Sasuke really has grown up, and he's become so much stronger...
Hidden in the shadows, Itachi watched as Orochimaru was instantly slain by that terrifying strike. A gratified smile flickered across his face.
Just as he prepared to turn and depart, he suddenly realized his younger brother had appeared behind him at some unknown moment.
"Are you here to protect me?" Sasuke asked.
"No. I only came to see," Itachi replied softly. "You no longer need my protection."
From the indifferent look in his eyes, it was clear he never expected forgiveness; he simply kept his head down, doing what he believed to be right.
"I heard you've contracted an incurable disease and will die soon?" Sasuke's voice was laced with complex emotions.
Itachi nodded slightly. "Yes. Time is running out for me. If you wish to seek revenge for our father, our mother, and the innocent clansmen who died, then set a time and place. However, I have one condition: regardless of the outcome, you must take my eyes. Only then will the Mangekyō Sharingan evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō, freeing you from the risk of blindness forever."
"Hmph! And what is this? Compensation born of guilt?" Sasuke questioned, his face cold. "Or are you doing what you've always done, hiding everything in your heart and unilaterally orchestrating my destiny?"
Having experienced so much and being influenced by Allen's modern perspective, Sasuke had begun to utterly loathe the path his brother had pre-arranged for him.
"No. You can view this as a final gift from an older brother to his younger brother. I have begun to change; I will no longer make arrangements for you without your consent, for you already possess sufficient power to decide your own life."
At this, Itachi paused intentionally, glancing back at the Great White Scale Snake lying dead on the ground. "I must say, the move you used to finish Orochimaru just now was indeed impressive. There are very few in the shinobi world who could dodge it. Did you learn that while following him?"
"Yeah. Including these eyes and this sword, he tossed them to me like they were nothing. Although his personality can be a bit wicked at times, he isn't like you; he doesn't enjoy tinkering with and manipulating people's lives. On the contrary, he always leaves the other person at least two choices, even if they are an enemy," Sasuke responded with a hint of irony.
However, Sasuke clearly didn't realize that when Allen gave an enemy two choices, the goal usually wasn't to offer an opportunity, but to torment their mind and spirit.
"Is that so? It seems you've found an excellent mentor and friend. If you don't mind, could you tell me where he is? I'd like to speak with him privately."
After circling around the topic for so long, Itachi finally revealed his true objective.
Indeed. He wanted a private audience with Allen to gain a deeper understanding of this madman who sought to slay the gods. After all, to this point, Allen's origins, personality, and goals remained the only mysteries surrounding Sasuke.
Though the two sides had met briefly when the entire Akatsuki organization had mobilized, there were too many people present then, making it inconvenient to ask certain questions.
Furthermore, Itachi still held Shisui's Sharingan, capable of the Kotoamatsukami. If Allen harbored any ill intent toward Sasuke, Itachi would use that eye to rewrite the man's memories and consciousness, ensuring Sasuke could survive the coming Great War, marry, have children, and pass on the Uchiha bloodline.
"Sorry, the guy disappeared mysteriously a few months ago. I'm not sure where he went. I only know he's currently researching Tailed Beasts, Yin-Yang Release, and a bunch of other mess," Sasuke answered candidly, making no attempt to hide anything.
To be precise, unlike Karin and Neji, Sasuke had never followed Allen into "Dungeons," so he had absolutely no concept of the trio's whereabouts.
"Disappeared?"
Hearing this, Itachi instinctively frowned. But soon, his powerful mental fortitude returned him to a state of calm. He spoke with feigned nonchalance: "In that case, let us end our conversation here for today. If you see him, tell him I have things to discuss. Additionally, I suggest you leave this place as soon as possible; it will be troublesome if the Shinobi Allied Forces outside discover you."
With those words, Itachi dissolved into a murder of crows and vanished without a trace.
Sasuke stared at the spot where his brother had disappeared for a long time before finally pushing the door open and exiting the room.
Kabuto, who had been waiting at the door, widened his eyes in shock. He asked in an uncertain tone, "Are you... Orochimaru-sama, or..."
"Orochimaru is dead. His hideous corpse is right inside the room; go see for yourself."
Sasuke gave him a playful, mocking look before disappearing into the depths of the Hidden Sound Village's sprawling underground tunnels.
When he saw the Great White Scale Snake, charred to nothing but a pile of black carbonized remains, Kabuto fell into a state of confusion and collapse. He kept muttering, "How is this possible?"
In his eyes, a man like Orochimaru, who possessed countless trump cards and had achieved a degree of immortality, could not possibly die at the hands of a brat like Sasuke.
But the cruel reality told him it was all true.
"Orochimaru-sama is finished... where do I go from here..."
Kabuto stared at a piece of the carbonized corpse in his hand, looking both grief-stricken and helpless.
At that moment, Black Zetsu suddenly emerged from the ground, his voice dripping with temptation. "If you don't know what to do next, why not join us?"
"You?" Kabuto instantly became alert.
"Yes. Join us. In fact, we have been looking for someone to take Orochimaru's place, and you are the perfect candidate. Believe me, Akatsuki will not disappoint you," Black Zetsu stated his identity directly.
He knew Kabuto was a double agent for Orochimaru and Sasori, but compared to Sasori, Kabuto identified more with Orochimaru's methods and philosophy.
But none of that mattered anymore with Orochimaru dead. Aside from Akatsuki, there was no place left in this world for Kabuto.
Kabuto was no fool; he understood this clearly. He stood in place, rapidly weighing the pros and cons, before finally nodding through gritted teeth. "Fine! I'll join you. But on one condition: I must inherit everything that belonged to Orochimaru-sama. Whether it's his research or the powerhouses brought back via Edo Tensei."
"No problem. That is exactly what we want you to do. And..." Black Zetsu said meaningfully, "...I would be more than happy to help you resurrect a man capable of rivaling the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju."