Chapter 161: Chapter 160: The Choice
Itachi stared at the name, falling into silence.
"Big brother!
Are you dissatisfied with how quickly my little brother died?
Sending Miss Konan over at this time... Konoha might explode.
How long has it been since Konoha was half destroyed and just repaired?
How many people died back then?
Right now, Konan is the number one wanted criminal in Konoha.
She's not on the same level as Orochimaru and others.
Seeing Itachi's aggrieved expression.
Itsuki consoled, "Don't worry. If anything happens to Sasuke, I will mobilize all of Fire Hidden Village's power to avenge him and destroy Konoha."
Well, thank you!
You're unexpectedly kind!
"Let's go with the second person."
Itsuki casually wrote down another name.
Itachi glanced at it and fell silent again.
Uchiha Nisaki!
"Lord Mokukage, don't tell me you're planning to go personally?"
"Of course!"
Itsuki smiled and said, "How could I miss out on something so enjoyable?"
"Lord Mokukage!"
Itachi's voice became more serious, "The cooperation between Konoha and Fire Hidden Village has stopped, which means they have already found a way to deal with the Flying Thunder God. If you go there—no, I think Konoha is expecting you to go."
"Then all the more reason to fulfill their wish."
Itsuki smiled slightly, picked up a nearby fishing rod, and headed to the lake.
Fishing!
It had also become one of his hobbies.
Itachi looked suspiciously at his back.
What is he thinking again?
What's he planning?
Well, it's his own life on the line—he wouldn't be careless.
Itachi shook his head and left.
He was quite capable in many aspects, which was why he was Itsuki's secretary.
Although Itsuki often had his secretary Pakura help manage the village, the one he truly wanted to pass the position to was still Itachi.
Second-generation Mokukage!
At just seven years old, he could view things from a Kage's perspective, with a Kage's mentality.
This saying wasn't wrong.
...
Rain Hidden Village.
Where the Ten-Tails' body was kept.
The members of the Akatsuki Heavenly Group gathered once again.
"Uchiha Itsuki, where's the Eight-Tails?"
Pain spoke first.
"I'll get it back eventually, do you need to keep bringing it up? Mozuku, if you were by my side, I would've knocked your eyes out."
Itsuki was helpless.
During the Great War between Fire Hidden Village and Cloud Hidden Village, Itsuki had captured the Eight-Tails alive.
Who knew that it was just part of the Eight-Tails' tail?
The real Eight-Tails had long since escaped.
As a result!
Not only did the Eight-Tails escape, but the members of the Akatsuki Heavenly Group also exposed Rain Hidden.
Why did they have to send the Eight-Tails to Rain Hidden Village?
Two years ago, Rain Hidden Village and Cloud Hidden Village clashed several times.
To everyone's surprise, Rain Hidden managed to hold off Cloud Hidden's attacks; both sides fought back and forth.
Cloud Hidden's overall losses were even greater than those of Rain Hidden.
In the end, considering the threat of Fire Hidden Village, Cloud Hidden chose to stop.
But!
Rain Hidden Village still raised the alert of many.
This strategic buffer zone was not as simple as it seemed.
So Pain mocked Itsuki several times.
If it was face-to-face, with Itsuki's temper, he would've definitely wanted to have a proper match with Pain.
But they were separated by hundreds of miles.
No point talking if they can't fight.
Itsuki waved dismissively at him.
"Konan, come to Fire Hidden Village to find me later. There's something I need."
"Alright!"
Konan nodded gently.
Pain's expression turned dark.
Over the past two years, Konan's relationship with Itsuki had become serious.
Konan often visited Fire Hidden Village, staying for months at a time.
Itsuki also frequently came to Rain Hidden Village to show off his relationship in front of Pain.
Pain was angry but helpless.
"Enough!"
He snapped coldly, "Everyone, the second phase of Akatsuki's plan is wrapping up, and it's time to prepare for the third phase. I will summon you all again for future matters."
Here we go again!
Itsuki raised an eyebrow.
The storyline was diverging from the original.
"Alright!"
The other Akatsuki members didn't care at all; in fact, they seemed a bit excited.
War—they had always enjoyed it.
The second phase of the Akatsuki Heavenly Group's plan: establish an independent Akatsuki, instigate small-scale wars.
First, monopolize war contracts for small nations and small ninja villages at a low price.
Then.
Release the tailed beasts to escalate the conflict, break down the structure of the major ninja nations, destroy their economies, and dominate all wars.
"Itsuki-kun!"
Orochimaru suddenly spoke up, "I heard Konoha and Sunagakure are jointly hosting the Chūnin Exams?"
"Yes!"
Itsuki smiled, "Are you interested, teacher?"
"I do plan to go to Konoha, revisiting old places."
Orochimaru grinned, "I heard they've also invited you."
Itsuki also smiled, "I will go to Konoha, but I'll just be a simple spectator. I won't interfere no matter what happens."
"Then I can rest assured!"
Orochimaru chuckled as his figure vanished.
It seems.
The Konoha Crush Plan is still in motion.
Is the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, dead now?
I remember he has a daughter named Temari.
...
Using the Flying Thunder God, Itsuki brought Konan back to Fire Hidden Village.
After the volcanic eruption.
Itsuki hugged Konan, leaning against the bed with a smile, "Konan, how about taking you somewhere for some relaxation?"
"Where to?"
Konan's eyes sparkled.
She always felt comfortable when she was with Itsuki.
And, for some reason, when it came to Itsuki's words, it was hard for her to resist.
Konan thought she must love Itsuki too much.
He was the one who truly entered her heart.
"Konoha! How about that?"
"Sure!"
Thus, the two of them would team up with Sasuke to participate in the Chūnin Exams.
When Sasuke heard the news, he was completely dumbfounded.
The people who blew up Konoha would be on his team?
And the third team member is the Mokukage!?
You two are joining the Chūnin Exams?
Are you out of your minds!?
"Sasuke, Lord Mokukage must have some business, so make sure not to bother him."
Fugaku spoke seriously.
Sasuke pouted, "But my Chūnin Exam..."
He wanted to see Naruto and become a Chūnin under his friend's congratulations.
Fugaku didn't care at all, "If you do well enough, Lord Mokukage can directly promote you to Chūnin. You don't have to worry about that—just focus on protecting yourself, got it?"
"...Yes!"
Can't argue with the boss!
Sasuke reluctantly nodded.
He rolled his eyes, "Dad, aren't you going out either?"
"You wouldn't understand."
Fugaku sighed, "I can't just leave because I was once the leader of the Uchiha clan. I must lessen my presence in people's minds."
Sasuke: "..."
Are you really that important in the clan?
Why don't you just say you're worried about Itsuki visiting and you're not comfortable leaving Mom alone?
...
To anticipate potential issues, Fire Hidden Village only sent Sasuke's team, while the other eligible Genin were kept in the village.
But!
As Itsuki prepared to leave Fire Hidden Village with Sasuke and Konan, an unexpected visitor arrived.
That arrogant expression...
Itsuki glanced at Konan, sighed, "I feel like cutting someone. Konan, give me a hug for comfort!"
(End of this chapter)
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