Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

Outside the Uchiha Military Police Headquarters, atop the flooded lake covering the district—

Two figures flashed back and forth across the water in rapid pursuit.

The figure in front moved like crimson lightning, constantly shifting directions, diving through water, buildings, and forest alike.

Yet no matter how fast he moved—

Or how unpredictable his route became—

He still could not shake off the bizarre figure behind him, who disappeared and reappeared like abrupt cuts in a film reel.

And yet—

The more anxious of the two was not the one fleeing.

But the pursuer who had already been led around for far too long.

"This bastard's speed is already troublesome enough…"

Obito stared upward angrily at the figure that once again plunged into the water.

"But somehow he always predicts exactly where Kamui will appear beforehand…"

"Sensory ninjutsu?"

"Or some kind of dōjutsu similar to the Byakugan?"

Another attack missed.

Obito's frustration deepened further.

He knew very well—

The enemy was deliberately stalling for time.

But who exactly was this person?

Why did he know Obito's true identity?

And if he belonged to Konoha—

Did that mean Itachi Uchiha also knew…

No.

No.

I can't keep thinking like this.

If necessary, I'll call over the other me monitoring Danzō too.

We'll attack him from both sides.

There's no way he escapes then.

Obito clenched his fists tightly.

He could feel himself gradually losing control of his emotions.

Because every single time he tried to force himself to calm down—

That fake Kakashi head popped back out of the water again.

Still wearing the exact same mask and white hair from Obito's memories.

That utterly terrible acting.

That Transformation Technique already completely exposed by the Sharingan.

Everything about it felt like deliberate mockery directed specifically at Obito.

And somehow—

The Kakashi transformed by Kurama felt even more infuriating than the real Kakashi from Obito's memories.

Especially because he never stopped provoking him.

"So what's wrong, Obito Uchiha?"

Fake Kakashi casually floated atop the water while grinning smugly.

"Your Mangekyō Sharingan doesn't seem all that useful."

"Going blind already?"

"Why do I have to keep waiting for you every time?"

"Ohhh, I get it now."

"No wonder you failed to save Rin back then. You were always this slow."

"I'll kill you!"

Obito finally snapped completely and roared furiously while charging forward with overwhelming killing intent.

Meanwhile, the fake Kakashi transformed by Kurama merely laughed loudly before diving back beneath the water again.

But inwardly—

Kurama no longer felt nearly as relaxed.

He could sense it clearly.

This Shadow Clone had nearly reached its limit.

"Minato…"

Kurama narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Don't disappoint…"

"This old man's expectations."

Inside the Tsukuyomi world—

Itachi lowered his head into long silence.

Yet to Minato Namikaze—

That silence sounded deafening.

Though time remained limited and Minato still had no idea exactly how much the time flow differed within Tsukuyomi—

He still waited patiently.

Waiting for Itachi's answer.

"So…"

At last, Itachi slowly raised his head.

His face remained cold as ever.

Yet within the Mangekyō Sharingan born from witnessing his best friend's death—

An overwhelming sorrow nearly overflowed from his eyes.

Even Minato felt pain in his heart upon seeing it.

"What exactly…"

"Have I been doing all this for?"

"This entire time…"

"What was the point of any of it?"

Tears already filled the corners of Itachi's eyes.

The tears of Itachi Uchiha.

At this moment, countless thoughts surged through his mind.

But the emotion engraved deepest within his heart—

Was self-mockery.

Self-destruction-level self-mockery.

Never before had Itachi hated himself this deeply.

For a brief moment—

He even felt as though he never should have existed at all.

Looking at the boy before him, Minato remained silent.

This isn't your fault.

Originally, Minato wanted to comfort him.

But he simply could not say the words.

Because regardless of anything else—

The tragedy had already happened.

And in Minato's eyes, given everything he now understood—

Twelve or thirteen-year-old Itachi could no longer be treated as merely a child.

Those seemingly understanding yet fundamentally condescending words of comfort…

Were not something Minato Namikaze had the right to say.

After all—

He himself was still Konoha's Fourth Hokage.

And that identity alone made him one of the countless stones crushing Itachi's tragic life.

After all—

Minato himself believed he had also failed as a father.

After all—

Only now had he learned that the root of everything came from a group of extremists blindly pursuing their own twisted version of peace.

Meanwhile, intelligent people who believed themselves wise slaughtered one another under manipulation—

While the true mastermind enjoyed everything from the shadows.

How utterly ironic.

Even Itachi falling into despair toward the village…

Toward the Uchiha…

Toward the Hokage…

Was completely understandable after learning the truth.

Yet the next thing Itachi did genuinely shocked Minato.

After silently crying on the verge of collapse for a long while—

Itachi quietly wiped away his tears.

Then, when he raised his head once more—

Only killing intent remained upon his face.

"Fourth Hokage-sama."

Itachi's voice had regained its calm.

"I cannot maintain Tsukuyomi for much longer."

"If I still wish to preserve combat capability afterward…"

"The strain upon my Mangekyō Sharingan means I can at most continue fighting for another half hour."

"So…"

He looked directly at Minato.

"Please tell me."

"What should I do?"

Minato truly admitted it now.

He had been shocked by this boy.

Just how strong of a heart did Itachi possess?

And exactly how rotten had Konoha become to force a child into making such a choice?

Still—

No matter what—

Itachi's current attitude meant Minato's plan had already succeeded halfway.

"First…"

Minato spoke firmly.

"The surviving Uchiha clan members must live."

Then, as though recalling something, he immediately added:

"There should still be survivors remaining, correct?"

"Because my younger brother returned home early, I didn't have enough time."

Itachi clenched his fists tightly.

"I could only temporarily restrain some people with genjutsu."

"Others likely managed to hide themselves."

"But Madara Uchiha… no, Obito Uchiha…"

"He won't let them go."

"Don't worry."

Minato nodded immediately.

"I have a trusted companion currently keeping him occupied."

"But we must act quickly."

"Once you release Tsukuyomi, we'll immediately gather the survivors together."

"The survivors…"

Itachi murmured blankly.

"By now, the ANBU should already have surrounded the Uchiha district."

"They won't allow the Uchiha to leave."

"If we're going to break through…"

Itachi slowly raised his head toward Minato.

Determination filled his eyes—

Alongside faint traces of deathly resolve.

"Fourth Hokage-sama…"

"I alone will carve a path out—"

"Just as you said, the Uchiha truly were planning rebellion."

Minato interrupted him calmly.

"And the fact they ordered you to carry this out means they're undoubtedly wary of you already."

"So don't casually think about sacrificing yourself."

"But…"

Minato's expression hardened.

"The Uchiha clan of Konoha must disappear tonight."

"That part cannot change."

"Then…"

Itachi's voice trembled slightly.

"So in the end, the Uchiha still cannot escape destruction?"

"Please believe me, Fourth Hokage-sama…"

"If even you back then could—"

"No."

Minato shook his head and cut him off again.

"Disappearance does not necessarily mean death."

"Death is one form of disappearance."

"But leaving unseen…"

"Is also disappearance."

"As for the ANBU you fear…"

"Or rather, Root."

"Your concern is Danzō, correct?"

"I've already made arrangements."

"At the very least, this time he won't be able to interfere."

"So don't worry about him."

"Additionally…"

Minato continued.

"I once hid Flying Thunder God kunai within a secret location."

"The environment there isn't ideal."

"But it's absolutely hidden enough."

"In short…"

"Gather the surviving clan members together."

"And I will use Flying Thunder God to transport them away."

"Let the Uchiha…"

Minato's eyes became gentle.

"Leave Konoha."

"Leave… Konoha…"

Itachi repeated blankly.

Slowly—

He began understanding the Fourth Hokage's intentions.

Neither he nor Shisui had ever considered such a possibility before.

From the very beginning, they only thought about which mattered more—

The village or the clan.

Yet they never once considered standing up and leading some people away.

Not everyone.

But giving them a choice.

"Yes."

Minato nodded gently.

"Leaving the current Konoha…"

"Is the best possible option for them."

"This time…"

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I believe the Uchiha will no longer walk the wrong path."

"And afterward…"

"Whether it's the village…"

"Or the entire ninja world…"

"I believe the survivors among you will eventually change everything."

"It's just…"

"That kind of change requires time."

"... Understood."

Itachi slowly closed his eyes.

Suppressing every emotion within himself.

"Then let's begin."

Minato placed a hand upon Itachi's shoulder, already prepared.

Itachi closed his eyes completely.

Chakra flowed slowly as he prepared to dispel Tsukuyomi.

Yet suddenly—

Minato spoke once more.

"Itachi…"

"Your father was not only your family."

"He was also the leader of your clan."

"And a shinobi of Konoha."

"But as a father myself…"

Minato's voice softened slightly.

"I can understand that the ending he chose…"

"Was not merely his answer to the village and the clan."

"It was also his love for you and Sasuke."

"When facing the destruction of his family…"

"He still chose not to fight you."

"His sacrifice…"

I'm sorry.

Minato never spoke those final words aloud.

Because they carried no meaning.

Instead—

He said something else.

"You must learn to accept his choice."

"Understand his helplessness."

"And understand what it truly meant…"

"That in the very end…"

"He chose to complete your path."

"Then…"

Minato smiled warmly.

"You must surpass the fate he himself could never escape."

"That…"

"Is the responsibility children like you must fulfill."

And that—

Was the true Will of Fire.

Itachi said nothing.

But at this moment—

He had finally found his path.

Tsukuyomi—

Release!

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