Chapter 120: From Heaven to Hell
"I'll go out for a walk to clear my head. I'll be back soon."
Uchiha Izumi, slightly relieved, showed her mother a genuine smile.
Whether it was genjutsu or a hallucination, she would know just by going out to take a look.
After all, Itachi-kun...
The blood on Uchiha Itachi, it really made one concerned.
"Mm-hmm, go ahead. If you're too stressed, going out for a walk is good too."
Seeing her mother nod in agreement, Izumi didn't bother to put on any gear.
With a direct Body Flicker, her figure vanished from the room.
The next moment, she appeared on the streets of the Uchiha clan grounds.
"I remember the Clan Head's house is... in that direction, right."
Izumi narrowed her eyes slightly, scanned her surroundings, then confirmed a direction and flickered away towards it.
Swish! Swish swish!
Her flickering figure continuously passed through the quiet, dimly lit streets and alleys.
"Very normal, very quiet, no different from usual."
So, everything that happened just now was just a false alarm?
Looking at the lights in every household, and the indistinct figures under those lights,
Her originally grave and tense, delicate face gradually relaxed. Izumi's mood also began to become light and comfortable.
These were clearly all familiar sights.
Yet now, they made Izumi feel an unprecedented warmth and gentleness, gradually welling up from her heart and slowly spreading to her limbs.
"Although those scenes were really terrifying, this joy of having something back after losing it is indeed hard to suppress."
Uchiha Izumi smiled, then paused her steps, stopping before a residence.
This was where the Clan Head's family lived.
Looking into the brightly lit house from outside, one could faintly see several figures gathered around a table.
Dong dong!
Izumi walked to the door and knocked, then took a step back, her hands clasped before her.
Not long after, she vaguely heard a steady set of footsteps appear behind the door in the entrance hall.
Click!
"Hmm? You are..."
The door was slowly slid open. Appearing before Izumi was a middle-aged man with a serious face and a profound aura.
-- Uchiha Fugaku.
The Uchiha clan head, captain of the Police Force, Uchiha Itachi's father.
"Lord Clan Head, I am Uchiha Izumi. My apologies for disturbing you so late."
Uchiha Izumi bowed slightly in a polite, well-behaved manner, asking: "But because I have to leave the village for a mission tomorrow, I wanted to reconfirm the detailed contents of the mission."
Reconfirm the detailed contents of the mission.
This was merely a random excuse she came up with.
Just an excuse to start a conversation, to make it convenient to ask other questions.
But Fugaku's next words were beyond Izumi's expectations.
"Oh oh, I remember now. So it's Izumi."
As if remembering the identity of the girl before him, Fugaku's tightly furrowed brow instantly relaxed, his expression also softening from serious to gentle.
This appearance, in Izumi's eyes, actually made him seem somewhat simple and honest.
"I was planning to notify you later. That week-long mission of yours has been canceled by the client."
Uchiha Izumi was instantly stunned upon hearing this.
The mission was actually canceled by the client?
"Hmm? Izumi, do you have any other questions?"
"N-no."
Hearing Fugaku's words, Izumi subconsciously shook her head: "Or rather, that would be for the best."
Although it felt a bit sudden, she could spend a few more days with her mother.
"Yes, indeed not bad."
Fugaku showed a heartfelt smile, his tone emotional: "Itachi has also retired from ANBU and joined the Police Force. He won't be so busy in the future."
"Our family hasn't had a good reunion like today for a long time."
"..."
These two short sentences, and the information they contained, made Izumi once again show a look of astonishment.
Uchiha Itachi was at home right now.
And this undoubtedly confirmed her suspicions further.
"But... Itachi-kun, actually retired from ANBU?"
Uchiha Izumi couldn't help frowning, her thoughts becoming chaotic.
This wasn't bad news.
On the contrary, it was the best news possible.
Itachi-kun no longer needed to live in that oppressive atmosphere of ANBU, nor did he need to be so full of deep suffering and hatred.
She would have more time to spend with Itachi-kun.
This way, she would have more opportunities to express her feelings to Itachi-kun.
But, but...
"Isn't this a bit too sudden?"
"Ah, it is indeed a bit sudden, but it's true."
Fugaku heard this, smiling gently: "In the future, if Izumi wants to find Itachi, you can do so anytime. No need to worry about Itachi leaving the village for missions anymore."
As soon as these words were spoken, a smile couldn't help but appear on Uchiha Izumi's face.
"No matter what, it sounds pretty good."
But suddenly, sensing the teasing gaze before her,
She couldn't help but blush shyly.
Uchiha Izumi bowed slightly to Fugaku: "Then, then I won't disturb you any longer. I'll visit another day."
Immediately, without waiting for Fugaku's reaction, she hurriedly left the Clan Head's residence.
Walking on the streets of the clan grounds, Izumi's mood gradually relaxed.
Thinking about what happened tonight, a smile flashed in her eyes.
"How wonderful."
It was simply like suddenly arriving in a beautiful paradise from a cruel purgatory.
...
In the following days, Konoha was also very peaceful.
But it wasn't without any changes; everything happened imperceptibly.
The Uchiha clan and the Konoha higher-ups reached some kind of consensus.
An Uchiha elder joined Konoha's decision-making council, and the Uchiha's right to speak in Konoha was strengthened.
The Police Force was no longer the Uchiha clan's private property; outsiders began to join the Police Force successively.
The Konoha higher-ups promulgated improved regulations, and the Police Force's law enforcement authority received top-down recognition.
The Uchiha clan's reputation in Konoha even began to reverse.
In this harmonious environment, Konoha became increasingly prosperous; everything seemed so beautiful.
And Uchiha Izumi also became a Jōnin, finally joining the Police Force.
Inside the Police Force building in the center of Konoha.
At this moment, dozens of Police Force members had gathered on the first floor of the building.
Uchiha Fugaku, as captain, stood before everyone, his serious gaze sweeping over their faces.
And at the front of the five squads, stood five respective sub-captains.
Uchiha Itachi, as a sub-captain, was among them.
He perfectly inherited the Uchiha clan's talent and abilities.
His fame outside even surpassed Fugaku's "Evil Eye" moniker, feared by ninja from other countries.
And his will and abilities also earned the recognition of everyone present.
It was very likely he would become one of the candidates for the Fifth or Sixth Hokage in the future.
Of course, he was also the target of Uchiha Izumi's pursuit and admiration.
Uchiha Fugaku stood beside her. Izumi, wearing the Police Force uniform, stood before everyone.
"Good day, Seniors!"
Her tone was neither humble nor arrogant: "I am Uchiha Izumi. I am very happy to be able to work with everyone. Please take good care of me in the future."
For a moment, the Police Force members below looked at her with curious, friendly gazes.
The atmosphere seemed very harmonious as well.
"Just as Uchiha Izumi said, starting from today, she is a member of the Police Force."
Uchiha Fugaku introduced her with his arms crossed, then pointed to Uchiha Itachi's squad: "Izumi, the squad you are assigned to is the second squad, to which Uchiha Itachi belongs."
Uchiha Izumi couldn't help but be stunned upon hearing this.
After a moment of silence, she finally nodded.
"Yes."
Seeing Izumi walk towards Itachi's direction,
Fugaku meaningfully instructed Itachi: "Itachi, Izumi is entrusted to your guidance. Get her accustomed to the Police Force's rhythm as soon as possible."
"Yes."
Uchiha Itachi nodded seriously.
After a moment, Fugaku dismissed the squads.
The Police Force members also left one after another to carry out their internal work in the village.
Until finally, only Itachi's second squad remained, staying on the first floor of the Police Force building.
Uchiha Itachi looked at his squad members, saying calmly: "Everyone except Uchiha Izumi can leave."
"Yes."
After the others left, only Itachi and Izumi remained.
Meeting Izumi's eyes, Itachi's serious expression gradually softened, his tone teasing: "As you can see, you'll be under my command from now on, Uchiha Izumi."
"...I understand."
Izumi's expression was somewhat complex; she just nodded lightly.
Itachi looked at Izumi puzzledly, not understanding why she would show such an expression.
For several months now, Izumi's mood had seemed very off.
But whenever he asked, Izumi would just beat around the bush and change the subject.
"Women's minds are truly hard to guess."
Itachi couldn't help but sigh inwardly, then looked at Izumi: "Come with me now. We'll go on a village patrol mission together."
With that, he strode towards the outside of the building.
Izumi, seeing this, also didn't say much, just obediently following behind Itachi.
The two walked one after the other in silence for the entire way.
"Itachi, out on patrol again!"
"Mm, good morning, Madam."
Along the way, villagers on both sides of the street greeted Itachi friendly.
However, seeing Uchiha Izumi following behind him,
"Itachi, this girl behind you, could she be..."
Some gossipy aunties would come over, asking about their relationship, half-serious, half-joking.
Facing these people's questions, Uchiha Izumi also just forced a smile, offering no response.
"Ah, Madam, please don't misunderstand."
Uchiha Itachi beside her would proactively step forward to smooth things over, explaining gently: "For now, it's just a friendship and colleague relationship."
"Oh~ Just friends and colleagues for now! Understood, I understand~"
These aunties understood his meaning upon hearing this, instantly beaming as if they had discovered some little secret.
Uchiha Izumi made no explanation or rebuttal from beginning to end.
This only made those people even more certain of their guesses.
The two walked all the way to the vicinity of the Forest of Death before their ears finally quieted down.
It was at this moment.
Uchiha Itachi suddenly stopped, turned to Uchiha Izumi and smiled: "Want to find a place to rest for a bit?"
Izumi, following behind, also stopped.
Looking at Itachi's gentle smile, a look of struggle flashed in her eyes.
After a long silence, she finally shook her head and refused: "Rest isn't necessary. I'm not tired yet."
But Itachi clearly was just asking as a matter of course, actually having no intention of listening to her opinion.
Before Izumi could even reply, he had already walked towards the Forest of Death.
"Is that so..."
Uchiha Izumi looked at his retreating back, a bitter smile on her face: "Has it finally come to this step?"
Perhaps... it's time to make a clean break.
Thinking this, Izumi once again set off.
Following Itachi's figure, Izumi's figure was also gradually swallowed by the shadows of the Forest of Death.
The two walked one after the other like this.
Midway, Itachi slowed his pace several times, but Izumi showed no intention of catching up.
Uchiha Itachi, seeing this, sighed inwardly and had no choice but to let her walk on her own.
After a moment.
Gurgle gurgle gurgle~
The two walked out of the forest and arrived beside a clear stream.
"Ah~ It's been a long time since I came here."
Itachi sat on a rock by the stream, looking at the distant scenery with emotion: "Before, we often practiced ninjutsu here. So many years have passed without realizing it."
Uchiha Izumi lowered her head, also slowly coming up behind him.
Yes, so much time has passed without realizing it...
These past few years, she had lived very, very happily.
No need to go out of the village for those dangerous missions, able to stay in the village to accompany her mother, and also having a mutually admired friend...
"Izumi."
Uchiha Itachi, still looking into the distance without turning his head, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "If I remember correctly, we've known each other for ten years, right? You..."
Itachi, usually so decisive and rational, rarely showed such embarrassment.
If his subordinates saw this, they would never believe their eyes.
This clearly looked like someone experiencing the first bloom of love, right?
But Izumi, usually so reserved and calm, was now uncharacteristically neither happy nor sad.
"You want me to be with you, right?"
"I..."
Uchiha Itachi was also taken aback by this direct question.
But Izumi didn't seem to care about his answer.
Instead, she nodded slightly, gazing into the distance with a complex expression.
"If I choose to accept everything,"
"Then one day in the future, you will personally put a ring on my hand."
"Our children will grow up in a peaceful environment from a young age, without having to experience the cruelty of war, let alone listen to the wails of the battlefield."
"The children will also move in the direction I hope for, becoming ordinary people, healthy in mind and body."
"I will live safely and peacefully until I'm seventy, and die one step ahead of you."
"You will hold my hand by my sickbed, and I will leave this world with a peaceful smile, without any regrets."
Uchiha Izumi, in a calm tone, continuously sketched out the beautiful future she desired.
This... was the future she saw.
This was also the future she longed for most in her heart.
After Izumi finished speaking, Uchiha Itachi beside her also came back to his senses.
He turned around, asking with a puzzled face: "Izumi, what are you talki—"
But before he could finish,
Splurt!
A muffled sound of flesh being pierced was heard, and Uchiha Itachi's eyes suddenly widened.
"Izumi, you... why..."
Facing his confusion, Izumi hadn't looked at him once from beginning to end. Instead, she looked into the distance, speaking to herself: "You tell me, false beauty or cruel reality – which is easier for people to accept?"
Immediately, she answered her own question with a bitter smile: "Undoubtedly, it's the former."
But, if it's clearly a false illusion, why let her know?
Deceiving oneself and others...
It really is pathetic.
Also, becoming friends, husband and wife, with the executioner who killed her mother...
Really, really...
"It really is a nauseating future!"
Thump! Thump!
Uchiha Izumi lowered her head, the shadow of her hair obscuring her face, yet tears couldn't stop flowing from her eyes.
"Hmph! Hmph heh hahaha!"
She seemed to lose control of her emotions, crying and laughing at the same time: "I really want this kind of future! I really don't want to believe you would do that kind of thing!"
"But, but!"
Izumi trembled all over, tears streaming down, then she abruptly raised her head.
Her eyes turned scarlet, three tomoe appearing within them.
Her eyes were full of resentment and anger: "No matter how I deceive myself, every time I see you appear before me, I can't help but want to vomit!!"
Although she desperately told herself in her heart,
That was just an illusion; Uchiha Itachi couldn't possibly do such a thing.
However, her mother, her clansmen, all the beauty around her,
Even the nightmares every night, were constantly reminding her.
This was just her wishful thinking!
Her mother... had already died under Uchiha Itachi's butcher's knife!
This was merely a beautiful future fabricated specifically for her by Uchiha Itachi!
The warmth of accompanying her mother, and the pain of knowing it was false yet having to pretend not to know.
Every time Uchiha Itachi appeared before her,
That hypocritical face, every word and action, would deepen the resentment and pain in her heart time and time again!
That intense hatred from the bottom of her heart thus tormented her day after day, year after year.
By now, it was completely irrepressible!
"Uchiha Itachi!!"
Splurt!!
As her voice fell, the kunai was also pulled out from Uchiha Itachi's chest.
Gushing blood also splattered onto Izumi's face and clothes.
The next moment, everything before her began to twist, to deform.
The gurgling stream, the bright sunlight, the fresh air, and Uchiha Izumi slowly falling...
All of it vanished.
The sky instantly turned to night; she reappeared in her own home.
"Am I... free from the genjutsu?"
Just as a hint of joy appeared on Uchiha Izumi's face, before she could react,
A cold, familiar voice suddenly came from beside her.
"Your hatred... is this all it amounts to?"
This icy tone made Uchiha Izumi couldn't help but tremble all over.
Immediately, she slowly raised her head, looking blankly at the figure before her.
As if in an instant, she had fallen from heaven back to hell.
Uchiha Itachi stood there, looking at her with a cold face.
Splurt!
The butcher's knife in his hand was pulled directly from her mother's heart.
Gushing blood splattered straight onto Izumi's stunned face.
This... was reality.
This was an incomparably cruel, brutal reality.
That delicate face gradually became twisted.
A pair of scarlet eyes, filled with tears, were also instantly consumed by hatred.
"Ah! Uchiha Itachi!!"
Her Sharingan, filled with anger and hatred, began to spin rapidly as she screamed hysterically: "I want you dead!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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