Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan
Chapter 116

Kurome met the Akatsuki leader, Pain, and the holograms of other Akatsuki members at a cave on the border of the Land of Wind.

“Let me introduce our new member, codename Kurome,” Pain said briefly, performing the usual short ceremony for each new Akatsuki member.

Under several scrutinizing gazes, Kurome remained silent, his ghostly white eyes returning each look.

“Another boring stoic,” said a man with his forehead protector around his neck, making no effort to hide his disdain for the new member.

“Before you call someone else a stoic, you should look at yourself… Keep messing with the stitches on your neck, and they’ll come apart,” said a low voice beside the nonchalant man. Neiki turned his head and saw a tall man wearing a mask, showing only his eyes.

The Immortal Duo.

Hidan and Kakuzu.

“This guy looks familiar… Hey, have we met before?” a young man leaned forward, trying to get a better look.

“Look at his forehead protector; he’s a rogue ninja from Konoha. If anyone here should recognize him, it’s not you,” a raspy voice retorted from a short man beside the young man.

“Sasori, you’re so annoying!!” the young man angrily clenched his fists.

The Art Duo.

Deidara and Sasori.

“Indeed, if anyone should reminisce, it should be Itachi, who was once one of Konoha’s twin prodigies alongside this ‘Kurome’…” A shark-eyed man recognized the new member almost immediately and smirked at the Sharingan-wielding young man beside him.

“…”

The latter didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on Kurome, who turned his head slightly, sensing the stare. Their eyes locked, intensity sparking between them.

“Konoha’s twin prodigies? So it’s you… With a bounty of 60 million ryo, I knew joining the Akatsuki was a good choice. It’s surprising that the leader could bring you in…” Kakuzu observed Kurome like a prized target.

“Konoha’s twin prodigies? What’s that?” Hidan scratched his head, confused.

No one answered him.

“I knew I recognized you! I’ve heard of your exploits—” Deidara paused, then spread his arms wide, his voice rising in excitement. “You did an amazing job!!!”

“What a masterpiece—blowing up Konoha, even using such a mundane method like explosive tags… Regardless, you’re a true genius who understands the essence of art!!!”

“It’s a shame I couldn’t witness the birth of such great art in person…”

“Sasori, I don’t want to team up with you anymore. I want to team up with Kurome, who understands that ‘art is an explosion’!!”

“Kurome, let’s go blow up Iwagakure together!!!”

Sasori let out a cold snort, ignoring his partner’s ramblings, his eyes coldly fixed on Kurome.

So it’s him…

“The Akatsuki has indeed gained a significant member…”

“Hey, what are you all talking about? Who is he, anyway?” Hidan impatiently shouted.

“Don’t worry about it. Just stitch your neck,” Kakuzu replied.

“Are you looking down on me?!”

The cave was filled with noise and chatter.

Pain seemed to sense something, glancing at the silent Kurome beside him, then at Itachi, who was staring at Kurome, and frowned.

… Using the Light Projection Technique to cast Tsukuyomi?

…

The Tsukuyomi space welcomed a rare guest.

In this red-lit illusionary world, countless Kurome were hung on numerous crosses, with countless Itachi standing before him.

Both were familiar with this form of communication.

With the illusionary substitution technique, Kurome was completely unbothered.

“Why would someone like you join the Akatsuki?” Itachi finally asked after a long stare.

“Why haven’t you returned to Konoha?” Kurome, hanging on the cross, retorted calmly.

This time was different. Due to Neiki’s intervention, Itachi did not complete the Uchiha Clan Massacre. Tasked with stopping the Uchiha rebellion, he failed and disappeared from the sight of both Konoha and the Uchiha.

The Uchiha Clan believed Itachi disappeared because he was weak-willed, choosing neither side when faced with a decision, ultimately opting to flee.

Konoha, on the other hand, was more forgiving. They didn’t label Itachi a traitor and didn’t put a bounty on his head.

It seemed that Konoha felt Itachi had done everything he could. The information about the Uchiha rebellion came from him, with precise timing. Konoha’s lack of preparation was their own fault.

In this timeline, Itachi bore no sins. He no longer needed to carry the burden of killing his clan. Although the Uchiha Clan had become pariahs in Konoha, Konoha still left a place for Itachi. He could return but chose not to. Instead, he followed the original storyline and joined the Akatsuki, which was unusual.

Given that the Akatsuki and Konoha currently had a decent relationship, Itachi didn’t need to be an undercover spy monitoring them. He must have other motives.

“Is this the freedom you wanted?” Itachi asked calmly.

Although Itachi had almost died by Neiki’s sword, it was ultimately because they stood on different sides. The Uchiha’s decision to rebel was inevitable; Itachi tried to stop it but failed. He didn’t hold a grudge against Neiki.

In fact, Itachi was spared from the tragedy of slaughtering his clan because of Neiki’s intervention.

Itachi couldn’t bear that sin, and now the entire world was mired in the Fourth Great Shinobi War.

No matter what, the past was over. The war had begun, and everything was irrevocable. The only consolation was that Konoha’s crisis had largely been averted with the return of the Konoha heroes. Darkness was receding, and dawn was on the horizon.

Even so, when he saw Neiki again, Itachi couldn’t help but ask the question he had long buried in his heart.

“Leaving Konoha, joining the Akatsuki?”

“Fighting for a cause you could never care about?”

Chapter 118: Reunion

“From one cage to another?”

“Do you think it's cheap?” Kurome's lips curved slightly. “You might not understand, but yes, this is the freedom I desire.”

“You misunderstand. The freedom you’ve gained at the cost of the Fourth Great Shinobi War and countless lives taken during the chaos you caused in Konoha is anything but cheap. On the contrary, it's incredibly significant and astonishing,” Itachi said softly. Since the night before the rebellion, he had matured a lot. “I just don’t understand why you’re getting involved in this mess. You joined the Akatsuki for other reasons, didn’t you?”

Kurome’s gaze turned slightly serious, but his expression remained playful as he mockingly said, “You always overestimate yourself, Itachi. You think you know me well, but if that were true, you wouldn’t have lost to me back then.”

“Stop,” Itachi shook his head, unfazed by the taunt. “Whatever you’re planning, the Akatsuki is dangerous. There’s more to it than meets the eye.”

Kurome smirked. “And what about you? Why are you here in the Akatsuki when Konoha is in such a dire situation?”

“Konoha doesn’t lack me; it lacks powerful allies. That’s why I’m here—to build a bridge between them and the Akatsuki.” Itachi made no secret of his purpose.

Now it made sense.

Kurome nodded slightly. This answered one of his questions. The Akatsuki and Konoha's relationship, fragile as it was, required a middleman to facilitate it.

Itachi had evidently done significant work in this regard.

“Does Pain know about this?” Kurome asked.

“He knows but doesn’t care,” Itachi paused, his tone becoming cryptic. “Just as he didn’t care about Konoha’s feelings and insisted on recruiting you into the Akatsuki.”

There was deep hatred between Neiki and Konoha. Neiki joining the Akatsuki would inevitably shatter the already fragile relationship between Konoha and the Akatsuki. As the leader, Pain surely foresaw this.

“With the Eight-Tails captured, going after the Nine-Tails is inevitable. It makes sense,” Kurome nodded slightly.

In the real world, he had seen Pain dragging the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki—Killer Bee.

“Aren’t you heading to Pain now to prepare for an attack on Konoha?” Itachi suddenly asked.

Kurome didn’t mind this conversation between old acquaintances turning into an exchange of information. He and Itachi had many similarities, and Itachi was one of the few Uchiha not easily swayed by emotions.

To people like them, results mattered more than the process, and benefits outweighed right or wrong.

Kurome shook his head. “No, Konoha’s development of Edo Tensei surprised everyone. They’re currently in their prime, fighting against the Four Great Nations. The Akatsuki needs Konoha to stand in the forefront; we’re not eager to break ties with them.”

Itachi's expression relaxed slightly.

Kurome blinked and smiled. “What’s wrong? Afraid the Akatsuki will attack Konoha?”

Itachi remained silent, merely glancing at Kurome.

Kurome chuckled. “Oh, you’re afraid I’ll attack Konoha.”

“You overestimate me.” Kurome reminded him that the current Konoha, now an entity even Pain was wary of, was not something a lone wolf like him could easily deal with. Those who had risen from the coffins had already driven the Kumogakure forces to retreat and were about to expel them from the Land of Fire.

Itachi scoffed. The current state of affairs was a result of underestimating Neiki in the past. The chaos he could cause far exceeded his individual strength and should not be underestimated.

“What’s the story behind the assassination of the Wind Country Daimyo?” Itachi shifted the topic.

“It was Black Zetsu… Didn’t they inform you before acting?” Kurome asked with a low laugh.

“You overestimate me,” Itachi echoed Kurome's words.

Akatsuki members were not obligated to inform each other of their actions unless there was significant overlap. Especially not for actions that could undermine internal trust.

After all, the Akatsuki's assassination of the Wind Country Daimyo would inevitably lead Sunagakure to declare war on Konoha while pursuing the Akatsuki. There was no need for someone like Itachi, with ties to Konoha, to be informed.

“This has serious repercussions,” Itachi said seriously.

“More serious than collecting the Tailed Beasts?” Kurome sneered.

He thought Itachi should have expected this after learning about the Akatsuki's plans.

Ignoring Kurome's mockery, Itachi warned, “Assassinating the Daimyo will make Akatsuki a target for the other nations' Daimyos. It could turn the Akatsuki into a true enemy of the world.”

Kurome raised an eyebrow. “Do you care about that?”

“No, I just doubt the real purpose behind the Akatsuki making such a sacrifice,” Itachi replied softly.

“I see,” Kurome nodded and said nonchalantly, “There’s no need to doubt. It’s just that someone behind the scenes is getting anxious and doesn’t want to see the war end.”

Itachi frowned, unsure of whom Kurome was referring to.

Kurome noticed his expression and asked, “So, whose side are you on?”

“And you? Whose side are you on?” Itachi countered.

“I represent myself,” Kurome answered.

“So do I.” Itachi nodded.

Kurome stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed. “I see. You stand on both Konoha’s and the Uchiha’s side!”

Once, Itachi could only choose between Konoha and the Uchiha. But after the schism between Konoha and the Uchiha, Itachi, a prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, no longer had to face the sharp conflict between his clan and his village.

Thus, he still lingered between Konoha and the Uchiha.

Now he was truly on both sides.

“Is it because Sasuke went with the Uchiha Clan?” Kurome knew Itachi had lost faith in the Uchiha Clan. Thanks to Neiki's intervention, the tragedy of Itachi slaughtering his clan hadn’t occurred in this timeline, and avoiding contact with the clan was the best outcome. But Itachi still insisted on staying close, which could only be because of Sasuke.

Itachi’s expression turned grim. He wondered how Kurome had figured it out; he thought he had been discreet.

“Send my regards to Sasuke,” Kurome's laughter faded as he asked, “So… how is the Uchiha Clan now?”

“What are you planning?” Itachi looked up.

Kurome, with a residual smile, spoke in a gentle tone, yet his words were like those of a devil: “I have a method to absorb the Kekkei Genkai of kin. Do you need it?”

Itachi's pupils dilated in shock.

His voice trembled. “Is that why the Hyuga Clan was wiped out?”

Kurome shook his head.

“That could also be why the Uchiha Clan will be wiped out.”

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.