That night, Uchiha Izumi lay awake, her mind swirling with troubling thoughts about the Divine Ink residing within her.
When did all this begin? she wondered silently. I first sensed something strange when the White Snake Sage bestowed upon me the Sage Mode chakra and spiritual energy. At that moment, something within me shifted—something I couldn't quite grasp.
She sighed deeply, feeling the heavy weight of her situation pressing down on her.
But what's the use of dwelling on it now? My life—and death—are already in someone else's hands. What can I do but wait and endure?
Resolving to understand the mysterious power inside her, Izumi decided to learn everything she could about the Divine Ink's abilities.
"Hey, Divine Ink, are you there? Can you hear me?" she called out into the emptiness of her thoughts, willing some kind of response.
Silence.
After a few moments, realizing the ink spirit was ignoring her, Izumi gave up on the idea of communicating directly.
Tch. Figures. I guess I still have to rely on myself.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced—an odd detail from her previous battle with Rayin. Back then, her ink hadn't stuck to him like usual. But it hadn't fallen off either. Instead, it seemed to melt seamlessly into his body.
She hadn't thought much of it at the time, but now it echoed in her mind like an important clue.
Could there be some hidden ability I don't know about? she wondered. Yet, the desire to explore this possibility was faint.
What's the use? It's still someone else's ability—not mine.
Izumi lay back, staring blankly at the ceiling for a long time.
Then, slowly, she opened her eyes, revealing the crimson glow of her Mangekyō Sharingan. She sat up abruptly.
A dark, skeletal pattern began to emerge over her body, like a shadow wrapping itself around her skin, twisting and crawling like living ink.
Izumi's breath hitched as the black skeleton seemed to pulse with her heartbeat.
Suddenly, she stood up, and just as quickly, the shadow vanished, leaving her bare skin exposed once more.
"That's right," she murmured through clenched teeth. "I still have to take revenge."
Her crimson eyes narrowed with cold determination.
"Their lives will be worse than death. I'm going to use them for experiments—test subjects in my quest for power."
Dark ink gathered in her palm, coiling and writhing like a living thing.
Izumi absorbed it into her body, feeling the energy pulse through her veins.
She glanced at the faint city lights twinkling outside her window and licked her lips, anticipation flickering in her eyes.
"Tomorrow," she whispered, "I'll find someone to test it on."
---
The next morning, just as Izumi prepared to leave, a sudden knock echoed on her door.
She opened it to find Uchiha Itachi standing there, his expression marked with concern.
"Izumi," he said quietly, "are you alright? I just returned from a mission and heard about what happened to you…"
Izumi forced a weak smile, shaking her head.
"I'm fine. Much better than before. After all, people must always look forward."
Itachi's brow furrowed as he studied her gaunt, haggard appearance.
"Are you really okay?" he asked softly.
Izumi nodded, summoning as much strength as she could.
"Yes, I am. I'm stronger now than ever."
A silence hung between them.
Then Itachi hesitated before speaking again.
"Are you going out?"
"Yes," she replied simply. "I'm going out to relax."
"I'll come with you," he offered.
Izumi paused, then nodded slowly.
"Alright."
---
Together, they walked through the streets.
Because Itachi accompanied her, no one dared to openly mock or stare.
Still, icy glares followed them from the shadows.
Izumi caught Itachi's uneasy expression and smiled faintly.
"Does it bother you? Being looked at like this?" she asked.
He nodded slightly, discomfort clear on his face.
"Well, this is the better side of it," Izumi said with a bitter laugh. "If you weren't here, they'd be pointing fingers and whispering even more."
Itachi's heart ached as he watched her forced smile.
"I'll have my father warn the others," he said softly. "After all, he's the Clan Head."
"No need," Izumi said quickly, shaking her head.
"For me, this is a test. Since everything that happened, I feel like I've grown—transcended myself."
Itachi glanced at her, unease growing.
"Are you really okay?" he repeated, his voice filled with genuine worry.
Izumi smiled again, brighter this time.
"Of course. My current state is better than ever before. Don't worry about me."
Itachi still wasn't convinced.
"If there's anything—any dissatisfaction—tell me. Vent it on me."
She shook her head.
"I'm a ninja. I can endure pain."
---
Itachi looked at her pale face and forced smile and felt a deep sadness.
Summoning his courage, he stepped forward and embraced her tightly.
"Ah!" Izumi gasped, surprised.
Her tension melted away as they held each other.
She gently stroked his necklace and thought to herself:
He's quite proactive... If it weren't for all the problems with the Clan and the Village, maybe Izumi and Itachi could have been together—really together—in the future.
But then her eyes shifted, turning cold as a razor.
She glanced at Itachi with a faint smile.
"Itachi," she whispered, "you must be troubled by the Clan and the Village, too."
He nodded solemnly.
"Yes. I don't know how to resolve the conflict between them."
Izumi leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I have an idea."
"Oh?" Itachi asked, his curiosity piqued.
"As long as you become Hokage."
---
Itachi's expression changed. He frowned deeply.
"That's impossible," he said. "With the relationship between the Village and the Uchiha, they would never let me become Hokage."
Izumi's eyes burned with intensity.
"The younger generation in the Village has no one who can compare to you. Kakashi is strong, yes, but not comparable to you."
"You've noticed, haven't you? When you fought him, it wasn't like you had no chance. Your future strength and accomplishments will surpass his."
"You need to tell the Clan and the higher-ups in Konoha that if you become Hokage, you can resolve these conflicts."
Itachi shook his head, still doubtful.
"My strength is not enough yet."
Izumi touched his cheek gently, a smile blooming on her pale face.
"Who said it has to be now? I'm talking about the future."
"As long as your power grows and your prestige rises, they will see you in a new light."
"For the Hokage, prestige is only one part; strength is the most important."
"If the Hokage accepts you—even if only as an empty promise—it will give the clansmen hope and ease their dissatisfaction."
Itachi's expression shifted constantly.
He took a deep breath and wrapped his arm around Izumi's waist.
"I'll think about it. I need to become stronger."
Izumi nodded firmly.
"Yes. Serve the Hokage, and let them give you a chance. Even if it's in the future, it's better than nothing."
"Itachi, the future of the Uchiha is in your hands!"
---
Itachi smiled faintly.
"What you said today makes a lot of sense. I'll return and discuss it with my father."
"Go for it! You're the son of the Clan Head—the Uchiha will rely on you."
"Mm," Itachi replied with resolve. "I will."
Izumi let go of his hand.
"You should go. I still need to train."
"Alright, Izumi. I'll go first."
She waved, and Itachi disappeared into the distance.
---
Izumi watched his retreating figure silently.
After he vanished, a strange smile crept onto her lips.
"Hiss."
She suddenly extended her tongue to a frightening length, reminiscent of Orochimaru's serpentine flick.
She retracted it quickly, then laughed softly.
"Becoming Hokage could solve conflicts… but will they really trust you?"
"Will they truly let you become Hokage?"
"What will happen when the Uchiha discover the Konoha higher-ups are still deceiving them?"
---
"Never put your future in someone else's hands," Izumi muttered darkly.
"The future must be built by yourself."
"I've learned this truth, but at a bloody cost."
When will Itachi understand?
Her laughter echoed as she left.
---
Suddenly, Izumi sneered.
How am I becoming more and more like that Orochimaru guy?
Is it the Sage Mode? Or all these troubles I've faced?
She grinned wickedly.
I used to think about how to kill Itachi.
But now… dying by your girlfriend's hand might be the perfect end.
When your dead girlfriend suddenly appears before you, imagine your expression.
"I'll be your girlfriend for a few days."
"The better your life now, the more painful it will be later."
I want to see your face when you see me again.
"It's truly exciting."
"Don't blame me. You brought this on yourself—being Uchiha Fugaku's son." She laughed darkly