Chapter 469: The Battle Between Itachi Uchiha and Aizen

All this time,

the pain of Itachi Uchiha having slaughtered his entire clan has constantly lingered in his mind, unable to be erased.

But at the same time, beyond the pain, he actually harbors a trace of pride and self-satisfaction within it.

Because although he betrayed his clan, he practiced the Will of Fire and made a tremendous sacrifice for the Will of Fire.

All of this, the Hokage has seen with his own eyes.

Classified as a top-secret file, although treated as a rogue ninja, he has never been hunted by the ninja squads dispatched by the Hokage, and he has even been entrusted with important tasks, joining the Akatsuki to become a double agent.

These are all sources of Itachi Uchiha's pride and self-satisfaction; with his own life and the lives of his clansmen, he bears the dazzling Will of Fire.

Protecting the village.

But now, one of the sources of his pride, a top-secret file, the inside story and truth known only to the Hokage and the Hokage Advisor, has been spoken of so casually by the likes of Aizen Sosuke.

This kind of blow is like taking a direct hit from a Mangekyo ocular technique, Tsukuyomi.

Aizen smiled and said, "Mr. Itachi Uchiha, don't be nervous. I am the person the Hokage trusts most; you need not worry about your file being leaked."

Is it the file leaking that I am worried about?

Itachi Uchiha, who usually does not have much emotional fluctuation, has a rather unpleasant expression.

Even Hoshigaki Kisame, who is to the side, notices the signs and is somewhat surprised.

"It's fine, take me to see the Hokage."

Itachi Uchiha adjusts his mindset, returning to a calm appearance.

Aizen shakes his head and says, "Apologies, Mr. Itachi Uchiha, without the Hokage's permission, outsiders cannot directly meet the Hokage; this is also to protect his safety."

He gives a very sound explanation.

Because the Samsara Game has many special abilities, unheard of and impossible to guard against, far beyond the strange and peculiar Ninjutsu of the ninja world back then.

Therefore, for a temporary meeting like this, screening must definitely be conducted in advance to ensure there is no threat before taking Itachi Uchiha to see the Hokage.

"Protecting safety, me?"

Itachi Uchiha's just-calmed emotions ripple once more.

A faint sense of anger rises, but if he thinks about it carefully, he cannot find a reason to refute it; it is indeed as Aizen said—if one were suddenly attacked by an outsider, it would be impossible to guard against.

It is just... he is an Uchiha who inherited the Will of Fire, possesses the Hokage's mindset, and is an Itachi Uchiha who can sacrifice everything for Konoha.

It is indeed necessary to ensure the Hokage's safety.

But when this is applied to himself...

Itachi Uchiha does not know how to put it; if he acts according to his thoughts, the intent is too strong. After all, he killed his entire clan to defect to Konoha, and what he wanted was not special privileges or rewards.

But overall, he feels uncomfortable inside.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Itachi Uchiha? If not, then come with me?"

Aizen speaks as if it were a very trivial matter, tilts his head to look at the burly figure beside him, and says, "Is he your companion? He cannot enter Konoha for the time being; he needs to enter the Konoha interrogation room for questioning."

He is talking about Hoshigaki Kisame.

On his forehead, he still wears the Hidden Mist headband slashed by a Kunai; his identity is self-evident.

Back then, the Hidden Mist Leader Terumi Mei had searched for Hoshigaki Kisame, wanting him to return to the Hidden Mist, but he was rejected by Hoshigaki Kisame; he really did not want to walk the path he had already taken.

For this, he was nearly burned to death by the Mizukage.

"Cannot directly meet the Hokage, and you even have to question my companion?"

Itachi Uchiha exhales, makes no extra movements, but nods and says, "I would like to accompany him."

"No."

Aizen smiles apologetically: "The content of the questioning cannot be made public; forgive my rudeness."

Even Hoshigaki Kisame did not expect that Itachi would receive this kind of treatment upon returning to the village.

At the time when Terumi Mei was trying to recruit him, she had promised that if he were willing to return to the Hidden Mist, even the notorious Itachi Uchiha could become the captain of the Hidden Mist Anbu. The two are simply a stark contrast.

Itachi Uchiha obviously thinks of this as well, but still does not lash out.

Aizen clearly knows the contents of his file; he is still a Konoha ninja, just not known to outsiders because of the need to execute missions and sacrifice for the Will of Fire.

This guy is actually using the routine for interrogating criminals to deal with him.

Is it really the Hokage's intention, or is Aizen acting on his own?

Itachi Uchiha does not believe that he, loyal to Konoha and loyal to the Hokage, would be treated this way upon returning to the village.

Itachi Uchiha thinks expressionlessly, "It must be Aizen acting on his own. This guy, should I teach him a lesson?"

He has never been the type to let others bully him.

It is just that the weakness of the Hokage and Danzou has caused everyone to have misunderstandings.

For example, Sasuke Uchiha, or Orochimaru and Kakashi; whoever is the first to provoke him, no matter who they are, will indiscriminately receive a Tsukuyomi.

"Follow me."

Aizen acts as if he does not notice Itachi Uchiha's subtle change in expression, and speaks to himself.

Then he turns and walks forward,

while another Fire Release ninja escorts Hoshigaki Kisame, gradually moving away toward the direction of the Konoha interrogation room.

In the lush forest, the two step into the Konoha barrier; Aizen, having memorized the incantations, conveys the news of his people to the guardian of the barrier.

The other party lets them pass directly.

The current barrier has the outermost layer for vigilance, and deeper in are the various attack states of the game walls: Ghost Energy Cannon, Blood Clan Magic Array, and the vengeful spirits of the Sky Sea Dragon Clan leaders upgraded later on.

Even if Itachi Uchiha is Golden level, he would be stopped.

Furthermore, it would erupt with very violent energy fluctuations, alarming the entire Konoha.

This is also the reason why Itachi Uchiha did not sneak into Konoha as he did before, secretly eating red bean dumplings at a teahouse.

"Mr. Aizen, it seems you are deeply valued by the Hokage."

Itachi Uchiha stared at Aizen's back, his eyes flickering.

Even the spell formations of the game city walls were known to him; even he himself, back then, had not been granted such authority.

"It is fine; what I seek is not favor. Protecting the village, protecting the civilians, and letting the light of the Will of Fire shine upon every inch of the land—this is what our generation should be considering."

"If one were to simply haggle over the partiality of the Hokage, then even after another ten thousand years, the Will of Fire could never be spread."

"What do you think, Mr. Itachi Uchiha?"

Aizen said this, politely turning his head to look at Itachi Uchiha, who was following behind him.

"Is that so? As expected of Konoha Moonlight, truly an admirable Will of Fire."

Itachi Uchiha said this with his mouth, but the moment Aizen turned his head, the black Tomoe in his eyes spun frantically.

The next second, they condensed into the appearance of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

And it was the 【Tier 2】 Mangekyo Sharingan, Tsukuyomi, which had been enhanced by a scroll.

In an instant,

Aizen felt his vision blur, and he was pulled into the Tsukuyomi Space.

"This is the Tsukuyomi Space."

Itachi Uchiha's leisurely voice emerged from all directions.

"In this space, all space and time shall be controlled by me. Even if you wish to die, you cannot do so without my permission, Aizen Sosuke!"

(End of chapter)