Chapter 32

Itachi woke up in his home, in a familiar and comfortable bed. And he also knew that it wasn't the same as the one in Akatsuki, the room was more cozy. And there's a window, revealing a clear blue sky. And at night, if you're sad you can be comforted by a cosmic nebula studded with stars. Itachi got out of bed and began to prepare for his day.

Itachi's POV

Just yesterday, I was thinking about what I'd been through this year. For starters, my immunity to lightning has gotten a little stronger, I think it's enough to resist Sasuke's element. But it would be better if I awakened that lightning element myself, after the earth element of course. In Kikyo Castle, I found it easiest to make decisions and think. Still, in it I feel like myself, this place really means a lot to me. It's peaceful and cozy and I can just look at the stars..... I feel good about myself in it, because the first time I was in this castle I was just looking at the stars, but now I come here often for my own reflections. Now I put on the familiar black t-shirt with the blue uchiha crest and the same familiar black pants underneath. At the end I threw on a black cape with a blue zipper. It reminded me of my time in Akatsuki... The word Akatsuki itself means dawn. And the red clouds, Paine added after the death of his best friend, Yahiko. And the clouds are a reminder that if something is precious to you, it doesn't go out. And the cloud was red because it was Paine's favorite color. Thus, people saw that the sunset of their happiness would not stop, and the Akatsuki organization would bring peace, with the help of endless tsukiyomi. But Obito and Paine are wrong, they are blind for now. Even Madara doesn't notice this, that he's being used too. Black Zetsu only follows his orders if they follow his own plan. And about Paine's views, I learned back when I was in his organizations, in the first timeline.

After getting dressed, I went outside. I didn't even take a couple steps before I saw Naruto running with the paint across the rooftops. It wasn't hard to guess what it was for. Still, I decided to watch him, he had a mocking smile on his face. From the roof of the Hokage's residence, I could see his every move. I even smiled at the results of the creativity on the faces of the four Hokage. Funny how the fact of vandalizing the childhood hero of Konoha turned out to be true. Several Jonin have been unable to catch him for several minutes now, but here Iruka had caught up to him nonetheless. Activating the sharingan, I lip-read Iruka's sermon:

-Naruto! You weren't in class, graduation is coming up, and you want to be remembered like this? - Iruka began with a slight anger.

-I'm the one who should be on the cliff, dattebuyo!, They're not worthy of that title, especially the fourth one. It's not a big deal," Naruto said, his arms folded across his chest. 

-Ah, that's what this is all about! -Ah! You're jealous of those who studied better than you?, You know, when you didn't show up today, I was sure you were doing something stupid, but today you outdid yourself! - Iruka also folded his arms across his chest, looking at Naruto sternly. - Eh... All right, wash off all your writing and I'll buy you ramen on me. But only because graduation is coming up. 

-That's right, Iruka-sensei! - Naruto glowed after the last phrase, "On me," and with a trademark smile, he added, "Yay, free ramen with Iruka-sensei! I should've vandalized the place every day, datteebayo.

Iruka couldn't help but smile, and they went off together, aiming to wash away all the ridiculous art Naruto had left on the rocks. I smiled lightly and returned to the roof of the hokage's residence. I knew that Naruto would fail the clone creation exam today, and Mizuki would convince him to steal the Second Hokage's forbidden scroll. With it, Naruto will learn the easy way to create shadow clones and defeat Mizuki. I think it will go smoothly, after all, the creation of the second timeline could affect manners, conversations, and other side effects that could change the course of events. Suddenly, I noticed Izumo and Kotetsu coming up to my roof.

-You, Itachi, long time no see, how are you? - Kotetsu began, looking in my direction.

-It's business as usual. Training and everyday life. It's good to see you both," I replied, smiling slightly. - By the way, I thought sentries didn't have missions.

-Hokage-sama summoned all the Chunin and Jonin, and we came first, as always," Izumo muttered with a smile.

The Hokage was aware of the presence of a spy in Konoha, or he wouldn't have summoned so many shinobi. The Hokage knew that there was a spy in Konoha, or else he would have summoned so many shinobi. The main suspicion falls on Mizuki, he was very interested in the second scroll. Probably the goal for the Chunins is to track down the scroll and the one who stole it, and for the Jonins a separate mission. I assume that a couple of Orochimaru's Shinobi will come to Mizuki, and the Chunins will have to catch or kill them, and I guess they managed to drive them away in the first timeline, because that day I didn't hear about the loss of Konoha's Shinobi, Orochimaru's spy was searched only by the Chunins, and Iruka will be the first to find him.

-I suggest we enter the Hokage's office and learn the mission,‖ I said the phrase and saw Izumo and Kotetsu nod.

We entered the building from the roof and walked down until we reached the office of the third, knocking we heard the word "Come in" I entered followed by Izumo and Kotetsu, and coming in front of the third I began:

-You said you were summoning all the shinobi, but for what purpose? - I asked the third, pretending I didn't know what the mission was, but he put the tobacco aside and answered.

-I understood Orochimaru's next plan, the shinobi from the Anbu spotted an unknown spy who wanted to steal the scroll of the second hokage, they couldn't see his face, but they found a cursed juin seal that only Orochimaru could place, and when the Anbu approached him he made the switch and quickly ran away, and the scroll remained intact, but that's for now.... I believe that Orochimaru wants to get hold of it in order to learn strong techniques, because as you all know, he is obsessed with eternal life and full knowledge of all jutsu, - he said closing his eyes, remembering who he was, and who he is now....

-Sandaime-sama, is that why you gathered all the chunin and jonin, for them to go after the spy if he shows up today?", Izumo inquired.

-I'm going to send only chunin to find the criminal who might try to steal the Second Hokage's scroll today, and I wanted to send jonin to those who are supposed to meet Mizuki, Orochimaru's nukenin, they call themselves the sound four, but that's not necessary, instead of jonin I'll send Itachi and his two partners to them," the third said, turning his gaze to me.

-Hokage-sama, allow us to go along with Itachi," Kotetsu mumbled this phrase, and the third grinned slightly and replied.

-You know, Kotetsu, I was going to send for you, because you've been on patrol for a long time, and Asuma is going to replace you, because he's going to be captain of his team soon, but before that he wants to sleep on patrol, he has a sensitive sleep - he smiled slightly and took his tobacco in his hands again, But luckily I didn't have to send anyone, because from the window I saw Itachi walking towards the Hokage residence and even the way you approached him, I think it's fate, so follow it, - Izumo and Kotetsu nodded.

-I see... I answered confidently, Izumo and Kotetsu smiled at me for the fact that I was sure it would be done.

Later we left the building and if you walk more than a mile away from the konoha you can find the likely meeting place, Mizuki with those four-sound, coming out of the hokage residences I looking towards Izumo and Kotetsu started:

-We'll meet tonight at the gate from konoha, and we don't know the location of the nukenin, so we'll split into two groups to find them, but if you both find them before I do, I'll try to move faster to your position, don't start the fight without me," I said my plan, and put my hand on Izumo's shoulder, and when I removed it there was a hiraishin seal, Kotetsu and Izumo were surprised, and Kotetsu decided to answer:

-Hiraishin the fourth-hokage? You're full of surprises I see," Kotetsu said with a slight chuckle.

-Even if the two of us find them before you do, how will we get in touch with you? - Izumo asked, interrupting Kotetsu.

-I've spent this year mastering the hiraishin technique, also the wind elements, and lightning therapy," I smiled lightly at Kotetsu, and turning my gaze to Izumo I took out a scroll from my pocket and gave it to him, I said, "A similar scroll is used by the third hokage, to summon certain shinobi, it's like a sensory signal to them and they come to the hokage residence, this scroll has my chakra in it, just put your palm there and I'll know you've found them and move to you," they nodded and we split up to meet in the evening, I went up to the roof.

Right now I headed towards the house I was jumping from one roof to another roof, and looking down I noticed Sasuke walking there, he was wearing a blue T-shirt with a red and white Uchiha crest, also in white shorts, and he was walking with his hands in his pocket, I decided to follow him a little bit, and I saw him looking at all the people around him indifferently, he was busy with his thoughts, Sasuke, who was still in his childhood, but that was only the outer shell, but not the inner one.... After the destruction of the Uchiha clan, he took all their hatred and wanted to collapse in Konoha, what he has in mind now I do not know yet, but I will be ready for anything, and now let him live his normal life, when he meets his team, will understand a quarter of what is love and positive comrades, and of course he will give it up, because he easily allows himself to show weakness, it does not cancel my goal, he will still have one to consider ...

Finished thinking, I continue my way home, also I knew the four-sound well, studied them thoroughly when Sasuke left the Konoha, then in the Akatsuki organizations, Zetsu informed everyone that Orochimaru now has a sharingan, and he has about 3 years, before he take over Sasuke's body, I then began from curiosity to study how the Konoha allowed such a thing? and I realized that at that time there were no free jonin or even chunin, except for one chunin, and that was Shikamaru-nara, who took a team of four genin, the first was Hana's younger brother Kiba, the second was Neji the genius of the clan and nephew of Hiashi, the third was Naruto Uzumaki himself, and the fourth was Chouji Akimichi, who for some unknown reason has come to admire me and wants to become like me, I'm sure in the first timeline he didn't even know I existed... I also got to know the people they were fighting against, and their abilities, they weren't too strong, even with Orochimaru's cursed mark, I could deal with the fours alone, though I had a better idea, they were a great chance to train my hiraishin, I hadn't used it on my opponents yet, only in training, I had developed its speed well over the year, it was now blue in color because of the enhanced speed, but I could try it out on them as well, while I was thinking about it, I had already reached my house.

The end of Itachi's POV

Itachi as soon as he got home, he poured himself a hot tea with aloe-vera honey, it was good for relaxing his brain, then he went back to his room and took his kunai-hiraishina in his pouch, some of the signs he had drawn himself, he had mastered them during this year, He had mastered them perfectly, and over the previous three years, he had developed his taijutsu as well as the art of amaterasu, he could now open the eight inner gates, and he could still wear the weights Guy had advised him to wear, now he waited for the evening, he knew it would come soon.

***

It was about 8 in the evening, it was already sunset, when Itachi finished his long and philosophical thoughts, about time, about training for these 4 years, also that today everything should happen, he decided to leave the house, and headed towards the ninja academies, and when he got there I saw everyone passing their exams, Sakura was happily walking with her best friend Ino, and Shikamaru put his arm around Chouji's neck, They were walking together brotherly hugging, oddly enough Chouji was looking thinner now, Karin was walking with Say and Torune, they were so relaxed, Itachi looking at them was sure they were nervous at the beginning, but now everything was fine, and Sasuke was walking as always, towards his house, Hinata was walking home happy, but sad for Naruto.Naruto was sitting on a swing, looking at everyone else, also disappointed in himself for being the only one who didn't pass his exams, one of the two girls who were running after Sasuke stopped and looked at Naruto, and started talking about Naruto, Itachi at this point decided to activate his sharingan to find out what they were talking about.

-This is the one who failed the final exam?" one of the girls began in a haughty voice.

-He's the only one who didn't pass he still wanted to become a hokage," her friend replied with a hum, also looking at Naruto.

-I think he deserved it, he won't become a ninja like Sasuke Uchiha-" she said in response.

-Sasuke is so handsome, smart and attractive, and this one isn't, well okay with him, let's move on- -they moved on.

Itachi deactivated the sharingan and looked at their trail disappointed, he also knew that sooner or later everyone in Konoha would find out what Naruto was really like, and what Sasuke would be like soon, but it would take time.... Itachi wanted to go down and support Naruto even with the sharingan to show him the exact memories of how to create clones, but he knew that Naruto does not have to master them exactly like that, Naruto will master this art, but in his own way, but for now let it be, on the temporary negative, because Naruto will have a great life ahead, with his positivity and optimism will not even compare to his descendants, if he has them, thought to himself so Itachi, smiling he went to the meeting place to Izumo and Kotetsu.

The protagonist-hero, in a black cloak and a blue shade of castle lightning, still made it to the gates of Konoha, before anyone else, he waited for them for about 3 minutes, and saw Izumo appear, and Itachi was somehow unaccustomed to seeing him without his best friend, he still decided, with this issue.

-Where's Kotetsu? -I'm not used to seeing you without him," Itachi began with a slight smile.

-A lot of people tell us that, and I'm bored without his optimism too," Izumo replied with a smile, and turning back towards the village, he noticed his partner running towards them.

-Sorry I'm late, I was just packing my stuff and couldn't find my mace anywhere-" Kotetsu mumbled, with his right hand on the back of his head and a smile.

-I just got here a minute ago myself, so it's fine- -Izumo replied with a smile as well.

-If we're all here, I guess we should get going," Itachi commanded, and they nodded.

Then they started walking towards this likely meeting place, before waving to Asuma, who smiled back at them, and continued smoking his tobacco, while Itachi was sure that Naruto was busy with Mizuki, stealing a scroll to learn a couple of powerful techniques, while Iruka and the rest of the chunin were looking for him, and Naruto, after reading one line, would understand how to create clones, and with this technique he would surpass everyone who took the exam today... and beat Mizuki... Itachi's thoughts were distracted by an argument between Izumo and Kotetsu.

-You're wrong about that, you lost at poker back then! - Kotetsu said with childish resentment.

-I decided to tell you the truth that I gave in to you a few times and you don't believe me? - Izumo replied with a smile.

-Are you talking about your poker game? - Itachi entered the conversation and they looked at him in surprise.

-How did you know about that? - Kotetsu asked.

-I've seen you hide the poker many times in these 4 years, when I went to the gates of konoha, I saw activated my sharingan for variety Heh... - Itachi replied in a calm voice with a slight smile.

-I didn't know a sharingan could see through walls," Izumo said with interest.

-If we win, you keep it a secret from the hokage, and if you win, you can ask whatever you want," Kotetsu said jokingly, trying to keep up the positive vibe.

-I don't think that would be fair, because I'm familiar with anatomy, and I can tell from your faces when you're bluffing and when you're serious-" Itachi replied with a smile.

The first time he was in Akatsuki, he sometimes got a mission to change teams together, there was once a mission where he was on a mission that would give a lot of money to people who needed it for organizations, and there was another mission to finish off the rest of the people from the crazy Kaguya clan, Paine decided that these missions were only suitable for half of the two teams, so he changed partners for a while, Kakuzu became Itachi's partner, and Kisame and Hidan went to destroy all of the Kaguya clan, once they were considered dead, but there were still a few dozen survivors who were not there during their massacre of their clan, but Kisame and Hidan made sure that no one was alive with a clean slaughter, and Itachi and Kakuzu were sent to find and steal the feudal lord's money from the fog village, They found it on the border of the fog village, there was a vacant hectare field, they both quickly tracked down the feudal lord's carriage and made all the shinobi forget about it, with the help of Itachi's sharingan he was able to quickly find out where all his money was and then made him forget about it, and Kakuzu was good at business and was able to calculate how much money to leave for the fog village so they wouldn't be too broke, and know how much to steal, they got into his castle and everything went smoothly and without killing him so there was no suspicion, and on the way back with the money Kakuzu decided to stop and play poker in one of the bars, which he was very good at, continued on his way, along the way he told all of Itachi's secrets, like if you have 5 cards in a turn it's good, and if you have 5 cards with the same suit it's great!, and if 4 identical cards with the same symbol, it's already a victory, all 5 cards lie on the table, and in your hand you can hold only 2-cards, or even 3-cards, depending on what type of poker, Itachi remembered everything well, knew all the rules and with the help of anatomy well could distinguish facial expressions of people, but still decided not to play it, because he knew that gambling to do no good ...

They had reached the place where they were likely to meet and it was just as Itachi had expected, so it was time to move on to the next plan, which was to split up, he gestured for them to split up, Izumo and Kotetsu nodded and understood, Itachi headed east, and the two of them to the west, and so far they hadn't met anyone, it was too empty, but Izumo sensed someone else's chakra, and a giant spider web flew towards them, according to her chakra it was very strong and hard to tear, so they both jumped aside, The second was a girl with a flute on her lips, with pink-red hair and a sly smile, the third was white-haired, and the fourth was large and it was obvious that his element was stone, Izumo and Kotetsu gritted their teeth that it was two against four, and if they tried to summon Itachi they might not let them, they should come up with a plan, Izumo thought to himself, and this one with six arms started:

-Who I see are the chuninin from Konoha, lighter than light haha, they'll be carried by me- offered the six-armed Kidomaru.

-I don't think so, they're mine!" the white-haired Sakon commanded, and continued, "While Kimimaru is gone, I'm the leader.

Kotetsu glanced at his partner Izumo and they understood each other, then Kotetsu pulled out a giant mace from a scroll and swung it towards Sakon, he jumped back and bifurcated, Izumo and Kotetsu decided not to lose their heads and realized that it was his twin brother, but continued to follow the plan, Sakon's twin, who had the appearance of a demon with a second level seal, his name was Ukon, he jumped towards Kotetsu and started to fight him, Izumo at the same time he used the suiton technique, folded the seals and said "Water Element: Sticky Patoka Field", Izumo was still able to catch Sakon with this technique, and Sakon was panicking and couldn't move because his leg was stuck in Izumo's sticky trap, and Kotetsu was fighting with Ukon, and his fist was crossing with Kotetsu's mace, and at that moment Kotetsu took advantage of the situation when Ukon came close to him, trying to strike him in the face with his iron fist, Kotetsu blocked him with his mace and kicked him in the knee, and he fell to his knee in pain, twisting his legs badly, and Kotetsu grabbed him by the stomach with both hands and with all his strength threw Ukon to his brother who was in the sticky trap.

-It doesn't look like you're coping," Tayuya replied haughtily, folding her arms across her chest.

-What are you standing there for? -Kill them! - Sakon shouted in panic because he couldn't get out.

The others realized that Ukon and Sakon had lost and decided to finish the battle for him, the big guy Jirobo started running towards them with anger and Izumo and Kotetsu, the two of them started attacking him and Jirobo was slow, the two partners took advantage of that, They were able to surround him with chains, and even charged him with chakra, and Jirobo was tied up and fell to his knee, and lost too, Tayuya clenched her teeth, seeing how his comrades were weak without the cursed seal, and decided to take command.

-Kidomaru, take the one with the shaggy hair, and the one with the brown hair is mine!" commanded Tayuya, and Kidomaru nodded.

Tayuya, wanted to get her flute, but Izumo quickly used seals, and created her genjutsu, and she got confused, saw enemies everywhere and even lost her balance and fell, Izumo defeated her and went to help his partner, Kidomaru was strong, but Kotetsu tried to fight back as best he could with his mace, and noticing Izumo decided to get kunai like him, they both started to fight against the six-armed man, They both started to fight against the six-armed man and started to defeat him with quick and accurate strikes, because even though Kidomaru had six arms, Izumo and Kotetsu were faster and with their four arms, they were able to strike him with taijutsu, left and right and forward kicks, but Kidomaru successfully dodged, and Izumo intervened and kicked him, he fell to the ground and they stepped back, and when Kidomaru got up, he saw them running in circles over him, he didn't understand why?, but then he found that he was wrapped in invisible threads of chakra, just like Jirobo, when Kidomaru was bound he fell to his knee and Izumo used the sticky suiton technique again saying "Water Element: Sticky Treacle Field" and Kidomaru was trapped.

-The fight is over, you have lost," Izumo said in a serious tone.

-It turned out to be a lot easier than we thought, heh-" Kotetsu said positively.

They were surprised when they noticed how everyone they defeated in this field, they began to have cursed seals, they consequently intensified and began to cover their entire body, the second level of the cursed seal.

-You're stronger than I thought, but I think it's time for us to fight at full strength, attack!" Sakon commanded, merging with Ukon.

Izumo and Kotetsu noticed how they all got out of the traps, Jirobo broke his chains that were filled with chakra, Tayuya easily got out of Izumo's genjutsu, Kidomaru also broke his strings and forcefully jumped away from the puddles, and Sakon and Ukon merged easily out of the molding trap as if they were walking on a puddle, Izumo realized that things were bad and decided to use their basic plan, When he nodded to Kotetsu giving him a sign, he understood and decided to create some shadow clones to hold them off, Izumo also created as many clones, and one of his clones took out a scroll from the original Izumo, and stepped a little further back, and folded the seals and hit the scroll with his palm, the signal had already reached Itachi, they had to hold on for at least 15 seconds.

***

Itachi scoured the eastern forest, and found no traces of anyone, only the traces left by those shinobi who had traveled this path a couple of days ago to complete their task, and Itachi knew that now Naruto had probably defeated Mizuki, and had begun his ninja journey, as he always called it, Itachi remembered that phrase of his, back when Naruto said that he wouldn't kill Sasuke, but would bring him back to Konoha, even that it was his way of ninja, a trace in the first timeline, but this time Sasuke wouldn't take on Naruto, that shouldn't be his problem, he had already done enough, the second timeline should be the best for him...

While Itachi was thinking about it, he suddenly felt a strange signal as if he was being triggered by a sensor, it didn't take him long to realize what was going on, in half a second he had already realized that the quarter-sound had been found and quickly folded the seals and moved to the spot.

Once there, Itachi was near the scroll, and realized that Izumo had transferred the seal on his shoulder into the scroll, as soon as he moved he saw Izumo disappear, his shadow clone had no strength left, and saw the sound four attacking them from four sides, hitting and kicking them hard, but they were still on their feet, Itachi decided not to activate the sharingan yet, He threw his kunai at the tree, everyone turned their attention there and saw a shinobi in a black cloak appear near the tree holding a kunai, at night the cloak glowed a little blue sparks, but as he moved the lightning turned dark blue.

-Who the hell is this guy? -He's got the hiraishin style of the fourth hokage? - Ukon started to look at Itachi with a look of surprise.

-It doesn't matter who he is, he's still a dead man- Jirobo finished his sentence and ran towards him, he now had a second level seal like the rest of the four, this made him more angry and eager for battle.

Itachi folded the seal before the fight, as he had done in the ninja academies when he was able to defeat everyone, and when Jirobo was close and swung with his right fist, Itachi easily intercepted his blow and with his two hands lifted him up, and Jirobo flew backwards away from him crashing into the nearest tree, Itachi knew physics well, and understood how to use his opponent's strength against him, Itachi was physically strong himself, even in the first timeline he knew how to surprise his opponent with his taijutsu style by turning back, he saw Jiroba lying slumped against a tree recovering, he realized that he would be in confusion for a minute, so Itachi looked ahead at the others and noticed Kidomaru's arrow coming at him from the side, Itachi dodged its trajectory by doing a backflip, He created two shadow clones to take over Ukon and Sakon, and the original Itachi turned into a blue flash and moved near Kidomaru, because when Itachi threw the kunai at him it had the hiraishin seal, When he was behind him he threw another kunai a meter away from him into the ground, and when Kidomaru turned around he met his fist which hit him in the face, and when he tried to strike him with his six hands he failed, Itachi was even faster dodging all his blows, He hit him with a three finger punch to the solar plexus and Kidomaru couldn't concentrate his chakra anymore and when he wanted to step back, Itachi used hiraishin again and moved behind his back again, kicking him so hard that he fell to the ground, Kidomaru wanted to wrap him with his web that he still had in his mouth, Itachi knew what he wanted to do and charged his hand with cutting chakra like Kabuto and Neji, Kidomaru spat a web like web at him and Itachi cut him in half with his cutting chakra that he had charged in both hands, Kidomaru lost consciousness for a while because Itachi had blocked his chakra passage, and looked at the one with the flute named Tayuya, who had not done anything all this time because she didn't want to take any risks and was waiting for the right moment, Itachi was walking towards her.

Itachi's two shadow clones fought against Sakon and Ukon, each taking one of their own, they couldn't hit the clones in taijutsu, because Itachi's speed was top notch, he didn't even need the sharingan for that, because he didn't have it activated now, He gave Sakon a strong leg kick with his somersault, and putting his palm on his shoulder, and jumping up, Itachi's clone threw the kunai into the ground, and Sakon dodged back, with a smile, Itachi smiled too, because everything was going according to his plans, his second clone started to defeat Ukon, He in turn ran to Sakon to join their efforts against Itachi, and as they stood shoulder to shoulder, they saw Itachi's second clone folding the fire style seal towards the kunai, while the first clone was behind Sakon's back, because he still had that hiraishin mark, Itachi's clone also touched Ucon, they turned around in surprise, Itachi in turn touched both of them and moved them to the place where he threw his kunai, and when his first clone finished folding the seals with lightning speed, he said "Fire style: Great Fireball" and the fireball was directed at the side of the kunai with the hiraishin mark that was on the ground and that's where Itachi's first clone moved along with Ukon and Sakon, his clone disappeared in the fire and Ukon and Sakon were seriously injured their second level seal fell and they lost consciousness, Itachi didn't use the katon to its full potential because if he had used his blue flame, Itachi didn't use his blue flame, but now he used his fireball in its normal form, but they were protected by a cursed seal, before they lost consciousness they merged into one body and Sakon's seal was broken and there were no scars from the fire, their death was not part of Itachi's plan, because he could change the timeline, so he decided to just knock them out, the second clone folded the seals and disappeared.

Itachi realized that those two were no longer a threat when his clones disappeared, after dealing with Kidomaru he went to Tayuya, she had a flute and wanted to hypnotize him, instead of wearing earplugs Itachi activated his sharingan and when he heard her melody, he fell into a strange genjutsu where he was being chased by your gramil, but he concentrated his chakra correctly, the genjutsu evaporated and when he was close to her, she used a paralysis genjutsu, but Itachi was able to break it in a second, Itachi's own chakra and sharingan power was at an all-time high, and when he looked at her he used his fear genjutsu and she fell to her knees, he deactivated his sharingan too, and then Itachi quickly created two raven clones, The original Itachi looked at Izumo and Kotetsu, who had just gotten up from the ground, and walked over to them.

-Thank you Itachi for saving us, even though we had everything under control," Kotetsu said with a smile, Itachi replied in the same way and added.

-The stall originally summoned me, it would be quicker, and safer that way-" Itachi replied folding his arms across his chest.

-Really fast- Izumo replied and added, -It's your blue-lightning speed that's faster than the fourth-hokage's, and with the dark-cloak, it causes you to have dark blue lightning.

-You did a good job too, I'm sure you were able to defeat them, because otherwise they wouldn't have used a second-level jouin, Heh... - Itachi finished his speech with a smile, and then he smiled as he watched his clones deal with Jiroba.

When Itachi created them, they moved to Jiroba from the first second, began to put more seals on him, and with each blow moved to a different position, and the speed of moving through him was so fast that it looked like blue lightning surrounded Jiroba, and hit him with a speed faster than a tornado, and then he fell on his knee, and the clones decided not to finish him, and just disappeared, turning into a flock of crows, one clone was putting seals on him and the other was hitting him hard.

Kidomaru came to his senses and ran towards Sakon, he was glad that he had merged with Ukon, otherwise he would have had to carry both of them, Kidomaru took Sakon and carried him on his shoulders, Jirobo in turn came to his senses and ran towards Tayuya and gave her chakra to remove her genjutsu, and took her in his arms, then they started to run, Itachi looked at them and let them go, because he knew that their fate to die would not be today, they ran away from the spacious field, back into the forest which led to a sound village, near the rice country.

-Should we catch up with them?" asked Izumo.

-I don't think so, they are no longer a threat to the village, and I doubt they can be of any use to the village," Itachi replied, knowing it was not worth catching up with them, they nodded and started walking back to Konoha to report the successful completion of their missions to the third hokage.

***

Kidomaru and Jirobo continued to run, going deep into the forest and noticing their comrades awake.

-Who was that?" asked Sakon, coming to his senses.

-It was an uchiha, he looked at me with a sharingan and tore my genjutsu, that's never happened before- replied Tayuya in an angry tone.

-Are you awake?" asked Kidomaru, and stopped lowering Sakon to the ground, Jirobo did the same to Tayuya, they got to their feet and started walking on their own.

-I don't know about you, but I think he's much stronger than Kimimaru- Jirobo said to everyone.

-I wouldn't say that, if Kimimaro had a serious illness he would have been a serious opponent even then, but now, if he hadn't been on a mission with Orochimaru to study suna, maybe we would have beaten him," Sakon finished his speech.

-I personally think that he fought with us not at full strength, it's scary to imagine what would have happened if he wanted to kill us, but he instead just protected his comrades and looked in our direction and let us go- the whole foursome thought about her words and Tayuya also added- I'm sure we'll meet again, just because he's handsome it won't help him.

***

Itachi headed on foot to Konoha as it was already close and the gate was visible from far away, behind him were Izumo and Kotetsu who was trying to assemble his suna cube.

-So it's complicated I'm throwing it away- Kotetsu wanted to throw the die away, but Itachi countered.

-Better leave it to me to try and assemble it myself, though I haven't held it in my hands- Itachi replied with a smile, and Kotetsu gave him the cube.

-I've spent a week putting it back together, and I haven't been able to put it back together for over two weeks now, so don't feel bad if you don't get it right the first time..." he said. - Kotetsu said with a smile, and was about to add "if I don't get it right the first time" at the end, but he was interrupted by Itachi.

-Done... - Izumo smirked at Kotetsu's surprise, and Itachi decided to continue - I haven't held it in my hands yet, but I realized how to assemble it here, the main thing is to start with one layer, and assemble the first line followed by the second, while maintaining the right balance, the hardest part will be at the end, But if you're calm, you can easily put it in the right row while creating a world, - when Itachi explained about the cube, he also mentioned time, and this cube is like a timeline, and he created it gradually, and the hard part will be the final part, but he will be ready.

-Gathering a cube in just 10 seconds is something even I didn't expect, heh- Izumo replied to him.

-You can have it by the way, consider it a gift for saving us," Kotetsu added.

-Thank you, that would make a nice souvenir," he smiled lightly as he looked at his partners and added, "We're almost at Konoha.

-I don't mind staying here too, the stars are brighter here," Izumo said.

-I think we should call this mission 'Dark Blue Lightning and Two Partners,'" Kotetsu replied.

-Heh... - Itachi became curious about the name, and at this they had already entered the gates of Konoha.