Chapter XII: Itachi's New Resolve
"Nagato... you seem a bit different from the last time I saw you," says Itachi, taking note of Nagato's longer hair. Nagato lightly chuckles at the Uchiha clan member's comment.
"Indeed, a few years have passed since your death, Itachi. Luckily for you, that time seems to have passed instantaneously," Nagato says back.
"I suppose you're right, but don't forget I'm no pushover. This is the day you perish," Itachi says back.
"Until Gyatsō Mataba's ambitions are met, my death will have to wait."
Itachi's eyebrows raise quizzically at that unfamiliar name.
"Gyatsō... Mataba? I'm afraid I don't know that person. And of all people, Nagato, I never expectedyouto have a superior," Itachi says. Nagato takes a step forward, using a hand to brush loose strands of hair away from his face.
"Gyatsō is not my superior. Since you'll be returning to the afterlife momentarily, I'll send you off with this small bit of information. Konan works directly under me, but she's also a member of Gyatsō's Osore organisation. So, she's under his direct order as well," Nagato explains.
"If he has an organisation that serves him... does that mean there are more of you?" Itachi asks.
"Of course there are."
"And how many more of you are there?"
"Did you really think I'd answer that, Itachi?"
Itachi's Sharingan slowly evolves into the Mangekyou as he begins to channel a small amount of chakra into his hand.
That Orochimaru will not make me one of his pawns. I have my own place in this world once more, he thinks as he performs a single hand sign.
"Kotoamatsukami!"
A black crow emerges from Itachi's stomach. Its left eye has the legendary Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyou Sharingan embedded in it. The crow's eye glows a radiant red that shines brightly throughout the area. Nagato, Konan, and Kakashi all wince as a result.
Itachi's eye sclera suddenly lightens in colour, and returns to normal soon after.
Somewhere within a dark, hidden cave, Orochimaru interrupts his walking. An unknown person draped in a hooded black cloak looks back at the Sannin, their dangerous crimson eyes dead set on the snake-like man.
"Is something the matter?" the person's smooth voice asks. Orochimaru slightly grits his teeth, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
Curse you, Itachi... he somehow broke out of my control just now. That muddies up this entire plan.
"No, it's nothing important," Orochimaru replies dismissively, continuing to walk forward. The hooded person follows behind him soon after.
Itachi stares at the crow, watching intently as it flies up and lands on his shoulder. "I'm lucky that Shisui's visual prowess is still functioning. His eye held out even after I burned this crow back then. His power is truly remarkable," the Uchiha says to himself.
Nagato crosses his arms with disappointment as he smirks at the black-haired shinobi.
"That Kotoamatsukami genjutsu allows one to control the actions of another person, involuntarily. I'm assuming you just made Orochimaru relinquish his control over your body, but it's futile. Even if you're free, the end result won't change."
Suddenly, both Haku and the Third Hokage's eyes gleamed white. Their bodies crash down to the ground, before abruptly disintegrating. Konan's focused eyes trailed from where their bodies disappeared back to Kakashi.
So, she thinks, the Reanimation jutsu has been rescinded for the remaining shinobi. Could it be... that Lord Gyatsō wanted Itachi free from Orochimaru's control? Someone from Osore must be watching these events while reporting to Orochimaru at the same time. In any case, Lord Gyatsō's plan can carry out seamlessly now. The kunoichi briefly looks around, trying to see if she could spot the Osore onlooker in question.
Kakashi suddenly holds his arm out in front of his body, another Lightning Blade loudly pulsing in it.
"Well, look at that. This cuts down the enemy from five to three," the white-haired ninja says. The electricity forms into a long, thunderous line and quickly shoots towards Konan. The double agent jumps to the side, avoiding the attack. Kakashi then quickly moves his hand to the right, which redirects the electricity to Konan's new position and strikes her through the chest. On impact, Konan's body turns into multiple sheets of paper, wildly flying towards Kakashi. The Anbu captain's eyes widen as the paper wraps around his body, completely stopping him from moving.
"What type of jutsu is this?!" he gasps out.
A swarm of paper forms above Kakashi, morphing into a single sharp blade.
"Shikigami Dance!"
The blade pierces Kakashi through the chest with increased velocity and impact. The paper around his body falls apart and disintegrates as he crashes against the roof with a loud thud. Blood leaks from his wound and splatters on the stone below.
Nagato crosses his arms, still smirking as he looks over at Itachi. "You're the only one left, Itachi. Either come with us peacefully or be incapacitated," he says. Itachi takes a step forward, scoffing at him.
"We both know that neither one is going to happen," he replies.
Suddenly, Nagato appears in front of the Uchiha clan member.
"So be it."
He quickly pulls out a black chakra rod and stabs Itachi in the stomach. Itachi's body morphed into several crows on impact and flies back. They fly close together until Itachi reappears.
"This Gyatsō Mataba won't be having his way with me. I'll find him, and I'll destroy him..."
He then vanishes out of thin air. Almost immediately after, Nagato winces and gasps as he feels something roughly stab into his chest.
He sharply looks down to see a kunai jabbed into it. His eyes widen as he sees that this kunai was engulfed in black flames. He quickly looks up to see Itachi now standing in front of him with only one eye open. A streak of blood was already running down the Uchiha's right eye.
"Along with everyone that works for him."
Nagato yells out desperately as the black flames of Amaterasu quickly engulf the rest of his body. Konan opens her eyes wide as she begins to dash towards her injured superior.
"No! Nagato!" she screams at the top of her lungs.
Suddenly, a considerable amount of sand wraps around her body, stopping her in her tracks. Gaara stands before her, one hand extended. Konan grits her teeth as she looks back at him, desperation plastered over her face.
"You will be seeing him again in the afterlife... Sand Coffin!"