Stepping into the wooden house, Itachi, dressed in combat attire, and Shisui, looking as normal as ever, came into view.
The two sat upright, seemingly in conversation.
Seeing the newcomers, Itachi’s expression softened, and he spoke softly:
“You’re here.”
“Chizhao, have things at the school been handled?”
Shisui turned his head slightly towards the sound of footsteps, asking in his familiar, gentle tone.
Under the gaze of the two youths, Chizhao pulled out a simple wooden stool and sat down gently.
“Grandma has already gotten me leave from school, and Sasuke will be back a bit late tonight because he has to stay for duty. Everything went quite smoothly.”
Itachi lowered his eyes and softly hummed in acknowledgment.
Then he looked up at the crow perched silently on the windowsill; as if summoned by a silent call, the crow flapped its wings and landed lightly on the table.
“Then, let’s begin.”
Outside, the leaves swayed gently, and dappled light fell on Shisui’s peaceful face, adding a touch of tranquility and serenity to him.
Chizhao held a Healing Membrane Card in her hand, standing beside Shisui, looking at him with his eyes closed, her heart a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Chizhao.”
Lying on the wooden bed, Shisui’s smile subtly blended with the light, appearing exceptionally gentle.
With everything ready, Itachi skillfully removed the crow’s left eye. Accompanied by a piercing shriek, the crow turned into feathers and vanished into thin air.
Itachi held the bloody eyeball in his hand, causing Chizhao, who was seeing this for the first time, to press her lips together, her heart quickening slightly.
Her left hand, hanging by her side, felt a rubbing sensation, and then her entire palm was enveloped in warmth.
Looking up, Shisui, lying there, had gentle brows and eyes. He tightened his grip, calming Chizhao’s uneasy heart.
She slowly took a deep breath, composed herself, and after coordinating with Itachi, successfully completed Shisui’s left eye transplant surgery.
Now, they just needed him to adapt a little.
【Good Deed Progress +6】
Chizhao and Itachi sat side by side on the steps outside the wooden house.
Little Chizhao sat in the shadow cast by Itachi, constantly replaying the eye transplant process in her mind, trying to overcome the strong physiological discomfort it brought.
Time flowed slowly in their silence, long and peaceful like a river.
He glanced at the girl beside him, seeing her hands resting on her knees, her brow furrowed as she stared uncomfortably ahead.
He guessed that the recent scene had made the child somewhat uneasy.
Her efforts to overcome it softened Itachi’s heart.
He tried to comfort her, but his raised hand hovered over her head for a moment before slowly lowering it.
After a moment of thought, he took out a mask from behind him and, by explaining the upcoming plan, diverted her attention.
“I’ve implanted a Genjutsu in Danzo’s eyes. As soon as he sees this demon mask, the Genjutsu will activate.”
“My Chakra and techniques are easily exposed in front of him, so as Wang-san said, I’ll have to trouble you, Chizhao.”
Itachi’s voice was low, possessing a captivating charm.
Taking the demon mask Itachi handed her, she couldn't help but exclaim in her heart.
Hoo! This is perfectly suited for the job!
She carefully examined the demon mask in her hand. Its sharp fangs and two evil horns indeed made it a terrifying mask that could make many children cry.
If she had used this back in Sunagakure, the effect of scaring children would have been super multiplied.
“Itachi-nii, you can rest assured! I’m best at pretending to be a ghost to scare people.”
After saying that, she playfully turned her back, put the mask on her face, and then, in the next second, turned her head, placed her hands on both sides facing Itachi, and made a menacing gesture.
“Rua-woo! I’m a man-eating demon~~ Roar, roar, roar!”
“How is it? Do I look like a demon?”
The girl's adorable gesture made him smile knowingly, his lowered brows and eyes bathed in a soft glow under the sunlight.
He pointed his sword finger, through the mask, at Chizhao’s forehead and gently pushed.
“Wait until you’re a bit older.”
Within her limited vision, Chizhao caught Itachi’s black eyes, as calm and gentle as a clear spring.
For a moment, she was lost in thought.
Suddenly, the wooden door behind them creaked open.
Both looked back simultaneously, only to see Shisui, with his healthy left eye open, smilingly greeting them.
“I hope I didn’t oversleep.”
As dusk approached in the distance, Itachi stood up from the steps and looked at Shisui’s familiar left eye:
“Perfect timing.”
Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his dark pupils were filled with seriousness:
“It’s about time to act.”
Chizhao and Itachi each donned black cloaks, concealing their figures in the darkness.
With Shisui’s enthusiastic help, Chizhao put on the demon mask, instantly transforming into an elusive, mysterious figure.
She stomped her heightened soles, adapted for a moment, and then exchanged a knowing look with Itachi.
Chizhao then threw out the Hardened Membrane Card leading to the Root Organization.
“Then I’ll stay here on standby as planned. If you two don’t return within a long time, I’ll go support you.”
After speaking, his gaze turned to Itachi.
“Please protect Chizhao.”
Itachi nodded, also putting on his mask, and, under Shisui’s watchful gaze, resolutely passed through.
Inside the Root Organization’s corridor, in a hidden, dim corner, a faint light flashed.
The two appeared silently in the shadows. Chizhao quickly retrieved the Hardened Membrane Card and vigilantly scanned her surroundings.
“According to the intelligence I gathered, Danzo’s personal guards have all been dispatched on external missions at this time.”
“I’ll go deal with the miscellaneous soldiers guarding outside first. You wait for me here.”
Chizhao nodded: “Okay.”
Shedding his previous gentle aura, Itachi revealed a blade from beneath his cloak, and with a murderous intent, he instantly vanished from Chizhao’s sight.
The dim light inside made one feel dizzy. Chizhao only heard intermittent, painful whimpers from not far away.
As the crow’s lament abruptly ceased, everything returned to silence.
A pungent smell of blood permeated the air. Chizhao looked up and saw those red-glowing eyes slowly approaching her from the darkness.
Itachi, devoid of killing intent, squatted down in front of her. Through the mask, she saw soft, black eyes like silk.
“Let’s go. No one will come for now. I’ll protect you from the shadows.”
Shifting her gaze from the bloodstains on the mask, Chizhao nodded, stood up, and walked towards Danzo’s chambers.
The air here was damp and mixed with the smell of earth, making her frown involuntarily.
Clear footsteps in the empty environment were incredibly oppressive.
Suddenly, a hoarse voice came from the end of the dim corridor:
“Who is it? To be able to infiltrate here unnoticed!”
Itachi, hidden in the shadows, had a serious expression, nervously observing every move of the opponent.
Chizhao clenched her fists. She couldn't speak yet. Danzo hadn't revealed himself, so the Genjutsu Itachi had implanted couldn't activate.
“Not speaking? Very well, then leave your life behind!”
The opponent’s voice grew heavier, accompanied by several sharp wind blades that came slicing towards them.
Relying on the results of her training, Chizhao reacted quickly, drew a Membrane Card, and swiftly activated it under the cover of her cloak.
Nature. Rushing River!
A massive torrent of water surged forward, rushing like horses galloping on white waves.
“What?!”
Due to the confined space, Danzo couldn’t dodge in time and was swept away from his original position by the sudden flood.
However, the wind blades he released were also exceptionally sharp, effortlessly cutting through the water, but they were also deflected from their original trajectory by the powerful resistance.
Chizhao was agile, deftly avoiding the fatal blow. The howling wind blades instantly shattered the corridor walls.
Combined with the continuously pouring river water into the depths, the surrounding walls began to collapse.
Quickly assessing the situation.
Itachi instantly appeared, protecting Chizhao. He picked her up from the ground and, under the cover of falling rocks and flowing water, rushed out into the spacious outdoors.
In an instant, the corridor was filled with collapsed rocks, and cold liquid continuously seeped through the cracks.
“Don’t force yourself. Even if the plan fails, I can still take his eyes.”
Itachi’s words poured out with concern, but Chizhao didn’t respond. Her gaze was fixed on the rocks, as if waiting for something.
Suddenly, the rocks began to crack. Itachi knew it was not suitable to expose himself at this moment, so he gently put Chizhao down, his figure flashed, and he quickly leaped into the shadows.
He drew his blade and concealed himself in the darkness, his blood-red Mangekyo intently watching every subtle change in the battle, his nerves taut.
“Boom!”
The rocks piled in the narrow corridor exploded outwards with a deafening roar.
The river water inside gushed out, soaking the entire ground and flowing at Chizhao’s feet.
A soaking wet figure swayed and stood in front.
He gasped for a moment, and as the thick dust dispersed, he looked up and saw the eerie demon mask.
Instantly, a sense of terror rushed into his brain, and his body was severely stunned in place.
Chizhao knew that Itachi’s Genjutsu had worked.