21 The Truth Is Only One

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Hearing that they were going to visit Sasuke’s house, Kakashi’s expression turned somewhat peculiar.

[Uzumaki Physiology Activated.]

Kotono sensed that his hesitation was mainly directed at Naruto; he seemed reluctant for Naruto to accompany her.

“Big Brother Kakashi, you don’t know, Sasuke is super arrogant. We’re actually the first classmates he invited over to his place,” Naruto said excitedly, his eyes sparkling.

“Oh, you mean little Sasuke?” Kushina took a bite of rice and said just as eagerly, “When I was pregnant with you, I used to tease little Sasuke too. He’s about five months older than you, right?”

“Teacher, you’ve already eaten four bowls of rice,” Kotono hesitated to say.

“This is to replenish chakra, saving your energy,” Kushina replied confidently.

In truth, it didn’t help much. Eating like this was mainly because, as a spirit manifested in the living world with normal senses, Kushina cherished this feeling of being alive.

Besides, spirits don’t gain weight. What’s wrong with stealing a few bites from you, Kakashi? Refuse to share?

Kakashi: ...Go ahead then.

Usually, even their master couldn’t stop his wife, so who was he to intervene?

The dining table at the Hatake household was always lively, and the three Uzumakis’ boisterous chatter could fill the entire room.

As for the rightful host, Hatake Kakashi?

Ah, just a good-for-nothing older brother who only cooks and earns money to support his younger siblings.

Yet, Kakashi, the cooking sage, delighted in this role.

Looking at his younger siblings who could hardly hide their excitement for the Uchiha group, Kakashi pondered briefly.

He was well aware that the village’s relationship with the Uchiha clan was growing tense. He had even personally carried out covert surveillance missions outside the Uchiha territory.

But if it was just children visiting each other, it shouldn’t be a big deal.

Fugaku’s senior was a smart man.

Moreover, Kotono could summon her spirit mother at any time. Even if the Uchiha were wiped out, saving the two children wouldn’t be a problem.

So, Kakashi prepared a small fruit basket for the two children to bring as a gift when visiting their classmate’s home.

“Remember to come back early, and don’t get into fights with the Uchiha elders, okay?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll only argue with Sasuke,” Naruto said carelessly.

“I’ll keep an eye on them,” Kotono, ever the more reliable one, said calmly.

“Go on, then.” Kakashi couldn’t help but smile faintly, recalling his father’s image in his memory, somewhat unfamiliar yet heartfelt. “Have fun.”

“We’re off!” Naruto grabbed Kotono’s hand and ran excitedly toward the Uchiha territory.

Going to Sasuke’s house for a visit!

...

When they arrived, Sasuke stood outside the clan’s gate with his hands in his pockets, his expression cool — but this couldn’t hide the fact that he had been waiting outside the Uchiha grounds for his friends long before.

“Sasuke!” Naruto waved enthusiastically. “Over here, over here.”

Sasuke rolled his eyes and naturally took the fruit basket from Kotono’s hand.

As for Naruto?

The little master insisted on carrying his basket himself.

“Just like Big Brother Kakashi said,” Naruto remarked, “your house is really far away.”

Sasuke replied, “That’s because the Uchiha clan is very large. And you, as a ninja, are afraid of such a short distance?”

At this moment, Kotono was somewhat distracted.

She sensed no fewer than four Anbu presences just outside the Uchiha gates, one of which felt oddly familiar—probably someone who had monitored her and Naruto before.

She activated her Kagura Sharingan, which she had cultivated to a B-rank level with a radius of fifty kilometers, enough to cover most of Konoha, making all chakra movements within the Uchiha territory fully visible.

This discovery was staggering.

There were thirty Anbu agents monitoring the Uchiha territory?

Was the Uchiha clan planning a rebellion? The Third Hokage had indeed dispatched so many Anbu.

Sasuke seemed completely unaware of these undercurrents. He and Naruto quarrelled all the way, drawing countless glances from onlookers within the Uchiha clan.

The elders of the Uchiha were still mild, smiling softly at the children.

However, the young and middle-aged adults they passed, especially those dressed as ninjas, regardless of gender, showed strong hostility toward these two outsiders.

Kotono remained expressionless, her face innocent, quietly noting these details as they soon reached their destination.

“This is my home.”

The largest and most splendid mansion in the Uchiha territory was the residence of the clan head, Fugaku Uchiha.

Though Sasuke said little, his pride in his surname and his father was unmistakable.

He proudly introduced the home’s layout to his friends: “This is the entrance hall, over there is a pond with many koi that Dad likes, and a dry landscape garden…”

Naruto clenched his fists:…

Damn, Big Brother Kakashi lost!

The Hatake household was spacious, but it was no match for Sasuke’s home.

Please, Big Brother Kakashi, you must pull yourself together and earn more money for the family. This is my lifelong request!

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“Is that Kotono and Naruto?” A gentle female voice sounded at the door.

Sasuke led his friends inside, and his mother, Mikoto Uchiha, was already waiting at the entrance.

The beautiful woman with jet-black hair smiled warmly, her expression tender as she looked at them.

Just one glance at her, and the word “mother” arose naturally—soft and intimate.

Naruto’s defiant expression faltered, and he became awkward; he wasn’t good at handling others’ kindness.

Sasuke’s mother reminded him of his own mother—both seemed like people you could find a warm embrace from.

Besides, his mother said that Aunt Mikoto was once her good friend and had even poked baby Sasuke’s face.

Hehe.

Though he couldn’t say it out loud, Naruto felt a bit closer to her and less nervous.

Mikoto Uchiha was very kind to the two children, her smile never fading.

“This is the first time Sasuke has brought friends home to play.”

“He wouldn’t sleep last night; he was in his room preparing toys, saying he had to plan exactly how to entertain you today—”

“Mom,” Sasuke said awkwardly, “don’t exaggerate.”

Mikoto covered her mouth and giggled, “Alright, you kids go play first. I’ll wash some fruit for you.”

Naruto showed a touched expression.

“That’s not for you, don’t get the wrong idea,” Sasuke said stubbornly.

He glanced at Kotono with concern, but the girl looked lost, staring blankly, deep in thought.

This made Sasuke both relieved and a little unhappy.

Why was she spacing out at his house?

This morning, he had gone shopping with his mother to buy fresh strawberries because he overheard Kotono saying she liked strawberries but couldn’t usually afford such an expensive fruit.

But Kotono wasn’t playing a prank on Sasuke.

Because within her perception, a familiar but overwhelmingly powerful chakra aura suddenly appeared.

[Name: Uchiha Itachi]

[Total Chakra: 206,393 points]

What?

Did this guy eat the Tang Monk?

Kotono remembered clearly that last time she saw Itachi, his chakra was around 130,000 to 140,000—roughly the same as Kakashi.

But in less than two months, how did he suddenly increase by 70,000 points, rivaling the Third Hokage?

Outside, Mikoto and Itachi spoke in low voices.

“Back home now. You look so exhausted. Did something happen?”

But then a chaotic argument erupted, with a man’s angry shouting.

Kotono frowned; she sensed many people outside… at least elite Jonin level.

The Uchiha truly had many elites.

“My older brother is back!” Sasuke jumped up excitedly. “Come on, maybe today he’ll have time to train with us!”

“Oh, Itachi big brother!” Naruto’s eyes lit up. He had a good impression of Itachi.

The two boys went outside. Kotono frowned but followed them.

Just as the boys opened the door and before the excited “big brother” call could be uttered—

Clang!

A kunai flew out, deeply piercing the Uchiha clan emblem on the wall.

The force was so strong it embedded three feet into the stone wall, spreading ominous web-like cracks.

Around Uchiha Itachi lay a scattering of Uchiha ninjas.

His father, Fugaku Uchiha, stood not far off, his face extremely grim.

Itachi said in a deep voice, “My tolerance has run out for this shallow and arrogant clan.”

He looked up at his father, the tomoe in his eyes spinning rapidly—

Naruto: Eh?

He felt something was off; the atmosphere made him uncomfortable.

Sasuke also sensed it, his expression changing drastically, showing some panic: “Brother, stop it!!”

“...” Itachi glanced at them.

Strangely, his eyes—

Before Kotono could examine them closely, Itachi’s eyes instantly returned to a calm black.

Nothing else happened. After his brother’s plea, Itachi silently knelt and apologized.

No.

You people kneel and apologize at the slightest provocation, and with such a huge power gap, it’s really hard to keep a straight face.

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At this moment, Uchiha Itachi’s chakra felt especially cold and fierce.

Though he appeared to kneel, the hidden icy rage deep within his soul was not extinguished; it quietly and silently flared up.

Honestly, this custom of kneeling is nothing but humiliation and uselessness!

Kotono thought this to herself but couldn’t smile.

This was bad.

This divine being... clearly had a sudden, serious illness!

*

Though she couldn’t understand how Itachi suddenly became ill in just two months,

the situation called for a strategy.

As a target she was secretly wary of, Itachi had maintained a calm demeanor all day.

He appeared as a composed elder brother, respectful to his parents, polite to guests, serving food to his younger brother, occasionally asking about their training progress.

The strange evening conflict seemed to have no effect on him.

Sasuke did not know what was wrong with Itachi today.

“Maybe it’s because of Shisui’s suicide,” Sasuke said gloomily, “Shisui was one of the most talented among the Uchiha and Itachi’s best friend.”

Kotono learned that Shisui was Itachi’s close friend, a genius known as “Shunshin Shisui” (Swift Movement Shisui).

Yet such an outstanding person had died mysteriously two months ago.

The only suspect with opportunity was Uchiha Itachi.

Although the final investigation cleared Itachi, many within the clan remained unconvinced.

Adults refused to tell the children, but perceptive Sasuke was able to infer from fragments.

“How could they doubt brother?” Sasuke said in frustration.

Doubt what? This is definitely related to Uchiha Itachi!

Kotono trusted Itachi’s character more than the Uchiha guards.

Thinking back on how in her past life, Kirei Kotomine realized he was born evil, taking pleasure in others’ pain—

His wife was terminally ill and about to die, yet he felt no sorrow, even admiring her suffering.

His wife loved him deeply, and in despair, killed herself before him, hoping to awaken his love.

Yet he remained unmoved!

Kirei Kotomine then fully realized his nature as a villain, fell further into evil temptation, and dragged his teacher and wife to hell.

By analogy:

Uchiha Shisui regarded Itachi as his closest friend, and when he was about to die, he committed suicide in front of Itachi, hoping to awaken whatever conscience remained in his friend.

Unfortunately, judging by Itachi’s cold chakra and greatly increased power, Shisui’s sacrifice was in vain.

Alas, this genius would have been better off alive, able to help her now.

Currently, she knew only three strong individuals well:

Kushina-sensei, Kakashi, and the Third Hokage.

After much thought, she felt the only one truly reliable was her own teacher.

Kakashi’s attitude was complicated, his position likely not pure.

As for the Third Hokage—who ordered the Anbu to monitor the Uchiha territory?

Kotono had already pieced together Itachi’s plan completely.

The truth was clear—

Uchiha Itachi intended to lead the rebellious faction within the Uchiha clan to ignite an uprising!

Itachi was the clan head’s son, his power now rivaling the Third Hokage. The only one who could stand against him, Shisui, had been driven to death.

His plan was highly likely to succeed.

Because he did not desire power, wealth, or women like becoming Hokage.

He only wished to drag the entire clan and village into hell, savor everyone’s pain, and feel the world’s suffering himself.

Once the Uchiha rebellion and the village mutually destroyed each other, he would invite foreign forces to invade, cooperating from within and without...

In the end, the entire Land of Fire might fall into perdition!

Sss!

Even Kotono couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

Such ruthless tactics, such a delightfully cruel rebellion plan!

When forced to kneel today, who knew what grim fantasies Itachi was enjoying in his mind about everyone’s future demise.

Truly, you are the great pervert Uchiha Itachi.

As the Holy Grail chosen one, the master who could see through the wheel of fate, she must stop his evil plan!