Hinata of the White Lotus

Three Meetings

The Eight-Trigrams realm was as always a black void, an endless expanse of nothingness illuminated only by the glowing green light of the massive trigrams design etched into the floor. The soft hum of its energy was omnipresent, a constant, low vibration that seemed to resonate with Hinata's very chakra. It had been a long time since she last stood here—a fact that weighed heavily on her now.

She stepped tentatively into the center of the glowing pattern, the intricate lines radiating a faint warmth through the soles of her feet. The space felt both familiar and foreign, like returning to a childhood home that had been subtly rearranged.

Above the center of the trigrams floated Kali, her violet and white shrine maiden robes moving in a nonexistent breeze. Her Byakugan, enhanced by the blooming white lotus at its center, glowed faintly in the dim light. She had an air of calm authority, but there was an undeniable tension in the way she watched Hinata approach.

"Long time, no see." Kali muttered, crossing her arms as her eyes fixed on Hinata. Her tone was casual, but the sharpness in her gaze betrayed her. There was something more beneath the surface, an unspoken disappointment or worry.

Hinata hesitated just at the edge of the center. She bowed her head slightly, a pang of guilt settling in her chest. "I'm sorry it's been so long, Kali. I've… been busy." The words felt hollow even as she said them. She knew the real reason she hadn't been here—she'd been avoiding it, distracted by her responsibilities and personal relationships.

Kali's gaze softened, though only slightly. "Yes, I suppose you have," she replied. Her tone carried no malice, but there was a weight to her words. She floated down to the center of the trigrams, her feet lightly touching the glowing design as she stood before Hinata. "But you're here now. Let's not waste any more time."

Hinata nodded, stepping fully into the center of the pattern. The light seemed to intensify around her, and she felt the familiar pull of the realm's energy as it synced with her own.

"You still have the Yata Mirror in your possession, don't you?" Kali asked, her voice calm but expectant.

Hinata blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Yes, it's… back in my room," she answered hesitantly.

Kali shook her head, the glowing lotus in her eyes catching the green light. "No, Hinata. The Yata Mirror is not just a physical object. It's a spiritual tool. Its ownership was passed to you the moment Itachi willingly traded it for the elixir. If you call for it here, it will answer."

Hinata stared at her, processing the words. "Call for it…?" She glanced down at her hands, then at the glowing trigrams beneath her feet. "I've never… done something like that before."

"You've brought your clothes here now, haven't you?" Kali asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It's the same principle. Visualize it. Will it to exist here, in this space. It's yours now, after all."

Taking a deep breath, Hinata closed her eyes. She focused on the memory of the Yata Mirror—the smooth bronze back, the faint shimmer of its polished surface. She pictured its weight in her hands, its cool touch. Slowly, she felt a slight warmth materialize in her palms, followed by the sensation of something solid.

When she opened her eyes, the Yata Mirror was there. It gleamed faintly in the green light, its surface reflecting the glow of the trigrams.

"Good," Kali said, stepping forward. "Bring it here."

Hinata obeyed, holding the mirror out to her. Kali took it gently, her fingers brushing over the polished surface as she inspected it. The lotus in her Byakugan rippled faintly, as though reacting to the artifact. "It doesn't seem like much at first glance, does it?" she murmured, tilting the mirror to catch her reflection.

Hinata shook her head. "No… it doesn't feel as powerful as you've described."

Kali chuckled softly, though her expression remained serious. "That's the illusion it creates. Most would dismiss it as a relic, not realizing what they hold. It's why this sacred tool has been considered lost for centuries. It never went anywhere—people simply didn't understand its value." Her eyes darkened as she added, "And that makes it all the more concerning that the Fledgling could sense it."

"The Fledgling… you mean Itachi-san?" Hinata asked, frowning. "How did he sense it? Even with my Nichiren Byakugan, I didn't see anything special about it."

Kali turned the mirror in her hands, her gaze growing distant. "It wasn't his Sharingan alone. It was because he's marked by Amaterasu. Through her influence, he could feel the connection to this mirror. She wanted him to find it."

Hinata felt a shiver run down her spine. The idea of gods interfering in their world was still difficult to grasp. "You mean… Amaterasu planned this? She wanted him to bring the mirror to her?"

"Amaterasu is… calculating," Kali said carefully. "She is a goddess of the sun, yes, but her true nature is one of dominance. She seeks control, and she manipulates those connected to her. The Yata Mirror is her creation, smuggled into our world through a rift caused by one of Indra's previous incarnations. It's a fragment of her power, and she will do anything to reclaim it."

Hinata's hands tightened at her sides. She thought back to the battle with Kimimaro, to the unnatural disturbance in natural energy that had surrounded him. "Could she… come through one of those rifts?"

"If the impurity is large enough, yes," Kali confirmed. "Kimimaro was close to causing one. If he had succeeded, Amaterasu herself might have crossed into this world. And she wouldn't come alone—she would bring chaos with her."

Hinata stared at the mirror, now glowing faintly in Kali's hands. It no longer seemed fragile. Instead, it felt like a weight, a responsibility she hadn't asked for but couldn't refuse.

"Which of these gods and goddesses do we have to worry about?" Hinata asked hesitantly, her voice softer than the faint hum of the glowing design beneath them. Kali passed the mirror back and her fingers tightened around its edges, as though grounding herself to the moment. The weight of everything she was learning felt like a storm pressing against her.

Kali's gaze remained steady, her lotus-centered eyes glowing faintly as she considered the question. "Amaterasu is the one that concerns me most," she said after a moment. Her voice carried a gravity that made Hinata's stomach knot. "Her brothers, Tsukuyomi and Susanō, don't currently have a pathway into this world. As for her parents, Izanami and Izanagi, they've transcended to a higher plane. They have no reason to concern themselves with a world as… insignificant as ours."

The word insignificant echoed in Hinata's mind. Their entire planet, their lives, their struggles—just a fragment of something much greater. It left her feeling unmoored, like a single leaf in a boundless ocean.

"If Amaterasu already has this connection to our world, then…" Hinata hesitated, glancing at the mirror in her hand before meeting Kali's gaze again. "Was it really okay to give Itachi-san the elixir? What if it…" She trailed off, unsure how to phrase her fears.

"Even if I had refused, he would have found a different way," Kali said, her tone laced with a weariness that hinted at her own doubts. "I'm not naïve enough to believe otherwise. But at least this way, we gained something in return." She gestured toward the mirror. "If we can anticipate his movements, even just a little, we might prevent a disaster."

Hinata frowned slightly, her eyes drifting back to the polished surface of the mirror. "And this mirror… Can it really help us do that?"

"Separating it from the eye imbued with Amaterasu's power is a precaution," Kali explained, her voice firm. "I don't know what purpose Amaterasu had for sending it to this world, but I doubt it was anything good. That's why I want you to use it."

"Me?" Hinata's voice cracked slightly, and she unconsciously took a step back. The idea of using something tied to a goddess, especially one as enigmatic and dangerous as Amaterasu, made her chest tighten with apprehension. "How would I even do that?"

Kali's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "The same way the fledgling did," she said, referring to Itachi. Her tone was calm, as if she were explaining a simple task. "You'll incorporate the mirror into your left eye. That connection will allow you to manifest a shield similar to the one he created with his Susanō."

"A shield… like my father's rotation?" Hinata whispered, her mind flashing to Hiashi's graceful and impenetrable defense. She had spent countless hours trying to master the technique, but the demands of the Nichiren Byakugan had drawn her focus elsewhere.

"The Yata Mirror is far more than just a shield," Kali said, her expression turning serious. "It can reflect any elemental jutsu thrown at you. It's not just a defense—it's a counter. And it's the perfect tool to begin the next step of your training."

Hinata swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on the mirror's edge. "Another step? I haven't even mastered the techniques I have now…"

"You'll manage," Kali said confidently, though she softened her tone at the sight of Hinata's hesitation. "For now, I want you to focus on one thing at a time. Which brings me to your next task."

Hinata looked up, her curiosity piqued. "Another task?"

"There's a shrine here in Konoha," Kali said, the knowing smile returning to her lips. "It's not far, and it's one of the sacred shrines connected to your role. I want you to visit it."

Hinata's brows furrowed. "I don't have to leave the village?" Her voice was tinged with relief. After everything, the thought of leaving her family, her team, and even Tayuya again so soon felt unbearable.

Kali chuckled softly. "Not yet. It's too early to send you searching for the others. And remember, you're not in this alone." Her expression grew thoughtful. "My cousin has his own task through Naruto, and you'll help each other. For now, this shrine will suffice."

Hinata nodded slowly, her determination returning. Kali was right—this wasn't a burden she carried alone. She glanced at the mirror again, feeling the faint hum of its energy in her hands. She didn't fully understand it yet, but for now, she would trust in Kali's guidance.

"I'll visit the shrine," she said softly, meeting Kali's gaze once more. Hinata often felt the immense weight of the task she was expected to carry out pressing down on her shoulders, a burden that seemed insurmountable at times. But as she stood in the glowing Eight-Trigrams realm, surrounded by the quiet reassurance of its green light, she reminded herself that it wasn't a burden she had to bear alone.

Naruto would be there, just as she would be there for him. They were tied together not just by fate, but by choice, and that knowledge gave her strength.

Still, a flicker of uncertainty lingered in her mind, small but persistent. Kali's words about the responsibilities shared between them had only emphasized the importance of Naruto's connection to Asura. His role in this was just as vital as hers, perhaps even more so in some ways.

She just hoped he was actually talking to Asura.

The sound of a water drop echoing throughout a metallic hallway pulled at Naruto's consciousness. He groaned groggily as he sat up, wiping at his bleary eyes. The cold sensation of water against his fingertips made him pause, and when he glanced down, he realized he was sitting in ankle-deep water.

Blinking rapidly, Naruto took in his surroundings. The dimly lit corridor stretched out in both directions, its walls glistening faintly as though damp with condensation. Massive metal pipes crisscrossed overhead, humming faintly as if carrying some kind of immense energy. The air smelled metallic, wet, and faintly charged, like the calm before a thunderstorm. Despite the eerie atmosphere, something about the place tugged at his memory.

"This place…" Naruto muttered, pushing himself to his feet. The water rippled as he moved, the sound echoing endlessly in the labyrinthine hallway. Though he didn't recognize it immediately, it felt oddly familiar, like a half-forgotten dream. And strangely enough, he didn't feel panicked. His heart was calm, his instincts unbothered.

"Guess I'd better get moving." He scratched the back of his head and looked down each identical hallway. No signs, no arrows, no hints—just endless darkness in both directions. Shrugging, he picked the way ahead, his steps splashing noisily as he walked. He didn't see any point in sneaking around. It wasn't like he felt hunted. If anything, something about this place felt like it was waiting for him.

The further he walked, the more he noticed it—the faint sensation of movement, not in the water but in the air. A rhythmic whooshing, subtle at first but growing stronger with each step. A breeze against his face, soft yet oddly heavy, carrying with it a primal sense of presence. It wasn't wind. It was breathing—a slow, deep exhalation that filled the corridor ahead with a strange gravity.

Following the steady breaths, Naruto navigated the maze of corridors with an unhurried confidence. The pipes above him seemed to pulse faintly with every inhalation, their vibrations guiding him like a heartbeat. Soon, the hallway opened into a massive chamber. It was vast, the ceiling disappearing into shadow, and the walls lined with the same metal pipes but larger, like the roots of a colossal tree. At the far end of the room stood a towering set of iron gates, sealed shut with a single slip of paper at their center.

Behind the gates, two massive crimson eyes opened, glowing like embers in the darkness. A wave of pressure rolled over Naruto, prickling his skin as the water rippled violently at his feet. The beast's teeth glinted behind the bars, a predatory grin spreading across its massive maw.

"Yo, Kurama!" Naruto greeted cheerfully, throwing a hand in the air like he was addressing an old friend instead of a nine-tailed force of destruction. "Been a while, huh?"

The fox's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a snarl. "Do not address me so casually, you brat," Kurama growled, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber like a landslide. His massive form shifted, claws scraping against the ground as he leaned closer to the bars. "You dare to act familiar with me? The nerve."

"What's the big deal?" Naruto shot back, unfazed. He crossed his arms and grinned, tilting his head. "It's a cool name! Way better than calling you 'Monster Fox' all the time, don't you think?"

Kurama's glowing eyes flickered for a moment, his expression faltering. Naruto's words struck a nerve, though the fox was quick to mask it behind a scoff. "Tch. Humans like you toss around words without knowing their weight. My name is not for your amusement."

"Oh, come on." Naruto waved a dismissive hand. "It's your name, isn't it? Why wouldn't I use it? Names are important. And anyway, it's not like you can stop me." He flashed a cheeky grin. "Kurama, Kurama, Kurama—"

"Enough!" Kurama bellowed, his roar shaking the entire chamber. The water rippled violently, and even the pipes above seemed to groan in protest. Naruto stumbled but caught himself, laughing as he brushed off the intimidation.

"Relax, big guy. You're all bark and no bite with that seal, remember?" Naruto teased, jabbing a thumb at the gates. "Not like you can come out here and chase me around."

Kurama growled low, his tails swishing behind him like storm clouds gathering strength. "You're lucky I'm stuck behind these bars, you insolent pest. If it weren't for this seal—"

"Yeah, yeah, you'd tear me apart, blah blah blah." Naruto interrupted, rolling his eyes. Kurama glared at him, his crimson eyes gleaming with suppressed fury. For a long moment, neither spoke, the chamber filled only with the sound of dripping water and the low hum of the pipes. Finally, the fox huffed, a puff of hot breath washing over Naruto like a gust of wind.

"Do what you want," Kurama muttered, his voice carrying a reluctant edge. "But don't think for a second that it makes us equals, boy."

Naruto smirked, hands on his hips. "Deal! But don't think for a second you'll scare me off. You're stuck with me, Kurama. So where's that Asura guy? I assume he's the one that called me here," Naruto asked, his tone edged with impatience. Not that he particularly wanted to meet him. Ghostly reincarnations weren't exactly his idea of a good time.

"The connection between you and Asura is still unstable," Kurama answered, his deep voice reverberating with an oddly calm demeanor. It was a tone Naruto wasn't used to hearing from the Nine-Tails. "He decided it would be easier to communicate this way. I'll act as an intermediary between you two, since I can speak freely with both him and you."

"Ehhh…" Naruto scratched his head, trying to piece it together. "So basically, I'm stuck talking to you instead of him, huh?" He couldn't hide the relief in his voice. Honestly, he didn't mind that arrangement. The fox might be grumpy and prickly, but at least he wasn't some lofty spirit talking about destiny and reincarnation. "Not that I'm complaining, but I didn't think you were the type to roll over and play messenger."

"Hmph, don't flatter yourself, brat," Kurama growled, his massive crimson eyes narrowing as if daring Naruto to push his luck. "Asura and I have known each other for over a millennium. He's the one Jiji entrusted his creed to. While it infuriates me to see that his reincarnation is some loudmouthed fool like you, I'll honor the vows I made to him. You, of all people, should understand the weight of a vow."

Naruto blinked in surprise, Kurama's words catching him completely off-guard. He hadn't expected the fox to say something so… serious. For a moment, all Naruto could do was stare, his brain struggling to reconcile this new image of Kurama with the snarling, bitter force of nature he'd always known.

"You…" he finally managed to sputter, his expression shifting from shock to a bright, toothy grin. "You're not half bad, y'know?" His face lit up with genuine warmth. "I think… I've kinda changed my opinion of you. Just a little."

"Hmph," Kurama huffed, his massive tails flicking behind him with agitation. The force of his breath was nearly enough to knock Naruto off his feet. "Don't misunderstand. I'm not here to change how you see me. It was still because of me that your parents died. Don't forget that."

Naruto paused, his expression briefly darkening before his sharp blue eyes softened with curiosity. "…You knew my parents?" he asked, his voice quieter now, as if he were afraid the question might break the moment. "What were they like? Can you tell me anything about them?"

Kurama shifted within his cage, his enormous body curling slightly, his gaze flickering away from Naruto. "…You're a strange kid," he muttered. He had been prepared for anger, maybe even some shouting, but not this—this unbridled hope, this desperate yearning for answers. "I didn't personally know your father. I only crossed paths with him during… unpleasant times. But your mother…" He paused, his massive claws digging into the ground beneath him. "Your mother, I knew very well."

"My mom…" Naruto whispered, stepping closer to the cage. The usual bravado in his voice was replaced by awe, his childlike curiosity overriding all other emotions. "Please, tell me everything you know about her. I want to know what she was like!"

Kurama glanced at him, a strange tug of guilt pulling at his chest. He had caused that woman so much pain during his time sealed within her, and now her son—her bright, irritating, irrepressible son—was looking at him with that same fiery determination she had. "Uzumaki Kushina," Kurama said finally, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "She was… a handful. Stubborn. Loud. Fierce. I hated her, yet…" His voice softened, surprising even himself. "There was no denying her strength."

He began to speak, recounting small, vivid details of her life, the kind that only someone who had spent years bound to her would know. "She used to complain about the color of her hair," Kurama said, his tone almost nostalgic. "She hated being called 'Tomato,' but she never let anyone bully her without a fight. She had a temper, sure, but she also had this… warmth to her. People were drawn to her. Even when I was sealed inside her, I could feel it."

Naruto didn't say a word, hanging onto every syllable. Kurama found himself continuing, almost against his will. "When she was pregnant with you, she would talk to me sometimes." He paused, his deep voice trembling slightly. "She'd place her hand on her belly and tell me to behave. Said I'd better not scare you when you were born." A soft growl escaped him. "As if I'd listen to her… but I did."

For a moment, there was silence between them. Kurama's massive eyes softened slightly, but then his expression hardened again. He couldn't afford to let himself dwell on those memories. There were more pressing matters to address.

"Well, that should be enough for now," Kurama said abruptly, breaking the spell of the moment.

"Aww, come on!" Naruto whined, his disappointment palpable.

"Shut it," Kurama snapped, his deep voice rumbling through the chamber. "We're not here to talk about your mother. Or did you forget why you're down here in the first place?"

Naruto blinked, realization dawning on his face. "Oh, right! Indra and Sasuke—" He snapped his fingers. "Man, I totally spaced on that!"

"Of course you did," Kurama said with a huff, shaking his head. "Unbelievable… You have a duty, Naruto. Asura chose you to take care of Indra's reincarnation—Sasuke. This isn't something you can afford to mess up."

Naruto's face grew serious at Kurama's words. "I know, but Sasuke isn't like Indra or anything. He's still my friend. I'm gonna look after him. That's what Asura wants, right?"

Kurama narrowed his eyes. "Do you think the legendary Uchiha Madara wasn't someone's 'friend' once?" His growl sent a chill through the chamber. "Indra's reincarnations are always a danger, Naruto. Madara was proof of that. He was consumed by his hatred and his ambition. He tore the world apart chasing power, and I was dragged into his schemes. Do you know what it's like to be used as a pawn in someone else's war? To see entire clans destroyed because of their greed? I won't let that happen again."

Naruto's fists clenched at his sides. "Sasuke's not like that," he insisted, his voice defiant. "I know he's not!"

Kurama studied him for a long moment, his fiery eyes unreadable. "You'd better hope you're right, kid," he said finally. "Because if he ever becomes another Madara, you'll be the one who has to stop him. And if you're not ready…" His voice lowered to a dangerous growl. "It won't just be the two of you who suffer. The whole world will burn."

Naruto swallowed hard, the weight of Kurama's words settling heavily on his shoulders. But even as doubt flickered in his eyes, it was quickly replaced by determination. "Then I'll just have to be ready," he said firmly. "I won't let Sasuke fall, and I won't let the world burn. Believe it."

Sasuke's breath misted in the cold, damp air of some underground chamber as Sai pulled the blindfold from his face. "Here we are," he said curtly, stepping aside to allow Sasuke to take in their surroundings.

Sasuke blinked, his sharp eyes adjusting to the dim light. His surroundings were a stark departure from the building they had entered above ground. No stairs had brought them here; instead, there had been that peculiar sensation—the one that had felt as though his body had been twisted and compressed through some unnatural fold in space.

The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by flickering torches mounted unevenly along the moss-covered stone walls. The ceiling arched high above, dripping condensation that echoed faintly as it splattered onto the slick brick floor. The smell of damp earth and mildew pervaded the space, mingling with something metallic and faintly acrid.

"What is this place?" Sasuke demanded, his voice low but laced with irritation. His Sharingan scanned the room. It felt oppressive, as though the air itself was weighed down by secrets and shadows.

"This is a safe place," came a voice from the darkness ahead. The sound was accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of a cane against stone. Sasuke turned his head sharply, his eyes narrowing at the figure stepping into the light.

The man was old, his face weathered and partially obscured by a series of thick bandages wrapped diagonally across his head, covering one eye. His right arm was hidden beneath a long, loose sleeve, his posture straight and commanding despite his reliance on the cane.

"My name is Shimura Danzo," the man said, his voice carrying an unshakable authority that cut through the oppressive silence of the chamber. Yet beneath that authority lurked something colder, something calculated and predatory. He took a measured step forward, leaning slightly on his cane as if even this small motion was part of some grander strategy. "And this is the headquarters of Root. Here, we can speak freely, without the prying eyes of your brother."

At the mention of his brother, Sasuke's entire body tensed, his muscles coiling like a drawn bowstring. The torchlight caught the faint tremor in his clenched fists, though his Sharingan eyes glowed with cold fury. "Itachi," he spat, his voice low and venomous, the name leaving his lips like a curse. "You claim he's alive? Prove it."

Danzo tilted his head, his single visible eye narrowing slightly, as if dissecting Sasuke with nothing more than his gaze. The air seemed to thicken, the weight of the room pressing in on Sasuke as Danzo's silence stretched just long enough to unnerve him. "Proof?" Danzo said at last, his tone clipped and deliberate. "What is proof, Uchiha Sasuke? If I brought your brother before you this very moment, would you believe it was him?"

Sasuke's eyes burned brighter, but beneath the sharp edges of his glare, doubt flickered like a dying ember. He hated how calm Danzo was, how his words seemed to slip beneath his defenses without effort. "Of course not," Sasuke shot back, his voice edged with frustration. "I'd assume it was a Genjutsu."

The response came quickly, but even as the words left his mouth, they rang hollow in his ears. The truth was, he didn't know what to believe anymore. Ever since the news of Itachi's death had reached him, a seed of doubt had been planted deep in his mind. He'd felt it growing, gnawing at him in the dead of night when he was alone with his thoughts. Itachi was too careful, too deliberate. His death, reported so cleanly, so conveniently—it didn't feel real.

Danzo's lips curled faintly, not quite a smile but something close, as if he could see the doubt winding through Sasuke's thoughts. "Precisely," he said, his tone sharpening just enough to feel like a reprimand. "And yet you so readily accepted his death. Tell me, Sasuke—why is that?"

Sasuke's jaw tightened as his scowl deepened. He hated the way Danzo's words hit him, each one a needle piercing the fragile fabric of his convictions. "Don't twist this," he snapped, though his voice carried more venom than confidence. "You said he's alive. So either prove it or stop wasting my time."

Danzo's visible eye gleamed, a predator sensing weakness. "I am proving it," he said, his voice soft but cutting. "By showing you what you already know but refuse to admit. Itachi has always been two steps ahead of you, ahead of us all. His death was no different. It wasn't a defeat—it was a move. A move you're only now beginning to understand."

Sasuke's heart thundered in his chest, the suffocating weight of doubt pressing harder. He didn't trust Danzo, couldn't trust him. But the man's words… They felt too close to the truth he'd been avoiding.

"And why would he fake his death?" Sasuke challenged, his arms crossing tightly over his chest. His defensive stance betrayed more than skepticism—it was the desperate resistance of someone who couldn't afford to believe what he was hearing. His voice was sharp, laced with venom and disbelief. "What does Itachi have to fear?"

Danzo's gaze didn't waver. If anything, it sharpened, the weight of his words pressing down like a hammer. "Fear is not the issue," he said, his tone cold and precise. "Convenience is. Itachi's goal cannot be achieved by standing in the open. He needs to operate from the shadows, where no one—especially not you—can interfere."

Sasuke took a step forward, his voice rising. "And what is it he wants?" The question came out more like a demand, his frustration bubbling over. The idea that Itachi could still be out there, weaving some grand design while Sasuke was left in the dark, was unbearable.

Danzo leaned heavily on his cane, the metal tip tapping softly against the damp stone as he stepped closer, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone. "He wants the title of Hokage."

The statement struck Sasuke like a thunderclap, freezing him in place. For a moment, all he could do was stare, his Sharingan flickering faintly as if to reflect the storm raging in his mind. And then, before he could stop himself, a bitter, incredulous laugh escaped his throat. "Hokage?" he repeated, his voice laced with scorn. "That's ridiculous. What kind of twisted logic are you spinning to come to that conclusion?"

Danzo's expression didn't falter. If anything, the faintest trace of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, as if he had expected this reaction. "I understand your skepticism," he said calmly, his tone almost patronizing. "But consider this: Itachi's actions have always been deliberate. Calculated. The eradication of your clan was not an act of hatred or madness—it was a means to an end. He sought to stabilize the village, to protect it from destruction, even if it meant sacrificing his own family."

Sasuke's breath quickened, his heart pounding in his chest. Danzo's words were a poisoned blade, cutting through the walls of rage and grief that had fortified him for so long. "And you think killing our clan led to him becoming Hokage?" Sasuke growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.

Danzo's visible eye locked onto Sasuke's, unflinching. "Itachi is not motivated by power for its own sake. He seeks control to ensure stability, to manipulate the village from the highest seat of authority. What better position for a man who wishes to shape the future of Konoha than that of Hokage?" His voice gained weight, every word deliberate and calculated. "His death was a gambit, a way to disappear, to shed his past and reemerge as the ultimate symbol of authority—unquestioned and untouchable."

Sasuke's jaw tightened, his body trembling as he struggled to process Danzo's words. Each one hit like a hammer against the fragile foundation of his beliefs. He didn't want to believe it. He couldn't. And yet, the pieces fit together too well, forming a picture he had been blind to until now.

Before Sasuke could formulate a response, a low giggle echoed from the edge of the chamber, the sound bouncing off the damp stone walls like an eerie melody. It wasn't loud, but it carried an unsettling energy that made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Sasuke's Sharingan snapped toward the sound, catching a faint shimmer of movement in the flickering torchlight.

From the shadows behind him emerged a figure, stepping forward with slow, deliberate exaggeration, as if savoring the moment. His orange mask, spiraled like a vortex, caught the faint glow of the torches, the single eyehole staring at Sasuke with a gleeful, predatory focus. His movements were oddly playful, almost mocking, but there was something beneath the surface—something darker.

"Oh, don't look so tense, Sasuke," the masked man chirped, his voice high-pitched and grating, carrying a childlike malice that sent a chill down Sasuke's spine. "We're all friends here. Tobi's a good boy, after all."

Sasuke bristled, his Sharingan burning brighter as he fixed his glare on the intruder. "And who the hell are you supposed to be?" His voice was sharp, dripping with suspicion, his entire body coiled like a spring ready to snap.

Tobi's hand rose in a dramatic, almost theatrical wave, his gloved fingers waggling mockingly. "I'm here to help Danzo! And, you know, help you find your dear big brother, too." The sing-song lilt in his tone grated against Sasuke's fraying patience, the implied familiarity with Itachi digging under his skin like a thorn.

"Enough." Danzo's cane struck the stone floor with a resounding crack, his tone sharp and commanding, cutting through the tension. Sasuke turned back to him to find his expression calm but steely, his visible eye narrowing slightly. "Have you heard the name Uchiha Shisui?"

Sasuke's body went rigid at the name, his Sharingan spinning faster. "My brother's best friend," he said cautiously, his voice colder now. The memory of that name was etched into his mind, tied irrevocably to Itachi's betrayal. "What about him?" He didn't say what he was thinking—that Shisui was the very man Itachi had killed to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan. The same act Itachi had encouraged Sasuke to replicate.

Danzo stepped forward, his cane clicking against the damp floor with each measured step. "Shisui was more than just Itachi's closest companion," he began, his tone heavy with implication. "He was a prodigy like your brother, perhaps even greater in some ways. His Mangekyō Sharingan possessed an ability unlike any other: Kotoamatsukami. It allowed him to control minds undetected, bending even the strongest wills to his command without them realizing it."

Sasuke's brow furrowed, his fists clenching tighter. The weight of the revelation pressed down on him, each word Danzo spoke adding another layer to the tangled web of Itachi's past. "And?" Sasuke demanded, his voice low, his irritation bleeding into his tone. "What does that have to do with you?"

Danzo's expression darkened, his lone eye locking onto Sasuke's with an intensity that was almost suffocating. "Itachi killed him," he said simply, his words dropping like a stone into the charged silence. "Not out of necessity or anger, but to take that power for himself. Shisui entrusted me with the truth before his death, along with something far more valuable."

Sasuke's breath hitched, his mind racing to connect the dots. "What are you saying?"

Danzo raised his hand slowly, his movements deliberate, and began unwrapping the thick bandages covering the right side of his face. The fabric unraveled, falling away with each turn, until the truth was laid bare. Sasuke's eyes widened as he took a step back, his Sharingan locking onto the glowing red orb embedded in Danzo's eye socket. A Sharingan stared back at him, its three tomoe swirling faintly in the dim light.

"Shisui entrusted me with this eye," Danzo said, his voice quiet but brimming with authority. "He knew what Itachi was planning, and he gave me the means to stop him. With this Sharingan, I can see through Itachi's Genjutsu. I am the only one who can."

Sasuke's chest tightened, his breath coming faster as the weight of Danzo's words pressed down on him like a vice. The pieces were falling into place—Shisui's eye, Kotoamatsukami, and Itachi's mysterious actions. Each revelation chipped away at the foundation of Sasuke's understanding, leaving him reeling.

But even as the truth settled in, a dark sliver of doubt remained. Sasuke's gaze narrowed, his voice sharp with distrust. "And I'm just supposed to take your word for it? You claim you're the only one who can stop him—how convenient for you."

Danzo's gaze didn't falter, his visible Sharingan gleaming ominously. "You don't have to take my word for it, Sasuke. You only have to consider the truth: Itachi has always been several steps ahead of you. Without me, you'll never catch him."

Tobi's giggle returned, light and mocking. "And you'll never get the answers you want without a little help from us, hmm? Seems like you're in quite the pickle, Sasuke!"

Sasuke's glare burned into both of them, his teeth gritting as the tension in the room became unbearable. Somewhere deep in his chest, a flicker of rage and desperation intertwined. He needed to know the truth—no matter the cost.

Danzo inclined his head slightly, his calm demeanor unwavering. "If you cannot trust my words, then I will offer you a path to power—power enough to fight your brother and see the truth for yourself."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring in the sharp red glow of his Sharingan. "What kind of power?" he asked, his tone clipped, laced with caution. His mind raced, trying to piece together Danzo's game.

The masked man beside him raised his hand suddenly, as though answering a question in a classroom. "Ooh! Ooh! Tobi knows! I can introduce you to some friends who'll make you stronger!" His high-pitched voice pierced through the tension like a blade, grating against Sasuke's fraying patience. The playful tone felt maddeningly out of place, a sharp contrast to the suffocating weight in the room.

Sasuke's glare snapped toward Tobi, his teeth grinding as he tried to pierce the darkness beyond the single eyehole of the spiraled mask. "You still haven't answered why I should believe either of you," he growled, his voice dripping with mistrust.

Danzo's cane struck the stone floor, the sharp sound silencing Tobi's giggles. His voice cut through the thick air, sharp and deliberate. "Because whether you trust me or not, one truth remains: If Itachi is alive, your revenge is far from over."

Sasuke flinched at the words, the weight of them striking at his very core. The thought of Itachi still being alive burned like a wildfire through his mind, igniting both fury and desperation. His fists clenched tighter, his knuckles white as he fought to maintain control.

"You have a choice, Sasuke," Danzo continued, his voice low and steady. "Join us, or let your hatred rot into nothing."

For a moment, Sasuke hesitated, his breath catching in his throat. Danzo's words felt like a hammer against his resolve, their weight amplified by something… unnatural. He could feel his thoughts twisting, reshaping themselves to focus on the offer before him. A path to power. A chance to see Itachi again. A way to uncover the truth.

The faint, almost imperceptible glow of Danzo's Sharingan caught the corner of Sasuke's vision, but it was enough. His mind felt hazy, his earlier doubts fading like mist in the morning sun. The room seemed to close in around him, the voices of reason and suspicion that had burned so brightly moments ago dimming under the oppressive weight of Danzo's words.

Deep down, Sasuke knew what his answer would be. He could feel the decision cementing itself in his mind, like a river forced into a single, unyielding course. If Itachi was truly alive, if there was even a chance, then nothing would stop him from finding the truth—and taking his revenge.

Danzo's visible eye gleamed faintly as Sasuke lowered his head in thought, his Sharingan dimming ever so slightly. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Danzo's lips, the subtle satisfaction of control veiled beneath his neutral façade. The seeds of Kotoamatsukami had been planted.