Thanks to the efforts of everyone in the Akatsuki organization, the Three-Tails, Four-Tails, and Six-Tails were successfully sealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

After completing these tasks, Pain (Tendo) issued the next command, his face devoid of emotion.

"Next, we gather outside Kumogakure."

"Our mission is to capture the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails possessed by Kumogakure."

Inside a cave, Uchiha Itachi and Deidara, who had been meditating cross-legged, both opened their eyes. They had been resting in a nearby town, preparing to move toward Kumogakure to participate in the upcoming battle.

Just as they were about to set off, a figure emerged beside Uchiha Itachi—it was White Zetsu.

With a smirk, White Zetsu said, "Your brother, Uchiha Sasuke, has killed Orochimaru. He's formed his own team—and is searching the world for you."

Itachi's expression shifted slightly. He responded in a calm tone, "Tell the leader I have personal matters to attend to."

White Zetsu added, "Should I inform your brother of the time and place for your final battle?"

Itachi gave a small nod. "Yes. Tell him I'll be waiting at the Uchiha Clan's ancestral grounds."

Zetsu's body dissolved into the earth. "Understood."

Deidara, clearly irritated, scowled. "You're really going to fight your brother? What a waste. Try not to die."

"When you come back, I'll show you my art. It surpasses even the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"Hmph."

Itachi allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. "Is that so? I look forward to it."

Without another word, he turned and began his journey to the Uchiha ancestral land.

---

In a forest…

As Sasuke moved swiftly through the trees, his expression hardened. A white figure appeared atop a large branch before him.

"Uchiha Sasuke, I was sent by your brother," said White Zetsu.

"He asked me to tell you—he'll be waiting at the ancestral grounds of the Uchiha clan."

With a smile, Zetsu vanished into the tree trunk just in time to evade Sasuke's sword strike.

"Itachi…"

Sasuke's eyes burned with murderous intent. He clenched his teeth.

"Sasuke…" Suigetsu, Jugo, and Karin looked on with concern.

"I'm fine. Just… excited."

"The thought of finally killing him makes me tremble with anticipation."

With determination in his gaze, Sasuke surged forward, racing toward the Uchiha ancestral land.

Once Sasuke and his team were gone, Black Zetsu and Uchiha Obito emerged from the shadows of a nearby tree.

"Why are you allowing this?" Black Zetsu asked, visibly puzzled.

Obito sneered. "Uchiha Itachi isn't truly a traitor. He's Konoha's mole, placed inside Akatsuki."

"One of his conditions was that Akatsuki never move against Konoha."

"But after we conquer Kumogakure, the next target will inevitably be Konoha—for the Nine-Tails."

"This clash between brothers is unavoidable. And Itachi will die at Sasuke's hand."

"Itachi loved Sasuke more than anything. He destroyed the entire Uchiha Clan to save his younger brother's life."

"Their battle will be glorious—but the outcome is certain. Itachi will die."

"Then Sasuke will take his eyes, awakening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

"When the time comes, I'll tell Sasuke the truth about Itachi."

"I know him. He'll reject Itachi's ideals."

"There's a 90% chance he'll seek vengeance against Konoha. Then he'll join us."

"With his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he'll be an invaluable asset in our plan to take the Nine-Tails."

Black Zetsu looked regretful. "But that means Itachi won't be part of the assault on Kumogakure. He's a critical asset—he has the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Obito shrugged. "It's just Kumogakure. Nagato and the others can handle it."

Black Zetsu chuckled. "Nagato's condition is worsening. He may not last much longer."

Obito smirked. "Then his mission is almost complete anyway."

---

Outside the Uchiha ancestral land, Orochimaru (No. 1) stood atop a tree, peering into the distance through a telescope.

The man who revered science dismissed the Hyūga's Byakugan as superstition—he believed in telescopic optics.

From his vantage point, he watched the fierce battle between Itachi and Sasuke unfold atop a crumbling structure. Their fire-style jutsu scorched the nearby forest, turning it into an inferno.

Eventually, Sasuke summoned his most powerful Lightning Release—Kirin—but Itachi shielded himself using Susanoo.

Exhausted, Sasuke's chakra collapsed, allowing the cursed remnants of Orochimaru (No. 2) to re-emerge within him. The second Orochimaru attempted to take control of Sasuke's body, only to be sealed away by Itachi's Totsuka Blade.

"So, it failed," Orochimaru No. 1 murmured with a sigh.

"Is there something wrong with me in this world?"

"My obsession with the Third Hokage led to the sealing of my arms…"

"My obsession with the Sharingan led to complete defeat…"

"Maybe I should take this as a lesson—not to follow the same path."

Setting aside his telescope, he turned to leave. He had sensed the chakra of others nearby, and it unsettled him. His obsession with the Sharingan had waned. Now, he had no reason to stay.

His true goal was to free Orochimaru No. 2 and retrieve his research data.

"In my world, the Rinnegan belonged to Uchiha Madara."

"Nagato was just its temporary holder."

"But in this world, things have yet to be revealed."

"If I can obtain the perfected Edo Tensei and summon Uchiha Madara…"

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with fascination.

"I wonder if I could defeat Arakawa Zenkichi using the perfected Reanimation Jutsu."

"Compared to the Sharingan, Zenkichi's abilities interest me more. They're beyond even the Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release."

He muttered with a trace of obsession—his deepest desire now was Zenkichi's body.

Wasting no time, Orochimaru found one of his vessels. Using a cursed seal embedded in the subject, he released Orochimaru No. 2.

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