Itachi finally had the chance to confront Obito about the events in Konoha that day. The truth that Obito revealed left Itachi almost speechless.
"If you ask me, your brother's a total piece of work—so cunning and sly." Obito spoke with brutal honesty. If it weren't for Sasuke betraying Sakura and causing her to collapse at a critical moment, Kita's identity would never have been exposed. The consequences affected not just Sakura, but an entire chain of people.
"Sakura alone took responsibility in front of the Fifth Hokage, shielding people among whom is your brother. That girl is now completely isolated. And your brother? He washed his hands clean of everything and even maneuvered to pull in support from Naruto. What kind of mindset is that? Grew up together, and when it comes to betrayal, he doesn't hesitate. Doesn't he even think about what will happen to Sakura later? His tactics are ruthless."
"Hmm, maybe Sasuke had no choice," Itachi muttered, offering a faint defense for his brother. Obito rolled his eyes, unconvinced.
"Ah, whatever. In the end, it's fate. Kita was captured by Konoha, angering Ebisu, and now this is karma coming back around. Things have come to this; let's move on. That girl's situation is precarious, Konoha is in chaos, and the Land of Fire has always been intolerant of weakness. If we blame Konoha, it's not really their fault. I understand the Fifth's thinking—helping Kita in secret was well-intentioned—but with the daimyo applying pressure, Konoha struggles to move."
It was their homeland, yet undercurrents of danger ran deep. Obito felt little sorrow; he reflected on the faces of Konoha people when Kita's identity was revealed and thought it might be better never to return. Offering aid was not on his mind, and total destruction wasn't either.
"You mean political instability?" Itachi asked. Obito nodded.
"Yeah. Danzo… you know how bad it is. The Fifth will have a tough time, but nothing is finalized yet. Don't worry, it won't affect your brother. Even as a jonin, he's still a junior. He's under Kakashi's protection—he'll be fine."
Itachi had specifically entrusted Kakashi to watch over Sasuke after understanding the relationship between Obito and Kakashi, hence calling him "little uncle."
"Does the leader know about this?" Itachi asked further. Obito nodded.
"Yes. Listen, don't go talking to him about this. Kita was bullied in Konoha. Nagato may not say it, but he's furious inside. The Fifth helps him, he remembers it—but there are others bullying her too. He's waiting to play the long game. I watch Konoha to gauge this. Kita's temper will flare, but Konoha must be softened. If you act recklessly and anger Nagato, it's catastrophic. You know the village situation better than I do. He promised not to act against Konoha—he will honor that."
Itachi didn't know what to choose, but Obito was right: he knew the village situation better than anyone.
"Do you think it's necessary to act?" Itachi asked.
Obito glanced at him, skeptical.
"That day, when deciding Akatsuki's new direction, you voted in favor. Now you question your own choice?"
"I… I just think it might be too cruel."
"You thought it was justified in the Land of Silence, and now in Konoha it's cruel? Itachi, you're too sanctimonious."
Itachi had no answer.
Obito paused, sighed, and spoke with more gravity.
Peace painted over corruption is not true peace. Do you remove the tumor now, or hide it until it's unseen? It's easy to speak, but reality is different. Itachi, you're twenty-one now. Eight years ago, you annihilated your clan. Looking back, can you solve problems now that you couldn't then?*
The dark eyes shadowed. The massacre was not accidental. Even if Obito hadn't intervened, it would have happened sooner or later.
"I just worry about sparking war," Itachi finally said—explaining both the past and the present. The problem from eight years ago had carried through to today.
"Peace without struggle is an illusion. You have to fight, bleed, and then reconcile—that's real peace. You have a good heart, Itachi, but don't forget: endless endurance can turn a person into a fool."
Obito was wise indeed. Itachi thought over these words all day and realized the truth in them. Hmm… this level of reflection led him to mistakenly treat vinegar as soy sauce in the cooking earlier. Though it was a potato stir-fry, it really was too sour.
"Sorry, I was a bit distracted today."
After dinner, while drinking tea and watching TV, Itachi said this. Despite the overly sour meal, they ate it all. Not wasting food had become second nature from Akatsuki team-building activities. Even Sakura had to sip tea to counteract the sour taste.
From her perspective as a roommate, she wasn't particularly opposed to Kisame or Itachi. She now got along with Orochimaru as well. A shark with a hideous face and a fierce weasel? No big deal. After all, what's scarier than a snake and a scorpion together?
"You've been distracted all day. What's going on?" Kisame asked, shelling sunflower seeds while watching a new anime on TV.
Sakura glanced up briefly. "Do you want me to step away?"
Itachi shook his head. "No, it's just personal matters."
"Your brother?"
Kisame's casual wording—your brother—startled Sakura. She hadn't realized Itachi had a brother, and blurted out, "You… you have a brother?"
Kisame looked around, confused. "You lost your memory?"
"Uh… oh, right…"
Sakura held the sleeping orange cat, Daichi, on her lap. Even being held, the little one didn't stir.
"What trouble has your brother caused now? Are you going to deal with him?" Kisame asked, trying to probe.
Itachi thought silently, then said, "Nothing major. Kakashi's with Sasuke—he'll be fine." He leaned lazily against the sofa, hands folded on his abdomen, his profile radiating calm warmth.
"Obito said I'm hypocritical, and it hurts," Itachi muttered.
Kisame nodded in understanding. Even the coldest person has private concerns. "If we switched places, my actions wouldn't necessarily be better."
"It's getting more sensible, your comfort," Itachi smiled.
Kisame chuckled, then added, "Speaking of which, explain where that half-bag of fish food went?"
Sakura laughed. Daichi had helped himself to some fish food meant for other pets. Itachi hadn't noticed, and only a few pieces remained to feed Kisame's tank.
"Uh… it probably flew away with long legs," Kisame shrugged.
"That shop's closed. I can't buy more. It was for the other pets' birthdays. Next time, should I feed Daichi?"
Daichi's eyes opened, sensing danger.
Sakura recoiled, defending justice.
"Daichi didn't do anything!"
"It didn't do anything, and that's exactly the problem. I came back and smelled it all over its mouth," Kisame growled, showing his shark teeth. Daichi yowled and leapt away.
Itachi immediately activated his Sharingan. "If you scare Daichi, I swear I'll send that tank of yours into next month's readings!"
"Then Daichi can die! I'll drown it!"
"Come on, mutual destruction!"
Sakura could only sigh in exasperation. Were these two supposed to be S-rank rogue ninja? Or just comedic relief? The arguments were more childish than anything from her academy days.