Evil Uchiha Itsuki

Uchiha Itsuki wasn't wrong in his thinking at all.

When Chiyo heard that Pakura had a way to carve out a river from Sunagakure straight to Amegakure, she didn't hesitate for a moment. She immediately selected four high-ranking officials from Sunagakure, all of whom had previous conflicts with Pakura, and forced them to step down.

Of course, the four refused.

They had worked hard their entire lives to reach these positions. Now they were just supposed to step aside? Even if it was Chiyo asking, they flat-out refused to agree.

Unfortunately for them, they didn't see things as clearly as Itsuki.

Or rather, Itsuki could empathize.

If he were in Chiyo's shoes, he would've handled the problem the same way.

"...I've worked for Konoha my whole life. Now that I'm about to die, why should I care about what you think? If you don't agree, I'll make you agree."

The next day, all four officials suddenly died.

Just like that!

No effort to conceal it!

The entire village of Sunagakure was shaken.

Even Chiyo and Ebizō, who were the most senior members of Sunagakure, nearly lost control of the situation.

The unrest only subsided when Chiyo made a chilling statement.

"I'm about to die. Who wants to join me? I'll take them with me."

At over seventy years old, having survived multiple ninja wars and sustaining severe injuries over the years, no one would be surprised if Chiyo died tomorrow. Her age alone made her one of the oldest in the ninja world.

Given her circumstances, she could do anything before her death, and it wouldn't be surprising.

Besides, who in their right mind would risk their life against an elderly woman who was already at death's door?

No one.

Thus, the uprising in Sunagakure was barely suppressed.

And then!

Sunagakure sent Maki once again, confirming that they agreed to Itsuki's terms.

Itsuki said nothing and left Hogakure that same day.

Amegakure!

"Yo, Nagato, long time no see. You've grown taller."

Guided by Konan, Itsuki met with Nagato.

Sitting in his specialized wheelchair, Nagato stared coldly at Itsuki. "What do you want?"

Would Itsuki visit Amegakure without reason?

Every time the two met, a fight seemed imminent. The only reason they kept their peace was because Konan was present.

Itsuki got straight to the point. "I want to dig a river between Amegakure and Sunagakure to redirect Amegakure's excess rainfall to Sunagakure. It benefits both sides. I assume you won't oppose this?"

Nagato didn't immediately reject the idea. Instead, he seriously considered it.

Amegakure and Sunagakure were opposites.

Sunagakure lacked water.

At one point, water was more expensive than gold in the village.

Meanwhile, Amegakure had the opposite problem.

There was too much rain. In some areas, the excess rainfall had flooded crops.

If they could divert the rainwater, it would indeed benefit both sides.

As Itsuki said, it was a win-win situation. There was no reason to object.

Moreover, if they redirected the excess water, Amegakure might even experience less rain in the future.

The rainfall would likely decrease.

This would be beneficial in the long run.

"Digging a river? That's no simple task."

Nagato's voice was heavy. "Even if I agree, how do you plan to do it?"

"How to do it? What do you mean, how?"

Itsuki seemed surprised. "Both Sunagakure and Amegakure have agreed, so we just start digging. It's that simple."

"You..."

Nagato could feel the veins in his forehead pulsing.

"Fine. Then I'll leave this matter to you."

With that, Nagato turned to leave, not wanting to spend another second with Itsuki.

How could something as complex as a river spanning hundreds of kilometers between two villages sound so easy to him?

"Nagato, about the masked man, how far have you gotten?"

Nagato's footsteps halted, and his voice turned cold. "I've been ready for a while, but recently, the masked man disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

Itsuki's brow furrowed.

During Konoha's collapse, Tobi didn't make a move.

This eerie silence was unsettling.

"Be careful!"

Itsuki's voice deepened as he looked at Nagato. "Maybe your actions have already been discovered. The enemy might be preparing to strike against you."

"I don't care!"

Nagato sneered. "I've already died once. Besides..."

He glanced at Konan.

With Konan taken care of, he had no more worries.

The masked man? 

Who the hell is that supposed to scare?

"Don't worry. I'm prepared. In the meantime, take Konan somewhere safe!"

Nagato said without emotion, "If the masked man wants to try, I'll be waiting."

"Nagato!"

Konan's expression shifted.

"Konan!"

Nagato firmly shook his head at her.

He had his own pride and beliefs.

Konan fell silent.

"As long as you're ready."

Itsuki stared at Nagato. "If you're in a bind, you can always give me your Rinnegan. That way, the attention will shift away from you."

"I know what I'm doing."

Nagato's expression remained calm. "The plan to capture the tailed beasts is in progress. What are you planning to do about the One-Tail?"

Itsuki knew Nagato was referring to Temari.

After thinking for a moment, Itsuki replied, "Leave the One-Tail to me. I'll bring it back. However..."

He frowned. "Do you still need to collect all the tailed beasts?"

"Of course!"

Nagato didn't hesitate. "I don't trust the masked man. Do you think I'd trust you? Don't tell me you don't have your own plan."

I don't have a plan at all!

Itsuki rolled his eyes.

His goal had already been achieved.

He had split the Uchiha from Konoha, establishing a ninja village centered around the Uchiha clan.

Now, the only thing left was to stop Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan.

Madara should just stay in eternal rest!

Hagoromo should stay in the Pure Land.

Hamura should stay on the moon!

As for me, Uchiha Itsuki, I'll just enjoy my time in the ninja world.

However!

Itsuki estimated that characters like the Sage of Six Paths wouldn't pay much attention to him.

After all, even with the Eternal Mangekyō, there was still a gap between them.

"I wonder if the Sage of Six Paths has noticed me yet?"

"He probably has."

Based solely on his own power, the Sage of Six Paths might not take him seriously.

Even though he had the Eternal Mangekyō, he hadn't unleashed its full potential. Though he had access to Senjutsu, he rarely used it.

To the outside world, his strength was that of someone with only a Mangekyō Sharingan.

That level of power might just catch the Sage's eye.

As for why the Sage would pay attention to him, it was likely because of the Uchiha's split from Konoha.

The Uchiha and Senju clans were ninja families the Sage definitely kept an eye on.

Plus!

The Nine-Tails' host, Naruto, was in Konoha.

There was no way the Sage wouldn't be watching!

"Such a hassle!"

Itsuki shook his head and sighed. Having someone like that watching made everything more difficult.

I need to gather all the tailed beasts' power quickly!

In the past, Naruto gathered the power of all nine tailed beasts, using the Nine-Tails as the core to gain the power of the Sage of Six Paths.

Naturally, Itsuki could do the same, using the Two-Tails as the core and gathering the power of the nine tailed beasts.

With the nine tailed beasts' power, combined with the Rinnegan and Senjutsu!

Sage of Six Paths, I won't rest until I've taken you down!

"How many tailed beasts have you captured?"

Itsuki looked up and asked.

"You sent some of the Two-Tails' chakra. It's enough."

Nagato replied, "Deidara and Sasori brought back the Three-Tails, and the Four-Tails has also been captured. We've located the Five-Tails and Six-Tails, and Kakuzu's team is already in action. The Seven-Tails is in Takigakure, but as for the Eight-Tails..."

Nagato's brow furrowed, and his eyes flashed with coldness. "If worst comes to worst, I'll have to go personally."

"I'll send the Nine-Tails' chakra."

Itsuki thought for a moment and added, "As for the One-Tail, I'll bring the beast to you. For the Two-Tails and Nine-Tails, we'll just use their chakra. If you need help capturing the others, let me know, and I'll find time to step in."

Nagato looked at him strangely. "You're willing to help?"

Itsuki's expression was indifferent. "If you die, Konan will be upset. I want my woman to be happy every day. That's my most important duty as a ninja."

Konan immediately looked at him with warmth in her eyes.

Nagato's face twitched.

When it came to sweet-talking, he definitely wasn't as good as Itsuki.

This guy could say a few random words and make women laugh uncontrollably.

"As for the Eight-Tails, I think you'll need to handle it yourself!"

Itsuki thought for a moment and then smiled, "No, you don't need to be nervous. Konan and I will each send a clone to assist you."

"Alright!"

Nagato responded fiercely.

Let that jerk actually do something useful for once.

All he does is talk, talk, talk all day long!

Damn!

As soon as Nagato left, Konan threw herself into Itsuki's arms.

"Itsuki, I'm so happy, thank you!"

"Silly, what are you thanking me for?"

Itsuki smiled and said, "You're my woman. It's what I should do."

"Mhm!"

Konan nodded firmly, her beautiful face showing a sweet smile.

In the ninja world, Itsuki could completely use the same lines he had in his previous life.

No need to worry about sounding cheesy, no need to worry about being gross.

It just worked.

Besides!

Women are naturally biased. Once they've decided in their heart who they care about, even if you curse them out, they'll still find a reason to defend you.

Konan had returned to Amegakure out of concern for Nagato.

Originally, she had been living well in Konoha, but something didn't feel right during her contact with Nagato, so she came back to Amegakure.

"Let's go back!"

Itsuki held Konan's delicate hand and said, "I'll leave a clone here. If Nagato really ends up fighting the masked man, you won't be able to help much anyway. Staying here will only make me worry."

"This…"

Konan hesitated.

Itsuki smiled gently.

When a woman hesitates, it just means you haven't "done" enough.

...

Pakura finally returned to Sunagakure.

She came back bathed in endless light!

Chiyo and Ebizō personally welcomed her, and then, under the Daimyo's order, she was crowned the Fifth Kazekage, shaking the entire ninja world.

A once-dead hero had returned to become the new leader!

It was incredibly dramatic.

People who didn't know the truth began to investigate what really happened.

With Pakura's rise to power as the Fifth Kazekage, Sunagakure's leadership began to change.

As per her agreement with Chiyo, four high-ranking positions were vacated. Pakura promoted someone from within Sunagakure, a former subordinate who was loyal to her. Rasa, thinking Pakura was dead, had let this subordinate go, which was a pleasant surprise.

The other three positions were filled by powerful individuals from Hidden Fire.

They took over key departments in Sunagakure, helping Pakura stabilize the situation so she wouldn't become a puppet Kazekage.

But!

This was just the beginning.

Pakura's first order of business upon her return was to inspect the financial system.

This, unsurprisingly, stepped on a lot of toes.

Money, no matter where you are, is always a big issue.

And Sunagakure was no exception.

Normally, according to tradition, new officials don't look into past accounts.

The current financial officers in Sunagakure would eventually phase out of the management system.

But checking the books right from the start? That was essentially signing a death warrant for some of them!

An uprising was brewing, and many people were shouting, "Even if she's the Kazekage, she can't do whatever she wants!"

Chiyo frowned at the situation too.

It involved too many people. Even she couldn't help but advise Pakura to take things step by step.

Too much aggression would bring enough backlash to cost her life!

Pakura, however, responded lightly, "First, if there's corruption, I'll only deal with the leaders; the rest will receive lighter punishments. Secondly, this is all preparation for building the Sunagakure River."

Sunagakure River?

What's that?

Chiyo was puzzled.

Judging by the name, it seemed related to Sunagakure, but did such a thing exist?

Pakura, seeing Chiyo's confusion, explained with interest, "It's a large river that will be constructed from Amegakure to Sunagakure. The portion within Sunagakure will be called the Sunagakure River, and the part in Amegakure will be the Amegakure River!"

Chiyo was instantly excited. "You're really going to build a river?"

"What do you think? You think I went to all this trouble just for fun?" Pakura replied with a hint of annoyance.

"I see!"

Chiyo nodded heavily.

Once she understood, she was on board!

This old ninja, who was nearing the end of her life, believed she could still contribute to Sunagakure.

And so, she went all out.

Try to stop her?

You dare stop her?

Soon, ninjas began to fall.

In the end, strength is what matters for ninjas.

Nobility is just a twisted product. Ninjas were fools to have forgotten that.

When they realized this, would they still be so foolish?

When Chiyo displayed her unparalleled strength, all other concerns became irrelevant.

Chiyo was truly powerful.

And when she didn't care about anything, she was even stronger.

In a short time, a number of rebellious ninjas were eliminated.

The Sunagakure people were furious.

The last time, so many ninjas had been wiped out, and they endured it.

But now, what was going on?

Did they think Sunagakure had no temper?

But!

When Chiyo, Ebizō, and Pakura joined forces, they realized they had no temper at all.

One by one, their comrades were taken out, and they had no ability to fight back.

They thought about rebelling, but Chiyo and Ebizō had too much respect among the people.

And Pakura, too, had gained significant prestige after her return.

They were not easily toppled.

One by one, the opposition was crushed, until finally, they had no choice but to give in.

Without strength, you couldn't even make a sound.

Speak up, and you're dead.

Under such pressure, Sunagakure quickly fell silent.

Think what you want.

I don't care anymore!

Pride?

That requires the most important thing… life!

If you don't have your life, what's there to talk about?

Stay quiet!

(End of this chapter)