Chapter 93: Then Let’s All Move Out

"Kotoamatsukami?" Everyone looked puzzled—it was the first time they had heard that name.

Itachi explained slowly, "When members of the Uchiha Clan awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, they each gain unique, exclusive abilities tied to their eyes."

"My abilities are Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu."

"Both your Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu are incredibly terrifying, Itachi-san!" Kisame chimed in enthusiastically, always the first to praise Itachi.

"Including Obito's and Kakashi's Kamui, these too are abilities awakened from the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"In that case, the Mangekyō Sharingan is truly incredible. Just awakening it grants you such immense power," Hidan voiced what everyone else was thinking.

The Uchiha truly were blessed by the heavens. Once they unlocked the Mangekyō, their ocular abilities alone could secure them a place in the shinobi world.

"So, Kotoamatsukami is Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō ability? And it's a powerful genjutsu?" Sasori asked for clarification.

Itachi nodded. "Kotoamatsukami is indeed a genjutsu, but calling it merely 'powerful' doesn't do it justice."

"It allows the user to control others without them realizing it, permanently altering their thoughts. The victim would genuinely believe those thoughts were their own, far beyond what ordinary genjutsu can achieve."

"P-Permanent?" Kakuzu's usually stoic demeanor faltered.

"Itachi, do you even realize what you're saying?"

Permanently altering someone's thoughts was practically godlike. Not even the Sage of Six Paths was said to be capable of such a feat.

"Yes, permanent." Itachi's tone was calm, yet firm, confirming the others' doubts.

"At the time, Shisui's two Mangekyō eyes—one was taken by Danzō, and the other was entrusted to me."

"If I'm not mistaken, Danzō must have used Kotoamatsukami on Tsunade."

"Doesn't that mean Orochimaru's plan to free Tsunade is doomed to fail?" Sasori said, almost gleefully. While he had been cooperating with Orochimaru for some time, their relationship had never improved.

"Not necessarily. We still don't know the specific command Danzō used Kotoamatsukami for," Itachi countered. "If it's something like 'protect Konoha,' then freeing Tsunade might indeed be impossible. But if the command is 'obey Danzō,' then killing him might nullify it, as the subject of the command would no longer exist."

"That's obvious. A scumbag like Danzō would've definitely issued an obedience command," Deidara remarked.

For some reason, Deidara's thoughts wandered to less-than-appropriate scenarios involving Kotoamatsukami and Tsunade. He chuckled to himself.

'Danzō, huh? At least you have some taste!'

"By the way, Kisame…"

"Hmm?" Kisame turned to Deidara, already wary of what nonsense he'd spout next.

"You're so respectful to Itachi, always calling him 'Itachi-san.' Are you sure he hasn't secretly used Kotoamatsukami on you?" Deidara teased.

Kisame froze, suddenly unsure of himself. "That… that shouldn't be possible, right?"

"Itachi-san, you wouldn't do something so terrifying to me, would you?" Kisame asked nervously.

Itachi remained silent, his mature and composed demeanor making him feel completely out of place in moments like this.

"See? He's silent. That just proves he feels guilty about it," Deidara said, fanning the flames. "Kisame, you've been corrupted!"

Itachi sighed, massaging his forehead. "Kotoamatsukami is far too powerful. Its cooldown period is a full ten years, so I wouldn't use it lightly."

"Oh, thank goodness." Kisame exhaled in relief.

"'Thank goodness'? That just means Itachi doesn't think you're worth using it on," Hidan added, stoking the fire further.

"Itachi-san…" Kisame looked at Itachi with teary eyes.

"Enough of this nonsense," Nagato finally interjected, shifting the conversation back to the topic at hand. "Let's talk about the upcoming joint Chūnin Exams."

"Obviously, we'll have to cooperate with Orochimaru to execute our plan. Konoha's strength is too detrimental to us otherwise," Deidara said. "But since Konoha is so strong right now, we'll need to send more people."

The group nodded in agreement.

"I'm going," Itachi declared without hesitation. No one would stop him from dealing with Danzō.

"If Itachi's going, I'll tag along too. We're teammates, after all," Kisame added.

"I'm in," Hidan and Kakuzu said, shrugging.

"I was planning to go anyway. And if I'm going, Sasori, you should too," Deidara suggested, looking at the puppet master.

Sasori nodded in agreement.

With that, six Akatsuki members were ready to move.

"Let's review the battle strategy," Deidara began. "Itachi and Kisame will handle Jiraiya. He's a ninjutsu specialist, so you two have the best chance against him."

Kakuzu and Kisame nodded. They didn't bring up the idea of fighting Jiraiya one-on-one. After all, Deidara had already shared intel that Jiraiya and Tsunade were stronger than even Ōnoki.

"I'll take on Tsunade. My abilities counter her taijutsu-based fighting style."

"Sasori, you'll handle the Mokuton user," Deidara continued.

"Understood," Sasori replied.

"Kakuzu and Hidan, you'll clear out the weaker shinobi. Orochimaru can deal with Danzō himself."

"Wait, this lineup still feels lacking," Deidara said, frowning.

"Don't forget the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki," Konan reminded him.

Deidara wasn't as worried about Naruto. He was more concerned about Might Guy and the possibility of Danzō using a shortened cooldown on Kotoamatsukami due to his Hashirama cells.

"Itachi, there's something I need to ask," Deidara said, turning to him.

"What is it?" Itachi asked.

"You said Kotoamatsukami has a ten-year cooldown. But since the Mangekyō's abilities can differ between the left and right eye, are you sure Danzō's eye also has that same cooldown?"

Itachi's expression shifted. This was a crucial oversight he hadn't considered before.

"Deidara, are you saying—?" Nagato began.

"I'm saying we can't let Orochimaru face Danzō alone. What if he falls victim to Kotoamatsukami again?"

"But we don't have enough manpower to send more support," Nagato replied.

"We do!" Deidara declared resolutely. "We all go. Full deployment!"

"If we all go, we won't have to worry about Obito ambushing us either," Deidara added.

(The true battle is about to begin!)

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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