Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain),
Akatsuki Base,
From their hidden vantage point, Hidan and the other Akatsuki members watched Uchiha Itachi with amusement and suspicion. The reality unfolding on the screen starkly contrasted with the narrative Itachi had presented about his past.
"Well, Itachi-san, I thought you were a ruthless killer just like me!" Kisame Hoshigaki remarked, a hint of disappointment in his voice, though his shark-like grin remained.
"Tsk, tsk, Itachi... don't tell me you're actually a spy?" Hidan taunted, gesturing idly with his triple-bladed scythe.
"Everyone, stay alert! I'm starting to think Uchiha Itachi might actually turn on us!"
Deidara exclaimed with exaggerated fear, clutching his arms. "My art is far from complete, un! I don't want him messing it up!"
Pain, however, watched Itachi with a cold, calculating gaze. He had always harbored doubts about Itachi, who had supposedly been placed within Akatsuki by "Uchiha Madara"
(Tobi). Now, his suspicions seemed confirmed; Itachi's allegiance wasn't truly with them. He likely had ulterior motives.
"Itachi," Pain demanded coolly, "Explain yourself."
"I haven't done anything to betray the organization, have I?" Itachi replied calmly, his expression unreadable.
"After eliminating the Uchiha clan, regardless of my reasons, I had nowhere else to go. Konoha cast me out. Akatsuki became my refuge. That's all there is to it." His gaze met Pain's directly, showing no sign of evasion.
"Don't try that nonsense! My artistic explosions haven't reached their peak yet, un! I don't want you silencing them!" Deidara retorted mockingly.
"Deidara, enough!" Konan interjected, concerned about escalating internal conflict.
Pain considered Itachi's words for a moment before turning to Kisame.
"Kisame, you will monitor Itachi closely. If he makes any suspicious moves, eliminate him."
Kisame mentally sighed, adjusting his Samehada. 'Monitor Uchiha Itachi? Just because my eyes look smaller than everyone else's?' he thought wryly.
Based on his long partnership with Itachi, Kisame knew that eliminating him, if it came to that, would be an incredibly difficult task, perhaps even impossible for him alone.
...
Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves),
Anticipation filled the air as most villagers stared intently at the massive screen dominating the sky.
"It's starting!"
"The clash between two Mangekyō Sharingan users!"
"Will it be a battle of Susanoo? Or a contest of genjutsu?"
"Finally, we'll witness Uchiha Fugaku's true power!"
[The Image Continues—]
[Inside the Uchiha Clan Head's residence, Itachi's silhouette materialized soundlessly. By the faint candlelight, he scanned the room, locating Uchiha Fugaku.]
["You're here," Fugaku's voice echoed softly from within. "There are no traps. Come in."]
[Itachi pushed the shoji screen door open gently. Inside, he found his parents, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto, kneeling formally on the tatami mats.]
["Father! Mother!" Itachi could scarcely believe his eyes. This wasn't the confrontation he had braced himself for.]
[Fugaku looked down, his voice laced with resignation. "I refuse to fight my own son. You have chosen their side... haven't you?"]
["Father... Mother... I..."] Itachi choked, unable to form the words.
[Mikoto lifted her gaze, her expression filled with a sorrowful understanding. "We know, Itachi. We understand."]
[Fugaku met Itachi's eyes. "Itachi, promise me one last thing: Take care of Sasuke. Protect him."]
[Solemn, tragic music began to play. Tears streamed down Itachi's face, blurring his vision. "I will," he vowed, his voice thick with emotion.]
["Don't be afraid,]" Fugaku said, offering encouragement even in his final moments.
["This is the path you have chosen. Compared to your burden, our pain will be momentary. Even though our beliefs differ... I am still proud of you."]
["You truly are a kind child, Itachi," Mikoto added softly, her voice a gentle comfort.]
[Itachi's hands trembled violently; he could barely maintain his grip on the hilt of his sword. Tears splashed onto his knuckles. He was emotionally shattering, yet having chosen this path, he knew he had to see it through.]
[A swift flash of steel in the dim light. Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto slumped forward, falling into pools of their own blood. Itachi had fulfilled his horrific duty.]
[The image faded.]
A stunned silence fell over Konoha and the watching world. The anticipated Mangekyō battle hadn't happened. Instead, they witnessed Fugaku's heartbreaking choice not to fight his son.
In Fugaku, many recognized the profound, albeit tragic, love of a father.
In Mikoto, they saw the boundless tenderness of a mother.
A (Fourth Raikage): "Reasonable? If that fool Itachi had just used his brain, maybe the Uchiha wouldn't have been wiped out!"
Ōnoki (Third Tsuchikage): "He acted for the sake of his village. It's understandable, perhaps... but certainly not commendable!"
Terumī Mei (Fifth Mizukage): "Isn't the Uchiha clan's tragic fate ultimately the result of Konoha's leadership failures? Their actions fostered fear against Konoha's strongest clan and deepened the rift between the Uchiha and the village. This represents a severe dereliction of duty by the Konoha Elders!"
Nara Shikaku: "A better solution should have been found... a way to bridge the gap between the Uchiha and the village without resorting to such extremes."
Konoha Villagers (murmuring amongst themselves):
"We were too prejudiced..."
"We shouldn't have treated them so coldly..." "We owe the Uchiha an apology..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen (Third Hokage): (Voice heavy with regret) "It's all my fault... I was too weak to stop Danzō."
Across the ninja world, opinions on Itachi's actions were sharply divided. Some argued he acted to protect Konoha and preserve the Uchiha name's last vestiges of honor, fulfilling Shisui's dying wish.
However, many more felt that massacring one's own family, including his parents, was an unforgivable atrocity. Even if his goal was to protect the village and the clan's "honor," weren't the innocent Uchiha men, women, and children he killed also members of that village? Who bears responsibility for their deaths? Even if some Uchiha were planning a coup, weren't they driven to desperation by years of mistreatment? All they truly desired was fair treatment within Konoha. Was that desire inherently wrong?
PS: This concludes the exploration of the Uchiha Clan Downfall. This retelling aims to present the known facts surrounding the event, not necessarily to justify or "whitewash" Itachi's actions. Please consider the complexities of the Uchiha situation with a rational perspective.
...