Itachi’s Truth and the Third Person from That Night

In the Projection:

["We're the same. Survivors of the Uchiha Clan,"] the masked man said calmly.

["I know the truth about Itachi."]

[He reached up and removed part of his mask, revealing a shining Sharingan—a three-tomoe eye that radiated power.]

The Shinobi World:

"!!!"

"That's... a Sharingan?!"

"Wait, so there are other Uchiha survivors besides Sasuke?!"

"How is this possible? Wasn't the entire Uchiha Clan wiped out?"

"If there are survivors, why has no one heard about them before now?"

Sasuke stared at the masked man in disbelief, his confusion growing.

["Another Uchiha survivor?"] Sasuke muttered to himself, feeling lost. ["And what does he mean by Itachi's truth?"]

"Unbelievable. So Itachi didn't wipe them all out? There are more survivors?"

"Maybe this guy was hiding during the massacre? It's hard to imagine even Itachi taking down an entire clan on his own."

"But didn't Itachi say he had help? Could this masked guy be the one who helped him?!"

The revelation caused an uproar across the ninja world.

In Konoha:

The shock reached even the highest levels of the village. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, both privy to some details of the Uchiha's demise, reacted with alarm.

Danzo clenched his fists, his face a mix of fear and anger. "Damn you, Itachi...!"

In the Projection:

[Sasuke's Sharingan spun rapidly, and the form of a Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in his left eye. It was Itachi's.]

[Without a word, the Mangekyō activated Amaterasu, unleashing black flames directly onto the masked man.]

["AAAAAAH!" the man screamed as the flames consumed him, his body seemingly engulfed in the inextinguishable black fire.]

The ninja world erupted in shock.

"That's Itachi's Mangekyō! Sasuke can use Amaterasu now?!"

"But how? How does Sasuke have Itachi's abilities?"

"Is this another one of Itachi's plans? This is getting harder to follow..."

In the Projection:

[Just as quickly as the flames erupted, the masked man reappeared from the shadows, completely unharmed. His voice was calm as he said, "Impressive. Even in death, Itachi's foresight surprises me."]

"Impossible! He survived Amaterasu without a scratch?!"

"This guy is no ordinary shinobi. Who is he?!"

"He's giving off a vibe... like he's the mastermind behind everything. Could he be... Uchiha Madara?"

At the mention of Madara, fear spread like wildfire. Memories of the legendary Uchiha, a man whose power rivaled the gods, sent chills down spines. Even the seasoned ninja among the Five Kage grew tense.

In the Projection:

["What... what are you?"] Sasuke gasped, his breaths ragged, his mind racing.

["That was Amaterasu, the flames Itachi left for you to use against me,"] the masked man explained, almost amused. ["He planned even for this."]

The ninja world buzzed with speculation.

"So Itachi gave Sasuke Amaterasu to protect him from this guy?!"

"But why? Why would Itachi go to such lengths for Sasuke? What's this masked man's connection to Itachi?"

[Sasuke's expression twisted with confusion and rage. "Stop talking in riddles! Tell me the truth—what are you after?"]

[The masked man remained calm, his tone even. "You don't understand yet, do you?"]

[He paused before continuing. "Itachi gave you his power to protect you. Everything he did... was for you."]

Sasuke froze. The world seemed to stop.

["Protect me?"] he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Protect him?! Is this guy joking?!"

"How is forcing your brother into a life of misery and hatred considered protection?!"

"This makes no sense! Itachi killed his whole clan, tortured Sasuke for years, and this guy is calling it 'protection'?!"

[Sasuke's expression darkened as his mind raced. "You expect me to believe that? Itachi killed our entire clan! He turned my life into a nightmare! How is that 'protection'?!"]

[The masked man sighed. "You think you know everything about your brother. But the truth is, you don't know him at all."]

The ninja world grew silent, everyone holding their breath as the masked man's words sank in.

["Liar!"] Sasuke shouted, his Mangekyō Sharingan flaring dangerously. "If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll kill you myself!"

[The masked man tilted his head, unbothered by the threat. "Then let me make it clear."]

["That night, Itachi wasn't acting alone. He had help. From me."]

The revelation hit like a thunderclap.

"WHAT?!"

"He's admitting it! He's the one who helped Itachi!"

"So this guy really was part of the Uchiha massacre?!"

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen's face turned grim. "So it's true. Itachi always said he didn't act alone... but to think it was this man..."

[Sasuke's eyes burned with rage, his entire body trembling. "You... you helped him kill our family?"]

[The masked man nodded, his voice steady. "That's right. I helped Itachi wipe out the Uchiha clan."]

The masked man's calm confession sent waves of shock and fury through the shinobi world.

"Who IS this guy?!"

"Why would he help Itachi do something so horrible?!"

"Whoever he is, he's clearly dangerous. This man is no ordinary shinobi!"

Elsewhere in Konoha:

Kakashi's lone Sharingan throbbed uncomfortably as he watched the projection. His voice was low and tense. "Who is he? Why does my Sharingan feel... uneasy around him?"