Itachi's Choice

"What?!"

Fengtian turned around abruptly, his face filled with disbelief, his gaze fixed intently on Uchiha Madara's disdainful expression.

The air around them seemed to freeze, even the wind seemed to stop, leaving only a tense standoff between the two, so tense that you could almost hear a pin drop.

A playful smile curled at the corner of Ban's mouth. His movements were casual, as if he were merely brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve. Yet, with a gentle push, he contained the power to cause a cataclysmic upheaval.

Fengtian felt an irresistible force strike him, as if his chest had been hit by a heavy hammer. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, which was as brilliant as the sunset, yet it was filled with a tragic and sorrowful look.

He was like a kite with a broken string, violently pushed far away, crashing heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

"Huff... huff..."

Fengtian gasped for breath, each breath feeling like dancing on a knife's edge, painful and difficult.

His eyes widened as he stared at the fading light in the sky, a torrent of doubt surging within him:

"What's going on? Why is my power... constantly draining away...?"

The lost chakra, like fine sand in an hourglass, is silent and imperceptible, yet it instills despair.

Madara Uchiha stepped forward slowly, his arms crossed over his chest. His Rinnegan had been withdrawn, returning to its usual calm, but his ordinary black eyes held an unfathomable vortex.

He looked down at Fengtian, who was kneeling on the ground, with an almost pitying gaze, his voice deep and magnetic:

"The forbidden power of the Eight Gates can grant you power beyond your limits for a short time, but the price is the rapid burning of your life force... Time is running out..."

"If you cannot find a way to suppress this force, I'm afraid your life force will be extinguished right now..."

Ban's words were like a cold winter wind, biting and chilling.

After speaking, Ban slowly squatted down, his slender fingers gently resting on Fengtian's trembling shoulders.

This time, he did not unleash that chilling attack again. Instead, he slowly injected a warm and pure chakra into Fengtian's body, like a spring drizzle nourishing the parched land.

Nourished by this power, Fengtian's body seemed to be awakened by a mysterious force, and his tightly closed eyes suddenly opened—it was the [Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan]!

As a vast and boundless force of cause and effect circulated within his body, his rapidly declining life force miraculously began to recover, like a withered flower in spring regaining its vitality.

However, the karmic backlash brought about by the "Eight Gates - Death Gate" is simply too great.

Fortunately, Fengtian captured the Seven-Tailed Fox, which further enhanced his eye power.

Otherwise, even if recovery is possible, serious long-term effects are inevitable.

Feeling the restoration of his chakra and the return of his life force, Fengtian's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. He looked up at Uchiha Madara, his eyes filled with both surprise and gratitude.

"Why are you helping me?"

Fengtian spoke with difficulty, his voice slightly hoarse.

Madara Uchiha stood up, his gaze fixed intently on the distance, as if piercing through the barriers of time and space to see into the far past and future:

"This world has not seen a strong person who can fight alongside me for far too long."

"You, Fengtian, are an exception. And..."

He turned around and gave Fengtian a sharp look:

"Compared to Obito, you are a perfect pawn. As the player in this grand game, I certainly don't want to use [Rinne Rebirth] for you..."

Upon hearing this, Fengtian gave a bitter smile.

He knew that Madara Uchiha was arrogant and complex, and that he often acted according to his own will and judgment.

Today's action may have been a spur-of-the-moment decision, or it may have been an acknowledgment of his potential.

Anyway, thank you.

Fengtian struggled to his feet, though he was still weak.

"Should we continue?"

Upon seeing Fengtian stand up, Uchiha Madara also straightened up, crossed his arms, and looked at Fengtian with arrogance.

Upon hearing this, Fengtian merely raised his head slightly, a bitter smile appearing on his face:

"No need, there's no point in continuing..."

Immediately following, with the blessing of the [Power of Cause and Effect], Fengtian's body began to recover at an astonishing speed.

He turned around, his back to Madara Uchiha, and though his words were soft, they revealed a hint of confidence:

"Do you believe me, Lord Madara...?"

"Actually, I had one more trick up my sleeve..."

"If I were to use it, I believe you would be no match for me..."

Upon hearing this, Madara Uchiha became interested and immediately said:

"Oh? Is that so?"

"I'm curious, what gives you the confidence to say something like that..."

Upon hearing this, Fengtian remained silent, only gently shaking his head.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke:

"If we use this move, we'll both die..."

"However, you will enter the underworld before me..."

After speaking, Fengtian gazed into the distance, a solemn look flashing deep in his eyes, and then said in a voice only he could hear:

"This move was meant for them..."

....

Konoha Village Waterfall

Uchiha Itachi slowly wandered through the forest, his gaze constantly scanning his surroundings.

Those traces left by the battle are a testament to his friendship with Shisui!

Since Shisui defected from Konoha with Fengtian, Itachi Uchiha has never shown a smile.

Now he is alone, reminiscing about his time with Shisui, but the harsh reality has plunged his thoughts into endless confusion.

"Brother Shisui, what exactly is the reason?"

"Someone as outstanding as you, why did you defect from Konoha...?"

Itachi murmured to himself, unable to comprehend Shisui's actions.

Soon, he arrived at the foot of a waterfall, the place where he had his last spar with Shisui, and also the place where Fengtian appeared and took Shisui away.

Standing before the waterfall, Itachi Uchiha's gaze became deep and complex.

The waterfall's water, cascading like a silver river, crashed against the rocks with a deafening roar, yet it could not conceal the struggle and doubt within him.

He closed his eyes, and the image of Shisui's gentle yet firm gaze, as well as the scene of their last sparring session, floated into his mind.

At that time, Shisui's swordsmanship was already superb, and Itachi was also making continuous progress under his guidance.

However, all this beauty was ruthlessly shattered after Fengtian appeared.

"Brother Shisui, what exactly did you see? What made you decide to leave Konoha and leave us?"

Itachi asked himself in a low voice, as if hoping to hear Shisui's distant answer amidst the roaring sound of the waterfall.

He slowly walked to the rock beside the waterfall and sat down, letting the water droplets splash on his face, wetting his hair and clothes.

At this moment, he seemed isolated from the world, lost in his own thoughts.

"Brother Zhishui, I have never blamed you."

"only…."

"I want to know, is your choice really the right one?"

"Konoha, the home where we grew up together, is it really not worth staying for?"

A hint of confusion flashed in Itachi's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

He stood up, his gaze fixed firmly on the distance where Fengtian had taken Zhishui.

"Whatever your choice, I will find the answer."

"If there really is a problem with Konoha, I will use my own eyes to see the truth."

"If Brother Shisui's choice is right, I will respect and understand it."

Itachi took a deep breath, turned and left the waterfall, preparing to return to Konoha Village.

He knew that he still had a lot to do and many mysteries to unravel.

All of this requires him to investigate, experience, and judge for himself.

However, unbeknownst to Itachi, Shisui stood on a tree branch not far away and witnessed everything.

His face was filled with a complex expression, a mixture of reluctance, inner conflict, but above all, a resolute determination.

"Itachi, I'm sorry..."

"I still have a lot of things to do myself..."

"It's not appropriate for us to meet again now..."