Naruto: Boruto Returns to Shippuden

Chapter 117 Urashiki

The crows circling in the sky gradually gathered, their outlines began to merge, and finally formed the figure of Uchiha Itachi.

Uchiha Itachi stared at Sasuke's motionless back and slowly asked, "Who are you? What is your purpose in approaching Orochimaru?"

Itachi Uchiha learned through a summoning crow at Orochimaru's base that someone had instantly defeated young Sasuke with overwhelming power and had also made contact with Orochimaru.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Sasuke slowly turned around, looking at Itachi Uchiha with a complex expression. He said, "It's been a long time, Uchiha... Itachi."

Uchiha Itachi was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and then he said, "You've grown up, Sasuke."

Despite the significant changes in Sasuke's appearance, Itachi Uchiha immediately recognized him as soon as Sasuke spoke.

Sasuke's voice was somewhat low as he murmured, "Yes, so many years have passed, but your life will be frozen in three years."

When Itachi heard Sasuke's words, he didn't show any surprise, because that was his plan. He had already prepared to sacrifice himself, and he was willing to accept any outcome in order to protect Konoha and his younger brother Sasuke.

Itachi Uchiha's gaze fell on Sasuke's empty arm, and he said, "It seems you've suffered quite a bit too."

Sasuke gently covered his sleeve and said calmly, "This is just that guy's punishment for my lost senses."

Although Itachi Uchiha didn't know who Sasuke was referring to as "that guy," he could sense an unprecedented level of trust in Sasuke's tone.

A sense of loneliness welled up in Itachi Uchiha's heart; those who could trust him and were willing to believe in him were no longer there...

However, having confirmed the identity of the visitor, Itachi Uchiha did not continue to speak with Sasuke. He turned around and prepared to leave the location.

Previously, Itachi Uchiha had aroused the organization's suspicion by acting alone, and now Kisame was not far away. In order not to arouse greater suspicion, he had to meet up with Kisame as soon as possible.

Sasuke then spoke up: "To exchange love for hatred, to exchange sacrifice for stigma... is it all really worth it?"

"So you knew all this... I've been wandering in darkness, relying solely on the one light." Itachi Uchiha stared directly at Sasuke.

Sasuke lowered his eyes, his voice tinged with helplessness, "Brother... you always tried to save Konoha alone, taking all the blame upon yourself, arranging my life, and finally using your death to settle everything..."

Uchiha Itachi did not immediately respond to Sasuke's words, but chose to remain silent. If the Uchiha clan really launched a rebellion, Konoha Village would suffer a heavy blow and be severely weakened.

In this situation, other countries and forces are likely to take advantage of the situation, and the outbreak of the Ninja World War will be inevitable.

The Uchiha clan will either perish as a result, or they will be forever labeled as rebels, burdened with a heavy historical stigma.

Itachi always remembered what Shisui said to him that night: "Protect the village, and the name of the Uchiha..."

Itachi slowly extended his hand to Sasuke, his voice low and deep, "Forgive me..."

As Sasuke watched Itachi's gesture, an indescribable feeling welled up inside him, and memories of Itachi from the past floated through his mind again and again, finally settling on the image of Itachi poking his forehead for the last time.

But in the end, Itachi Uchiha slowly lowered his hand, his gaze falling on Sasuke before him. He could no longer easily utter the words he used to say so often: "Forgive me, Sasuke."

......

Sasuke had returned to the village and stood with Boruto on the most prominent cliff in Konoha, the edge of which was carved with the faces of the Hokage of all time.

Boruto turned to Sasuke and said, "Just yesterday, Urashiki appeared in front of us, but we managed to force him to retreat."

Sasuke was startled when he heard Boruto's words. He hadn't expected Urashiki to appear so quickly, especially during the time he was away from the village.

Boruto continued, "Now we know that Urashiki's chakra extraction technique can be resisted by sealing techniques. Yesterday, when Urashiki tried to extract the Nine-Tails' chakra from Dad's body, he failed."

"Moreover, just as we were about to use our combined ninjutsu to hit him, Urashiki suddenly used a black portal to escape, and his eyes changed from Byakugan to blue Rinnegan."

Sasuke nodded and said, "When he used that special ninjutsu to teleport, I was able to sense his location. As for the blue Rinnegan you mentioned, I don't yet know what its specific abilities are."

“In the previous battle, he stole some of my chakra, which has not yet fully recovered. This must have made him realize that I am not able to exert my full strength at the moment.”

Boruto nodded slightly: "When Urashiki appears next time, Mr. Sasuke, please keep a close eye on his movements to prevent a sudden attack."

Next, Sasuke and Boruto discussed in detail how to deal with Urashiki's next appearance and formulated a series of battle plans.

......

At that moment, Boruto looked down at Konoha Village and suddenly asked Sasuke a question: "Mr. Sasuke, when I came here I wondered, is the Hokage Rock really this close to the village? I remember that Konoha Village was located at a relatively low elevation in our time."

After a long silence, Sasuke slowly said, "...This is the pain of war."

......

Urashiki lay in wait in the deep mountains near Konoha for several days, thinking about how to deal with Boruto and Naruto's combined ninjutsu, before he began to carry out his plan.

At this moment, Urashiki hovered in mid-air, his gaze sweeping over the scenery of Konoha Village. He couldn't help but sigh, "This scenery is beautiful, but it's time to start taking action." His voice, tinged with ruthlessness, declared, "I want to obtain all of the Nine-Tails' chakra."

Although that's what Urashiki said, he actually only detected half of the Nine-Tails' chakra in the future Naruto from the young Naruto.

As for the location of the other half of the Nine-Tails' chakra, Urashiki has not yet been able to sense it.

Urashiki immediately followed up with Yomotsu Hirasaka, opening a spatial portal in mid-air.