Chapter 138: Itachi’s Actions
Chapter 138: Itachi's Actions
The clear sound of wind chimes swayed gently in the breeze.
Samehada retracted from the lifeless body of a ninja, having drained his chakra in a moment of unawareness. Just as Kisame was about to leave, he noticed something. He stretched out his hand and retrieved a newly updated list of rogue ninja bounties from the dead body.
"Itachi, look what I found."
Quickly flipping through it, Kisame's eyes lit up as he smiled at Itachi, who was sitting on a large rock nearby.
"Uchiha Sasuke, Konoha's S-class rogue ninja, charged with unauthorized departure from the village, invasion of the Fire Temple, and intrusion into the Tsuchigumo Clan... Haha, it seems your brother has caused quite a stir in our absence."
Itachi Uchiha, who had been resting with his eyes closed on the rock, opened them slightly. The black tomoe in his blood-red Sharingan spun faintly.
"Wait, there's more."
Kisame found another bounty sheet on the dead ninja and, upon reading the latest page, remarked in surprise,
"Itachi, your brother's bounty in the black market has reached thirty million. Tsk tsk, with such a large sum, we need to be wary of Kakuzu. He won't pass up this lucrative opportunity."
Sasuke's bounty was on par with Gari's. Although Sasuke's strength was not as formidable, being the last surviving member of Konoha's Uchiha clan and having the Sharingan significantly boosted his value, placing him among the elite bounties. The only reason he didn't reach the standard of Sarutobi Asuma's thirty-five million was because Asuma also carried the added value of being the Third Hokage's son.
Itachi remained silent, his gaze distant.
"Just as I thought." White Zetsu shrugged, mocking their leader, "Pain should realize that if there were another Mangekyō Sharingan within the Uchiha clan, Itachi's massacre wouldn't have been so effortless."
Black Zetsu gave Itachi a deep look before disappearing back into the ground.
"Kisame, the next steps must be taken with caution. Since there is another Mangekyō Sharingan user with Sasuke, we can assume their hostility towards you."
Itachi acknowledged with a hum, internally connecting the dots. As a firsthand witness, he knew the truth about Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan. One of Shisui's eyes was with him, and the other had been taken by Danzo. With Danzo dead and his Root faction eliminated by Hagoromo Gengetsu, it made sense that Gengetsu had taken Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan. Given that Sasuke followed Gengetsu, it was plausible for a Mangekyō Sharingan user to be with Sasuke.
Yet, who was using Shisui's eye? Itachi was uncertain. It could be Gengetsu himself or one of his associates. The Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't like the Byakugan, easily transferable and functional; only those with exceptional talent could wield it effectively.
"Uchiha Hagoromo Gengetsu... What are your true intentions?"
Seeing Sasuke straying further from Konoha, Itachi's eyes reflected a hint of worry. He wasn't entirely sure of Gengetsu's motives, unlike Orochimaru, whom he understood well. The enigmatic nature of Gengetsu made Itachi's concerns more tangible.
"Maybe I should see for myself. If Sasuke strays too far off track, I may have to..."
Resolute, Itachi tightened his grip on Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan and, donning his straw hat, set out with the ringing of the wind chimes.
Kisame, noticing, asked, "We're on break, Itachi. Where are you headed?"
"To take care of some business."
Kisame grinned, "The leader's orders are clear: Akatsuki members must act in pairs. Since you have business, I'll join you."
"As you wish," Itachi replied, not looking back.