Chapter 33: Other problems!

Far below the surface, in a dimly lit cavern, two figures exchanged tense words.

"So," the masked man rumbled, a hint of suspicion lacing his voice, "your brother has unearthed remnants of the Uchiha clan. What course of action do you propose?"

Itachi, his expression stoic, replied, "For now, they're inconsequential. None possess pure Uchiha blood. They pose no threat and will never be more than pawns in a power struggle. They are those cannon fodder upon which we use our attacks to show our power."

Inwardly, however, Itachi wrestled with a newfound uncertainty. He had not expected this move from is little brother. Sasuke's actions had thrown a wrench into his meticulously constructed plan. Not only had he located scattered Uchiha survivors, but he had also lied to the Hokage about receiving clan training from Itachi and their father. Though initially surprised, Itachi had accepted this at face value when asked by 3rd Hokage, but he was also impressed by Sasuke's skills. Especially the cat strategy, devised by Sasuke, had eased some of his immediate worry)

"Very well," the masked man conceded. "But have you considered the motive behind your brother's intrusion into the Senju library and now his unauthorized infiltration of the Sarutobi library?"

A frown creased Itachi's brow. "That is a question that plagues me as well. I will extract the answer when we meet again."

Another burden settled on his shoulders. The Third Hokage's complaints and warned about paperwork and the Elders' scrutiny regarding Sasuke's research only added to his growing unease. While Sasuke's access to the Senju library, granted by the Lady Tsunade, was understandable, his unauthorized entry into the Sarutobi library was a puzzle. And on top of that, records of clan wars!

Was Sasuke searching for a secret weapon? Did he possess knowledge I don't? Perhaps something unearthed from the Uchiha documents? Yet, what weapon could hold greater power than the one he has ordered for himself and it has been successfully created? A sardonic chuckle escaped Itachi at the thought of Sasuke showing interest in girls. If his brother was a little bit interested in girls he would have said he is finding a wife. But it sounds so ridiculous. Like his brother is not interested in girls at all. Even as child he didn't let any other female near himself except mother. Guess, he will have to wait for the answer.

"There's more," the masked man said, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Your brother activated the Susanoo during a recent fight."

Itachi's eyes narrowed into a glare. "Hn."

A new wave of frustration washed over him. Had Sasuke not studied the Mangekyo's limitations? Did he disregard his instructions? Was he oblivious to the risk of losing his light? Itachi vividly recalled the genjutsu he employed to silence the ANBU who witnessed Sasuke's Mangekyo so she won't report it. Sasuke's recklessness earned him the silent moniker of "foolish little brother" in Itachi's mind. The undisclosed team of shinobi Sasuke had assembled added another layer of concern. Any exposure, any misstep on one of these three fronts – the hidden team, the unauthorized research, or the Susanoo activation – could force Itachi to take Sasuke and flee Konoha. Already emotionally strained, his body ravaged by a mysterious illness, his only solace lay in his unwavering intellect. Now, Sasuke's actions threatened to unravel his meticulously constructed plan. He will get his punishment for his bad deeds in hell. Even though he deserved it, Why now? He has to reorganize his plan again if situation demanded.

Just as silence threatened to consume the room, Itachi broke the stillness."Madara," he said, his voice laced with a desperate edge, "if I were to present a skilled shinobi, would they be considered for Akatsuki membership?"

Madara, a single eyebrow raised in intrigue, replied, "Hmm? Of course. Your judgment is rarely flawed."

There is one problem solved. Sasuke could join Akatsuki alongside him, or perhaps, depending on the situation, Itachi could leave Akatsuki with Sasuke.

In the inky depths of their subterranean lair, a chilling conversation unfolded between two contrasting figures.

Black Zetsu, a creature of pure malice, voiced his growing concern. "An unforeseen variable has emerged, threatening to derail our entire plan."

White Zetsu, his counterpart embodying confusion, inquired, "Are you referring to Sasuke Uchiha?"

"Indeed," Black Zetsu affirmed, a tremor of unease lacing his voice. "And his power is escalating rapidly."

"But isn't he the reincarnation of Indra?" White Zetsu countered. "Surely, with your connection, you can sway him to our cause."

Black Zetsu scoffed. "Indra severed that connection. He's aware of my manipulation, my plan to resurrect our mother."

"How?" White Zetsu demanded, bewildered.

"Initially, the reason remained elusive." Black Zetsu admitted. "However, it's now clear. Reincarnations possess access to the memories of their other lives. Indra learned of my Infinite Tsukuyomi scheme through Madara's memories. He pieced together the manipulation and chose to rebel."

"If Indra severed the connection," White Zetsu reasoned, "wouldn't that only mean future reincarnations wouldn't be susceptible to your influence? But current and past ones need to sever the connection themselves, and that too requires awareness of your existence."

"He is aware." Black Zetsu confirmed, his voice tight with frustration. "Sasuke Uchiha possesses that knowledge. Only three possibilities exist for how he learned the truth. First, he could be a time traveler. However, if that were the case, Ashura and the Nine-Tails would have accompanied him. Hagoromo would never entrust Indra with such a mission."

Black Zetsu continued, outlining the other possibilities. "The second option is that Indra himself materialized before Sasuke, offering direct knowledge. Again, improbable. Hagoromo keeps a watchful eye on both reincarnations, and his intervention would be certain."

"That leaves us with the final, most unsettling possibility," Black Zetsu concluded. "Indra has taken the form of Sasuke himself."

"What leads you to believe that?" White Zetsu pressed.

Black Zetsu elaborated on his reasoning, citing Sasuke's exceptional mastery of lightning release – surpassing even Madara and rivaling Indra himself. He spoke of Sasuke's potent Yin energy, his political knowledge, his unmatched talent across all elemental natures, and his inexplicable knowledge surpassing any book learning. Such talent which can never be inherited unless it's original. The rapid growth of his chakra reserves, his sage-like body despite the Yin affinity, and most importantly, his possession of their history – of Kaguya, his half-brothers, and his own past – all pointed towards one inescapable truth.

"He is Indra." Black Zetsu declared with chilling certainty. "He has chosen to thwart my plans."

White Zetsu, digesting this revelation, queried, "Then what actions do we take?"

"I initially sent White Zetsu clones to test him." Black Zetsu revealed. "He eliminated them, albeit at a significant cost but only because he was caught off-guard. Doubling the number proved equally futile. I underestimated him in the first encounter. Perhaps I should have accompanied them the first time."

"Should we involve Obito?" White Zetsu suggested.

Black Zetsu shook his head. "Not while Itachi remains in the picture. Obito may possess superior strength, but Itachi wields Kotoamatsukami. One misstep could result in Obito's demise and the seal on his heart falling under Itachi's control. Furthermore, we're still in the dark regarding Itachi's second Mangekyo ability."

"Then what is our course of action?" White Zetsu pressed.

Black Zetsu's voice hardened with resolve. "For now, we leave him alone. He recognizes his current limitations in a direct confrontation. Open hostility from our side remains an option only after Itachi's demise. However, by then, he will likely possess the power to destroy us. The plan must be accelerated. Centuries of planning and anticipation will not be thwarted by him. We will revive Madara. Regardless of Indra's growing strength, he'll require either Six Paths Sage Mode or the Rinnegan to stand a chance. He won't utilize Senjutsu, and acquiring the Rinnegan in such a short period is impossible. Inform Obito – the time has come to start collecting the tailed beasts."

White Zetsu detached himself and vanished into the earth, leaving Black Zetsu alone in the cavernous lair.

"You will not disrupt the history I've molded, Indra." Black Zetsu hissed into the darkness. "I will not let you destroy the shinobi history I created as a part of my plan. You are cursed, forever damned by your father's disapproval. But there's one thing you haven't considered – your future actions will be predictable. Now I know it's you, you're no longer an unknown variable. "

Meanwhile, in the ethereal realm of the afterlife,

"It's not about seeking approval anymore, Black Zetsu," Indra's voice boomed, resonating through the otherworldly plane. "My purpose is to salvage my name from eternal hatred. Before I would not have bothered, but now since the whole world knows about me and my works, I can't let my name dragged. You made a critical error in choosing me as your pawn. This misstep will be your downfall. Now, you'll be strategizing with full knowledge of my presence, not blindly against an unknown variable. But since I am here and not there, every plan of yours will crumble because the person you are fighting is entirely different but you will think it's me."

A flicker of amusement danced in Indra's spectral eyes. "However, I am also curious about his knowledge and one thing is for sure, he knows the future. Perhaps it's time I visit my descendant in person."

"There's much I can learn from my current self. How could I of all people have been such a fool. The mistake I made could be expected from Asura. But it was me who did it." Indra mused.

With a thought, Indra's spectral form began to solidify, taking on a more corporeal presence. He couldn't fully manifest in the mortal world, not yet, but he could project a powerful enough image to communicate with his descendant.

The scene shifted, revealing Sasuke, alone in his training ground at night, laying on the ground after training. Suddenly, a tremor shook the earth, and a spectral figure materialized before him.

I, startled, drew my kunai, my Sharingan blazing with recognition. Thought of white zetsus came to my mind.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice tight with suspicion.

The figure, radiating an aura of power and wisdom, spoke with a voice that resonated deep within my soul. "Consider me a reflection of your potential, a glimpse of what you might become."

I narrowed my eyes, unconvinced. "A reflection? A trickster spirit?"

"Neither," the figure replied calmly. "I am a part of you, a legacy you carry. The choices you make will define your path, shape your destiny."

Intrigue warring with caution, Sasuke lowered his kunai slightly. "What do you want?"

The figure smiled faintly. "Knowledge. Understanding. And perhaps, a chance to guide you down a path that leads to redemption."

A million questions swirled in my mind. Who is he? Hagoromo? Hamura? Indra? Someone entirely new? However, before I could voice any, the spectral figure raised a hand. "Seek answers on your own, young Uchiha. The path to wisdom is paved with self-discovery. This world has already chosen his protector and the path you have chosen is not in the favor of this world's plan. So destiny will try to stop you. But remember, you have to become so strong that even destiny couldn't stop you. Rise where I fall young uchiha. I have given you a gift which will reveal himself when you will get eternal light. Now it's up to you when and how you want to get eternal light."

With those words, the figure who was staring me with red eyes began to fade, the tremor dissipating. In the blink of an eye, I was alone once more, an unsettling silence hanging heavy in the air. My mind raced, trying to decipher the encounter and sight I just witness.

The tremor that accompanied the being's arrival, the undeniable presence of the Sharingan – it all pointed towards one inescapable truth: I had just encountered Indra.

"Why did Indra appear?" he thought, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Why was he here?! What changes? Did some unforeseen event occur? What will happen when I obtain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan?" A knot of unease tightened in my stomach.

(DONE! Have a good Day/Night!)

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