Remnant bones

Throwing the golden-haired little fox in his hand in front of the bewildered Sakura, Itachi didn't look at him. In the next second, the black figures turned into black ravens and scattered in all directions.

Even Orochimaru couldn't hide his astonishment at Itachi's appearance.Before the plan started, he confirmed the other party's whereabouts, and after making sure that Cheng Yaojin would not be inserted halfway, he put the plan into effect.He believed in Dou's information network, and he knew better that that cunning little gray-haired fox would not make things difficult for him... Then, it must not be him who is here!

"Uchiha Itachi..." Although it is just a clone, Dashemaru can't help but be surprised to meet this man who he was defeated by here, but what he cares more about is that person appearing here Reason: "Are you here for Sasuke, or for Jun Mai?"

The reason why he used to be jealous of the other party was that apart from his severed hand, the rest was because his best friend had a relationship with the other party, so he stood on the opposite side of him.According to the information at the time, there was no incident in the Uchiha family at that time. He did not believe that Jun Mai, a survivor of the water country, would have a relationship with the old man of the third generation so easily. It would be impossible without Uchiha Itachi.

And afterwards, why Jun Mai took Junmaro to settle in Konoha? He didn't know the inside story, but Uchiha Itachi must have a share.

It's just that he still doesn't understand what is the relationship between these two people?friend?These two people in front of them are obviously not the kind of people who make friends easily, but to do this for each other... The relationship between them is really worth thinking about.

"It's not your turn to be troublesome, Orochimaru." The black bird formed by the phantom gathered in the air again to form the figure of the black-haired man.The blood-colored eyes narrowed slightly, and the three fast-rotating ink-colored jade hooks joined together to form a brand new windmill shape.

Kaleidoscope Blood Wheel Eyes!

Having personally experienced Orochimaru's "monthly reading" once, he was obviously impressed. When he saw those eyes, he almost subconsciously closed his eyes, and fled away with his hands, avoiding the other party's sight.However, it was precisely because of his oversensitivity that he gave the other party an opportunity.

Itachi, as a "shadow", cannot use the "Tsukuyomi" of the main body even if it is an entity. It is just an illusion shown by him through projection, in order to take advantage of the inevitable loopholes in the opponent's defense.

"Fire Escape·Phoenix Immortal Fire Art." Even without seeing when he formed the seal, the scattered small fireballs were accurately distributed to every corner of the snake tie.While burning the haunting summoned creature, it didn't hurt me in the slightest.

"Thank you." I moved my limbs with bruises, and thanked me casually.Although it is not impossible to break free, the snake is a living thing after all, the toughness of the cortex and muscles is more difficult to break than dead things like hemp rope, and the physical strength required is not a small expense for me.

The relationship with Orochimaru has not been reconciled, and it is impossible to reconcile in terms of the situation. It is always good for me to save more energy.After all, the time he can help is limited.

Itachi didn't say anything, just nodded imperceptibly, put his hands back and stood beside me, secretly vigilant.

Realizing that he was being tricked, Orochimaru gritted his teeth, unable to figure out what technique the shadow in front of him was using, and his strength was almost as good as his own.The two teamed up, and now it seems that they can't gain the upper hand, and they can't stay with him for long, the chances of winning are really limited... He wanted to persuade him to fail, and he simply used strong means to bring the other party back, but he didn't expect this man he had always been jealous of , In the end, it still ruined his good deed.

Even the curse seal originally planned for Sasuke was not completed.

He secretly tried to let the summoned python approach the place where the three Konoha little ghosts were staying.Unexpectedly, the little snake used as a test was directly sent flying by a transparent barrier.Just when Orochimaru was hesitating whether to retreat, Sasuke looked at his brother's resentful eyes, but he had an idea.

The golden snake eyes narrowed slowly, since he can't get in, let him come out...

"Hehe...that's how it is." Orochimaru smiled suddenly, but the calculation in his eyes was not noticed by the three little devils because his back was facing.I saw him inexplicably raised the corners of his lips at Itachi, and the malice in it couldn't be more obvious: "Uchiha Itachi, your target is Jun Mai... for killing people?"

"What are you talking about?" I frowned, why did Orochimaru suddenly say these words?There is a pocket, he should know the affairs of the Uchiha family, I also stepped in, can be regarded as Itachi's ally, Itachi has no reason to attack me, let alone here... What does he mean by saying that.

Itachi, who was one of the parties involved, didn't respond at all, the expression on his face remained the same, but his eyes became colder and colder.

"When the Uchiha family was exterminated, Jun Mai, were you there? How about it? Seeing the young master of the Uchiha family destroying his entire family with his own hands, babies, old people, women... none of them were spared, I'm afraid The flowing blood is enough to dye a large area of ​​land bright red!" Orochimaru's words made me confused, but Itachi remained silent as if he was not interested.

I vaguely felt something was wrong, and I didn't realize his intention until he finished his next sentence.

"Oh, I remembered wrongly, you should have disappeared before that..." First, he mentioned the extermination of the clan inexplicably, and then he always got involved with me intentionally or unintentionally.Orochimaru smiled at me, licked the corner of his lips with his longer tongue than ordinary people, and then said slowly: "Jun Mai, the burn on your left arm... is it okay?" ?”

burn?What kind of burns... Before I could correct his slip of the tongue, the aura on the side of the three little guys suddenly changed.

My right eyelid twitched, and I suddenly came to my senses: "You...!"

"Itachi Uchiha, let go of Brother Kaguya!!!" The immature voice was distorted by excessive shouting.Sasuke twisted his handsome face, his ferocious expression was tainted with a bit of hellish evil to make it coquettish.

Recalling the nightmare he had at the beginning, and the old injury on the other party's left arm, Sasuke finally learned part of the "truth" from that year from Orochimaru.But that "truth" has in no way deepened his hatred for the other party, so much so that his mind blinded by anger couldn't hear the most obvious loopholes in that hastily clumsy lie.

If Itachi really told Orochimaru that he came here to kill me, how could he save me from the snakes?How can you cooperate with me to rescue Naruto who is in the enemy's territory?And how did he stand up and stand behind me... Even where he and Sakura were staying, the other party personally set up a defensive barrier.

Facts and "truths" are full of too many conflicts... It's just that Sasuke can't listen to any explanations.

Regardless of Sakura's anxious cry behind him, Sasuke holding a kunai saw only the black figure with the same pupils as himself.

It was he who ruined his once warm and beautiful home!It was he who killed his strict but gentle parents!It was he who killed those kind and kind people!It was him who let him live alone in this world!It was him again, who hurt that white figure who seemed indifferent but was sincerely kind to him... He will not forgive him, Uchiha Itachi!

That liar, that outright liar! ! !

"I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you!" Sasuke, who was filled with hatred, left the invisible sanctuary unknowingly, completely unaware that at that moment, he had already It became the prey that was lured out of the complete area in the mouth of the poisonous snake.

"Hahahahaha...Sasuke is mine now!" The trick worked!With hands in seal, Orochimaru smiled triumphantly, and there was no lack of revenge for the man who got in the way.The snake-like neck stretched towards Sasuke's neck, and the sharp fangs shone with a faint green cold light.

"Not good!" I didn't expect Orochimaru's target to be Sasuke. Knowing the dominance of the curse seal, I subconsciously wanted to stop it, but I encountered unexpected resistance.

"...Itachi!?" I lowered my head in disbelief, looking at the white palm that tightly hugged my right wrist. All I saw was a lifeless silence.

It was hard to restrain the pain that gradually spread in my heart. At that moment, I understood the reason why he did this and had to stop.

you……

"Ahhhh..." Sasuke screamed, without obstruction, Orochimaru easily succeeded.

Although it is not unaware of the other party's release, as long as the curse seal is successfully planted, Orochimaru is not afraid that Sasuke will come to him.

Deeply feeling Sasuke's hatred for his brother, he retracted his neck, and there was a hint of madness in Orochimaru's smile... Hate it!Hate hard!The deeper his hatred for that man, the more he yearns for powerful power!And Konoha, a weak place blinded by "peace", cannot satisfy his ambition to become stronger!

"You will come to me, Sasuke..." Looking at the indifferent man who just looked at his own brother with cold eyes and screamed in pain, deep in the depths of Orochimaru's eyes flashed a trace of unknown meaning, and whispered to Sasuke Said: "For a while, as long as you want to kill that man!" That man is too strong for his age.

Just like when he wanted to destroy Konoha at the beginning... He knew how strong the desire to become stronger was in the hearts of people dominated by hatred, and how unscrupulous they were.

——It is precisely because of the strength of the opponent that he can become stronger.

However, even though he had achieved his goal, Orochimaru always had the illusion of being taken advantage of by others... Frowning secretly, he put his doubts to the back of his mind.He observed the time and decided not to stay any longer: "Jun Mai, I will come to you again." And next time, no matter whether the other party refuses or not, he will not let go.

The tall figure melted like a clay sculpture, and Tudun left.

But at this time, I just stood beside Itachi, accompanied him, and slowly came to Sasuke.

The severe pain as if his body was being torn apart tortured Sasuke.Can't help stretching out his hand to cover the wound, knelt down and screamed, the immature body that was still developing couldn't bear the strange aggressive devouring by CKL.However, from the beginning to the end, until Orochimaru left, he didn't even look at the "culprit". He just held on to his weak body and looked at that person... the one he once called "brother" and vowed to kill man.

Itachi looked at him for a long time, until the time was running out, and then suddenly took out Kunai and pressed it against my chest.

Sasuke's eyes widened in horror, but I just frowned, never letting him at his mercy without questioning or resisting.As Orochimaru said, it exists as a "hostage".

Feeling the slight tremor from the cold tip through the fabric, Itachi's tone was as flat and indifferent as ever: "My stupid brother...you have to remember that everyone's death is due to your weakness .”

The sharp point penetrated, and the dazzling bright red was instantly rendered on the snow-white cloth.

Not even the slightest change in expression, just a little skin trauma, I didn't take it to heart at all.However, in the eyes of Sasuke, whose consciousness is gradually hazy and his vision is blurred, the impression distorted by imagination is far from the truth.

"You, ahem... ah..." The scene in front of me overlapped with the scene in my childhood dream at that moment.Sasuke could never forget the cold and cruel bright red eyes of the other party, and the pale face that gradually became cold in the other party's arms... But now, the image in the dream is staged in reality.

The dark red blood that slid down the handle of Kunai and dripped on his cheeks, whether it was the trace of saltiness that gradually diffused, or the redness that stung his eyes... were all extremely real.

"Hate me, my stupid and weak brother! Let hatred turn into your strength, for..." The deep male voice was calm, but lingered in Sasuke's heart like a curse.Lifting his chin with his feet, Itachi slowly said word by word: —— "Kill me!"

So, live on...by whatever means you can.

"Aha... Itachi, cough, cough, cough..." Sasuke, who had difficulty breathing, and whose eyes were blackened due to bursts of severe pain, never took his eyes off.In those familiar black eyes, there is a pure darkness that can stab the other party invisible, is the deep hatred that cannot be resolved: "I, ah, I want to kill you...I want, cough, kill... …killed……"

However, Sasuke, whose consciousness was swallowed by the darkness bit by bit, never noticed the tears splashing from the corners of his eyes.

Perhaps in a certain corner of his heart, there is still a child named "Sasuke", who is still waiting for his brother who has not returned home to fulfill his original "promise".

……

——"Hey, bro! Teach me how to use a shuriken!"

——"Sasuke, I'm busy...let father teach you."

——"I don't want it! My brother's shuriken skill is stronger than my father's. Even a child like me can see it... Brother, why do you always treat me as a trouble!"

——"...Hey, come here."

——"Huh!? You promised... Ah, it hurts!"

——"Sasuke, forgive me... I will teach you next time."

——"...you always say 'Sasuke, forgive me...' and poke my forehead. You also say 'next time...', you just don't want to be with me!"

——“…”

——"Hey, it's done! Next time, you are not allowed to play tricks!"

--"Ok."

……

Next time... There will be no next time.

Staring at the black-haired boy similar to himself, he fainted completely.Itachi lowered his eyes, couldn't help being absent-minded, and murmured after a long time: "I'll wait." Waiting for you to kill me... So, there will be no 'next time'.

In the faint whispers that only those around him can hear, there is a heartbreaking sadness.

"Sasuke! What's wrong with you!?" Orochimaru's departure gave Sakura finally the courage to drag Naruto, who was also in a coma, out of the transparent barrier and ran towards this side.

The situation has developed to this point, the relationship between me and Itachi, Orochimaru, is doomed to no longer be concealed.It's not that I can't erase the memories of Sakura and Sasuke, it's just that since I answered Sasuke's question back then, I already have the consciousness to bear the consequences.

However, it is still not suitable for me and him to stay here any longer.And before the third generation officially came to me, I still have things to arrange...

"Itachi." To wake up my lost lover, I lowered my volume and whispered in his ear as softly as possible.Now that the "drama" has begun, let's just play it to the end...

Itachi woke up suddenly, but after a while, he didn't see the previous daze again.Looking up at Sakura's indifferent eyes, the girl who had been through many accidents couldn't bear another stimulation, her legs collapsed to the ground, trembling.

The gesture hijacked me, turned and left, and disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.

I, who have excellent hearing, could not help but sigh with the girl's choked-up cries around my ears, but I wrapped my arms around the silent black-haired figure beside me who always had a straight back.Sakura was crying, and Itachi wasn't... It was just his tears, but they were mixed with blood and flowed from the bottom of his heart.

"Itachi..." I stopped, buried my head in his shoulder, and whispered softly.

"...Sorry for hurting you." The black-haired man who returned to normal... or rather, the boy, stretched out his hand to wrap my head back, and apologized softly.His voice is as calm as ever, normal... but it only makes me, who is familiar with him, feel abnormal.

"I'm not talking about this, you don't need it at all..." I know, I can't guarantee that I can stay in Konoha and protect Sasuke secretly.The increasingly serious situation today forced him to make such a choice!

Orochimaru may be dangerous, but he is a patient hunter!He will carefully educate his prey, and he will only strike when he grows to the most perfect period.And his way of teaching is far less gentle than Konoha's, but it will undoubtedly make Sasuke grow up faster, so that he no longer needs our protection... he can survive alone!

However, compared with the danger on the surface, the seemingly safe Konoha is dark and turbulent.

The plan of Orochimaru this time is aimed at the third Hokage, the ruler of Konoha today.No matter whether his plan is successful or not, the three generations as his primary target must not be left intact.With the weakening of the power of the three generations, the power headed by Konoha's high-ranking "roots" will inevitably take advantage of this opportunity to enter.As Sasuke, who has relied on the special care of three generations to live a stable life in Konoha until now, his safety can no longer be guaranteed.

Even if the third generation has the heart, at that time, he, who is busy stabilizing the internal situation, will definitely not be able to take care of such a small Uchiha orphan... In this case, it is better to push it under the protection of Orochimaru.

But this is not absolute!There must be another way...

"Jun." Suddenly stopped my words, Itachi turned around, faced me and said, "Sasuke, he should grow up too..." Thank you for protecting him for four years... But whether it's you or I can't protect him forever.

There is always a price to pay for growth.

"...I know." I, who is no softer than him in this regard, really have no reason to refute the other party.Somewhat frustrated, I gave up and continued to argue, precisely because I know the other party so well, it is always difficult for me and him to quarrel over something... If it were me, I'm afraid I would make the same choice.

Just seeing itachi like this, I can't help feeling sorry for him.

The figure in front of him gradually became ethereal.Taking advantage of the last moment, I leaned over and kissed the corner of his lips: "No matter what... I will stand behind you." No matter what.

His hands were empty, and the hands that reached his shoulders passed through the phantom.Itachi wanted to speak, but without the phantom of the appendage, he couldn't make a sound, so he could only gesture with his mouth: ——[Wait for me. 】

In the next second, the boy's figure completely disappeared from the field of vision, but the silent whisper actually reached my ears.

"...Mmm." I stretched out my hand to catch the falling black feather, and I was silent for a while before responding.

Next, I still have a lot of things to do before the third generation comes to me to talk about the past.Looking up, in the sky covered by dense branches and leaves, only a few spots of sunlight passing through the gaps and falling in the depths of the dark forest can be seen in the distance.I squinted my eyes and took a deep breath...

One month, one month later... this "peace" within reach will no longer exist.

"Three generations, how long can you support this rotten tree..." I checked the direction to leave the forest, and before leaving here, I turned to the third generation who was more than ten miles away, and said softly: "In the final analysis, you are really old." And the new branches, I don't know how many can survive the wind and rain, and grow into that towering tree.

————————————————————

After that, Hongdou, who was finally awakened, noticed something strange about the three corpses.When she rushed to the central tower alone in a hurry, she met the object of her most scruples on the way.

Hongdou, who was restrained due to the attack of the curse seal, was rescued from the tiger's mouth by Anbu who was rushed there afterwards.

She was brought before the third generation, and she rejected the proposal to immediately reset the seal, and resisted the severe pain to report the most important information to the third generation: "The Chunin exam must not be terminated! Also, pay close attention to Uchiha Sasuke, and... ...Kaguya-kun Mai!"

When she said the latter name, not only she herself, but also everyone else present couldn't help but look blank.Why did Kaguya-kun Mai get involved with Orochimaru?

However, the third generation didn't seem to be surprised by this, but took a deep breath on the pipe in his hand, and said: "Do as she said... Besides, don't startle the snake by making mistakes."

Kaguya Jun Mai...he is more complicated than he knows.

"Who the hell are you...?"