Chapter 467: Uchiha Itachi Returns to Konoha
Just as Uchiha Obito was preparing to use genjutsu to manipulate the daimyo of the Land of Frost,
A figure wearing a conical hat and a black cloak stood at the edge of Konohagakure.
"One more step and you'll trigger the defensive barrier."
Uchiha Itachi's expression was blank as his pale hand extended from the cloak, reaching toward the air in front of him.
Zzzzz—
A crackling sound, like electricity, echoed with flickering arcs of light.
Behind him, Kisame Hoshigaki gave him a strange look and said, "Hey hey, Mr. Itachi, didn't you say it would trigger the barrier? Don't tell me something bad's gonna happen?"
Strapped to his back was a massive serrated blade—
A weapon that contained most of his power. It had been reforged from the original Samehada, integrated with a portion of his soul, and was now a violet-colored weapon.
A special water-type Zanpakutō.
[Shinigami], a true Tier 2 ability—Kisame was now capable of using Bankai for a short time.
His strength had reached roughly Tier 2 (Commander-level).
Standing next to him, Uchiha Itachi was even stronger—Tier 2 (Gold-grade). Within the Samsara Game, that placed him among the elite.
So,
Even though Itachi had triggered the barrier, Kisame wasn't the least bit worried.
Even a powerhouse like Konoha, which surely had its own gold-grade players stationed inside, couldn't stop the two of them from retreating safely.
"Relax. The outermost layer is a sensory barrier. It only sends alerts—no danger."
Itachi's tone was calm and certain.
Now both of them had betrayed the Akatsuki and were wandering fugitives. After traveling through the ninja and pirate worlds alike, he had finally chosen to return to Konoha.
Because although Konoha seemed fortified and secure on the surface, it was actually under siege from multiple villages.
Back during the Evil God incident,
When Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen broke a crucial agreement, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure all dispatched elite players with ninja squads to blockade the Land of Hot Water.
Konoha was powerful, but it had only just relocated to the Land of Hot Water. It had only hosted two [Hokage Gratitude Festivals] so far, and lacked deep logistical support.
If this dragged on—
It wasn't impossible that Konoha could be ground down by attrition.
So Itachi decided to return—to become Konoha's blade once more.
Kisame spoke without hesitation, "Still, never thought the Hokage had the guts to antagonize the Four Great Nations and the Navy Alliance. If they're falling apart now, that's his own fault—"
He stopped mid-sentence when he met Itachi's icy gaze.
Shrugging, he gave up on finishing the thought.
Unlike Itachi,
Kisame felt little allegiance—not to Konoha, not even to Kirigakure or the Akatsuki. Itachi was one of the few men he had ever willingly followed.
He hadn't expected this seemingly cold and ruthless man to have carried Konoha in his heart all along.
They were more alike than he thought.
Kisame lowered his gaze slightly. In the quiet of the night, he often dreamed of those he had killed—enemies, comrades, innocents.
What looked like effortless slaughter,
Kisame could still recall every one of their faces, expressions, and movements in his dreams.
"It wasn't Lord Hiruzen's fault."
"Is that so?"
Kisame blinked, startled by Itachi's flat tone.
Then he began to think.
Even someone as brash as him wouldn't have dared provoke the Four Nations—especially after those nations had helped Konoha through a crisis.
The Hokage's erratic actions were likely the result of possession.
With so many types of abilities in the Samsara Game, a skill that could control the Hokage wasn't far-fetched.
As expected of Itachi...
To see through the Hokage's condition from so far away—truly unfathomable.
Kisame's admiration for Itachi deepened.
"It wasn't Lord Hiruzen's fault. It was the fault of the Four Nations and the Navy Alliance!"
Itachi thought to himself, "The Evil God attack was a disaster for the entire ninja world, yet those four nations used it as leverage to extort Konoha. Afterwards, they demanded a massive payout. In my eyes, they signed their own death warrants."
When the blackmail failed, they even dared to blockade the Land of Hot Water. Shameless.
Now that he was back, Itachi would make sure every one of those cowards died.
Half a minute later,
A figure approached swiftly from the distance.
Kisame spoke up. "Mr. Itachi, elite player incoming."
This was Konoha's turf. The player wasn't hiding their aura—it was exposed on purpose, to intimidate any intruders.
"Don't act rashly, Kisame."
Itachi took a deep breath, then turned to the cautious Konoha ninja who had appeared and said, "I am Uchiha Itachi. I wish to speak to Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi."
The newcomer wore a [Shadow Organization] uniform, his body radiating intense fire-style chakra.
He was an elite player who had leveled his Fire Release to Tier 2.
But—
Itachi looked him over with dissatisfaction and frowned. "It took you a full thirty seconds after the barrier was triggered to arrive. Is this how the Anbu operates now?"
So slow. How could they protect the village?
Back when he was in the Anbu…
"Uchiha Itachi… the wanted criminal?"
Hearing the name, the fire-nature ninja also frowned, stepping back to increase distance.
Itachi was a notorious international criminal.
Even before the Samsara Game existed, he had slaughtered the Uchiha clan, defected from Konoha, and joined the terrorist group [Akatsuki].
Since then, he had evaded capture across two worlds, ambushed the Raikage, attacked Navy Alliance officers…
His crimes were too many to count.
And now he wanted to return to speak to the Hokage?
"That's me."
Itachi's face didn't change. He nodded. "But things aren't what you think. I must speak with the Hokage."
He didn't feel the slightest guilt.
Everything he had done was for Konoha. Every attack, every kill—all carried out under secret orders from the Hokage, to help direct polluted monsters to Konoha's own [Shadow Organization].
"Wait here."
The fire-nature ninja's brow furrowed. He held off, stalling the so-called monstrous criminal, then quickly contacted his team.
...
Elsewhere,
In the Hokage's office, Shimura Danzo stood at the window, gazing over Konoha Village when he received the report.
His expression stiffened.
The large glass window behind him had been custom-made by craftsman players.
He knew very well that such a big window could easily expose the interior of the office and increase the risk of assassination.
But Danzo insisted on it.
So he could stand here as Hokage—and enjoy the sight of Konoha's prosperity.
"Uchiha Itachi… has returned?"
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