Naruto's Exam

“I can’t understand…”

"I feel the same way. At what point did he cast the mysterious magic of fantasy that we are totally unaware of?"

"Why not ask, what kind of illusion is that? Didn't you see that the monster that looks like a giant python actually shed tears?!"

"Well, indeed..."

"Uchiha Itachi, is really extraordinary, he could actually scare that creature to tears in the illusion?!"

"The Uchiha family's secret skills, Izanagi and Izanami, plus the Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, these images reveal a lot of information about Konoha!"

"Fortunately, the Uchiha clan has been expelled, otherwise..."

"Hey, hey, don't boost the enemy's morale!"

"Although I feel a little guilty, I must say that for a small hidden village like ours, it is a good thing that Danzo exists in Konoha..."

"Focus! We are studying war footage!"

"Uh-huh. .."

Just when everyone thought the outcome was decided, the battle situation in the video took a surprising turn!

[When he let down his guard against Itachi, the giant snake-like creature Kabuto, who had been falling down, suddenly cut Itachi in half! ]

Sasuke: "!!! How could this happen?!"

Compared to the surprised Sasuke, the crow beside Naruto seemed very calm.

After all, Shisui was convinced that Itachi would never easily underestimate his opponent.

[In the following battles, Kabuto has always had the upper hand! Neither the magic ninjutsu of the Uchiha brothers nor Susanoo can pose a threat to him. Even Itachi, who was resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation, suffered heavy losses again and again! ]

Sasuke: "Brother!! Damn, that Yakushi Kabuto!!"

Kakashi patted Sasuke on the shoulder and said, "Sasuke, calm down. From what I know, Itachi Uchiha definitely doesn't have only this strategy, and he won't underestimate his opponent easily."

The crow on Naruto's shoulder glanced sideways at Hatake Kakashi, who was known as Konoha's technician.

Kakashi continued to say to Sasuke: "Look carefully at the image. Although we can't be sure, there is definitely something wrong."

“???!!”

Sasuke, Naruto, Haruno Sakura and the others all refocused on the image.

After a long while, Sasuke and Naruto still didn't realize what was strange.

Haruno Sakura: “Replay!!”

Naruto narrowed his eyes and tilted his head: "Sakura, what are you talking about? I don't think there is anything strange. On the contrary, I think Sasuke-nii and Sasuke are in danger now."

Sasuke's eyes also turned to Sakura.

Sakura shook her head and said, "Ever since Kabuto stabbed your brother and broke off one of his horns on his forehead, no matter how Kabuto attacks you and your brother, he will return to that moment after a few minutes and the scene of the horn being cut off will appear again."

Naruto and Sasuke watched the image again based on Sakura's interpretation.

That’s right, this is the third time, no, the fourth time I’ve seen Kabuto’s horns being cut off!

Even though Kabuto claims to possess the power closest to the Sage of Six Paths, why has his severed horn never been restored to its original state?!

"What does Izanami of the Uchiha family mean?!" Someone wondered: "What is the power to control fate?!"

"Why does that Kabuto keep having his forehead horns cut off over and over again?!"

Senju Tobirama examined the image. He felt that instead of exploring the essence of Izanami's power, he wanted to know more why Uchiha Itachi used one eye as the price to imprison his opponent in this endless illusion?

Perhaps, this is the "mercy" that Uchiha Itachi gave to Kabuto?

-

The first major suspense has been set in motion.

[“I am the one who controls your destiny, but you are the one who decides your own destiny.” Itachi said to Kabuto who seemed to be sure of victory: “Take my words into consideration and make your choice!”]

[Kabuto in the video finally noticed something unusual. It turns out that since they met, every word and every action Uchiha Itachi said was actually a process of weaving illusions!!]

[He has been deeply trapped in the illusion called "Izanami" and cannot extricate himself! ! ]

Sasuke asked Uzumaki Mito: "This technique is just like the sealing technique of our Uzumaki clan. It seals a person's soul in a fixed time and space. Even a person with an immortal body will gradually exhaust himself in this closure, right?"

Mito nodded in confirmation: "Yes, for those with strong recovery abilities, sealing techniques and illusion techniques are indeed the most effective countermeasures."

The second Hokage said: "No, Uchiha Itachi used this ninjutsu against the enemy, I am afraid there is another purpose."

Everyone around looked at the Second Hokage: "What other purpose is there?!"

However, there is no need for the Second Hokage to explain further, because the images are gradually revealing the answer -

[“Izanami is a ninjutsu created to save those who abuse Izanagi.” Itachi explained: “Izanagi can tamper with fate. The user becomes invincible in this way, but gradually forgets to cherish everything and becomes arrogant and manic…”]

In the sealed place of the Root Organization, Danzo tightly grasped his right arm, which was filled with his transplanted Mangekyō Rinnegan pupils.

"For the sake of power, what's the harm in paying a small price?"

"Humph! Indecision, womanly kindness!"

In the mysterious fantasy world, Uchiha Itachi continued to narrate: "In order to reverse the fate of the Uchiha people who lost themselves due to the use of Izanagi and return them to their original state, our people created a secret technique to fight against Izanagi, called Izanami... Anyone who falls into this illusion will explore their true self in eternal reincarnation."

Sasuke retorted: "Is there no way to break this technique? I have to keep searching for my true self in this illusion..."

Itachi responded calmly: "Any technique has its flaws. Izanami's weakness has always been hidden in the depths of the illusion. Only by accepting oneself in the illusion and accepting the sincerity and kindness of one's companions, Izanami will break through it by itself. The rule I set for Kabuto is that only when he gives up his disguise, accepts and finds his true self, will the illusion naturally dissipate and he can return to the real world."

The Second Hokage said approvingly: "It seems that Uchiha Itachi is convinced that Kabuto has lost himself because of playing multiple roles, so he constantly reminds Kabuto in the setting of illusions, allowing him to know himself and trust his companions."

Sasuke grumbled in dissatisfaction: "That Itachi, he always considers others first at every step."

Naruto interrupted, "I don't understand a lot of what Itachi said, but there is one thing I am sure of!"

"That is to always trust your companions and never betray them!"

Sakura looked at Naruto and called softly.

Sasuke curled his lips: "Humph, this is the only thing you can understand."

"What are you going to say—"

"But this is enough." Sasuke added before Naruto could explode.

Sasuke, who was watching the past, now realized his brother's good intentions. However, the Sasuke in the video was confused and puzzled as to why Itachi used Izanami for Kabuto and why he wanted to help such a complicated character.

Itachi said solemnly: "Sasuke, I once tried to use the power of Kotoamatsukami to control you and implanted in you the suggestion of 'forever protecting the Secret Forest Village'... I have always regarded you as a child who needs protection. I have never truly trusted your strength and choices. Instead, I forced my will on you, trying to pave all the roads for you..."

Sasuke bowed his head, his voice tearful, "You still say I'm a stupid brother, but it's clear that you are the hopelessly stupid brother."

The black bird on my shoulder seemed to have fallen silent.

In the video, Itachi did his best to convey his thoughts to Sasuke during the battle between the brothers. Now, it is time to unlock the Impure World Reincarnation Technique and let Itachi and those controlled souls return to the holy pure land.

Parting is always sad.

Itachi said firmly, "As Uchiha Itachi, it is enough for me to be able to protect the village as a Konoha ninja again."

As soon as these words were spoken, accompanied by the sad music of the brothers' parting in the video, many Konoha ninjas were deeply moved.

In this world interwoven with magic and contracts, they are tools and weapons of war, but this is also their glory and their way of survival! It is precisely because of the existence of ties that they may have regrets, but this just proves that they are not alone!

Someone in the crowd took the lead and took out an orange manual without the leader's permission.

It was a sealed book that recorded the information of Konoha's rebellious ninjas or enemies who held a grudge against Konoha, and each page was engraved with a death order of "behead anyone who witnesses it."

"Eh!?"

A Konoha ninja found the page of "S-rank rebel ninja Uchiha Itachi" in the seal book, roared, and tore off the page with force.

"Hey you!"

His companions tried to stop him.

However, another ninja followed closely behind and tore off Uchiha Itachi's death notice without hesitation!

"The Uchiha clan is the one who has the most right to resent Uchiha Itachi!"

"But we were protected by him and thus escaped the catastrophe of the Fourth Demon World War!"

"In that case, how can we record him in the seal book of rebellious ninjas..." The hoarse voice of the ninja infected more Konoha ninjas around him.

Brush, brush, brush...

More and more people took out the manual, found the page, and tore it out.

The fragments were blown away by the wind like leaves in autumn.

Uchiha Mikoto, who was hiding nearby, shed tears.

No matter when or where, mother's love is eternal and the love between parents and children remains unchanged.

Just like Fugaku's last words, although they each took different paths, Itachi was still the son they were proud of.

That overly gentle child...

One day, he will return.

She firmly believed that their family would be reunited and live a beautiful future together.

……

Facing Itachi's choice, Sasuke still couldn't understand it. He believed that it was Konoha that caused the tragic fate of Itachi and the entire Uchiha family. Even if Itachi could forgive Konoha, even if Itachi insisted on calling himself Uchiha Itachi of Konoha, Sasuke still couldn't forgive Konoha!

It was rare for Itachi to see his brother lose his temper with him, but the conversation scene with Uzumaki Naruto emerged in his mind.

“I wanted to do it all by myself, and I failed.”

"This time, I choose to believe in my companions," Itachi said, "Sasuke, the person who can change you is no longer your brother. You also need to find your true self as soon as possible."

On the mysterious continent of Aurelion, Sasuke stands in the dark shadows...

Sasuke: "..."

[“Forbidden Summoning: Reincarnation Canceled!”]

The souls bound to the other side of reincarnation are freed, and Sasuke in the video is about to experience the last meeting with his brother, and the sorrow contained in it is beyond words. He confides his deep hatred for the Nord Forest Village...

[Itachi's ashes gradually dissipated, and he walked towards his beloved brother with firm and solemn steps, his posture was just like the way he fell, "Sasuke... Before I leave, I will pass on my memories to you, and all the truth will be sealed in them..."]

[Sasuke in the video instantly accepted Itachi's memory, and endured Itachi's pain, sorrow, helplessness, and sense of atonement...]

[“I will no longer hold anything back from you,” Sasuke looked at his brother in shock. This time, he did not touch his forehead as usual, but hugged his neck tightly, forehead against forehead, sharing each other’s existence…]

[“In the past, I didn’t want you to get involved in politics and disputes.”]

[“But now thinking back, if I had trusted you more, if we had worked together to change the fate of our father and mother, and tried to change the fate of our Uchiha clan… then everything would be different, right?”]

[“Even if you will never forgive me, it doesn’t matter. No matter what you become in the future, no matter what choices you make…”]

The Sasuke in the image and the Sasuke in reality stared at Itachi, who was gradually breaking and disappearing, and listened to his final farewell words:

"I will always love you."

Sasuke let out a stifled sob.

Witnessing the image of his brother shattering into dust and his soul ascending into nothingness, he was heartbroken and speechless.

[Outside the video, the young Genin Sasuke was also immersed in pain. The Sasuke in the video had gone through countless storms, and when he saw Itachi's relieved smile, his gradually disappearing body, and heard the eternal promise: "I will love you forever," he was shocked at first, but could not find the right emotion to respond to this scene.]

The image ended and the crowd gradually dispersed. Sakura wanted to comfort Sasuke, but eventually gave up the idea.

Naruto also chose to remain silent. He firmly believed that Sasuke, who knew the truth in advance, would be able to bear and understand it all.

At this moment, at the central altar of the Nord Forest Village, only two crows accompanied Sasuke to wait there. The fourth generation of the flame priest followed Naruto in ghost form. He witnessed this video and learned about all the tragedies that happened after his death. The Uchiha clan had been completely wiped out, and his heart was filled with regret and self-blame.

If he had been able to see through the enemy's schemes earlier when he was still alive, could he have saved his wife, avoided the fate of sacrificing his son, or even led the Uchiha clan to coexist peacefully with the village?

As expected, the masked man intervened again.

The fourth generation of the Fire Priest was cautious in his every move, and at the moment he felt both relieved and worried. He was relieved that some tragedies had been avoided with the help of the images, but he was worried about the future variables that would be caused by this.

The first thing is to increase Naruto and his team's strength to fight against the masked man, so that in the future decisive battle, they will have enough strength to compete with him.

……

now,

One day before leaving the central altar of the Nord Forest village,

There are still four days until the meeting of the five lords.

Simultaneously,

As if echoing Naruto's contemplation at the central altar,

In a dark underground cave, a pitch-black aloe plant and a group of white creatures - white spirits - have been trapped in a strange barrier called the Horror Question and Answer Realm for a long time.

【"question--"】