"Kisame, why are you doing this?"
Guy, on high alert and full of confusion, couldn't help but ask.
"..."
After a few seconds of silence, Itachi finally spoke in a low voice, "I am Itachi."
As for why he acted, he had already noticed that the ANBU were nearby. If the fight continued, the situation would escalate uncontrollably. Moreover, if he didn't intervene, Asuma and Kurenai might die. Most importantly, even most of the Akatsuki members' abilities were now exposed, Danzō was already imprisoned in Konoha, and there wasn't much meaning left in staying undercover.
Asuma and Kurenai exchanged glances. At this moment, they understood, the spy placed by the Third Hokage was Itachi.
"Thank you." Asuma lit a cigarette and asked, "What are you planning to do next? Since you've taken action, there's no turning back, right?"
"First, let's get Kakashi-senpai and Sasuke treated… The Third Hokage has already arrived."
At that moment, Guy lifted Kakashi with one arm and carried Sasuke on his back. Realization dawned on him, and he exclaimed, "So you're not a missing-nin after all!"
Just then, the Hokage arrived. Upon receiving the message, he had rushed over. Seeing that Kisame had already lost the ability to resist, he waved for most of the ANBU to withdraw, leaving only a few elites to handle Kisame, to seal his chakra and restrain him.
Having witnessed everything, it was clear: Itachi was truly a loyal subject. Few deeds could compare to saving the Hokage's life.
Asuma was still so weak, almost causing a disaster right in Konoha. Clearly not fit for greater responsibility. But then again, that might be his limit… It was still up to Konohamaru in the future.
Hiruzen walked over puffing his pipe, his expression complex. As he approached, he said, "You all take Kakashi and Sasuke to be treated. Keep this matter confidential for now. Itachi, you come with me."
---
Back at the Hokage's office, Hiruzen took two bottles of soda from the fridge and handed one to Itachi.
This time, Itachi carefully observed the Hokage's office, now arranged differently from what he remembered, sodas, snacks, magazines alongside official documents on the desk.
When his crow clone first came, he had thought these things were prepared for the Hokage's grandson...
But now it seemed…
He glanced at Hiruzen, already sipping his soda, the Third Hokage had changed so much, it was almost like facing a stranger.
Perhaps his new strength was due to some secret jutsu, not surprising. Unlike ordinary ninjas, Itachi had seen all sorts of things in Akatsuki, full of talented individuals. So he wasn't especially curious about the change of the Third Hokage.
But the shift in mindset… that was concerning.
"Given the situation, what do you plan to do next?" Hiruzen asked.
After a moment of silence, Itachi replied, "My identity makes it inappropriate for me to return to Konoha. I also can't face Sasuke as a positive figure anymore."
Hiruzen nodded in understanding. "Then continue taking on missions as a ninja. We have many plans coming up. As Konoha undergoes reforms, we'll be giving up a significant portion of mission revenue. The financial gap is troubling. Relying solely on donations from the feudal lords and clans won't sustain us."
Itachi nodded quietly and listened.
"There's a client now, with urgent needs. But the mission is extremely difficult… How should I put it, it'll be a serious challenge even for you. But the reward is enormous, if successful, you'd earn a treasure ten times greater than any daimyō donation."
This wasn't an exaggeration. The territory ruled by the Whitebeard Pirates was vast, rather than just a pirate crew, they were more like the largest vassal state under the world government.
"..."
Itachi was stunned. Could there really be such a wealthy client in the shinobi world?
"It's a client from another world. That world is larger than the shinobi world, and its combat power is very high."
Of course, compared to the era of Kizaru and Fujitora, it was still not much, but the current shinobi world hadn't seen a power surge yet.
"Even with your Mangekyō Sharingan, I doubt you could handle their top-tier forces…"
If it were Edo Tensei Itachi, it might be doable, Hiruzen's thoughts drifted toward a darker place.
Another world? Clearly a bit stunned, Itachi finally spoke up, "Will I need to fight against their strongest force?"
"Most likely, yes…" Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and nodded. "The client is a pirate, and he's already been captured. He has two possible requests for how we complete the mission."
"Pirate?" Itachi was momentarily confused. He couldn't quite connect the word "pirate" with a mission client.
"Our worlds are very different," Hiruzen explained. "This pirate isn't like what you'd imagine, at least not someone like Ace. In fact, they're more akin to the powerful ninja clans from the Warring States period… Well, maybe that's not quite right either. Let me explain in more detail and prepare some documents for you later."
He began explaining the background of the One Piece world and then detailed Ace's requests:
Change the Whitebeard Pirates' decision to come rescue him, which would be very difficult.
If the first request failed, then prevent Whitebeard's death.
Only now did Itachi truly realize the vastness of the universe and the infinity of time and space. Though he had possessed a "Hokage mindset" since youth, he was still deeply shaken and sighed, "The world is so vast. I've merely been a frog at the bottom of a well."
"Don't belittle yourself. You're Konoha's elite," Hiruzen encouraged his subordinate passionately. "Konoha's future rests on your shoulders. You carry a heavy burden. When you return, there are more responsibilities waiting for you. I see the potential of a Hokage in you. You're one of the top contenders in my heart to become the next Hokage!"
"You praise me too much, Hokage-sama… I am but a sinner," Itachi replied humbly.
"Konoha is finally united and rebuilding. Even if you want to revive the Uchiha clan, there's nothing stopping you now!"
That left Itachi completely speechless. The Third Hokage he remembered, he simply couldn't reconcile that image with the Hiruzen in front of him.
"Not just the Uchiha clan, tomorrow I'm going to talk to the Hyūga clan too! Their cursed seal must go."
The Caged Bird Seal had already started to affect the loyalty of the Hyūga clan's elites to Konoha.
They only recognized the main house, not the Hokage. This was a potential seed of rebellion.
"..."
"You really are a different man than before," Itachi said, full of emotion.
"Of course I am. Otherwise, would I have taken down Danzō the moment he slipped? If I had such clarity back then, how could I have been so blind as to let him deceive me for so long?"
Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, then continued, "I've made up my mind. For the sake of Konoha, whether it's my best friend, my student, or even my child, if they pose a threat to the village, I won't show mercy."
The more wise and resolute the Third Hokage sounded, the more pain Itachi felt inside… If the Hokage back then had been like this, would he have been torn between loyalty and family, caught in the trap of "Madara" and Danzō?
But those thoughts couldn't be spoken aloud.
All he could say was: "You truly give everything for Konoha."
Ah, truly a loyal Konoha ninja, even his words are full of praise. Hiruzen tapped his pipe; ashes fell to the floor, still glowing faintly. "This mission is truly of great importance. We're counting on you."
Itachi accepted the high-risk, high-reward mission. "When do I depart?"
"Three days from now. Tomorrow, I'll give you all the briefing materials for that world."
Itachi nodded, then asked before leaving. "What about Kisame?"
"Don't worry. He's in the cell right next to Orochimaru's. I had the sealing team create a special cell just for him."
As Itachi left, Hiruzen gave him one final assurance: Sasuke would receive the best training Konoha could offer.
---
Headline: "Kiri Missing-nin Kisame Captured - Evil Itachi Still at Large"
Danzō flipped through the newspaper, scoffing.
He, Orochimaru, and Itachi had all gone down one after another... Was Hiruzen now trying to purge the stains from his own legacy?
"Same as ever. All bluster and no spine. Soft-hearted, indecisive. Clings to life too much to make bold moves. With such weak and sentimental hands, how can he ever be called a wise ruler? If I were Hokage, I'd have handed him a cup of poisoned sake long ago... Tobirama-sensei, you chose poorly."