entire shinobi world is wiped out, then tell me, Itachi… what was the point of your sacrifice?"
His words silenced Itachi completely.
Yes. If the ninja world was to fall, what meaning would his secrecy, his pain, and his sacrifice hold?
Naruto stepped closer. "I have a plan. Please, trust me—just like you did before."
Itachi stared into Naruto's eyes, searching for hesitation… but found none. After a few seconds, he exhaled deeply.
"Once you gain full control over me," he said slowly, "I'll hand over Shisui's cells to you."
Naruto's face lit up with joy.
Land of Lightning — The Daimyō's Court
The Raikage sat on his throne, legs crossed, one hand gripping the armrest and the other tapping rhythmically on the table. His gaze was icy as it swept across the daimyo and the high-ranking officials of the Land of Lightning.
Beside him stood Killer Bee, one of his Eight Tails tails extended and swaying freely, almost provocatively.
Tutai suppressed a chuckle, though he dared not laugh aloud. This was hardly the time for levity.
Sweat trickled down the daimyo's forehead. He finally broke the silence. "Lord Raikage, I heard you've just awakened from your coma. Are you all right?"
Raikage Ai snorted coldly. "By some damn miracle, I'm not dead."
The daimyo gave an awkward laugh and wisely decided to let Raikage lead the conversation from there.
One of the senior ministers couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and shouted angrily, "Raikage Ai! Watch your tone when addressing the daimyo!"
Regardless of how powerful Kumogakure was, it still depended on the Land of Lightning's national budget and finances.
Raikage's eyes narrowed. He sat up straighter.
"I heard… that while I was unconscious, someone tried to strip me of my title—claiming I'd endangered the village?"
His sharp gaze sliced across the room, scanning every high-ranking official present.
Killer Bee's Eight Tails tail began swaying faster and more violently—he was ready to pounce at any moment.
The daimyo was furious, but he couldn't confront Raikage Ai the same way he did with Dodai. After all, Bee was the Jinchūriki of the Eight Tails. His Tailed Beast Ball could destroy entire fortresses—no one in the court could resist that kind of power.
Another elder stepped forward, trying to maintain authority. "The situation was dire. You were in a coma. Kumogakure was under assault. Our military strength was critically weakened. We only suggested a new Raikage to stabilize things. Was that so wrong?
Moreover, we recommended your brother, Killer Bee, for the position. Are you saying you even object to him?"
The room buzzed with nervous energy. Several other officials smirked smugly—this was their trump card. The nomination wasn't a power grab—it was an endorsement of Raikage's own brother. What could he possibly say against that?
Killer Bee scoffed. "I don't want the job. Only my bro can be a proper Raikage."
The daimyo's expression twisted in frustration. So, the rumors were true—Killer Bee was indeed Raikage's younger brother.
Raikage Ai let out a long, weary sigh. "I won't pursue this matter any further. I won't bring it up again."
Then he grabbed a thick scroll from the table and hurled it in front of the daimyo.
"This is the alliance decree for the formation of the Shinobi Allied Forces. Sign it."
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