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"I'm sorry to have worried you," Itachi said to Mikoto.
A mother worries when her son is far away, especially since he knew that what had happened in Kirigakure must have been known to the entire ninja world.
"I'm glad you're back safely," Mikoto smiled, patting Itachi's shoulder.
Then, she said to Sasuke, "Let's go eat together."
Sasuke happily hugged Itachi and nodded excitedly.
Seeing the close relationship between the brothers, Mikoto was naturally delighted.
The three of them walked together towards the room where the dining table was.
At this moment, Fugaku emerged from the side hallway and appeared in front of the hallway door, his arms folded.
"Dad," Itachi said respectfully upon seeing Fugaku.
Fugaku and Itachi stared at each other for a few seconds, a rare smile gradually spreading across his face.
Although he had always believed in Itachi's strength, the events that had unfolded in Kirigakure were truly monumental.
Before the Fourth Mizukage's backers were revealed, news of the Kaguya clan and Akatsuki's massive attack on Kirigakure had naturally spread.
At the dinner table, Itachi feigned shock after learning from Mikoto and Fugaku about the recent changes in the ninja world.
After dinner, he spent some time with his parents and Sasuke.
He resumed his nightly training, as he usually did at home.
Itachi pleaded that he had been at sea or in Kirigakure and had neglected his training, but Mikoto and Fugaku remained silent.
Swoosh!
Leaving home, Itachi vanished into the night, darting towards Shisui's residence.
Arriving at Shisui's cabin, he was met by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, clad in a white divine robe, who had been waiting there.
"Thank you for your hard work," Minato smiled gently.
He had already heard from Shisui about the unexpected event during their trip to Kirigakure: the appearance of Orochimaru.
"It's a shame we weren't able to eliminate Orochimaru this time. I'm sure the masked man has recruited him into the Akatsuki," Itachi said.
"No, your decision was correct," Minato said.
"The most important thing is to implement the plan and eliminate the enemy's power in Kirigakure. As for Orochimaru, there will always be a chance to encounter him again."
After this incident, the Akatsuki organization will likely remain in hiding for a considerable period of time, afraid to confront the Five Great Ninja Nations head-on.
But sooner or later, the masked man will re-emerge and confront the ninjas of Konohagakure.
Itachi didn't dwell on the matter and asked, "What is our next stance toward the Land of Water and Kirigakure?"
"I have already met with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and have decided to form an alliance with Kirigakure on behalf of Konohagakure."
"We must not let those guys' schemes succeed. They will sow discord among the Five Great Ninja Nations and give them an opportunity to exploit," Minato said.
About three days after the incident in Kirigakure, Kirigakure announced the attack to all nations, exposing the culprit and clearing Konohagakure of suspicion.
He naturally understood this as a gesture of goodwill on the part of Kirigakure.
"Hmm," Itachi nodded.
If he were in the Hokage's shoes, he would have anticipated these things, so he believed Minato's actions would be consistent.
He stared at Minato and continued, "So, back in Kirigakure, the rules for the first round of the Joint Chūnin Exam weren't solely planned by Shikaku-sensei, right?"
Minato admitted, "This was indeed part of the plan I discussed with Shikaku beforehand. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to put too much pressure on you."
"Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize," Itachi shook his head.
After receiving confirmation from Minato, he understood everything that had transpired in Kirigakure.
As the Fourth Hokage, Minato hadn't pinned all his hopes on Itachi's plan.
He had apparently shared part of the truth with Shikaku, and together they had mapped out the possible actions the masked man, the Fourth Mizukage, would take upon his visit to Kirigakure.
The masked man had no idea that Konohagakure had learned his true identity and intended to use the exam as a pretext to eliminate Itachi.
However, he didn't dare act directly within the village.
Therefore, it was precisely because he anticipated that the masked man would have such a mentality that Shikaku proposed the test plan.
In this way, although the specific steps of what the masked man would do were difficult to predict, it was inevitable that Kirigakure and even the entire Land of Water would fall into temporary chaos because of this.
And this chaos at this time could also create opportunities for Shisui and others to act.
The most important part of this was to use Itachi as bait.
However, Kakashi Hatake and Shisui's actions outside Kirigakure had already proved Minato's attitude.
His plan was to protect Itachi's life and safety first.
Therefore, if Shisui and his team failed in their actions, Shikaku and Konohagakure would be questioned by the Five Great Ninja Nations.
But it was clear that Kirigakure alone didn't have the right to condemn Konohagakure.
If that happened, Minato would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to demand a Five Kage Summit to discuss the matter.
And the Fourth Mizukage would never appear before the other Four Kage.
By using this topic as a lever, even if the Mizukage's true identity couldn't be exposed, the situation within Kirigakure would undoubtedly be shaken.
The current outcome was undoubtedly the best of all possible outcomes.
Itachi's understanding of this situation further deepened his respect for the Fourth Hokage.
While this plan likely wasn't his sole creation, Itachi felt inferior to him in terms of overall control.
This was understandable, as despite his immense intelligence, he had never truly stood at the helm of Hokage's command.
Some things couldn't be achieved solely through wisdom.
Yet, the current situation was made possible by Itachi's judgment after his rebirth.
Because he altered the fate of the Fourth Hokage's family, the paths of the Uchiha clan, including Itachi's, were dramatically altered.
"What about the plan to kill Kisame Hoshigaki?"
Itachi asked.
"It failed," Minato replied.
"How could this happen!?"
Itachi's face was filled with shock.
According to his estimation, based on the power that Konohagakure now possesses, even if Shisui's combat effectiveness was reduced at that time because he used Kotoamatsukami, with the strength of Might Guy and Kakashi Hatake, they were enough to kill Kisame.
Even with the masked man's disruption, that guy should not be able to gain any advantage from the Fourth Hokage.
"Kisame's ability is beyond our expectations, but the most important thing is that other changes have occurred."
Minato told Itachi the details of the battle with the masked man and Kisame.
After hearing this, Itachi was even more shocked.
"Kakashi's Kamui is ineffective?"
...
Itachi had personally witnessed the space-time jutsu of Kakashi's left eye.
That kind of eye jutsu could only be broken by space-time jutsu.
However, considering this, while the masked man's eye jutsu wasn't offensive, it did share similarities in its form.
"I've reviewed the archives within Konohagakure and discovered that the abilities of the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan aren't unique to each pair of eyes."
"For example… your Amaterasu."
"Uchiha Madara's younger brother, Uchiha Izuna, possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan eye jutsu of Amaterasu and the jutsu that causes Amaterasu to transform, known as Kagutsuchi-no-Mikoto," Minato explained.
During the Warring States Period, the Uchiha and Senju clans, who founded Konohagakure, were sworn enemies.
Therefore, even a powerful Uchiha like Uchiha Izuna is well documented within Konohagakure today.
"Are you saying that Kakashi and the masked man are using the same eye technique?" Itachi asked.
"I have another idea…"
"As far as I know, Kakashi's Sharingan came from his close friend, Uchiha Obito, who was also your disciple."
At the mention of this name, Itachi noticed a flicker in the eyes of the usually calm Fourth Hokage.
Minato nodded and whispered, "Obito was a kind-hearted child. He died saving his companions, and even before dying, he entrusted his final strength to Kakashi."
"It was me who failed to protect them…"
His voice trailed off.
After the successful battle at Kannabi Bridge, Minato had returned to search for Obito's body but could not find it.
Failing to protect his two disciples became a major regret for the Fourth Hokage.
During the war, Minato, Konohagakure's main fighting force, was constantly on the battlefield, unable to spare a single moment.
However, as a ninja, one must be prepared for death at any moment.
How could he be blamed for this?
"Indeed, it's possible that the right eye the masked man is using is Obito's."
The masked man possessed the power of Wood Release.
Perhaps it was he who carried off Obito's body and his right eye during that battle.
"If that's the case, while our plan to eliminate Kisame has failed, we've gained something even greater."
Itachi smiled, his thoughts echoing Minato's.
"If they're using the same space-time jutsu, then Kakashi's left eye is the only way to completely defeat the masked man's abilities."
Both Minato and Itachi considered the masked man the greatest threat to the village.
The masked man's threat stemmed from his ambitious plans and abilities.
Even the Fourth Hokage, equally proficient in the space-time jutsu Flying Thunder God Technique, had yet to find a way to defeat the masked man's eye technique.
"If it's as we think, the masked man will probably find an opportunity to attack Kakashi…"
"The Sharingan can only unleash its true power when both eyes are active," Itachi said.
As a member of the Uchiha clan, possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan, he knew firsthand its power.
If the masked man possessed the power of both eyes, even the current Fourth Hokage wouldn't be a match for him.
"I won't give them that opportunity," Minato said sternly.
"Furthermore, with the Akatsuki conspiracy within Kirigakure exposed, they won't dare to reveal themselves to the ninja world for a while, and will instead continue to build up their strength in secret."
The fact that even the Fourth Mizukage, a perfect Jinchūriki, could be manipulated naturally sent shockwaves through the ninja world.
Beyond the shocking nature of the incident itself, the tailed beasts are a crucial component of the military forces of each of the Five Great Ninja Nations.
This would only lead to stricter regulation of the Jinchūriki in each ninja nation.
At the same time, Akatsuki could no longer be considered a mere mercenary organization.
"The ninja world is vast. If these guys insist on hiding, it'll be really difficult to deal with them."
Itachi frowned slightly.
Akatsuki contains several S-rank wanted criminals, and ninjas of such strength would be extremely difficult to find or eliminate.
"Hehe," Minato chuckled, saying, "Next, Konohagakure and Kirigakure will form an alliance."
"We won't let them act recklessly," Itachi nodded.
One of Akatsuki's targets is the Tailed Beasts, and if they do, they will eventually face off against the Five Great Ninja Vilages.
While Akatsuki is powerful, Konohagakure already has information on most of its core members.
The evil cult in Yugakure suffered a severe blow over a decade ago, and Konohagakure has been keeping a close eye on its developments for years.
The current situation is undoubtedly far better than what Itachi faced before his rebirth.
So, even though he can't eliminate all the enemies in a short period of time, Itachi is not in a hurry.
If they dare to come again, the result will be the same as the previous one in Kirigakure.
After finishing the business, Minato shrugged at Itachi and said, "Your Chūnin Exam will probably have to be postponed to the next time."
Konohagakure will be preparing to form an alliance with Kirigakure next, so it does not have the energy to focus on the Chūnin Exam for the time being.
And Itachi's Chūnin Exams were thus interrupted.
"I see," Itachi replied nonchalantly.
He had no obsession with the Chūnin Exams.
With his abilities, even becoming a Jōnin now would be a very easy matter.
The Chūnin Exams were held every six months.
"During this time, you should relax," Minato chuckled.
Itachi was undoubtedly the biggest contributor to the Kirigakure incident, but he knew that the latter himself did not care about these things.
Letting him enjoy his leisure time was a reward more precious than anything else.
"I don't know how to thank you, but after all this time, I should show some appreciation," Minato continued.
"Really, no need. You are too polite," Itachi said.
"It's not that I'm being polite. Sooner or later, we'll have to face the enemy again, and your strength is indispensable to the village."
"I don't have the authority to teach you the Flying Thunder God Technique from last time, but I don't think it's suitable for you either," Minato said.
"I'm trying to improve a jutsu. Once I succeed, I believe it will be of great help to you."
"I just don't know if you'd like to learn from me."
"Of course," Itachi said.
The Fourth Hokage must be more talented in ninjutsu than him.
Since he had said so, Itachi couldn't refuse.
Learning ninjutsu from this person was no shame.
"But it will take quite some time to complete the improvement, so I shouldn't be telling you now."
Minato scratched his head sheepishly.
It was the first time Itachi had seen him look like this, and he replied repeatedly,
"Don't worry. Improving ninjutsu is not something you can do casually."
"Then it's settled. I'll complete the improvement as soon as possible," Minato said with a bright smile.
"Yes," Itachi nodded, his mind pounding.
"It's exactly like what my mother said…"
The Fourth Hokage, Minato, is indeed a person who makes people feel close to him.
.....
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