NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: Uchiha Massacre
***Itachi-burden:Tragic Decision***
He entering the Hokage's office, Itachi Uchiha bowed deeply, his voice tinged with sadness as he announced, "Hokage-sama, Shisui-san died." The weight of his words hung in the air, underscoring the loss of a comrade and friend. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, expressed his condolences, "I'm sorry for your loss, Itachi. Do you think you can take what he left behind?" With resolve, Itachi responded, "Yes, Hokage-sama. I will complete what he left." Hiruzen then entrusted him with a vital task: "Then, you can observe what the Uchiha are planning." With a sense of purpose renewed, Itachi left the office, unaware of the dark path that lay ahead.
***Shisui alive***
Somewhere deep in the forest, I found Shisui lying unconscious, his body battered but not broken. I quickly got to work, healing him of his injuries and ridding him of any lingering poison. This miraculous recovery felt like a minor miracle in itself, something I hoped would lead to a deeper understanding of my abilities, especially as I continued my training with Tsuna. The relief washed over me when I realized that Shisui was alive; his presence meant more than just companionship—he would play a crucial role in my plans.
Carefully, I placed his eyes back into their sockets, feeling a surge of both hope and trepidation about what lay ahead. Shisui would become a variable in my intricate strategy, a piece on the chessboard that could shift the balance of power.
"Aurora, do you possess any hypnotic abilities?" I asked, glancing at her.
"Yes, Leo, I do," she replied, her tone laced with an air of mystery. "But it's a powerful technique that can only be used once."
"Okay, let's make it count," I decided, knowing the stakes involved.
Despite my discomfort with abilities like these—often portrayed in novels as manipulative or sinister—I recognized their necessity in our dire situation. With the hypnotic power at our disposal, I began to alter Shisui's perspective. I crafted a narrative in which Danzo's attack was merely a façade, hiding the truth that the Uchiha had been forced to leave the village due to the elders' machinations, specifically their treacherous use of Kotamatsu.
Once the transformation was complete, I awaited his awakening. As Shisui's eyes fluttered open, I could see the confusion shifting into determination. He soon moved with purpose, headed towards the hidden refuge of the Uchiha, ready to uncover the truth of their exile. My heart raced with anticipation; this was just the beginning of a much larger game.
**A Dark Pact with Danzo**
In the clandestine Root base, Itachi met with Danzo, who wasted no time in laying out his brutal expectations. "You know what will happen if we leave the Uchiha. I need you to massacre every Uchiha in the village." Itachi's response was cold but determined: "I'll do whatever you say, but you need to stay away from my brother, Sasuke. If you try to touch him, you will know the consequences." With that, he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, sending a clear message to Danzo before departing the base.
That night, standing on an electric pole under the moonlight, Itachi became a figure of darkness, his red eyes reflecting the horrors he was about to unleash. He began the massacre, leaving no Uchiha alive, save for his girlfriend, Izumi. Unable to bear the thought of killing her himself, he sought the assistance of a man who claimed to be Madara Uchiha. Before her death, he cast a genjutsu to show her a vision of their peaceful future together, a cruel irony as she passed away with a smile. As she died, Itachi felt an insurmountable pain, but he pressed on, eliminating every Uchiha except for his beloved brother, whom he cherished above all.
**A Heart-Wrenching Farewell**
At last, Itachi stood before his parents, torn between duty and love. "I know you're in pain, but you need to fulfill what you must do," his father said, a heartbreaking acceptance of their fate. Tears streamed down Itachi's face as he replied, "But promise me one thing: that you will protect your brother, Sasuke." "Yes, Father and Mother, I will," he vowed, only to fulfill that promise in the most devastating way possible—by taking their lives.
As the bloodied scene unfolded, Sasuke returned from his training, rushing home only to discover the aftermath of his brother's actions. His heart sank as he witnessed Itachi standing over their parents' lifeless bodies. "My foolish brother, Sasuke," Itachi lamented, casting a genjutsu to force him to relive the horrific events. The young Uchiha passed out from the trauma, and Itachi, now a broken man, left him in a state of despair.
Finally, Itachi made his way to report back to the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, every Uchiha has been eliminated except my brother. Please take care of him." Hiruzen's expression grew somber as he reminded Itachi of the consequences of his actions. "Itachi, you know what you've done. You will be seen as a rogue ninja, the one who destroyed his own clan." With a heavy heart, Itachi accepted the truth. "Yes, I know, Hokage-sama." As he left the village behind, he issued a final warning to Danzo, sealing his fate as a tragic hero bound by love and duty.