Chapter 105: A Younger Brother Is Always a Younger Brother

The Uchiha compound was littered with corpses. Many of their Sharingan had already been gouged out, leaving behind only "defective products" with tomoe that lacked value.

"Uchiha Itachi wants to steal my spoils?"

Furious, Obito arrived at Uchiha Fugaku's residence. Yami and Itachi were already at the door, and Yami was trying to persuade him.

"If you really can't bring yourself to do it, just let me. I understand. This is human nature."

"Shimura Yami!"

Obito, emerging from the Kamui vortex, immediately noticed the container in Yami's hand—filled with eyeballs.

Yami turned and showed a playful smile.

"So it's you, the one pretending to be Uchiha Madara. Didn't you run like a coward last time? What, grew some guts now?"

Seeing the masked man appear, Itachi felt a wave of relief.

He had just been arguing with Yami, unwilling to let him enter and watch as he killed his father.

"The Sharingan for Danzō you're after is being collected. I can't stop him. You two can talk."

After casually provoking them both, Itachi stepped inside, leaving the scene to Yami and Obito.

"Young brat from the Shimura clan, do you really think I left last time because I was afraid of you?"

Still pretending to be Madara, Obito said coldly, "You're arrogant because of Flying Thunder God and that vulgar Scorch Release. In the era of Hashirama and me, someone like you wouldn't survive three years."

"You're quite convincing."

Yami nodded seriously. Clearly, to perfect this identity, the real Madara must have told Obito quite a bit. "But unfortunately, I still don't believe you're that old fossil Madara."

"I checked the records. If it were really him, he'd let his fists speak, not his mouth."

"People change." Obito remained composed. "I have patience for younger generations."

"Who are you really?"

The two spoke past each other. Yami pretended to think deeply.

"Not many Uchiha died in the Great War… after all, they rarely participated. And even fewer awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan…"

"Looks like I'll need to go over the files again. Probably someone whose body wasn't retrieved, mistakenly listed as KIA."

Obito's heart clenched with unease.

Plenty of people had doubted his identity before, but no one had ever come at him from this angle.

He couldn't let this continue.

"Youngster, don't stall for time."

Obito's voice turned murderous. "Hand over the Sharingan. You're not qualified to handle them."

"You want them?"

Yami took out a sealing scroll and sealed the eyeball-filled container inside. He beckoned with one hand. "Come get them yourself."

Inside, Itachi entered slowly, short sword in hand, his senses fully alert.

He could dismiss the rest of the clan, but not his father...

Fugaku wasn't the type to be blindly arrogant, nor did he possess the smug pride many Uchiha carried. Even so, he still chose rebellion, which meant he had confidence—a trump card.

Mangekyō?

Cautiously advancing, Itachi found no traps or ambushes.

"No traps. Come in."

Itachi pushed open the final door and stepped into the living room.

His parents, dressed in plain clothes, were kneeling quietly with their backs to him.

"I don't want to kill my own son. But if you've chosen the village, then go ahead."

"…Father…"

Itachi slowly raised his blade. He didn't cry. His tears had run dry the night before.

"Promise me this, Itachi."

Fugaku's voice was calm, unafraid of death. "No matter how painful the path you choose… you must walk it to the end."

"I'll be proud of you."

"I'm sorry… Father…"

Itachi clenched his sword and prepared to strike—but at that moment…

Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!

A transparent barrier shot through the house. Itachi's Sharingan whirled furiously, and he instinctively retreated. The edge of the technique grazed his sleeve, but Fugaku and Mikoto made no attempt to avoid it.

Thankfully, the jutsu wasn't aimed at them. It passed between them and Itachi, blasting through the house entirely.

"…Tsk."

Yami's voice came from outside, sounding annoyed. "That bastard's so slippery. Why won't anything hit him?"

"…Dust Release…" Fugaku turned slowly, staring deeply at Yami.

[Bond with Uchiha Fugaku has reached the third stage: 'Heart Is Dead'. Reward: Mangekyō Eye Power.]

"Another decisive power? Itachi, it seems your vision for the future goes even further than mine…"

Seeing Yami wield Dust Release, Fugaku felt oddly at peace. This level of power, paired with Flying Thunder God, further doomed the rebellion. But at least… both of his sons had survived.

Fugaku could accept that. The true victims were the innocent civilians.

Itachi frowned deeply.

He had no idea Yami had mastered Dust Release. Now he was more convinced that Danzō had doubted his resolve, so he sent Yami to make sure the job got done.

"…"

The sword descended, blood splashed, and the kneeling Uchiha couple collapsed.

In his final moment of consciousness, Fugaku felt a hint of regret.

If…

If Itachi had been honest with him, had shared his intentions would things have turned out differently?

—

Yami's attacks passed through Obito again, while Obito's counterattacks were effortlessly dodged.

Since the battle began, neither had landed a single hit.

"A strong intangibility ability, but without contact. Your reaction time and taijutsu don't let you exploit its full potential. It's wasted on you."

"Damn brat…"

Obito gritted his teeth. He finally understood how dangerous Yami was.

Faster than even Namikaze Minato, with monstrous combat instincts.

He had analyzed Kamui's properties in mere seconds.

Obito rarely fought top-tier opponents directly. Now he remembered why.

Kamui made him untouchable, but it didn't cover for his offensive weaknesses.

Even with White Zetsu's body and Hashirama's cells, which boosted his chakra and physique, it wasn't enough against Yami.

Obito stayed intangible, avoiding any further confrontation.

"Itachi, we should leave."

"You go first."

Itachi saw the small figure sprinting toward him from the end of the street.

Sasuke.

"I still have something to do."

Obito snorted and vanished into the Kamui vortex.

Itachi turned to Yami. "My mission is complete. Can you leave as well?"

He leapt into the ruins and removed the eyes of Fugaku and Mikoto.

"My parents' Sharingan… I won't let anyone else have them."

"Doesn't matter. I have more than enough."

Yami shrugged. "Say goodbye to your brother properly. Next time you meet, he'll want to rip you apart."

Yami activated Flying Thunder God and disappeared from the bloodstained ruins.

Bang!

Not thirty seconds later, the front door burst open.

Sasuke stood frozen in the doorway, eyes wide.

His parents' bodies lay before him, bloodied. His brother stood over them, blade in hand.

"What are you doing, Niisan…?"

"Let me show you."

Itachi's Sharingan spun, and Tsukuyomi activated. Sasuke was dragged into an illusion. Everything from tonight replayed, except for the presence of the masked man and Yami.

"My foolish little brother. You're not worth killing yet."

"You will be my benchmark. You have the potential to awaken these eyes. Run. Live in shame. Carry the burden of the clan's blood. When you gain eyes like mine, come seek revenge."

"No! I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"

Sasuke screamed in agony. Itachi watched, pity flashing in his eyes, as he increased the pressure of Tsukuyomi.

At the moment Sasuke collapsed, his Sharingan awakened—only one tomoe.

"Just one magatama…"

Sighing, Itachi used Earth Release to bury his parents' remains deep underground, ensuring no one would disturb their peace.

He gave Sasuke one last glance before leaving.

Soon after, Mikoto's corpse crumbled into dried, withered wood.

—

Hokage Building

Uchiha Itachi knelt on one knee before Hiruzen, calm and composed like a loyal Anbu.

Hiruzen sighed. "Regardless, I must thank you. Konoha avoided a civil war and maintained peace."

"Yes."

"It's a shame… I couldn't find another way."

"I'm sorry."

"No. I should be the one apologizing."

Though it sounded like a hollow apology, Hiruzen's words were genuine.

He had hoped for Uchiha to remain under his control, not to see them erased. But now, in the eyes of outsiders, Konoha had paid a heavy price.

Itachi bowed his head.

Outside, voices stirred. Hiruzen looked out the window.

"From this moment forward, you are an S-rank criminal. The village will pursue you as such."

"Understood."

"Where do you plan to go?"

"I promised Madara I'd join a group called Akatsuki," Itachi replied quietly. "I'll send intel regularly and uncover his true motives."

Hiruzen stared at him, unsure if this was loyalty or a threat.

"I'll take care of your brother. I'll ensure his safety."

"Thank you, Hokage."

"Go. And thank you for your service."

After bowing again, Itachi vanished.

—

On a rooftop, Itachi met with Obito once more.

"Finished explaining yourself?"

Obito tossed him a scroll. "That's Akatsuki's location. Don't reveal my identity. It's not time yet. If you anger me, even Konoha won't be able to protect your brother."

Itachi caught the scroll and turned to leave.

"Don't touch Sasuke. He's my prey. I need his eyes."

"The Eternal Mangekyō, huh?"

Obito finally understood Itachi's deeper plans. Some pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.

"What a terrifying mind…"

Amidst the village chaos, Itachi slipped away with ease.

But his heart was heavy. From now on, Sasuke would see him as his greatest enemy. Who knew what Konoha might do?

Wait… there was still one loose end.

A thunderclap rang through his mind.

Uchiha Izumi!

She had left the Uchiha clan, and most no longer spoke of her. Over time, even the higher-ups seemed to forget.

But she still existed. Would her survival threaten Sasuke's status?

He began to feel uneasy.

And in that moment, the person he least wanted to see… appeared.

"What a coincidence. Didn't think I'd run into you here."

Yami smiled. "Itachi, since you've left the village… you're a traitor now, right?"

"What do you want?"

Itachi's Sharingan flared.

"What can I, an Anbu captain, do when I meet a missing-nin?"

Yami spread his arms. "Naturally, I must fulfill my duty and arrest you."

"I don't want to fight you right now."

"It's not your choice."

Yami drew his Kusanagi Sword. "You awakened your Mangekyō after Shisui died, didn't you? That's when you thought you could stand on equal footing with me, and your attitude changed."

"I need to remind you of something, no matter how strong you get, a younger brother will always be a younger brother."

Itachi stared at him. Memories, grief, and rage filled his chest.

He threw a shuriken, loaded with three times the usual number of explosive tags.

"Yami… let's finish this!"

(To be continued.)

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