บท 425: Itachi's Choice
"Madara is a very talented man but also very ambitious. The kind of ambitious man who will not wield to anyone," commented Edward. He has plenty of experience controlling ambitious people, but some would rather die than kneel.
Another person who would be perfect for this job would be Danzo, but Edward knew he would have to make a lot of effort to control someone like that, and it was not worth the trouble.
"As for Hashirama? He's too kind and unsuitable to live in the darkness," added Edward. "But you're different. You're as talented as them, have seen the darkness of the world, have experience in the Anbu, and, more importantly, you did not let the darkness corrupt you."
Itachi smiled wrily as he understood the subtle meaning behind these words. He had a weakness: Sasuke. And this weakness means it's easier to be controlled in case something occurs. Furthermore, if he wants his brother to flourish in the Empire, being the Emperor's shadow is one of the best ways; he will have access to countless resources and knowledge.
So, Itachi paused for a moment, pondering his decision. Then, he knelt in one knew before saying, "Your majesty."
Edward smiled, "Get up. I promise you won't regret this decision."
"Hope so," muttered Itachi before asking, "Can I ask two questions?"
"Please."
"Who is the Commander of this Shadow Squad?"
Edward understood Itachi was asking who his superior was and why he was not chosen to be the Commander.
"I have chosen someone, but I don't know if they'll agree. So, for the time being, you'll be in charge."
The head of the Shadow Squad must be someone like Grindelwald, who completely surrenders their souls to him, or a member of the royal family: in other words–his wife. So, Edward has someone in mind, hoping to convince her after traveling to the next world.
Whether it is the Ghost Squad or this new Assassin Squad, they are the capital for his royal family to survive and maintain power in the likely hood someone actually defeated him and took over the Empire. With these two powers in his hands, the royal family can easily survive a regime change.
And Edward knew the chances of this happening were not as low as some people might imagine. The most talented individual of the Empire was someone from the Jamaican region called Abisai Ursain. At 14, he awakened a special soul because of the changes in the environment. And in just two years, he reached Tier 6.
Many people were shocked and worried at the same time. Rumors spread that this kid would not live long since he threatened the royal family's status. However, these people underestimated Edward's courage.
He was a pathfinder, creating a perfect system for humans and other "low-level" species to allow them to rule the plane one day. So, he was not jealous of Abisai and encouraged the appearance of more genius like him. Furthermore, he was confident is he was born in an era where the Arcane System existed, his speed would not be any less than Abisai's.
"What's your second question?"
"Doesn't the Empire has an Intelligence Gathering Agency?"
"There is, composed of many talented people with Metamorphogus Bloodline," replied Edward before shaking his head. "Domestically, they are perfect at their job. However, regarding foreign affairs, they are too young and inexperienced. The Empire has to rely heavily on Divination to gather information.
"The purpose of the Shadow Guard is to train elites and send them throughout the universe."
'Of course, to have a power completely under your control,' thought Itachi with an unchanged face. After all, he did not dare say it out loud.
Edward gave him a look, guessing what he was thinking. He knew Itachi was extremely intelligent and could understand the subtle meaning behind his words and actions.
"Do you want a temporary or permanent contract?"
"Temporary." He had already thought about it and decided this was the best option. Itachi did not want to spend the rest of his life in darkness.
"There are four options: five hundred years, a thousand years, 2000 years, and 10,000 years."
"I'll take 2000 years," he replied after a brief ponder; this was a long enough time to ensure the rise of his brother and the Uchiha Clan.
"Alright," stated Edward before giving the contract. Itachi wrote his name with his blood after reading every margin of the contract. Then, he immediately felt a connection between himself and Edward.
"Be prepared. After returning, you'll have to undergo intense training." Most of the Ninja's Jutsus are not useful for assassination because of how flashy they are. So, they need to be trained.
Before leaving, Edward ordered Grindelwald to create a perfect training method using Invisible, Shadow, Darkness, and Space Magic.
Edward nodded to Itachi before disappearing. Itachi sighed as he felt a heavy burden lifted from his shoulder. Facing the Emperor was more challenging than he made it appear. No matter what, this man had the power to dictate the fate of the entire planet. So, how could ordinary people easily face him?
He jumped on top of his house, looking in the distance. He could see his brother training his Taijutsu. However, he had a look of frustration. Itachi could understand the reason.
Previously, Sasuke could be considered a genius simply because of his Sharingan or noble lineage. But now, he could only be considered slightly extraordinary. Then there is the fact that many of his former classmates from civilian backgrounds–like Sakura–have been discovered with exceptional talents and placed on a list to be cultivated by the Empire.
These people he once could not even care to look at or remember their names were now way ahead of him and treated as true geniuses.
"I think I made the right choice," muttered Itachi before jumping over to Sasuke's side; it was time for them to reunite and have a one-on-one conversation.
Edward teleported to the lab to prepare for his next step.
"Is everything prepared?" he asked another clone.
"We are ready."
"That's good," he said after nodding. "Where is Tsuna?"
"She's using the virtual network to learn potion," replied the clone with an evil class. "I made sure she took Snape's class."
"Old Snape?"
"Old Snape."
The two laughed as they reminisced. Although Snape is probably the most talented Potion Master of the Empire, his teaching abilities are subpar–especially the old him.
When Edward began to show his talent back in Hogwarts, Snape was always after him since he thought he was too arrogant. However, after realizing he could not embarrass Edward, he simply ignored him.
He walked to the next room and saw Tsunade removing her headset in anger before yelling. "Danm it, isn't it normal for a student to not know something? Isn't the teacher's job to teach?"
She looked at Edward with frustration, "Are all the teachers in your Empire like that?"
"Snape was my teacher and is the greatest potion master of the Empire. As for his teaching abilities? Just know he's no longer a teacher."
Tsunade understood this womanizer played a joke on her.
"Please give me a normal teacher," she said after taking a deep breath to calm down. After reading the first-year potion book, she immediately realized potion was a great field to save lives. So, she wanted to learn.
"I will."
"Thanks. Anyway, why are you here?"
"Do you want to experience interstellar battle?"
"You're about to attack the Otsutsuki Clan?" asked Tsunade as she rapidly figured out his purpose.
"Exactly."
"I thought you would go alone and defeat them yourself."
"No, I plan to broadcast to further show the might of the Empire to the Ninjas and to show them the horror of the universe."
"I see," she said with a sigh. "Alright, I want to watch."
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