Main Quest Branch Missions are actually not the same as ordinary Side Quests.
Because these missions can only be completed during the execution of the Main Quest.
For example,
The mission "Read the Naka Shrine Stele" in this quest would be useless if done at a normal time; it must be completed during the process of the Massacre Night.
'Tsk, this is such a headache.'
'Although the rewards should be quite generous.'
'But with this many branch missions, if I need to complete them all within the same night, I'll definitely need to plan carefully.'
Kyo pondered very seriously.
After all, this time,
The opponents he would face were two.
And not just any small fry opponents.
Rather, they were both Kage-level, arguably even close to the level of Super Kage-level existence.
The first was, naturally, the filial son Uchiha Itachi, who awakened his Sharingan at eight and his Mangekyo at eleven.
The second was that guy assisting in secret with the annihilation, the number one agitator of the Shinobi World, the mysterious masked man, Uchiha Obito.
It was obvious,
If Kyo wanted to smoothly complete all the branch missions, he would inevitably have to deal with them.
'But if that's the case, wouldn't my identity be directly exposed?'
'Tough...'
Kyo extended a finger and rubbed his temple.
Just then,
Suddenly, two children from Amegakure rushed past under the eaves by the roadside.
They were being very noisy, instantly interrupting Kyo's train of thought.
"Hey, Kawa-kun, look! How's this new ogre mask I bought today? Does it look good?"
"Waaah! What's that?! An ogre? So scary!"
"Hahaha, it's fake!!"
The two children gradually ran off, playing and laughing.
However,
After hearing their words, Kyo's eyes suddenly lit up.
'Wait a minute.'
'Ogre mask?'
'Right!'
'Why didn't I think of that just now!?'
'Since that bastard Uchiha Obito can wear a mask and pretend to be Uchiha Madara to fool others, why can't I?'
'Moreover, don't Shinigami, after undergoing Hollowfication, precisely gain a Hollow Mask?!'
Thinking of this,
The corner of Kyo's mouth curled up.
A brilliant plan suddenly emerged in his mind.
"Heh heh,"
"You two filial sons of the Uchiha Clan,"
"When the time comes, let me just slightly change my identity and come play with you~"
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Twilight hour.
East of the Land of Rain.
In the distant Land of Fire, inside Konoha Village.
Top of the Hokage Tower.
The sky gradually darkened, flocks of crows flew by.
Although the sun had not yet set, the full moon seemed to have begun its ascent, its interwoven light reflecting on the two figures below.
"Itachi... have you truly made up your mind?"
Gazing at Konoha under the faint light in the distance, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, with his back to the person behind him, asked in a deep voice.
His clouded pupils revealed an inscrutable expression.
He stood with his hands behind his back, like a statue.
At that moment, behind him,
Itachi knelt on one knee, his head slightly bowed.
After a long while,
He finally answered softly:
"Yes."
Although it was only a single word, it seemed to carry an unprecedented resolve.
Hearing this response,
Hiruzen slowly raised his head,
Slightly narrowed his eyes, then let out a long breath and said softly:
"In that case, go ahead and do it."
"I swear to you in the name of the Third Hokage—your younger brother Sasuke will live safely and grow to adulthood."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as he spoke,
His tone was long and drawn, as if revealing some strange emotion.
Hearing this,
Itachi slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said solemnly:
"Then... I entrust him to you."
As his voice fell,
His figure flickered and vanished from the spot in an instant.
Ever since the Nine-Tails Rampage,
The relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village had become irreconcilable.
One side planned a rebellion and a seizure of power,
While the other contemplated suppression and annihilation.
Itachi, existing in the middle,
Ultimately chose to betray his clan and follow the Will of Fire within his heart.
He wanted to protect the village's peace and his younger brother.
For this, he had to accept the annihilation plan hinted at by Konoha's higher-ups.
And tonight,
Was when the operation would begin.
He would join forces with the masked man calling himself "Uchiha Madara" to annihilate the Uchiha Clan!
For all members of this clan named Uchiha, this twilight,
Would be their last supper.