https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-142-Whirlpool-Faced-White-Zetsu-Obito-s-Existential-Crisis-8-000-Words-/13687695/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-145-Itachi-Dead-My-Susanoo-Is-Bigger-Than-Yours-Over-8-000-Words-/13687710/
Chapter 144: Uchiha Itachi, Violating the Line of Absolute Justice — Death Without Mercy (8,000 words)
“Hoho… how amusing.”
Obito remained utterly still, one hand reaching forward to brush aside the writhing, screaming Kuro Zetsu. Instantly, his Kamui ability activated—its vortex snapped shut, swallowing the wretched creature whole into the Spiral Space.
The agonized shrieks that had chilled him to the bone finally ceased.
He lowered his gaze, cold and unyielding, upon the figure before him: Uchiha Itachi.
“Young one… it seems your bond with that brat is not as strong as you’d pretend. In fact, you harbor no loyalty to the Uchiha clan at all—despite being one of us. Yet you’ve already begun conspiring with outsiders, plotting against your own kin.”
Obito’s single crimson Mangekyō Sharingan narrowed slightly, his voice gravelly, almost mocking.
“Do you even know who I am? Do you truly believe I’d turn on the Uchiha? By lineage, I am your ancestor.”
Uchiha Itachi exhaled slowly, lifting his head just enough to meet the man’s gaze.
He spoke without emotion.
“I have no reason to explain myself. I came here only to ask: will you cooperate? Whether or not you hold hatred for the Uchiha clan, one thing is certain—you do wish to kill Uchiha Iizumi. He’s the one who reduced your subordinate to that state. If that’s the case, we share a common enemy. The rest? Merely a test of your stance.”
“Hoho… hahahaha!”
Obito burst into laughter—pure, unfiltered, the kind only a true Uchiha could produce.
He wiped a corner of his eye, the mirth fading as quickly as it came.
“Fascinating, young one.”
His tone turned deadly serious.
“But tell me—what happens after this? You ally with outsiders, murder your own comrades, and betray your village. The Leaf Village… the entire Land of Fire… will never accept you.”
Uchiha Itachi replied, calm and resolute:
“That’s precisely why I’m here.”
“You’re from Akatsuki, aren’t you? The Leaf has no place for me. But you… you might.”
Obito’s lips curled into a smirk.
“Seems even the Uchiha youth aren’t entirely without capacity. Wait for my signal.”
As the words left the man’s lips—this self-proclaimed ancestor of the Uchiha—Uchiha Itachi felt a quiet, deep breath release from his chest.
Sorry, Father…
The number of those who revere Iizumi grows in the village. Soon, his power will eclipse even the Hokage’s. I cannot allow that. And the Hokage… he cannot either. He doesn’t say it, but his burden is plain to see.
And within the Uchiha clan itself—whether it’s Setsuna’s radical faction or your moderate wing—most harbor uneasy thoughts toward Iizumi. His Absolute Justice is already eroding the clan from within. It will spill outward, threatening to consume the entire Leaf Village. More dangerous than Setsuna’s extremism. Far more dangerous.
Watching the man and the strange, swirling-faced creature vanish into the shadows, Uchiha Itachi’s mind raced with thoughts.
He could smell the tension in the village—reaching its peak.
At this threshold, one side must retreat. Otherwise, conflict is inevitable.
And he knew—it cannot be the Hokage.
If the Hokage steps back, then the Leaf will no longer be the Hokage’s Leaf.
It will become Iizumi’s.
You’ve made your choice.
Now pay the price.
Uchiha Itachi’s mind flashed with faces—familiar and unknown, allies and enemies, elite ninja and humble civilians, children under twelve, elders near death.
His eyes snapped open.
Without another word, he turned and began walking back toward the Leaf Village.
…
Inside the Leaf Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi had barely left the Hokage Tower when a Hyūga child burst through the gates, panting, his shoulders bearing a green-scaled, purple-furred toad.
Hiruzen recognized it instantly—the Toad Sage of Mount Myōgaku, and one of Jiraiya’s mentors.
“Hokage-sama!” Hyūga Neji reported everything he’d seen, his voice tight with urgency.
Hiruzen’s brow furrowed.
“Wood Release?”
A sudden memory struck him.
“Most likely,” said Shima Sage, voice calm. “My son and young Jiraiya are already on their way. We’ll know soon enough who’s behind this.”
Hiruzen’s gaze flickered to the Anbu guard at his side.
That child… the one I took from Danzō’s Root.
The only known living wielder of Wood Release—until now.
In Hiruzen’s mind, there had been only one such person in the entire ninja world: Yamato.
But now… another had appeared.
And not just anywhere—outside the village, locked in battle.
Was this Leaf’s own ninja?
Or an infiltrator?
“Understood,” Hiruzen said, voice low. “Anbu—move out! Tenshō, lead two squads. Reinforce Jiraiya immediately!”
“Yes, Hokage-sama!”
The Anbu known as Tenshō—Yamato—nodded sharply.
In moments, a wave of masked ninja sprinted toward the village’s outer gates.
“Hmph… another storm brewing,” Hiruzen muttered, rubbing his temples. “Root never lets me rest.”
This was the most exhausting period of his tenure as Hokage—worse even than the Third Ninja War.
He turned to Neji.
He recognized him—prodigy of the Ninja Academy, the child the village had watched with both hope and wary anticipation.
Hiruzen forced a gentle smile.
“Neji-kun… you’ve done well bringing this report. But why were you out at night?”
Neji lowered his head.
“I heard Uchiha Iizumi had left the village. I wanted to follow. But Jiraiya-sama intercepted me.”
Hiruzen stiffened.
“Iizumi?”
“Because Fire Nation Will won’t bring justice to my father,” Neji spoke before Hiruzen could ask. “Only Iizumi’s Absolute Justice can. Only it can judge the Main House’s arrogance.”
Hiruzen remained silent.
Hizashi…
You never let go, did you?
The weight of that moment pressed down on him.
It was his fault.
Had the Leaf stood firm when Cloud Village demanded a sacrifice, had he stepped forward instead of whispering compromise, Hizashi wouldn’t have died.
But Hiruzen had feared war. He feared the wolves circling. He’d told the Hyūga to yield—just enough to calm the storm.
And so, tragedy followed.
And now, Neji carried that fire in his heart.
Hiruzen swallowed hard. The guilt burned in his throat.
Forgive me, Neji-kun… I did it for the village. I had no choice.
…
Moments later, Neji returned to the Hyūga Compound alone.
Shima Sage leapt from his shoulder and stood before the gate, not following.
“Hmm… not the one,” it murmured, small and thoughtful. “This child is full of hatred. Fueled by anger. Like the Nagato Jiraiya first found.”
If Jiraiya took him in… he’d only raise another Nagato. Not a savior. Just another destroyer.
The true Chosen One… must have warmth. Like Minato. Like sunlight.
Shima Sage shook its head.
And now he’s embracing Absolute Justice? That’s too extreme. It’ll drag him from one abyss into another.
But since the odds were low, the Sage didn’t bother warning him.
Its duty was only for the Chosen One.
…
On the outskirts of the village.
Jiraiya had already learned the truth from Uchiha Iizumi.
“Uchiha Obito… Akatsuki…?”
Now he understood why Iizumi had called him Jiraiya’s grandson.
Obito’s sensei had been Minato. Minato had been Jiraiya’s student.
Jiraiya’s shoulders bore Shin’zaku Sage, who never stopped watching Iizumi.
It sensed something—a reservoir of chakra far beyond human limits. It was on par with a tailed beast.
But its real focus was on Iizumi’s Mangekyō Sharingan.
As Iizumi turned to leave, Shin’zaku Sage coughed.
“Cough!”
It spoke from Jiraiya’s shoulder:
“Uchiha Iizumi. The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōgaku once said you possess eyes that can see the future. Even more precisely than his own dreams.”
The Sage’s tone was skeptical.
“Are you truly aware of the Chosen One’s identity?”
“Know it,” Iizumi replied flatly.
“No need to tell you.”
“Stay in your mountain. Live peacefully as a toad sage. Then… perhaps I’ll reveal the truth.”
“But if you meddle in the fate of the ninja world… then we are no longer allies. Especially not with the Great Toad Sage’s ideals—those centuries-old beliefs that clash fundamentally with Absolute Justice.”
Iizumi turned slowly, his red Sharingan locking onto the Sage.
Shin’zaku Sage felt a chill. It couldn’t meet that gaze.
“Let this be your warning: do not stand in the way of Absolute Justice. Those who oppose it—no matter their innocence—are enemies. Evil offenders are loathsome. But the truly foolish… are even more so.”
Without waiting for a reply, Iizumi walked away.
Shin’zaku Sage stood frozen.
Impertinent brat!
It growled.
He just called the Great Toad Sage a fool!
Jiraiya sweated.
“Iizumi’s blunt, yes—but he’s young. Don’t take it personally, Shin’zaku. He’s just… passionate.”
“He doesn’t know us. Maybe he heard rumors. Misunderstandings happen.”
“Naive, but not malicious.”
After all, he’s still a Leaf ninja.
Jiraiya might not agree with Absolute Justice—but he couldn’t help but protect Iizumi.
“I’m not petty!” Shin’zaku Sage huffed.
You’re practically vibrating with rage.
Your whiskers are standing on end.
The thought crossed Jiraiya’s mind—but he kept it silent.
Shin’zaku Sage exhaled, eyes fixed on Iizumi’s retreating back.
“Jiraiya… this boy… he might truly see the future more clearly than even the Great Sage.”
“His confidence… it’s not feigned. He doesn’t want to hide it.”
“Yet… he sees the future… and still chooses to change it.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“Extremely.”
Jiraiya hesitated.
“Would Absolute Justice benefit the Leaf?”
Shin’zaku Sage paused.
“Absolute Justice is black or white. No gray. It breeds conflict. It is not peace.”
If the Leaf doesn’t seek peace… then yes, it fits.
But if it does… then it’s a poison.
“Decide for yourself, Jiraiya.”
…
Meanwhile.
Inside Spiral Space.
Obito stared at the still-screaming Kuro Zetsu.
His eyes were wide with dread.
“Even if it can’t kill… this agony… no human should endure it.”
He shuddered.
That could’ve been me.
“Scary, Obito,” whispered the Whirlpool-Faced White Zetsu, hugging itself. “With a Sharingan like that… he’s not someone you want to fight.”
“Are we really sure about this? Team up with that kid who hasn’t even grown his hair yet?”
Obito said nothing.
He had no answer.
“Also,” the White Zetsu added, “we failed to kill Biwa Jūzō. He might’ve leaked our intel to Konan and Nagato. Especially now… with the alliance broken, he has no choice but to fight back with information.”
Obito’s face darkened.
If not for Iizumi’s interference… Kuro Zetsu would’ve finished Biwa.
Just a Swordsmen of Kirigakure.
The Water Shadow was under his control. How could one man stand against him?
Obito looked toward Kuro Zetsu—his usual source of advice.
But the creature was too broken to speak.
The White Zetsu scratched its head.
“And… should we proceed with the first plan?”
Obito’s eyes narrowed.
“Uchiha Iizumi?”
“Yes,” it said. “Go after Itachi. Tell him: if he brings you Iizumi’s head—prove his worth. Then, I’ll help him. Whether it’s against Iizumi… or the entire Uchiha clan.”
“I’ll introduce him to Akatsuki. He’ll be protected. If the Leaf hunts him, we’ll shield him.”
“That… is the Initiation Oath.”
…
“Initiation Oath?!”
Before Uchiha Itachi had even returned to the village, the Whirlpool-Faced White Zetsu caught up to him and relayed Obito’s words.
Itachi frowned.
“I saved that creature. Isn’t that proof enough?”
The White Zetsu laughed.
“Only shows you’ve earned some trust from Madara. But killing Iizumi? No problem.”
“Or are you too close to her? Too sentimental? Then your capacity isn’t worth Madara’s investment.”
Uchiha Itachi narrowed his eyes.
“And if I do it… and you break your promise?”
The White Zetsu shrugged.
“Then don’t work with us. Find another way. Work alone. Madara won’t care about a failed man.”
“Just… don’t fail.”
As it spoke, the world blurred.
Before it could blink—a blade was at its throat.
The edge cut into its flesh—just a millimeter deep.
“You’re threatening me?”
Itachi’s eyes hardened.
The White Zetsu raised its hands.
“Hmph.”
Itachi sheathed his sword, turning away.
“You want to see my capacity? I’ll show you.”
“Remember this: next time… don’t speak to me like that. Or I’ll kill you. And him.”
…
Back in the village.
Hiruzen waited—then saw Jiraiya returning.
The man’s face was grim.
He recounted everything: Obito, fake Sharingan, Iizumi’s Wood Release… and two Akatsuki members with the same ability.
Hiruzen froze.
Minato’s student is alive?
He’s in Akatsuki?
Why here? What’s his plan?
And… why does Iizumi have Wood Release?
He’s Uchiha. No Senju blood.
His parents were pure Uchiha.
“Old man,” Jiraiya said, voice low. “Orochimaru. He must’ve taken the First’s Wood Release cells and spread them outside the village. He’s been researching it.”
Hiruzen’s face darkened.
“Why?”
“Maybe a trade. For Akatsuki.”
Hiruzen’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Orochimaru…”
Desecrating the dead… leaking sacred bloodlines…
That crosses my limit.
“Jiraiya,” he said, voice icy. “I know you want him alive. But sometimes… a dead body is enough.”
Jiraiya’s spine chilled.
He’s really angry.
…
“Finally got those two back,” Mitarashi Anko said, arm draped around Iizumi’s shoulders.
“Rough night. Let’s celebrate at Akimichi’s grill. You’re buying.”
Izumi smiled faintly.
“I’ll send a Ninja Cat to tell Mother not to cook for me.”
As she summoned her summon, the air shifted.
Konoha Rin—still smiling—felt… off.
Her posture was stiff. Not natural.
Izumi, trained by her mentor’s sharp eye, noticed the subtle flaw.
Something was wrong.
Then—Konoha Rin’s eyes changed.
Shock. Rage. Hatred.
“Orochimaru!!”
The name tore from her lips.
Izumi knew—Genjutsu.
Before she could react—Konoha Rin slammed her to the ground.
Izumi rolled, drawing her sword—just in time to block a Kunai.
“Konoha Rin! Don’t fall for the illusion!”
She activated her Three Tomoe Sharingan.
She wasn’t strong in Genjutsu—but her eyes were enough.
Konoha Rin froze.
Two illusions clashed inside her mind.
Izumi’s held the edge—just barely.
She slammed the flat of her blade into Rin’s neck.
Thud.
Rin collapsed, unconscious.
But Izumi didn’t relax.
This was a Sharingan Genjutsu.
She scanned the area—then saw it.
A masked Anbu stood atop a lamppost.
Moonlight behind him. Red Sharingan glowing.
Even from that angle—she knew.
“Uchiha Itachi!!”
And in that moment—the words above his head flared.
【Allied with Uchiha Obito, Kuro Zetsu, and Afei—plotting to assassinate Uchiha Iizumi within a month.】
【Collaborating with Obito—planning to destroy the Uchiha clan within two months.】
Izumi’s blood ran cold.
This… is Itachi’s Future Evil. Within two months. He’s already chosen this path.
Her palms grew slick with sweat.
But her face—pale, serene—hardened.
She stepped between Rin and the figure on the post, sword raised.
“Your sacrifice… is worth it,” came Itachi’s voice—faint, distant.
“The peace of the Leaf will be built upon your grave… and Iizumi’s. When Sasuke sees it… he’ll understand. Absolute Justice doesn’t make you stronger. It only drags you into death.”
The words ended.
Itachi’s Sharingan exploded with intent.
His former friend—now prey.
All traces of loyalty vanished.
With a flash, his body dissolved into crows.
Hundreds of them—swarming toward her.
She knew it was Genjutsu.
Only one was real.
But she saw the future.
She raised her sword—clang!
She stepped back, arm taut, blocking a slash.
“You’ve improved, Izumi.”
Not my doing.
It’s the Mangekyō implanted by Iizumi-senpai.
She didn’t speak.
Her blade met his—clang, clang, clang—sparks flying.
A dozen exchanges in seconds.
“Useless,” Itachi sneered, parrying, then kicking her chin.
Too fast.
Even with the Three Tomoe, she couldn’t dodge.
No—can’t be hit!
If he lands that… I’m done.
Then—a black Kunai flew from the shadows.
Itachi’s eyes twitched—he saw it.
He twisted, pulling back his leg.
Thwip!
The Kunai grazed his leg—ripping his pants—then buried itself in a tree.
A voice, cold as stone, cut through the night.
“Uchiha Itachi.”
A faint sulfur scent drifted on the wind.
“You have crossed the line of Absolute Justice.”
“Tonight… Judgment is passed.”
“The sentence?”
“Death without mercy.”
…
…
PS: Please, don’t rage. I’ve planned every chapter long in advance. I’m just following the outline—keeping that early novel pace. Don’t assume I won’t kill him just because of setup. And for the love of the village—stop calling me an Itachi fan! This is personal attack (confirmed)!
_(`」∠)__
(End of Chapter)
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