[Izanagi—although it is rumored that it requires possessing the power of both the Uchiha and the Senju to activate, in reality, the Uchiha clan frequently used it during external battles and internal power struggles. Moreover, even non-Uchiha who have mastered this Jutsu can use it as long as they implant a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.]
The faces of the Uchiha across countless timelines changed drastically in an instant.
Of course, they were pleased that the Sky Screen was praising them. But they weren't fools. With these words, wouldn't the Uchiha become a target for everyone?!
The covetousness of the entire world—no matter how confident the Uchiha were, they wouldn't dare claim they could withstand that.
"This Sky Screen…"
"Why is it even revealing this?!"
"Non-Uchiha can also use Izanagi… Doesn't that mean anyone could come and steal our eyes?!"
"In the future, won't our clan never know peace?!"
The Sharingan alone was already tempting enough. Now the Sky Screen was saying that even non-Uchiha could use Izanagi after implanting a Sharingan. This was practically roasting the Uchiha over an open fire!
But what made the Uchiha even angrier was yet to come.
The scene on the Sky Screen shifted:
On a bridge built of stone, space suddenly twisted.
Three figures appeared out of nowhere: Sasuke, wearing the Akatsuki uniform; "Tobi," wearing a spiral mask; and the red-haired Uzumaki Karin.
And standing in the middle of the bridge was none other than Shimura Danzō, his head wrapped in bandages.
The elderly Hiruzen froze mid-motion, his pipe hand stopping in the air, somewhat puzzled: "Danzō? Why is he confronting someone from the Akatsuki?
"And what exactly is the relationship between Sasuke's Team Hebi and the Akatsuki? They're clearly wearing Akatsuki uniforms and even operating alongside Akatsuki members, and they participated in capturing the Eight-Tails, yet they aren't counted as Akatsuki members?"
Suddenly, he paused. "Could it be that the future Sasuke has already learned the truth, and that's why he's going after Danzō?"
Listening to the old man's words, Jiraiya felt somewhat emotional. Although he didn't know the details, he could understand many things just from what Hiruzen was saying.
"Old man, the Sky Screen is right. You really are getting old. You should have stepped down and let someone else take over long ago. Who knows how much darkness is hidden beneath Konoha's glamorous exterior."
Hearing that, Hiruzen's eye twitched, and he roared: "You lazy bastard! If you were willing to take the position, I would have retired long ago. What's the use of saying this now?!"
---
On the screen:
Danzō slowly unwound the layers of bandages wrapped around his right arm, speaking slowly as he shattered the deathly silence on the bridge.
"Just right… Uchiha Sasuke, and Uchiha Madara. I will accept your Sharingan as well!"
---
[Konoha, Year One]
Madara was somewhat stunned. He couldn't help but clean his ear, wondering if he had misheard.
What was this guy on the sky babbling about?
Uchiha Madara? Must be the same name, right?
Was there another Uchiha in the future named Madara?
There's no way it was him. Sneaking around like that was absolutely not something he, Uchiha Madara, would ever do!
---
[Konoha, Year 20]
'Madara… So you really didn't die!'
Tobirama's conjecture was confirmed, and instead of fear, more questions arose in his mind.
Why would someone as proud as Madara wear a mask in the future?
On the screen:
As the last layer of bandages on Danzō's arm fell away, everyone's pupils constricted sharply.
What came into view was his right arm, whose pale complexion stood in stark contrast to the rest of his body. But what was truly hair-raising was this: densely embedded in that arm were ten crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan!
Hiss!!!
Gasps of horror echoed across every corner of the Shinobi World.
[Konoha, Year 60 · Hokage Office]
Hiruzen shot to his feet. The pipe slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor, scattering sparks everywhere.
His face flushed red with anger, and he pointed a trembling finger at the Sky Screen.
"Go—go get Danzō. Bring Danzō here! Immediately!!!"
"If he dares to resist, execute him on the spot."
So this was the price of indulging Danzō for forty years in the latter half of his life? He had no idea how many more innocent souls of their fellow villagers were on Danzō's hands.
Or rather… what could he possibly do to rebuild the villagers' and clans' dwindling trust in the Hokage?
And that Tsunade—clearly somewhere within the Land of Fire, yet she spent her days getting dead drunk. A journey of just a few days, and she still hadn't returned!
His old bones... couldn't hold on much longer. Just thinking about the fallout this might cause in the village after the Sky Screen ended gave Hiruzen a splitting headache.
Jiraiya had also risen to his feet, his face ashen.
He hadn't expected the darkness within Konoha to run even deeper than he had imagined.
Human experimentation wasn't something only Orochimaru was doing. After Orochimaru left, someone had picked up his mantle—Danzō's right arm was the ironclad proof.
No one in the room responded, the ANBU had already rushed out.
---
[Konoha, Year 52 · Uchiha Compound]
All the Uchiha stared at the sky, at those ten crimson Sharingan on Danzō's arm.
"Danzō…"
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!!"
The crowd seethed with fury, nearly spiraling out of control.
Fugaku remained seated, the teacup in his hand shattered into powder with a sharp crack. His originally dark eyes had, at some point, transformed into the pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan, crimson light burning within his pupils.
"Danzō… so it really was you."
---
[Konoha, Year 60 · Akatsuki Hideout]
"Whoa!"
Tobi, wearing his mask, let out an exaggerated gasp, pointing at the image on the Sky Screen as he spoke.
"Is that the future me? Itachi-san, looks like your little brother ends up joining the Akatsuki too! And we're going to fight Danzō of Konoha together!"
"But it's really interesting, have the only two remaining Uchiha both become rogue ninjas in the future?"
The other Akatsuki members turned to look at Itachi with amused expressions.
Itachi frowned slightly, a look of displeasure crossing his face.
"Hmph!"
"That foolish little brother of mine… he still isn't dead in the future?"
His words seemed to express genuine surprise that Sasuke had managed to survive at his hands in the future.
After speaking, he ignored the others' stares and focused his gaze on the Sky Screen, though confusion lingered in his heart.
Tobi… or rather, that man who called himself Uchiha Madara.
Why would the future Sasuke be with him? And why would they join forces to go after Danzō?
You have to know, Danzo was a high-ranking member of Konoha; Sasuke taking action against Danzo was an absolute act of betraying the village! Could it be... did Sasuke really betray the village in the future?
Then what about the agreement he had made with the Third Hokage?
And how much time had passed between this era and the Eight-Tails capture? Could Sasuke even handle Danzō? He better not do anything impulsive.
Thinking of all this, Itachi couldn't help but feel a tightening in his chest.
*****
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ReduxMagister