Chapter 10: So We Can Meet Again Someday
[Grandma Knock Chatroom]
Uchiha Shunhi: Itachi, did you know? Shin Uchiha is actually your crazy fanboy.
Uchiha Itachi: What's a "crazy fanboy"?
Uchiha Shunhi: ...It's like Sasuke. Sasuke is your crazy fanboy.
Uchiha Itachi: ...I don't quite get what you're saying, but it doesn't sound like a compliment.
Uchiha Shunhi: Itachi, if you revealed your true identity, do you think Shin Uchiha would defect to our side and hand over the technology for the Sharingan and the Cloning Sharingan?
Uchiha Itachi: Not a chance.
No matter what, Uchiha Itachi would never allow Shunhi's organization to continue expanding its influence.
Although so far, he'd only seen Shunhi himself within the organization, and the group's objective seemed to be no more than making money, that just made Itachi feel all the more wary of its hidden depths.
An organization that had been laying plans since decades ago could not be underestimated.
...
A purple Susanoo floated in the sky.
"We're close now. Naruto, I'm counting on you to locate Sarada's chakra."
Just as Shunhi was having a good time chatting in [Grandma Knock Chatroom], Sasuke's voice pulled his attention back to the present.
"Yeah."
"Sage Mode."
"...This way."
Entering Sage Mode, Naruto pointed in the direction where he sensed Sarada's chakra.
"The enemy's here. Looks like Shin Uchiha really is in the area."
Seeing three identical kids—Shin Uchiha clones—rushing out ahead, Sasuke gave a faintly pleased smile.
"Orders from Father: eliminate the intruders."
The three Shin Uchiha clones spoke in unison, then each one engaged Naruto, Sasuke, and Shunhi respectively.
"My nuclear energy's partially recovered. Nuclear Release: Nuclear Blast Fist."
As one of the Shin Uchiha clones got close, Shunhi gathered nuclear energy into his right fist and struck with a Nuclear Blast Fist. His punch landed squarely on the clone's body, triggering a violent explosion that blasted the kid backward.
Taking advantage of the opening, Shunhi dashed into the cave ahead—Shin Uchiha's base of operations.
"Did you see that, Naruto?"
"No hand seals. The moment his fist hit the target, it exploded. And at such close range, the caster didn't even get hurt."
As he spoke, Sasuke began unleashing his full power and instantly cut down the clone he had been fighting.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Naruto stopped using taijutsu and immediately summoned three shadow clones to pin down the Shin clone.
No longer needing to keep observing Shunhi's capabilities, Naruto and Sasuke began going all out themselves.
"Naruto, you're always like this. Just kill him already. It's only a clone."
Sasuke walked over to Naruto and looked down at the clone restrained under the shadow clones.
"Don't say that, Sasuke. Let's hurry and catch up—Shunhi's already way ahead."
Naruto scratched his head and replied.
"Wait a sec—he's coming back."
As Sasuke spoke, a Flying Thunder God kunai landed in front of the two. In a flash, a figure appeared.
Seeing Shunhi return so suddenly, Naruto asked in surprise, "Huh? Shunhi, why'd you come back?"
"Don't ask. Let's just say... I couldn't leave you two behind."
While talking, Shunhi checked his system: he still had enough chakra for three more uses of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"...Someone's coming."
Sasuke continued, and sure enough, a whole group of Shin Uchiha clones came pouring out of the cave.
"Orders from Father: kill the intruders."
They all spoke in unison—an impressive and intimidating sight.
"Hmm... I think we should do this in the village too—everyone chanting 'Long live the Seventh Hokage!' together."
While joking, Naruto entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
"Cut the act and focus, Naruto."
Sasuke activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and summoned his Susanoo.
[Grandma Knock Chatroom]
Uchiha Shunhi: Itachi, we're in. We just ran into a bunch of kid-Shin clones. You can start moving too. Let's strike from within and without—take the center by storm.
Uchiha Itachi: Understood.
Uchiha Shunhi: Remember, priority is locating the Cloning Sharingan technology. Then bring back all of Shin Uchiha's Sharingan... Forget it—only kids make choices. I want both the Cloming Sharingan tech and every single one of Shin Uchiha's Sharingan!
[Uchiha Itachi has left the chatroom]
...
"Sarada, your dad and Naruto are here. Let's move."
Leaning against the wall, Uchiha Itachi spoke.
Though he hadn't sat down on the ground like Sarada—wanting to maintain appearances—standing for so long had left his legs aching, so he chose to lean to ease the fatigue.
"Huh?"
Without waiting for her to react, Itachi scooped up Sarada and summoned his Susanoo.
Although he had transferred all his ocular power to Sasuke before his death, for some unknown reason, this body's ocular power had returned.
"So this is Susanoo... the most powerful ability of the Sharingan."
Sarada, who had only read about Susanoo in books, looked in awe at the crimson giant.
"Orders from Father: prohibit—"
Seeing the Susanoo, the Shin clones who had been standing still began to move, but before they could finish their sentence, Itachi launched a fierce assault.
"Amaterasu."
Black flames erupted across the Shin clones' bodies.
Watching them burn and scream in pain, Sarada couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.
"This is the world of shinobi."
"A shinobi must be prepared to kill, even if the enemy is just a child, if it means completing the mission."
Cradling Sarada, Itachi turned to leave—but they were suddenly struck by a massive iron giant.
"Are you okay, Lord Flaming Cloud?"
Itachi's Susanoo was knocked to the ground, and protecting Sarada had caused him to take the hit as well.
"I'm fine."
Itachi's red Susanoo got back to its feet.
"Is that a Susanoo too...?"
Sarada asked, trembling at the sight of the towering iron figure.
"No. The Clone Mangekyō Sharingan can't summon Susanoo. That's just an ability of his Mangekyō—he can manipulate a large number of ninja tools to form an iron giant."
As he spoke, Itachi continued scanning the surroundings.
"So what do we do now?"
Sarada clutched tightly at Itachi's robe.
"We find a chance to rendezvous with Sasuke."
Itachi whispered in a voice only she could hear.
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