Chapter 146:
"Because of Uchiha Madara and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, the Uchiha clan had long been targeted by the higher-ups of the Hidden Leaf Village. In the end, this led to increasing calls for a coup from within the Uchiha clan."
"There's no doubt that an Uchiha coup would've had a devastating impact on the village. So even though there was no direct evidence, the Konoha leadership still decided to take action against the Uchiha. But since it was shameful to move against a major clan based solely on suspicion, they pinned the role of executioner on your brother."
"At the time, Uchiha Itachi also believed that the Uchiha clan was no match for the whole Hidden Leaf. Even if the coup succeeded, it would only bring serious damage to the village—while the fate of the Uchiha clan was practically sealed."
"Thus, Itachi agreed to the village's request. But he had one condition—Uchiha Sasuke must live, and be properly cared for by the Hidden Leaf."
"A single surviving Uchiha wouldn't pose any threat to the village. And your existence would at least ensure that such a powerful Bloodline Limit wouldn't completely vanish from Konoha. So the village agreed. Besides, looking after you was also a way to keep Itachi in check."
"Sasuke, you were the one who killed the brother who loved you so dearly."
Sasuke stood still, head bowed, memories of his time with Itachi flooding his mind—all the way to the battle where he finally killed him. Looking back now, there were far too many things that didn't add up.
The most basic one being—it would've been easy for Itachi to interrupt Sasuke's entry into Sage Mode, but he didn't. Instead, he kept taunting Sasuke, fueling his hatred, and even explained to him the process of awakening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Lady Tsunade told me... that this isn't true."
After the Uchiha massacre, Sasuke had been taken in by Konoha's top brass, Hiruzen Sarutobi. During that time, he genuinely felt the warmth of a family again. But now someone was telling him that it was those very people who had killed his family. Sasuke just couldn't accept it.
"The Konoha leadership back then did make a lot of stupid decisions, but, Sasuke—"
"I understand now." Sasuke interrupted Tsunade and turned to leave.
"Where are you going, Sasuke?!"
Sakura rushed after him and asked.
"I'm leaving the village." Just the fact that he didn't explode in rage and join the Akatsuki immediately was already Sasuke's greatest act of restraint. "Starting today, I'm no longer a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf."
He removed the Konoha forehead protector from his head and tossed it aside, breaking free of Sakura's grasp.
Sasuke's departure, coupled with the death of Might Guy, had left the Hidden Leaf in no condition to withstand further attacks from the Akatsuki—but the Akatsuki chose to retreat anyway.
Konan was worried about Nagato, Obito wanted to seize the chance to capture the Nine-Tails, and the Jar Merchant and Boruto alone weren't strong enough to take on the village in its current state.
"Take us to the Hidden Rain Village," Konan said to Obito.
With a shift through Kamui's dimension, everyone was instantly transported to Amegakure.
"Nagato, are you alright?!"
Inside the hidden chamber atop the Rain Village tower—a place only Konan and Naruto knew—Nagato looked barely alive.
"Konan..." Nagato, clearly on the verge of death, slowly turned his gaze to Naruto. "Naruto, I've always believed you would bring true peace to this world. So when I die... I'll leave these eyes to you. From now on, you'll be the new leader of the Akatsuki. Naruto, use these eyes to bring real peace to the shinobi world."
"Nagato..." Konan stared at him. After losing Yahiko, now even Nagato was about to leave her. A deep loneliness welled up inside her.
"Konan, after I'm gone, I'll be counting on you to take care of Naruto."
The atmosphere grew heavy with sorrow.
Nagato's unwavering belief in Naruto wasn't just because they both hailed from the Uzumaki clan—it was also because he saw echoes of Yahiko in Naruto.
"Is this supposed to be Amegakure's passing of the torch?"
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them. Konan instantly turned alert and looked toward the source. "Who's there?!"
The Jar Merchant stepped out from the shadows.
"Edogawa Jar."
"Yo, Konan. Naruto." The Jar Merchant greeted them casually before turning to Nagato. "And the second leader of the Akatsuki... Nagato."
"How did you get in here?!"
"Did you forget? That guy, Tobi—"
"Damn it!" Konan looked over her shoulder. "Watch out!"
As Konan shouted, Naruto was already being dragged into the Kamui dimension by Obito. Reacting instantly, Naruto entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
"Tobi, what are you doing?!" Konan glared at him.
"Obviously, I'm here to capture the Nine-Tails... and reclaim the Rinnegan while I'm at it."
"The Rinnegan belongs to Nagato! I'll never let you have it! Besides, Nagato has already decided to entrust it to Naruto!"
"You seem to be forgetting something. I was the one who gave Nagato the Rinnegan in the first place. So technically, it's only right that he returns it to me." Obito glanced at the Jar Merchant. "Edogawa Jar, take care of her."
Since he was busy restraining Naruto, stopping Konan had to be left to the Jar Merchant.
"Argh!"
A claw of Nine-Tails chakra pierced straight through Obito's body. To avoid injury, Obito had to phase his body, but doing so meant he could no longer restrain Naruto.
As Naruto broke free, the room was suddenly engulfed in a storm of white paper, blocking everyone's vision.
"The paper's laced with explosive tags!" Obito realized the trap too late—an instant later, the tags detonated.
"They got away," muttered the Jar Merchant.
Obito shot him a glare.
It was obvious the Jar Merchant had been a step too slow, giving Konan the chance to escape. But Obito knew now wasn't the time to argue with him.
"After them!"
By now, Konan had already fled the Rain Village with the dying Nagato in her arms, Naruto running alongside her.
"Why is it raining again out here... And where did those two go without me?" Outside the village, a bored Boruto kicked at stones on the ground. "Huh? Konan? And Naruto? Where are you two going?!"
"Edogawa Boruto. Is he an enemy?"
Just as Konan prepared to strike, Naruto said, "Konan, you go on ahead with the leader—I'll handle him."
"But—"
"Don't worry. He's just a kid. I can manage."
Naruto smiled.
Konan looked at Naruto and nodded. "Finish quickly and catch up, Naruto."
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslations.
3 new chapters are released daily—thank you for your support!
Powerstone Event: For every 50 powerstones, 1 chapter will be unlocked.)