Chapter 50: The Temptation of Home

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Though the Fourth Raikage was seething with rage, he didn't pursue them.

First, he feared an ambush.

Second, over a hundred of his ninjas were still being "electro-therapized"—they needed urgent rescue.

After running nonstop for an hour, Sasame's group finally stopped.

"Lady Tsunade."

Uchiha Shisui's expression was grim. He'd nearly lost his Mangekyō Sharingan—if Kotoamatsukami fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be catastrophic.

"There's an issue within my squad. I'd appreciate it if you gave us time to handle it privately."

"Fine."

Tsunade was curious but respected his request.

Sasame wanted to eavesdrop, but no one invited him. He could only watch as Shisui and Itachi carried the unconscious Mōryō into a tent.

Envy—

Wait, no. Sympathy.

Two pairs of Sharingan, hypnosis plus interrogation—no one could withstand that.

But knowing Orochimaru, he'd likely erased all traces. For now, the snake Sannin wanted to avoid trouble and focus on his experiments.

"Wake her."

Shisui's former camaraderie with Mōryō had cooled significantly.

Itachi crouched down and worked for a few minutes until her eyes fluttered open.

"What… happened?"

Mōryō looked dazed.

"Do you remember anything?"

Shisui frowned.

"I remember fighting Cloud-nin with you. After activating the cursed seal technique my teacher gave me, I blacked out."

Mōryō clutched her head, shaking it hard—but no memories surfaced.

Orochimaru.

The name flashed through both Uchihas' minds simultaneously.

The cursed seal was his creation. Its malfunction? Undoubtedly his doing.

"Look at me."

Itachi's eyes swirled into three tomoe.

Mōryō instinctively obeyed, her gaze going blank, pupils dull.

"Who was it?"

Hypnosis could bypass certain genjutsu-resistant techniques, forcing the subconscious to surface.

"I… don't know."

Orochimaru's safeguards were thorough.

"Shisui, what now?"

Itachi's voice was tense. "Without proof, we can't accuse Orochimaru."

He'd once addressed him as "sensei"—but no longer.

Orochimaru had treated him well, and Itachi had reciprocated with respect. But now? That goodwill was gone.

"Even with evidence, Mōryō alone isn't enough to condemn him."

Shisui fell silent.

Orochimaru's status in Konoha was untouchable—only the Hokage himself could move against him.

Should I inform Hiruzen?

But revealing this would expose his Mangekyō.

"Not yet. The Uchiha haven't reached their breaking point."

If the clan ever revolted, Shisui planned to confess Kotoamatsukami to Hiruzen, then use it to stop Fugaku—avoiding a pointless civil war.

"We'll table this for now."

Shisui's concern shifted. "Now that I'm wary, he won't succeed against me. But you—you're in danger."

Itachi was silent.

Orochimaru's mentorship had always been suspect. Continuing under him risked a dagger in the back.

"Shisui, I've unlocked the three-tomoe Sharingan. Tell me—how do I awaken the Mangekyō?"

Itachi's resolve was firm.

Power was the only solution—whether against Orochimaru or the Uchiha clan's impending crisis.

In the original timeline, Itachi's extreme measures stemmed from this belief:

"If I'm strong enough, I can fix everything."

Even if it meant bearing the weight of Konoha's sins and Sasuke's hatred.

Sasame's advice?

"Stay away from Uchihas. Read more books."

"The Mangekyō?"

Shisui hesitated.

Itachi had the talent, but the cost was unbearable.

To gain love, then lose it.

The triggers for Itachi's awakening would likely be his parents, Sasuke—or Shisui himself.

"You've just unlocked the three-tomoe. At your age, progressing further will take time."

Shisui softened his tone. "Besides, speaking it aloud might jinx it. You'll understand when the time comes."

Outside, Sasame tallied his Fate Points.

After this windfall, he now had 900.

Not insignificant, but not enough for his ultimate goal:

The Six Paths Sage Body—priced at 3,900 FP.

More expensive than Wood Release itself, but justified.

This wasn't Hashirama's version—it was Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki's.

Paired with Wood Release, he'd be virtually invincible.

(Except against the Ōtsutsuki clan. Aliens didn't count.)

Sage Mode was cheaper at 1,500 FP.

If he failed to master it at Shikkotsu Forest, he'd consider buying it.

But what truly tempted him was the Flying Thunder God Technique—1,000 FP.

Instant mastery included.

Tempting, but not urgent. He could try learning it conventionally first.

Before long, the trio emerged—Mōryō still visibly disoriented.

"Lady Tsunade, the matter's resolved."

Shisui approached.

"Let's head back."

Tsunade didn't pry. Everyone had secrets—she wasn't that nosy.

(Unless it was Sasame's. Then she'd peek.)

Upon their return, they were greeted like conquering heroes.

Konoha's spies had relayed the news ahead.

After nearly three years of war, this was their most decisive victory yet—dozens of Cloud-nin eliminated in one strike.

Even if most were genin, the blow would sting.

Now, Kumo had two choices: escalate the war or sue for peace.

The latter was far more likely.

Cut your losses.

Uchiha Fugaku was thrilled—two of the key contributors were Uchihas, one being his own son.

Itachi's glory reflected on him. Proof of excellent parenting.

Hyūga Hiashi, meanwhile, was fuming.

His clan had gained little while the Uchihas shone brighter than ever.

Their younger generation—including Hyūga Neji—paled next to Shisui and Itachi.

Watching the Uchihas thrive was worse than death.

"Fugaku, have our spies in Iwagakure stir up some trouble."

Tsunade figured the war's objective was achieved. Scaring Kumo into suing for peace was the next step.

"Consider it done."

Fugaku was eager to return home.

After two years away, his youngest son, Sasuke, might not even recognize him.

Itachi had grown splendidly.

Now, it was Sasuke's turn.

Three days later, the Fourth Raikage formally requested peace talks.

Kumo's envoys would soon arrive in Konoha to negotiate terms.

With the war over, Tsunade's group could finally go home.

Having been away for half a month, Sasame found himself… homesick.

The temptation of home, indeed.

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