"Go, Madara Uchiha… Go and gather the Tailed Beasts, merge with the Ten-Tails, become its Jinchūriki… and summon Kaguya Ōtsutsuki…"
"At that time, you will have no further use…"
...
When Kaoru returned to Konoha, the villagers looked at him in stunned silence, their eyes filled with gratitude, joy, and a hint of fear…
The villagers and ninjas of Konoha dared not speak to Kaoru. After all, the scene they had witnessed was too shocking, making them feel the immense gap in status between themselves and Kaoru. This gap made them feel insignificant and instilled a profound sense of awe towards Kaoru.
After being bathed in the gazes of the Konoha residents, Tsunade, Wan'er, and others rushed over. However, Kaoru did not see Itachi or the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage had been heavily injured by Uchiha Madara's Shinra Tensei, but where had Uchiha Itachi gone?
"He escaped, that's good. Konoha Village is finally safe…" Tsunade let out a light sigh and shifted her gaze to Kaoru, her face filled with an unreadable expression. "Kaoru… have you truly become this powerful now…"
Tsunade had known of Kaoru's strength after he easily defeated the Six Paths of Pain. However, she never imagined he had become this powerful.
Hearing Tsunade's words, Kaoru narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Actually, I reached this level without even realizing it myself…"
Tsunade was speechless upon hearing Kaoru's words. 'Reached this level without even realizing it'—how could anyone not go crazy hearing that?
At this moment, Naruto and his group, who had been sent to capture Yakushi Kabuto and stop the Edo Tensei, also returned. However, their faces were grim, suggesting they had encountered significant obstacles.
"How did it go? Did you capture Yakushi Kabuto?" Tsunade asked.
"No…" Naruto shook his head dejectedly. "Let alone capturing him, we couldn't even find him. Shortly after leaving the village, we encountered more Edo Tensei individuals. There was Deidara and Sasori from the Akatsuki, and some I didn't even recognize. So, our mission failed…"
"It's alright. In any case, Uchiha Madara has already been repelled by Kaoru, and Konoha Village hasn't suffered significant damage. This disaster has finally passed safely…" Tsunade sighed and said.
...
With Madara Uchiha's departure, Konoha finally began to return to peace. The group of ninjas who had gathered at the entrance had dispersed, returning to their posts.
However, they continued to discuss the formidable Uchiha Madara and the earth-shattering scene they had witnessed.
But at this moment, their confidence in Konoha Village had grown even stronger. The ninjas of Konoha now firmly believed that anyone who dared to cause trouble here would definitely be dealt with.
Let alone them, even Tsunade, the Hokage of Konoha Village, harbored such thoughts.
The one who had just been repelled was Uchiha Madara, a figure on par with the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, and the strongest Uchiha recorded.
If Kaoru could defeat even him, then who else in the world could possibly threaten Konoha…
Of course, this was also because they were unaware of Kaoru's future plans. If they knew that Kaoru intended to fight Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the mother of the Sage of Six Paths, a being even more powerful than the Sage himself, they likely wouldn't be so optimistic.
After driving away Madara, Kaoru and Wan'er returned home. As they reached the alley entrance where Kaoru lived, he encountered Uchiha Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi was wearing the gray robe from his Edo Tensei resurrection and had a hat covering his face, seemingly to avoid recognition.
"Uchiha Itachi, what are you doing here? Now that you're resurrected, why not wander around Konoha Village, your favorite place?" Kaoru asked, noticing the cracks on Itachi's face.
Wan'er also looked at Uchiha Itachi with complex emotions. Kaoru had already told Wan'er the truth about the Uchiha massacre, so she no longer harbored much apprehension towards Itachi.
"Don't forget, I'm still a criminal of Konoha. If I were to walk around openly, I'd surely frighten the villagers…" Uchiha Itachi said with a wry smile.
"…" Kaoru fell silent. Itachi, who had silently protected Konoha his entire life, didn't even have the right to walk on its streets. The truth of the Uchiha clan massacre was tied to the reputation of Konoha's higher-ups and could never be revealed publicly. This was a profound tragedy for Uchiha Itachi.
"I've decided to leave Konoha to track down Yakushi Kabuto and defeat him to end the Edo Tensei. But before that, I have something to discuss with you…" Uchiha Itachi continued.
"Let's talk inside…" Kaoru replied. Konoha Village was the place Itachi loved and protected the most, yet now he had no place there. This was the awkward and tragic situation Itachi faced.
Upon entering the living room, Uchiha Itachi spoke impatiently, "Kaoru, where is Sasuke now? Why hasn't he returned to Konoha Village yet?!"
Taking a slow sip of tea, Kaoru replied in a deep voice, "I'm sorry, Itachi. I told him the truth about the clan massacre."
"What… Why! Why would you do that!" Itachi shot up from the sofa, his voice filled with shock.
"Deceiving him his entire life is meaningless. Besides, he has the right to know. He has a good brother…" Kaoru replied calmly. "Although, from the perspective of the Uchiha clan, you are also a sinner."
After hearing Kaoru's words, Uchiha Itachi fell into a long silence.
"Then… after learning the truth, what did Sasuke decide…" Uchiha Itachi asked. One of the reasons he didn't want Sasuke to know the truth was his fear that Sasuke would seek revenge on Konoha after learning it, which was what he least wished to see.
"He joined Madara Uchiha's side…" Kaoru replied.
"I knew it would be like this…" Itachi closed his eyes.
"Don't jump to conclusions yet," Kaoru smiled. "After learning the truth, Sasuke specifically asked me to take him to see the Third Hokage. After talking with the Third Hokage, he hasn't decided whether to act against Konoha yet. Because Konoha is what you value most, so…"
"So he wants to eliminate the other person who slaughtered the Uchiha clan?" The intelligent Itachi had already guessed Sasuke's intention.
"That's correct." Kaoru nodded.
"So, Sasuke's decision seems to have surprised you. Do you still think telling him the truth was a mistake?" Kaoru asked, smiling at Itachi.
"I understand…" After a long silence, Uchiha Itachi finally spoke. "You're right. Sasuke will eventually discern everything with his own eyes. Lies can deceive for a time, but not forever. What I hope for is that Sasuke walks his own ninja path, not one determined by being misled or manipulated. Whatever path Sasuke takes in the future, my role is to pave the way for him, and then it's up to him…"
"It seems you've finally come to terms with it…" Kaoru sighed.
"Alright, I'll go find Sasuke myself and have a good talk with him," Itachi said with a sigh, shaking his head. He then looked at Kaoru. "I came to see you for another reason."
"What is it?" Kaoru asked.
"About the divine artifact…" Itachi said haltingly.
"Divine artifact? Right, Madara Uchiha seemed to have taken the divine artifact from your Susanoo, didn't he?" Kaoru countered.
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