Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan
Chapter 117

“This might be the reason the Uchiha clan gets wiped out.”

After saying this, Kurome noticed Itachi’s expression and couldn’t help but laugh. “Why so serious? It’s just the Uchiha clan getting wiped out. You were ready to do it yourself once.”

Itachi’s eyes narrowed in anger.

Kurome shrugged off the warning, continuing his taunts, “What’s the matter? It’s okay for you to wipe out the Uchiha clan but not for someone else to do it?”

“That was then, this is now,” Itachi replied, shaking his head at himself for even explaining.

Why was he bothering to explain so much to this guy?

Neiki knew the situation was different now and was just toying with him, mocking him.

Despite their constant scheming, the Uchiha clan under Uchiha Sasuke’s leadership was too weak to even share in the spoils of Konoha with other villages. After Konoha weathered the crisis with the Edo Tensei technique, both sides were busy with their own issues, and the deadly animosity had cooled somewhat.

Though Itachi leaned towards Konoha, even in the current state with few Uchiha left, he still wished for Sasuke’s clan to live in peace and didn’t mind offering what help he could from the shadows.

This was what Kurome meant when he said Itachi stood with both Konoha and the Uchiha.

Even if Itachi believed the clan had committed unforgivable sins.

But that’s just how Itachi was.

If he once shouldered the sin of slaughtering his clan for the village's peace, now he could tolerate the clan bearing more sins.

“That was then, this is now,” Kurome repeated, a hint of a smile on his lips.

Once, Itachi was ready to kill the entire Uchiha clan for the village’s stability.

Now, after the village’s stability was shattered, he was protecting the Uchiha.

“You really live a hard life,” Kurome commented.

“You must be hoping I live harder,” Itachi retorted.

Neiki clearly wanted to use Itachi’s desire to protect the Uchiha to his advantage.

“So if I don’t care about the Uchiha, if I don’t live such a hard life, you’ll be disappointed,” Itachi observed.

“You think too little of me,” Kurome said sincerely. “I do want you to live longer.”

Itachi shook his head. “Get to the point. What do you want?”

“I just want to help you protect your Uchiha clan,” Kurome said with a smile.

Under Itachi’s cold Sharingan gaze, his smile faded. He spoke calmly, “That guy has always had ill intentions toward the Uchiha. Now he has a legitimate reason. Your clan won’t escape his grasp.”

“That guy” Itachi asked.

Kurome looked at him as if he were stupid. “A wandering ninja with the Sharingan. Have you seen another?”

“If it weren’t for me stopping you, you would have invited him to help deal with the Uchiha police force that night, wouldn’t you?”

“Do you think your agreement with him means he won’t harm the Uchiha?”

Itachi was silent for a long time, processing the barrage of questions. Fortunately, in this Tsukuyomi space, days could pass in an instant in the real world. They had plenty of time to negotiate and think.

When Itachi looked up again, his eyes were sharp. “Neiki… how do you know so much?”

“How do you know I planned to invite him to handle the Uchiha police force?”

“How do you know I know him?”

“And how did you block my path to him so accurately?”

He took a deep breath. “Neiki… who are you?”

Itachi’s doubts from that night resurfaced with Kurome's casual words.

That night, after being seriously injured by Neiki, Itachi was saved by the man who called himself "Madara". Despite Madara’s power and mystery, he knew nothing about Neiki’s strange behavior or his backing.

They had compared their information, speculating about Neiki’s uniqueness, but reached no solid conclusions. Many suspicious details were chalked up to coincidence or natural phenomena misleading them as artificial tricks. Unbelievable coincidences were deemed just that—coincidences.

Itachi had buried these suspicions, never bringing them up again.

Until Kurome’s casual mention, which reignited those old doubts.

What once seemed like accidents now appeared premeditated.

What once seemed impossible was now inevitable.

Secrets Itachi thought would remain buried were now casually revealed.

This person seemed to transcend time, witnessing and orchestrating everything. He knew all the past but showed no reverence for it. In the name of breaking free from chains, he played with the world, instigating the Fourth Great Shinobi War, causing countless deaths and displacements.

Itachi couldn’t help but feel horrified.

Kurome noticed Itachi’s numerous questions. “Is this more important than the impending crisis for the Uchiha?”

Of course not.

But if Kurome could use the Uchiha to leverage him, then he could do the same.

“I can’t cooperate with someone this dangerous and unknown. You must answer my questions first!” Itachi demanded.

“Don’t you care about Sasuke?” Kurome frowned.

“He won’t harm Sasuke.” That was the only certainty Itachi had after learning from Kurome that “Madara” might target the Uchiha.

“What about all the other clan members?”

“Answer the question.”

“You only have one response?”

“Answer the question.”

The stalemate lasted long in the slow-time illusion space, making it meaningless. Practical as ever, Kurome finally conceded with a sigh:

“Fine.”

“Did that guy not tell you?”

Itachi didn't know that the masked man had already found answers elsewhere. He shook his head.

“It's not much of a secret… Senju Hashirama,” Kurome said the name with a bitter smile. “He's the one behind all of this. I'm just a tool in his hands.”

Despite the suspicious nature of his performance, this was the first time Itachi had seen such a dejected expression on Kurome’s face. Not even when he was bullied by the Hyuga clan's main family members using the caged bird seal did he show such a defeated look.

“Senju… Hashirama?” Itachi repeated, unsure if he had heard correctly.

The founder of Konoha, the God of Shinobi? This could be verified, and he believed Kurome wouldn't lie about it. But why?

“Why do you think I joined the Akatsuki?” Kurome sighed, his tone carrying a sense of despair.

It was as if a bird, after finally escaping a human-made cage, discovered that the entire world was just a larger cage.

“Is he still alive?” Itachi couldn't help but ask.

“I don't know.”

“Why would he target Konoha?”

“I don't know.”

“Why did he choose you?”

“I don't know.”

Itachi stared at the slight smile on Kurome’s face, realizing that this guy wasn’t clueless—he was just retaliating for Itachi’s earlier questioning by refusing to answer.

“I'll find the answers myself,” Itachi declared seriously.

Kurome gave him an encouraging look.

“Back to the main topic.” Itachi refocused the conversation.

“Back to the main topic,” Kurome nodded. After their verbal sparring, he had gained some of Itachi’s trust, enough for them to speak more openly. “Madara needs a large number of Sharingan.”

“When will he act?” Itachi asked.

“That depends on when he gets the method to absorb his clan’s Kekkei Genkai from me.”

Itachi studied Kurome for a moment.

Madara hadn’t asked yet, but Kurome had already anticipated it. Whether this was Kurome’s foresight or a trap he set for Madara was unclear.

“Will this method work for the Sharingan?”

“With his ability, even if it doesn’t, he’ll make it work.” Kekkei Genkai, especially Dojutsu-based ones, often had similar characteristics. Some adjustments in methods could adapt it from the Byakugan to other cases.

“What if I relocate the Uchiha clan?”

“It would only delay their deaths.” Kurome snorted disdainfully.

Itachi pondered for a moment, finally asking, “What’s your plan?”

“Kill him,” Kurome said without hesitation. “Strike first.”

Itachi looked at Kurome, as if seeing a hidden dagger.

“Is it possible?” Itachi asked softly.

He didn’t ask why, only if it could be done.

Kurome, still hanging from the cross, looked down at Itachi and said decisively, “With your cooperation, killing him is no problem.”

Itachi exhaled, thought for a moment, and finally gestured. “Let’s hear your alternative plan.”

Killing someone with Pain around was not wise. The risk was too high. Itachi was sure Kurome had both a risky and a safer plan.

Seeing through his thoughts, Kurome wasn’t surprised. Itachi was always sharp. He chuckled.

“It’s simple.”

“Just…”

After Kurome explained, Itachi frowned deeper. This guy… earlier he claimed to have joined the Akatsuki to escape Hashirama’s control, yet it seemed like he was still under his influence.

“Are you sure?” Itachi asked.

“It’s just about sowing discord and planting the Uchiha as a pawn for Hashirama. Nothing to fuss about.” Kurome gave him a dismissive look.

It was indeed familiar.

This was Neiki’s style when he was in Konoha.

But…

Itachi closed his eyes.

Using my clan as pawns for your schemes, how clever!

He said nothing more. If Kurome truly held a method to absorb Kekkei Genkai from kin, then if Madara asked, Kurome would have to hand it over. It wasn’t about willingness but inevitability.

If not for this plan benefitting Kurome greatly, the Uchiha would be left to face their doom, without choices.

“Thank you,” Itachi said for his clan.

Kurome didn’t respond, his face showing a mysterious smile.

Thanking me now is a bit premature…

…

The Akatsuki’s initiation ceremony for new members quickly concluded.

After the shadow clones from the Light Transmission Technique disappeared, Pain turned to Kurome. “What did you two talk about?”

Kurome paused. “Was it that obvious?”

“Tsukuyomi only lasts a moment, but the chakra fluctuations are noticeable. Especially since he used my Light Transmission Technique as a medium,” Pain said indifferently.

Kurome pursed his lips.

Itachi hadn’t even tried to hide it.

“No matter. I know his identity and that you two won’t truly cooperate. I’m just curious, what do a loyal Konoha shinobi and a traitor talk about?” Pain asked, intrigued.

“We were discussing how to kill Uchiha Madara.” As the rain stopped, Kurome stepped out of the cave.

Pain followed, listening to Kurome’s nonsense. Raindrops fell on his shoulders as he nodded slightly. “And, any ideas?”

“Yes, his phasing ability is troublesome. It’s best to use Genjutsu.” Kurome said nonchalantly.

“What kind of Genjutsu can trap him? He knows his weakness and is cautious around Itachi. Tsukuyomi alone won’t work.”

“Won’t it?” Kurome asked.

“No, it won’t.” Pain nodded.

“What about adding my Divine Dragon Miracle Illusion: Eternal Darkness Technique?” Kurome boasted.

“Is that the technique you used to wipe out the Hyuga clan?” Pain nodded slightly. “If added, and if he doesn’t notice, it might work…”

As they walked, discussing how to deal with “Madara,” Kurome suddenly looked up. “Where are we going?”

“I heard the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki left Konoha. We’re heading there to check it out…”

Kurome stopped, watching Pain’s back.

So, Itachi was right. The Akatsuki was indeed so bold that they didn’t even want to wait, ready to confront Konoha directly.