Chapter 177: Delivery, Departure

Chapter 177: Delivery, Departure

With the mission approaching, Uchiha Kei returned home step by step after leaving Hagoromo Gengetsu's office.

The door creaked open.

"Why are you so late? Uchiha Kei! You've got some nerve..." His pregnant wife started scolding him the moment he stepped in.

But then, noticing his expression, she paused, realizing something was up. She quickly swallowed her words.

She took the fish he was holding, her gaze complex but ultimately resolute. "I'll make dinner. You should rest."

As his closest companion, she knew Uchiha Kei best. His current state could only mean one thing.

While she worried, she understood his reason for living up to now and wouldn't try to stop him. All she could do was silently support him.

The sound of frying filled the kitchen.

Normally, Uchiha Kei would insist on cooking for his wife. But now, he pulled out a whetstone and began sharpening his blade.

The sounds of frying and sharpening echoed in the warm house, initially distinct but gradually blending together.

At the same time, other Uchiha were preparing their weapons, just like Kei.

Uchiha Izumi, for instance, was silently talking to the people in an old photograph.

Lastly, Uchiha Sasuke stood silently on a rooftop, staring at the bright moon.

The same moonlit night...

"My foolish little brother..."

That man had stood before him, his face cold, saying,

"If you want to kill me, hate me! Detest me! Live in an unsightly way! Run away, keep running, just to survive. Then, one day, when you have the same eyes as me, come before me."

Crack!

Electricity crackled around Sasuke, tearing through the memories that surfaced.

He looked at the moon, his eyes cold.

"I won't live according to your plans. I've made it this far on my own."

"Uchiha Itachi! Wait for me!"

The next morning.

At the sky elevator in Lockfront Village, all the Uchiha were gathered.

Nearby, friends who had grown close to the Uchiha over the years came to see them off.

Opening the letter, he found a simple message.

"Naka Shrine, to settle everything!"

The signature was "Uchiha."

"Sasuke, and the others?"

Burning the letter to ashes, Itachi murmured calmly.

He would leave soon.

Not just because of Hagoromo Gengetsu's influence, which left no room for refusal.

His days were truly numbered.

After his battle with Hagoromo Gengetsu, his health had deteriorated significantly.

Even without the letter, he would have sought a chance to confront Sasuke.

Ultimately, he intended to pass his Mangekyōu Sharingan to Sasuke.

As for Sasuke's resentment towards Konoha, without Shisui's Mangekyōu Sharingan, he was powerless to address it.

In his final moments, faced with the choice between Sasuke and the village, Itachi chose Sasuke.

"Meow~ Thanks for your patronage. The delivery fee is 200,000 ryo."

The tabby cat, still present, extended a paw and smiled, seeking payment.

With a calm expression, Itachi handed over the money.

"Thank you~ Please come again. Meow~~"

The cat, delighted, waved goodbye before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Five minutes later.

Kisame approached, tossing the unconscious Roshi to the ground, grinning: "That old man was tough, but we got him. Itachi, let's notify the leader."

"No," Itachi said, rising. "I need to go somewhere. Kisame, you handle the Four-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Somewhere? Is it important?"

Itachi looked up, feeling the rain pour down.

Letting the rain wash over him, he remained calm:

"Yes, very important."