Chapter 484: Aizen: Thank You

"Sasuke?"

Itachi Uchiha's eyelids trembled, and he hurriedly stepped back.

The brothers stood facing each other,

as if an invisible barrier separated the entire turbulent Konoha, leaving only the two of them.

"Itachi Uchiha, the sinner who killed the entire clan—do you still have the face to return to Konoha?"

The youthful innocence had already faded from Sasuke Uchiha's face.

Though furious upon seeing Itachi Uchiha, he had not lost his reason like he did at first.

Because he now possessed a new will and pursuit—not only to kill Itachi Uchiha, but also, in a space of infinite possibilities like the Samsara Game, to resurrect the slain clan members.

"I, Sasuke…"

Itachi Uchiha, whose face was always cold, now appeared somewhat flustered and at a loss.

According to his original plan, upon seeing his beloved younger brother again, he should have casually spoken words like "it was merely the disposal of a clan without magnanimity," to enrage the other.

If the other was strong enough, then kill him.

If Sasuke's strength hadn't yet grown, then continue to drive him with hatred.

But now, in the Reincarnation Game Era, having witnessed countless brilliant worlds and received knowledge and theories from realms far broader than the ninja world—

The Pirate World, the endless deadly conflict between the Navy and the Revolutionary Army, the Pirates' wanton recklessness, the kingdoms being ruled—

The Demon Slayer World, the Demon Slayer Corps who fought on with flesh and blood against man-eating demons—

The Claymore World, where even in madness bordering despair, there were still humans like Raki who, with the wish to save the world, became players.

Although he had been used as a brainless butcher's blade to slaughter the Uchiha.

But it had to be said, Itachi Uchiha's talent and learning ability were both extremely strong—being able to contemplate peace at the age of four was enough to show his excellence; he had simply never received proper concepts and thinking in time.

Leading him to grasp a twisted Will of Fire.

When Itachi Uchiha became a Golden player, he had actually already understood himself that killing the clan back then was not the best choice.

But if he admitted it,

everything would come to an end, along with his sinful soul.

That was why Aizen's psychological suggestion had been so devastatingly effective, and why Shisui Uchiha's furious accusation had made Itachi Uchiha collapse.

He was now like a porcelain vase barely pieced together—one gust of wind could shatter it.

So, when his beloved younger brother stood before him, he could no longer utter a single word.

Because all those vicious words of the past could only be spoken on the premise that Itachi Uchiha regarded himself as a sacrifice and a hero.

But now, he himself could no longer hold onto the belief that he was a hero.

"Sasuke, you're still not strong enough—you don't have the right to say such things to me!"

Itachi Uchiha steadied his mind, looking at Sasuke with an expressionless face.

He still wanted to maintain his image.

Like a brothel woman unwilling to have her last scrap of modesty stripped before her beloved.

"With trash like you, I have nothing more to say—go die!"

Sasuke's figure vanished abruptly from the spot, with wisps of curse flames lingering in the air.

Bang.

A Dark Gold cursed sword crawling with curse runes, its blade wrapped in writhing black flame dragons, hacked down at Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi Uchiha raised the Short Blade in his hand, but it was sliced clean in two as easily as cutting tofu.

Squelch.

A large chunk of flesh was sheared from his sword-wielding right arm, blood spraying out.

Curse black flames also ignited on Itachi Uchiha's body,

but compared to Sasuke's black flames that condensed into dragons, his curse flames leaned more toward soul and spiritual attacks.

"The current me already possesses the power to kill you!"

Sasuke fought with increasing ferocity; the curse black dragons pressed down from the sky, burning to ashes every Hollow and undead life form that came within range of the two.

"Is that so? How arrogant—let me gouge out your eyes!"

…On the other side, the despairing Konoha players suddenly saw a white figure appear in the sky.

Aizen, draped in a white captain's haori, stood smiling in the very center of the spatial rift.

"Captain Aizen! Captain Aizen isn't dead!"

"In the Family System, the Clan Head has already been changed to Lord Aizen—he'll definitely be able to lead us to defeat these invaders!"

The Konoha ninjas erupted in cheers, and even their fighting spirit grew much stronger.

Only Tsunade, Jiraiya, and a few other players who knew the truth grew even more grim-faced.

"Lord Aizen!"

A new player driven into a desperate corner by a Hollow let out an excited cry.

"Is that you, Hinaki Rina?"

Aizen turned his head, saw the girl calling to him for help, and drew the Zanpakuto at his waist.

Swish.

A single slash, like a silver moon falling, a silver arc cleaved vertically toward Hinaki Rina's back.

First, the pursuing Hollow was split in two by the moon-like blade light.

Immediately after, the silver moon blade light shattered, transforming into countless fragments of moonlight that ground the bone masks of several hundred nearby Hollows to pieces.

"Lord Aizen, so strong!"

Countless Konoha players cheered, proud of Lord Aizen's power.

Aside from a few Shadow Organization captains who had always been close to Captain Aizen, Gekko Hayate and Tenzo were both stunned, rooted to the spot.

Captain Aizen's popularity is because of the Will of Fire.

But who has ever heard of someone with the strength to cut down hundreds of Hollows in a single strike? That's almost on par with the rogue ninja Orochimaru, that strongest player…

What on earth is going on?

Hinaki Rina leapt up, and like an agile little rabbit, threw herself into Captain Aizen's arms.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Lord Aizen, the village was destroyed by the rogue ninja Orochimaru, and it must have been Orochimaru who opened the Great Forest of Menos. Everyone at the orphanage, all my companions, they…"

Hinaki Rina's voice trembled, and her small, childish hands clutched Lord Aizen's white haori.

This was the feeling,

warmth.

After her parents were killed by the evil God, Hinaki Rina had fallen into the orphanage, thinking she would be wrapped in darkness for the rest of her life.

It was Lord Aizen's appearance, like warm sunlight shining down on her, and his smile that gave Hinaki Rina the faith and courage to keep living.

It was also by relying on the will to closely follow in Lord Aizen's footsteps that she was able to become a player of the Samsara Game.

And now, Lord Aizen had once again appeared at a moment of crisis, just like back then at the orphanage, slaying Hollows with ease and protecting her.

This is Lord Aizen! Hinaki Rina trembled all over with emotion; the fear and dread on her face turned peaceful within Lord Aizen's embrace.

She gently closed her eyes, savoring this moment when she had mustered her courage to so presumptuously feel Lord Aizen's warmth in a time of crisis.

"Danger!"

"Get away!"

Seeing Hinaki Rina's actions, Tsunade's face changed drastically, and she hurriedly shouted into the air.

The one who could deceive most Ninja Clan Heads, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as well as the players of the Mobile Unit and the Shadow Organization, and collaborate with Orochimaru to try to destroy Konoha, was extremely dangerous.

Hinaki Rina had emptied her mind completely; hearing the anxious calls, she didn't connect them to herself at all.

Danger?

It must be some player being chased by Hollows, or hurt by undead lifeforms, right? Lord Aizen beside her would surely be able to protect her.

"Thank you, Hinaki Rina."

Aizen's smile remained unchanged, still that same elegance, as he gently patted Hinaki Rina on the back and said softly, "To have a junior like you is truly wonderful."

"Goodbye."

Pfft! (End of chapter)