Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 91: Obito, How Can You Guarantee Uchiha Itachi Isn’t a Konoha Spy?

Chapter 91 - Obito, How Can You Guarantee Uchiha Itachi Isn’t a Konoha Spy?

"..."

Hatake Kakashi remained indifferent to the Third Hokage's words.

His life had been nothing but loss and disappointment, turning him into a man with a heart of ashes. It was hard for him to care about anything anymore.

From Kakashi's perspective, the Uchiha clan's massacre was a shock, not because of the event itself but because the murderer was his former subordinate, Uchiha Itachi. His only reaction was a moment of surprise. Once he finished handling the Uchiha clan's remains, he had no further thoughts on the matter—only that his life had become even more difficult to bear.

Storm Release Kekkei Genkai?

Just another tool for battle.

Back when Kakashi primarily used Lightning Release, he had awakened the Storm Release within himself, a bloodline trait inherited from his father. He even attempted to develop new combat techniques that combined it with his signature Chidori.

But now...

None of that mattered.

Even if the Third Hokage called it a gift from a "great man" who had once taught his father, it stirred nothing in Kakashi's heart.

So what?

How great could this person be?

Would they change anything about his life?

Could they bring back the friends he had lost?

Kakashi simply listened to Hiruzen's lecture in silence, then walked away to continue handling ANBU affairs. His demeanor remained as apathetic as ever.

"Kakashi-senpai!"

A broad-shouldered man with a square jaw approached, lowering his voice as he asked, "Are the Root members really joining the ANBU?"

"Tenzo, huh..."

Kakashi finally lifted his gaze, slowly nodding. "Root has been disbanded. From now on, they're just ANBU."

This man...

Was one of the few Kakashi was willing to speak to.

Back when Kakashi was listless and aimless, he had discovered Tenzo—a ninja from Root who possessed the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai. Kakashi had also uncovered the harsh control that Danzo Shimura had imposed upon him.

So, he had taken Tenzo away from Root and into the ANBU.

In a way, Kakashi felt a certain responsibility for him.

"..."

Tenzo hesitated, unsure whether to speak his mind.

He knew the former Root members still bore Danzo's cursed seals. Their loyalty to him had likely not wavered in the slightest.

But should he say that aloud?

"What is it?"

Kakashi sensed his hesitation.

"No... nothing."

Tenzo shook his head but ultimately decided to tell Kakashi the truth. "Lord Danzo was skilled in cursed seals. They still have ones binding them to his will."

"And what does that change?"

Kakashi placed a hand on Tenzo's shoulder, his eyes devoid of emotion.

"Even if we remove the cursed seals from their bodies...

The ones in their hearts will never be erased."

Unlike Tenzo, those former Root members had been fully conditioned by Danzo. They were soulless killing machines, devoid of emotion, caring for nothing but completing their assigned missions.

This...

Wasn't even something worth reporting to the Third Hokage.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was skilled in sealing techniques as well.

He would have already noticed the cursed seals on them—he just chose not to say anything.

"If you need me, I'll be at the memorial stone."

Kakashi let his arm fall limply to his side. He changed out of his ANBU uniform and prepared to visit the memorial stone.

He felt he should at least inform his fallen comrades about the Uchiha clan's fate.

After all...

One of them had once been proud to be an Uchiha.

Kakashi absentmindedly reached up to touch his covered left eye.

The Sharingan... and Storm Release.

Kakashi had always carried both Kekkei Genkai.

Yet even with these gifts, he still couldn't find a purpose for his existence.

Meanwhile, at the Fire Country border.

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By the time the masked man and Uchiha Itachi arrived, a White Zetsu clone was already waiting for them.

"Lord Shigen wants to see you both."

After delivering this message, the clone added, "Oh, and make sure to show proper respect. My main body is worried you might not be respectful enough to Lord Shigen..."

This...

Was actually quite important.

White Zetsu liked Obito as a pawn, and while Black Zetsu found him irritating, neither wanted him to offend Shigen.

However...

They all knew...

Obito was exactly the type to act disrespectfully.

Even back when he inherited Madara's will, he had treated the old man with a hint of arrogance. To Obito, the only thing that mattered was Infinite Tsukuyomi—creating a new world.

Nothing else.

"Lord Shigen?"

Itachi furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Hmph..."

"This is the 'great man' I was telling you about."

The masked man sounded utterly indifferent as he revealed Shigen's identity, his voice tinged with displeasure.

"The medical ninja who ended the First Shinobi War—the one from all those bedtime stories you must've heard as a child. Emiya Shigen."

The masked man's hair swayed slightly in the wind. His tone made it clear he had no respect for Shigen.

"I only just received the news before we left—Orochimaru used Edo Tensei to summon him back from the Pure Land."

"!!!"

Itachi's expression shifted.

Was this some kind of joke?

How could Akatsuki possibly be connected to someone like him?!

Itachi had anticipated that this so-called "great man" would be someone important—perhaps a former Kage or a powerful rogue ninja.

But this...

This was Emiya Shigen!

The legendary healer whose name had been sung across the shinobi world for over a thousand years!

A dead saint...

There was no name more shocking.

"You must show proper respect to Lord Shigen!"

The White Zetsu clone pleaded helplessly, still worried about Obito's attitude.

"I get it."

The masked man shot the clone a displeased glare. "As long as he doesn't interfere with my plans, I'll grant him the respect due to a senior."

These pointless warnings...

Why keep repeating them?!

Obito was already irritated that Shigen had stolen his thunder.

Hearing White Zetsu go on and on only deepened his frustration.

"Good, good..."

The clone chuckled nervously before vanishing into the earth.

"What is that thing?"

Itachi narrowed his eyes, intrigued by the clone's ability.

Even with his Sharingan, he couldn't detect it at all.

"Just an idiot,"

The masked man scoffed dismissively.

"Its only real purpose is scouting for intelligence."

"Hmm... Sounds like it's not really your organization anymore."

Itachi casually twisted the knife, using White Zetsu's words to sow discord.

"Are you sure this 'Lord Shigen' will even accept my membership? I always thought of him as a great medical ninja who devoted himself to saving lives.

I doubt he'd welcome killers like us."

"Hmph..."

"Enough nonsense."

"He won't have time to concern himself with Akatsuki."

The masked man sneered, recalling Madara's old tales.

"If anything, he'll probably do what he did the first time he was resurrected—wander the world healing people and stopping wars while we carry out real peace."

But...

Something had changed.

At the very least, Obito knew some within Akatsuki would be more willing to follow Shigen.

After all, he had used Shigen's name to recruit Nagato and Konan in the first place.

"A second path to peace?"

Itachi's curiosity deepened.

Surprisingly, Obito was unusually candid with his fellow Uchiha, openly revealing the truth of Shigen's role in the First Shinobi War.

"That's right."

"Even Shigen knew that war in the shinobi world was unavoidable.

He created an alternate plan for achieving peace... but never acted on it, believing it to be a last resort."

"But now..."

"He must have finally realized this world is beyond saving.

A new world must be built."

"..."

Itachi's heart pounded.

This was...

Far more shocking than he had anticipated.

And then...

Before Obito could even meet Shigen, his path was blocked.

Black Zetsu—once his loyal ally—now regarded him with barely concealed disdain.

"We just captured a Konoha spy."

Black Zetsu's eerie grin widened as its gaze shifted to Itachi.

"Obito, can you guarantee he's not one too?"

"..."

Obito's heart sank.

Because...

He couldn't.

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