As the memories unfolded before him, Sasuke felt his emotions churn.
For years, he had harbored hatred for his brother, but the truth revealed a far more complex web of betrayal, manipulation, and impossible choices.
Returning to the present within the memory space, Sasuke clenched his fists and asked, "So this is the truth... the Leaf Village forced your hand?"
Itachi stared at him with a mixture of sadness and determination, "There's more you need to see. Brace yourself, Sasuke."
The memories continued-
"Even Hiruzen, as Hokage, would have to take decisive action," said Danzo Shimura, his voice cold and calculated.
"Whether war breaks out or not, if the coup happens..."
"The Uchiha clan will face total annihilation, including your young and innocent brother."
"But if we act before the coup begins, your brother can still be saved."
Hearing this, Sasuke was shocked, his jaw dropping in disbelief, 'This old dog actually used me to threaten Itachi!'
The memory continued, showing Danzo pressing further:
"If the coup takes place, your brother will learn everything."
"If he witnesses Leaf Village shinobi slaughtering his clan, he'll be consumed by hatred and seek revenge against the Leaf. At that point, there will be no choice but to send him to the grave as well."
Finally, Itachi spoke, his tone sharp, "Is this a threat?"
Danzo replied calmly, "Not at all. I'm simply asking you to make a choice."
After a tense silence, Danzo gave his ultimatum, "Will you stand with the Uchiha in their rebellion and die alongside your family, or will you side with the Leaf and help us eliminate the Uchiha before the coup, sparing only your little brother?"
Danzo's voice softened slightly, but his words remained manipulative, "To protect the village, the internal strife must be quelled before it begins, no matter the cost."
"And the only one capable of carrying out this mission is you, Itachi—both a loyal Leaf shinobi and a member of the Uchiha clan."
"This mission is unbearably cruel, I know."
"But at least it will ensure your brother's survival. After all, you care for the village just as much as I do, don't you?"
Finally, Danzo asked, "Will you accept this mission?"
Itachi closed his eyes, contemplating deeply. Without a word, he turned and left the place.
Instead of returning home, Itachi sought out a man wearing a tiger-striped mask within the Uchiha compound.
The masked man asked cautiously, "How do you know of my existence?"
Itachi responded calmly, "You managed to evade the Leaf's watchful eyes and even investigated the secrets of the Naka Shrine tablet."
"Only members of the Uchiha clan could know that location. I tracked your movements and investigated your identity and motives."
The masked man smirked under his mask, replying, "Then you must know I am an Uchiha, and I harbor hatred toward both the Leaf Village and the Uchiha clan."
Itachi remained calm, stating his conditions, "I have one condition. I'll assist you in taking vengeance against the Uchiha clan, but in return, you must promise not to harm the Leaf Village."
"And under no circumstances are you to touch Uchiha Sasuke."
The masked man agreed, sealing the deal.
With the arrangement in place, Itachi informed Danzo, and the mission began.
In the next memory, Itachi entered his parents' room. His father, Fugaku Uchiha, showed no surprise at his arrival. Instead, he spoke calmly:
"So, you've chosen their side."
Itachi addressed them with a heavy heart, "Father, Mother..."
His mother, Mikoto Uchiha, turned her back to him, her voice soft but resolute, "I understand, Itachi."
Fugaku added, "Itachi, I have one final request. Please take care of Sasuke."
At that moment, tears welled up in Itachi's eyes. His voice trembled as he replied, "I will."
Sensing his son's anguish, Fugaku reassured him gently, "Don't be afraid. This is the path you've chosen."
"Compared to what you'll endure, our pain will be over in an instant."
With a faint smile, Fugaku continued, "Though our methods may differ, you've always been our pride."
"Such a kind-hearted child..."
Itachi's tears fell silently as he carried out the mission he had been burdened with, sealing the tragic fate of the Uchiha clan.
After watching the full story unfold, Sasuke's mind was in utter turmoil.
He had imagined many possible reasons behind the Uchiha massacre, but never had he considered such a complicated truth.
He never thought that he had been used as leverage to coerce his brother or that the root cause of his clan's annihilation was a planned rebellion.
Beyond the initial shock and disbelief, Sasuke's heart was still brimming with questions.
Over the years, through his interactions with the ninjas under Lord Charles and by gaining knowledge of this new world, Sasuke's intellect and political understanding had grown significantly.
After calming down, Sasuke posed his first question, "Why did the Uchiha clan plan a rebellion?"
Itachi observed his younger brother with quiet admiration. Sasuke had clearly matured during his time in this new world, developing both critical thinking and curiosity.
Itachi began to explain, "Because of the pursuit of power. As one of the founding clans of the Leaf Village, the Uchiha felt marginalized."
"Aside from the glory of our ancestors, the clan never regained any significant recognition or honor. For years, we were excluded from the inner circles of power within the village."
"After the Nine-Tails incident, relations between the village and the clan reached a breaking point."
"The Uchiha were blamed for the disaster and were subsequently relocated from the village center to its outskirts."
"In their desperation for power and honor, the clan leadership decided on a coup."
Hearing this, Sasuke smirked coldly and responded, "Itachi, as one of the founding clans of the Leaf, isn't it reasonable for the Uchiha to seek some sort of power?"
"The Leaf was founded by the Uchiha and Senju. Yet, where are we in the leadership structure? The Senju produced two Hokage, and even the Third Hokage was a student of the Second. But what about the Uchiha?"
"Aside from the token role of managing the police force, did we have a single position among the three key advisors?"
"Was it wrong for our clan to seek equal standing?"
Listening to his brother's words, Itachi closed his eyes momentarily before reopening them. He replied calmly:
"Perhaps it was not wrong to seek equality, but does that justify a rebellion? Was that truly the right solution?"
Sasuke retorted, his voice tinged with anger, "I'm not saying that the coup was right, but doesn't the Uchiha clan's treatment by the village reek of injustice?"
Shifting his tone, Sasuke asked pointedly, "Let's set aside the injustices against our clan for a moment. Who was that other Uchiha wearing the mask that helped you during the massacre?"
"If he comes to this world, I swear I'll break all four of his limbs."
Hearing Sasuke's fiery resolve, Itachi replied calmly, "As I told you earlier, that man is none other than Uchiha Madara."
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