Chapter 171: A Conversation Between Brothers
After dealing with Kisame, Ren quickly located Samehada, which had been swept away by the floodwaters, and stored it within his personal space. He then focused his senses, locking onto the Flying Thunder God mark he had placed on Itachi years ago. In an instant, he vanished, reappearing on the path where Itachi was traveling with his captive.
Itachi, carrying the unconscious Four-Tails Jinchuriki, had sensed the moment Kisame's chakra vanished. He had paused, turning thoughtfully in the direction of the battle, a complex, unreadable expression on his face.
Soon, he felt a familiar chakra approaching at an incredible speed. Before he could react further, the space behind him twisted, and a figure materialized without a sound.
"Is this your space-time ninjutsu?" Itachi asked, not turning around. The chakra was both familiar and disturbingly powerful.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique," Ren confirmed. "A space-time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. It allows for instant teleportation to any location marked with its formula. I placed a mark on you during our skirmish three years ago. It seems it has finally proven useful."
"I see," Itachi replied calmly. "So that's how you found us."
Since you have caught up, it seems Kisame has been eliminated," Itachi said, finally turning to face his younger brother. His own Mangekyo Sharingan was active, its pattern spinning slowly as he regarded Ren.
"Yes. It took some effort, but he is no more," Ren stated flatly. "And now, what will you do? Fight me? I warn you, I will not hold back this time."
"There is no need," Itachi said, his voice carrying a note of finality. "If even Kisame is no match for you, then there is little point in my engaging you. Moreover... my body is no longer capable of sustaining another fierce battle."
"Has it really come to this?" Ren's brow furrowed, a flicker of genuine concern crossing his features. Despite their opposing paths, Itachi was still his brother, the one who had protected him in childhood.
"There is no need for that look," Itachi said, a faint, gentle smile touching his lips—a rare sight. "I have long been aware of my condition. To have held on until now is a blessing. If not for you and Sasuke, I would have followed our parents long ago to atone for the Uchiha clan. My only remaining wish is for Sasuke to come to me, to take my eyes, and to surpass me. Then, I can rest in peace."
Ren fell silent, a sharp pain piercing his heart. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat.
"I am relieved to see how strong you have become," Itachi continued. "Knowing that you and Sasuke can protect yourselves eases my mind. I can now face our ancestors without regret."
"You don't need to worry about Sasuke," Ren finally said, his voice firm. "As long as I live, no one will harm him. He has grown powerful in his own right. He has even awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. There are few in the world who can threaten him now."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Sasuke... has awakened the Mangekyo? That is... excellent news."
"It is."
"Enough of this," Itachi said, his tone shifting back to business. "The Leader of Akatsuki contacted me moments ago. I did not respond. He will undoubtedly send reinforcements. I must go. You may have the Four-Tails Jinchuriki." He gently laid Roshi on the ground. "But before I leave, answer me one question. What is your purpose in collecting the Tailed Beasts?"
Ren smirked. "And what of your Akatsuki organization? Why do you seek them?"
"According to our Leader, Pain, the goal is to create a weapon of mass destruction to force peace upon the world through fear," Itachi explained. "But I know that is not the whole truth. The true mastermind behind Akatsuki is not Pain, but another..."
"Uchiha Madara, correct?" Ren interrupted.
Itachi was taken aback. "How do you know that?"
"I know more than that," Ren sneered. "I know secrets even you are unaware of. For instance, the man who calls himself 'Tobi' is not the real Uchiha Madara. His true identity is Uchiha Obito—Kakashi Hatake's former teammate, a student of the Fourth Hokage. He was believed dead at the Kannabi Bridge but was saved by the real Madara."
"Uchiha Obito...?" Itachi murmured, genuinely shocked. "So he is alive. How did you uncover this?"
"That is my secret," Ren replied. "But I know not only his identity but also his true goal. It is not the simplistic 'peace' Nagato preaches. Obito's aim is to revive the ancient Ten-Tails, become its Jinchuriki, and gain god-like power to cast the entire world into an eternal dream—the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Itachi listened in stunned silence. The scale of the plan was staggering.
"And my purpose for collecting the Tailed Beasts," Ren declared, his eyes burning with ambition, "is the same as his. I, too, intend to become the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails."
The confession hung in the air between them, a declaration of war not just on Akatsuki, but on the very foundations of the world. The two brothers stood facing each other, one nearing the end of his path, the other just beginning a journey toward godhood.
💀 WANT TO READ AHEAD? 💀
👉 JOIN MY PATREON — Patreon.com/The_Ripper_87
════════ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ════════
🔥 CURRENTLY AT CHAPTER 270: DARK PUPIL🔥
⚡ SUPPORT THE STORY WITH YOUR POWER STONES! ⚡
🖤 EVERY STONE AND EVERY PLEDGE HELPS KEEP THE STORY GOING! 🖤
BONUS CHAPTER FOR EVERY 100 POWERSTONE