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Itachi was torn.
Before Midorima posed this question, he had never considered the distinction between the two. He had even assumed that "participating in the exchange under the name of the Uchiha clan" was enough to sever his ties with Konoha.
But when Midorima laid the issue of "priority" on the table, Itachi found himself at a loss.
If he prioritized the "Uchiha clan," how would his actions differ from his father's?
Hadn't his father also been dissatisfied with the injustices the Uchiha faced in Konoha?
Deep down, his father had always believed he was first and foremost an Uchiha, and only then a Konoha shinobi.
But what about him?
Was Konoha above all else? Then what about his clan?
Especially when Sasuke was one of them.
Could he really abandon Sasuke for the sake of the village?
Midorima wiped the grease from his hands and asked Shizune for another glass of water.
He hadn't expected this question to stump Itachi, but now it seemed Itachi's convictions weren't as firm as he'd thought.
If it were Obito Uchiha, he would've answered without hesitation: "Rin Nohara." Everyone else could die for all he cared—what did it matter to him?
"I…" Itachi took a deep breath. "I belong to both the Uchiha clan and Konoha. If I had to choose just one, I might not be so conflicted. But I will judge my decisions based on the outcome. Right now, I'm speaking to you as an Uchiha, and I won't disclose anything related to Konoha. Similarly, if the result benefits both Konoha and the Uchiha clan, I'll do whatever it takes to achieve it, no matter the means. So, at this moment, you can trust me."
"The last time I heard such a reasonable argument was… the last time." Midorima smirked.
"Eh?" Itachi blinked, then flushed with embarrassment once he realized the implication.
Midorima was essentially telling him he'd spouted a bunch of nonsense.
"I've heard the reason Kirigakure put a bounty on you is related to 'Madara Uchiha.' Regardless of whether that identity is real, he was once part of the Uchiha clan, right? If you tell me everything you know, I'm willing to help you deal with Kirigakure's threat—even at the cost of my life, as an individual, not as a Konoha shinobi."
"But in the end, you're still a 'Konoha shinobi.'"
"Then I'll cease being one. I told you—I only care about the result. If it means finding Sasuke and resolving the Uchiha clan's predicament, I don't care what I become. Even a rogue ninja is fine."
Midorima raised an eyebrow. Why did it always come back to becoming a rogue ninja?! Couldn't he think of another way? Like handing over Shisui's eye, for instance?
Of course, Itachi choosing to defect would benefit Midorima more than harm him, but for the "Uchiha clan," that might not be the case.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Tsunade slammed the table, glaring at Itachi.
Shizune's eyes widened in shock.
Wait—was this something she could witness without paying?
This was way too intense.
"I'm serious. Whether it's Sasuke being taken or the conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, solving even one of these issues would make becoming a rogue ninja worth it."
"And you're just going to trust him?" Tsunade pointed at Midorima.
Midorima frowned. Sure, he was a rogue ninja, but he hadn't done anything heinous.
"True, this is my first time meeting him. Logically, I should trust Konoha more. But Shizune was missing for so long, and wasn't it him who saved her? You mobilized Konoha's forces, even searched every major clan, but Sasuke is just a child from the Uchiha clan—a clan at odds with Konoha's higher-ups. How likely do you think it is that they'll find him?"
Tsunade fell silent.
As much as she hated to admit it, the odds were abysmally low.
"Besides, sometimes effort alone isn't enough. I don't care if the method is righteous or underhanded—as long as I find Sasuke, nothing else matters."
Tsunade sighed deeply. She understood Itachi's position.
If she were in his shoes, her options would be just as limited.
Yes, she could ask the Hokage to investigate Sasuke's whereabouts, but three major problems remained:
First, searching for someone consumed vast resources. Would Konoha be willing to dedicate manpower and funds to finding Sasuke indefinitely?
Second, given the current tensions between Konoha's leadership and the Uchiha clan, were they genuinely invested in finding Sasuke, or just putting on a show?
Third—and most crucially—even if the Hokage appeared cooperative, would they actually succeed?
"Sometimes effort is useless." That was what Itachi truly meant.
"Fine. Once you become a rogue ninja, I'll tell you whatever you want to know," Midorima said with a grin.
"No deal." Itachi shook his head. "If I defect and you claim you know nothing, I'll have wasted my efforts. So, I'll take a 'deposit' first."
Midorima considered it. Itachi's demand wasn't unreasonable. "Then I'll share my speculation. As for the one who imprisoned Shizune… I'll keep that to myself for now."
Tsunade crushed her cup in her grip. "Are you targeting me?"
"Of course not. Speculation doesn't require accountability—believe it or not. Besides, this person isn't closely tied to Konoha, and even if the village knew, it wouldn't change much. But the one who imprisoned Shizune? I know their identity for sure, and they're inside Konoha. It's not that I don't trust you—I don't trust Konoha."
"…" Tsunade's brow furrowed.
In the end, her bargaining power wasn't strong enough.
"Go on," Itachi urged.
"The one who took Sasuke… is likely Orochimaru."
That single sentence stunned both Tsunade and Itachi, but they quickly pieced together the reasoning.
Orochimaru had made such a spectacle in the Forest of Death to divert attention, allowing him to abduct Sasuke unnoticed.
Logically, it made sense, but…
"Why would he target Sasuke? He's just a child," Tsunade said, puzzled.
"At first, I couldn't figure it out either. But after careful thought, I understood. It's like shogi—you can't just look one move ahead; you have to anticipate the next few. If you grasp Orochimaru's motive, everything falls into place. He's been researching a reincarnation technique—transferring his consciousness into a vessel to achieve immortality. In fact, the reason I'm still alive is that he once intended to use me as one of his vessels."
"So you're saying Sasuke is also…" Tsunade murmured.
Itachi clenched his fists. "Unforgivable. Where is he? I'll kill him!"
"Not so fast. First, the technique isn't fully perfected yet. Second, Sasuke isn't his ultimate goal. After all, Sasuke hasn't even awakened his Sharingan—there's no reason for Orochimaru to waste time on him now. If I'm right, his real target… is you, Itachi Uchiha."
While the idea of "Orochimaru kidnapping Sasuke" was something Tsunade and Itachi could comprehend, Midorima's final statement left them momentarily speechless.