Chapter 469: Uchiha Itachi vs. Aizen
All this time,
The massacre of the Uchiha clan had haunted Uchiha Itachi—an unrelenting pain that never faded from his mind.
But at the same time,
Beneath that pain, there was also a sliver of pride and honor.
Because even though he had betrayed his clan, he had upheld the Will of Fire, sacrificing everything for it.
And the Hokage had seen it all.
His actions had been classified as top secret. Though labeled a traitor, no Konoha ninja squad was ever sent to hunt him. On the contrary, he had been entrusted with a crucial mission—joining Akatsuki as a double agent.
That was the source of Itachi's pride. He had carried the radiant torch of the Will of Fire with the weight of his own clan's blood.
He had protected the village.
But now, that very pride—the secrecy, the truth known only to the Hokage and his closest advisors—was casually spoken aloud by none other than Aizen Sōsuke.
It felt like taking a Mangekyō genjutsu full force. Like a direct hit from Tsukuyomi.
Aizen smiled gently. "Mr. Uchiha Itachi, please don't be alarmed. I am the Hokage's most trusted aide. You don't need to worry about your classified records being leaked."
Worry? Is that what you think I'm worried about?
Itachi's normally unflappable expression darkened.
Even Kisame beside him noticed the shift and looked surprised.
"It's fine. Take me to the Hokage," Itachi said after regaining his composure.
Aizen shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Uchiha Itachi. Without the Hokage's approval, no outsider may meet him directly. It's for his safety."
He offered a reasonable explanation.
After all, the Samsara Game was filled with strange, unpredictable powers—far more dangerous than the unusual jutsu of the old ninja world.
So for an unscheduled visit like this, background checks were necessary. Only after confirming no threat could they bring Itachi before the Hokage.
"For his safety? Mine?" Itachi's emotions stirred again.
Anger rose in his chest, though he couldn't find a valid counterargument. As Aizen had said, an unexpected attack from an outsider would be nearly impossible to prevent.
But still… he was Uchiha Itachi.
The Uchiha who inherited the Will of Fire, who thought like a Hokage, who was willing to give his life for the village.
Yes, the Hokage's safety mattered.
But when such precautions were applied to him...
Itachi didn't know how to respond. If he said what he really felt, it would sound too self-serving—after all, he hadn't slaughtered his clan for privilege or praise.
Still, it left a sour taste in his heart.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Uchiha Itachi? If not, please follow me," Aizen said casually. Then he turned to the tall figure beside Itachi. "Is he your companion? He cannot enter Konoha yet and must be taken to the interrogation room."
He was referring to Kisame.
Still wearing his scratched Mist Village forehead protector, Kisame's identity was obvious.
Back then, Mei Terumī had tried to bring him back to Kirigakure, offering to reinstate him. But Kisame had refused—he had no interest in retracing his steps.
She'd nearly burned him alive for it.
"No direct meeting with the Hokage and now questioning my companion?"
Itachi exhaled and said flatly, "I want to accompany him."
"No."
Aizen smiled apologetically. "Interrogation content cannot be made public. I apologize for the offense."
Even Kisame hadn't expected this kind of treatment for Itachi's return.
Back when Mei tried to recruit him, she'd promised that if he returned, even someone as infamous as Itachi would be given a captain's position in the Mist's assassination squad.
This was a massive contrast.
Itachi clearly thought the same but did not lash out.
Aizen already knew about his top-secret file. He was still a Konoha shinobi, hidden for the sake of his mission and the Will of Fire.
And yet now, they were treating him like a criminal.
Was this truly the Hokage's will… or was Aizen acting on his own?
Itachi refused to believe that his loyalty to Konoha and the Hokage would be rewarded like this.
His face stayed expressionless, but inside, he thought, This must be Aizen acting on his own. Should I teach him a lesson?
He was never one to tolerate humiliation.
The Hokage's and Danzo's weakness had merely led others to misunderstand him.
Sasuke. Orochimaru. Kakashi. Anyone who tried to provoke him always ended up tasting Tsukuyomi.
"Come with me."
Aizen acted like nothing was wrong, turning and walking ahead.
Another Fire Release ninja escorted Kisame away toward Konoha's interrogation facility.
Through the dense forest,
The two stepped inside Konoha's barrier. Aizen flawlessly performed the entry seals, transmitting identification to the guards.
They let him pass without question.
The current barrier had an outer sensory layer. Deeper within were the game's defensive installations—wraith energy cannons, vampire magic arrays, and even vengeful souls of the Sky Ocean's dragonkin.
Even a gold-tier like Itachi would be stopped.
And their activation would cause massive energy fluctuations, alerting the entire village.
That was why Itachi didn't sneak in like before to eat dango balls at the teahouse in secret.
"Mr. Aizen, you must be highly regarded by the Hokage," Itachi said, watching his back, eyes gleaming.
Even knowing the codes for the game's barrier array—he'd never had that kind of access before.
"Not really," Aizen replied modestly. "What I seek is not favor, but peace. To protect the village, to shield the people, to let the light of the Will of Fire shine on every corner of the world—that is what matters most."
"If all we do is fight over the Hokage's affections, then even after ten thousand years, the Will of Fire will never spread."
"Don't you agree, Mr. Uchiha Itachi?"
Aizen turned with a smile, glancing at the man walking behind him.
"You're right. Truly worthy of the name 'Konoha's Moonlight'—a shining embodiment of the Will of Fire."
Itachi said the words,
But at the very moment Aizen turned around, the black tomoe in his eyes spun violently—
And the Mangekyō Sharingan emerged.
It was a Tier 2 Mangekyō, enhanced by a scroll—Tsukuyomi.
In an instant,
Aizen's vision blurred—and he was pulled into the Tsukuyomi realm.
"This is the Tsukuyomi realm."
Itachi's calm voice echoed from all directions.
"In this world, space and time are mine to control. Even if you wish to die, you cannot—without my permission, Aizen Sōsuke."
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