Itachi looked at Gusion's subtle expression and suddenly understood.
He realized this was a weird situation—he was an Anbu, on a mission to hunt down Gusion.
The mission had failed; three Anbu colleagues were dead, and he was waiting for death. Yet here he was, hoping a missing-nin would tell him how to save the Uchiha.
After all, what's in it for Gusion? Even if he cares about Konoha, he's a missing-nin now—he has no obligation to help.
Thinking this, Itachi made up his mind and solemnly said, "Senpai, if you help me save the Uchiha, I'll work for you from now on."
In Itachi's view, Gusion wasn't some mad criminal, and he still cared about Konoha. Even if he worked for Gusion, he wouldn't be asked to destroy Konoha.
Besides, his current position was awkward—the Third Hokage sent him on this mission, clearly not trusting him, maybe even treating him as expendable.
He was loyal to Konoha, but not blindly loyal to the Third. As long as the village could prosper and the Uchiha survive, he didn't care who he worked with.
He had even planned to massacre the clan, become a missing-nin, and join Akatsuki to spy for the village.
Now, he felt fate had smiled on him—he met Gusion, and got a chance to change his fate.
Gusion had brains and power—if they worked together, they could save the Uchiha, and maybe secretly help Konoha too.
"Oh? Itachi, do you know what you're saying?"
Gusion hadn't expected Itachi to be so quick. He'd just wanted Itachi to help him get some forbidden Jutsu from Konoha, but Itachi pledged allegiance instead.
"I know what I'm saying, Senpai. If you save the Uchiha, I'll work for you."
Itachi repeated, "As long as it doesn't endanger Konoha, I'll do anything."
Gusion smiled, "No need to be so serious. As for not harming Konoha—I can't guarantee that. If Konoha sends people to kill me again, I have to fight back, right? I won't forgive those at the top who put me in this position."
Itachi hesitated inside, but realized: to save the Uchiha, the current power structure in Konoha would have to change drastically.
That included the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the elders—all were obstacles. So Gusion's point made sense; it wasn't realistic to save the Uchiha without rocking the village.
With that, he relented, "As long as Konoha isn't truly devastated, I can accept anything else."
Gusion was very satisfied with Itachi's answer—this exceeded his expectations. If he'd asked Itachi to help destroy Konoha, he'd refuse. But any plan would clash with Konoha's leaders—major conflict was inevitable. Itachi taking his side was enough.
With Itachi's attitude confirmed, Gusion could freely offer his advice. "Itachi, tell me about the Uchiha's situation—how urgent is it?"
Itachi realized he hadn't explained, so he quickly recounted his deal with the Third and his plan to massacre the clan.
Gusion, after listening, confirmed the timeline—good thing he ran into Itachi now; otherwise the Uchiha would already be history.
"Since things are so tense, it's a bit late to consider marriage alliances. The other clans would hesitate. First, you must sheathe your drawn swords."
Gusion said, unafraid after reading many smart comments online.
"You mean, I should persuade my father and the others to let go of rebellion and show a willingness to coexist peacefully?"
Itachi, always the reasonable Uchiha, immediately got it. "But my father is stubborn—he won't listen to me."
Gusion looked at Itachi, "That's because you've never really communicated. If you explain the alliance marriage plan, I'm sure he'll see it's a better way to get wealth and power. With money and power, your standing in Konoha rises. If you're strong enough, what's to stop you from becoming Hokage?"
Itachi pondered, "You're right, Senpai. I'll try talking to my father."
"In the end, Itachi, do you really understand your father? You don't really think you could single-handedly wipe out the clan with just those eyes, do you?"
Gusion figured Itachi wasn't lying, but hadn't mentioned Obito, meaning Obito hadn't contacted him yet. In the original, Itachi didn't do it alone—Obito helped and probably led the assault.
And the Uchiha's strongest, the ever-indecisive, conflict-avoiding clan head Fugaku, in the end just lay down and waited to die after seeing his son's resolve.
Fugaku had experienced two ninja wars and awakened the Mangekyo—Itachi might not even beat his father.
"Senpai… actually, my eyes are pretty strong. I wasn't fighting all-out before. If it came to a death battle, you might not be my match."
Itachi said diplomatically—he already had Susanoo ready, and was about to fight Gusion before this talk.
"Oh? You mentioned Shisui also awakened Mangekyo. Why do you think only you two youngsters have it, and not your father, the clan's strongest?"
Gusion asked.
Itachi froze, suddenly realizing he'd gotten cocky after awakening his Mangekyo. His father was also a genius, a veteran of battle, who'd lost friends and brothers—he might have the Mangekyo too.
Seeing Itachi stunned, Gusion continued, "Don't underestimate your father. Be clear with him—he'll understand. If you two join forces, your power alone could make Konoha wary."
"I understand, Senpai. You said to sheathe our swords and show peace—then what?"
Itachi asked.
"Then? Then you follow the plan I just described. Once things calm down, who wouldn't want your Sharingan? If you can't bring yourself to Konoha, just marry in. Your clan is full of good-looking men and women—finding partners is easy."
Gusion said, "Just ally with a few families, and Konoha won't dare touch you. Not hard at all."
Itachi considered the feasibility—it really didn't seem that hard.
Their clan was attractive, so finding partners would be easy, especially with families that didn't have bloodlines, just secret jutsu.
No need to go for the most powerful clans. Any few to stabilize things and Konoha wouldn't dare move.
"But Senpai… even then, the situation isn't really solved. If the higher-ups see through our plan, they might just go all-out and wipe us out anyway."
Itachi voiced his worries. Knowing Danzo and the Third, it wasn't impossible.
Gusion stroked his chin, thinking, "That's possible. But your clan isn't weak, and my plan isn't that simple."
"You have another plan, Senpai?"
Itachi asked expectantly.
"I said there were high, middle, and low plans, right? No need for the lowest. The middle plan, combined with the best plan, can cover this."
Gusion smirked, "Itachi, I want to slightly destroy Konoha."
Itachi tensed, "Senpai, I just said…"
Gusion raised his hand, "I said 'slightly'—not enough to really hurt Konoha. Remember the Third War? Tensions with your clan were high, but nothing happened because Konoha had external enemies—they needed the Uchiha to fight multiple great nations."
Itachi immediately understood, "You mean, use external threats to force internal unity?"
Gusion nodded, "Exactly. Make the old men at the top realize it's not the Uchiha who need Konoha, but Konoha who needs the Uchiha. If Konoha gets repeatedly defeated by outside enemies, and your clan comes to the rescue—what then?"
Itachi's eyes spun with excitement, "Our reputation in the village would completely change!"
Gusion smiled, "Exactly. You'd gain more power, and with threats outside, Konoha wouldn't dare move against you."
"But Senpai… would you do it? Konoha would hate you, and the risk is huge."
Itachi was already considering Gusion's position. If he was hated by Konoha, it would hurt—Itachi knew that feeling.
Gusion replied, "You're right. The Uchiha are strong, and Konoha's no pushover. I wouldn't risk attacking Konoha alone and dying for your play. I need to think about how to do the 'Konoha destruction plan'."
"Indeed. Saving the clan isn't easy…"
Itachi sighed. Even with his mind opened, it would still be difficult.
"Don't worry. I haven't figured out all the details yet, but I have a general idea. I'll contact you when I have news."
Gusion stood up—he already had someone in mind for the plan, someone who would be happy to work with him.
"Senpai, you're leaving already?"
Itachi was disappointed; he still had many questions.
He felt such a big matter—saving the Uchiha—was being decided in a few words; it felt hasty.
"What else? Just talking isn't enough. You need to go back and change your father's mind. I can't go back to Konoha with you."
Gusion brushed the dirt from his cloak, "Let's exchange contact info. I'll inform you of the next step."