That Is… To Destroy Konoha

[On Screen]

"And so, Itachi made up his mind. He decided to put an end to the proud Uchiha clan himself!"

"His betrayal wasn't born from hatred for the Uchiha but from having no other choice. After the village's prosperity came discrimination and isolation. Itachi bore all of this alone and sacrificed himself for it…"

"At that time, Itachi came to find me."

"The Third Hokage was the only one who wanted to resolve the conflict through other means. He hoped to propose a peaceful solution to the Uchiha clan and discuss it calmly with everyone…"

"But time was running out, and in the end, it didn't happen."

"And so, what happened that night came to pass…"

[The image shifts to Uchiha Itachi standing on top of a utility pole, overlooking the Uchiha clan.]

"It was a mission…"

"To become a criminal who destroyed his clan. To carry the stigma of a traitor. All of it was part of the mission."

"And Itachi fulfilled nearly all of it. Except for one thing…"

The masked man paused, his gaze fixed on Sasuke, who stood in stunned silence.

"He couldn't bring himself to kill his little brother."

In Konoha

"Lies! It's all lies! That guy, Uchiha Itachi, slaughtered the entire clan. How could this be true?!" Sasuke roared, his voice filled with disbelief.

His empty, chaotic eyes betrayed his turmoil.

"These are just lies to trick me! You're just a masked liar!" Sasuke glared at the masked man, his killing intent sharp and unwavering.

"So… so much happened back then… Did we really misunderstand Uchiha Itachi this whole time?"

[The masked man continued narrating.]

"To protect you from Danzo and the higher-ups, Itachi begged the Third Hokage to keep you safe after he left the village."

"After threatening Danzo, Itachi left, declaring that if anything happened to you, he would leak all of Konoha's secrets to other nations!"

"He did all this to protect you."

Sasuke lowered his head, expressionless. Memories from the past floated through his mind—beautiful, fleeting images from a time long gone.

"I acted like your brother to test your resolve."

"You foolish little brother… If you want to kill me, hate me! Survive in agony…"

[The masked man, watching Sasuke's reaction, pressed on with harsh truths.]

"He gave you a target for revenge and wanted you to grow stronger."

"He wanted you to believe the Uchiha clan was a proud, honorable clan. He begged the Hokage never to reveal the truth to you."

"When he left the village, he already decided he would die by your hands. It was all to give you new strength in that moment!"

"That's… the truth!"

The ninja world fell silent.

Konoha fell silent.

Even those who once cursed Itachi as a monster were now speechless.

"What… what have I done? I'm such a fool! He… Itachi… he was this kind of person? I'm a damn fool!"

"The truth? This is the truth? The reason for the Uchiha clan's massacre… it's this? This cruel? To leave it all to just one person?"

"Damn it! Who's this Danzo? Why did he target the Uchiha like this?"

"Danzo? He's the head of Konoha's Root division. Definitely not a good person!"

"War, villages, nations—Itachi was caught in the middle. That must have been the most painful thing of all."

"Honestly, even if Itachi had sided with the Uchiha, the outcome wouldn't have changed. It might've been even worse."

"If the Uchiha and Konoha had gone to war, both sides would've been devastated. Even if the Uchiha won, other nations would've attacked, and the clan would've been wiped out anyway."

"And Itachi, thinking about Sasuke… he must have known Sasuke would get caught up in the war and possibly die. He thought of all of this…"

"To do all that for Sasuke… I respect him."

"Wasn't there a better way back then?"

"No. Not after the Fourth Hokage's death."

At Sasuke's Residence

"Hahahahahahaha!!!"

Sasuke burst out laughing, his voice wild and unrestrained. This was the reason. This was the truth.

"The so-called truth… This is it… hahahaha…"

He laughed, but images of Itachi and the Uchiha clan filled his mind.

And then, the laughter turned to tears. He wept, his face pale and his Sharingan spinning with three tomoe.

His expression shifted to one of hatred and anger.

The truth about the Uchiha…

The reason for Itachi's actions…

This "truth"…

It was all Konoha's doing. Konoha had forced Itachi's hand. It was Konoha's fault!

Without hesitation, Sasuke grabbed his packed bag, shattered the window, and disappeared into the shadows beneath the sunlight.

"I will destroy Konoha."

[The video continued.]

"You're lying! This is all lies!!"

"You're tricking me! He tried to kill me so many times!" Sasuke shouted.

"If Itachi really wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be alive right now."

"You're lying! He even used the Mangekyo Sharingan on me!"

"You're a liar! All of this is…" Sasuke descended into madness.

"Then tell me—why are you still alive?"

The words stopped Sasuke in his tracks.

"Your Sharingan never saw through Itachi's illusions or his true intentions."

"But Itachi…?"

"He killed his friends, his lover, his superior, his father, his mother…"

"But he couldn't bring himself to harm his little brother."

"That man, who shed bloody tears and gave up everything for the village—even slaughtering his clan—couldn't bear to hurt you."

The masked man leaned closer to Sasuke.

"Do you know why?"

Sasuke froze, stunned.

"To him, your life was more important than the village."

The ninja world was silent.

Even the Five Great Nations couldn't speak.

For Itachi, there was no longer any hatred left.

He was a man who sacrificed everything for the village—even his own clan. Yet, for his little brother, he couldn't lift a finger.

His love for Sasuke was greater than his love for the Uchiha, the village, or anything else.

He killed his clan. He killed his parents. He killed his superiors.

But he couldn't hurt Sasuke. Not even a little.

Such a man… deserved respect.

"Damn it! Danzo, get out here and confess!"

"Yeah, everything was Danzo's fault! That bastard needs to die!"

[Scene shifts...]

[At Sunset]

Sasuke stood by the vast ocean, staring at the waves. His gaze was calm.

Memories flooded back—his childhood, his moments with Itachi.

As a child, he always wanted to play with his older brother, but Itachi was often too busy with missions.

And every time, Itachi would gently tap his forehead with two fingers and say:

"Forgive me, Sasuke. Next time, okay?"

How many times had that happened? Sasuke couldn't remember.

"Nii-san, play with me!"

"Nii-san, teach me ninjutsu! I want to learn the Fireball Jutsu so Dad will be impressed!"

"Nii-san… Nii-san…"

He recalled their peaceful training sessions, guided by Itachi. Back then, that was all he needed to be happy.

"As your older brother, I'll be the obstacle you must overcome. Even if you hate me… that's what being a brother means."

In their final battle, Itachi tapped Sasuke's forehead one last time with his two fingers.

"Forgive me, Sasuke. This is the last time."

The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air. High above, an eagle soared across the sky.

In that moment, Sasuke cried like a child. Tears soaked his face as the ocean waves drowned out his sobs.

"We've shed the name of Snake…"

"Our team is now called Taka. We'll move forward."

Facing the members of Team Taka, Sasuke spoke calmly.

"Team Taka has only one goal..."

Sasuke's eyes snapped open, revealing the eerie light of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"To destroy Konoha!"