On the side of Uchiha Clan territory.
Two figures, one after another were running up and down in the forest. Bathed in the cold moonlight, their figures rising and falling from one tree to another, their speed extremely fast, so fast that ordinary Shinobi wouldn't even be able to keep up with their figures.
After a long-distance of travel, the figure who was in front finally came to a stop.
She quietly stood on the branch of a tree, holding a young kid, who was not being honest within her drip.
The child was panting, heaving, and struggling to break free, but all this to no avail.
The Kunoichi is undoubtedly Oto Yumie, while the child struggling in her grip is Uchiha Sasuke who is taken as a hostage by Oto Yumie, to force Uchiha Itachi to reveal everything he knows about Uchiha Tsukihi.
Just a few short moments later, the latter figure that was chasing after Oto Yumie landed on the canopy of a tall tree, staring Oto Yumie with a gloomy look. .
Naturally, this was Uchiha Itachi.
The canopy of the tree on which he stood was a lot higher than the branch on which Oto Yumie stood, so to look at Uchiha Itachi, Oto Yumie had to look up.
And looking up, Oto Yumie saw that the figure of Uchiha Itachi overlapped with the full moon in the sky, giving off a noble and mysterious vibe.
Oto Yumie frowned. For some reason, she felt very upset when looking at 'this' Itachi. But she suppressed her doubts within, as she knew that she is very close to obtaining the perfect body.
"I commend you Uchiha Itachi for chasing after me so hastily, but do you honestly believe that you can defeat me and save you dear little Otouto?"
Itachi pulled out the Sword strapped at his back, and said, "I feel that I would forever regret it if I don't try at least."
"*Giggles* Is that so?" – Saying that, Oto Yumie tightened her grip, her long nails piercing through the skin on Sasuke's neck, she licked her lips, and spoke with a cold smirk, "My condition is very simple, as long as you are willing to give all the information about Uchiha Tsukihi to me, I am willing to let go of both of you brothers."
'Humph, why don't you simply say that you are after her Mangekyou Sharingan!?' – Itachi snorted disdainfully.
Oto Yumie's eyes shrank suddenly.
Itachi's momentary disdain did not escape her eyes, and for some reason, Oto Yumie believed that Uchiha Itachi indeed knows of someone with the name 'Uchiha Tsukihi,' in other words, there is indeed a young and genius Kunoichi within the Uchiha Clan.
As soon as Yumie realized this, her tone became vicious, "Uchiha Tsukihi in exchange for the life of your dearest Otouto, what do you say? Otherwise, you can do everything you want, but nothing would stop your brother from turning into rotten meat in the belly of a snake!" – and further increased her grip, almost choking Uchiha Sasuke.
"Haaah… Haah… Ni… i…- S… a...n…"
The bare amount of air that Sasuke was getting in also disappeared, and he could no longer breathe. His struggle increased, he struck his fists violently, but to no avail. His face was red in desperation, kicking his feet wildly, struggling for even the slightest amount of air but he was not getting anything, and he started to get weaker and weaker… the resistance he was putting also started to die down.
Looking at Sasuke's state, Itachi felt that he was being choked, his heart was thumping rapidly, he was nervous, desperate, he wanted to save Sasuke… this desire was being repeatedly being resounded in Itachi's mind.
For Itachi, his family and friends are his bottom line, nobody is allowed to harm them.
And most of all, his Otouto, Sasuke is the most sensitive, who should be under his protection, so someone is harming Sasuke means not only is he angering Itachi, but in fact, is seeking death!
If Kuroto was here at this time, then he would have definitely teased Orochimaru for messing with the Uchiha Itachi, especially in regards to Sasuke.
But alas, Kuroto is not here, and Orochimaru would soon find out what happens when you offend Uchiha Itachi.
While Itachi's emotions were flaring, Oto Yumie also noticed Itachi's strangeness. But before she could react, the figure of Itachi in front of her disappeared.
Oto Yumie's expression shrank, this is because her perception was unable to keep up with the shadow.
Oto Yumie can be sure that Uchiha Itachi is not so fast, so what increased his speed so much, so suddenly?
Soon, she realized that her perception of time was altered by a Genjutsu, and therefore, her eyes were unable to keep up with Itachi's speed.
Whoosh… Whoosh…
Even if affected by a Genjutsu, being a Sannin, she still managed to react and retreated backward with the use of the Body Flicker Technique.
"His Visual Prowess has suddenly risen to such an extent!?" – Yumie no longer had her previous calmness.
Already having been subdued by Hiruko with a Genjutsu, Yumie understands that as long as the Visual Prowess of the Sharingan is enough, it would be difficult for her to resist the Genjutsu.
And she also understands that because of using Living Corpse Reincarnation to change her body several times and devouring the souls of their targets, the strength of her own soul is no longer as strong it used to be. This is one of the major reasons she is trying to obtain the body of an Uchiha. If she also gains Sharingan Kekkei Genkai then this problem can be solved.
While Yumie was shocked, Uchiha Itachi did not even bother to look at him, he squatted on a tree and said to someone, "Sasuke, follow this crow, it will lead you towards the village…"
"Cough-cough… b… but what about you nii-san?" – questioned Sasuke with a panicked look.
Itachi flicked Sasuke's forehead and said as gently, "Don't worry, Nii-san will be fine, I will quickly take care of her and then join you back at home, alright?"
Sasuke hesitated but looking at that gentle smile of his nii-san he nodded repeatedly, and ran away, following the lead of the crow.
Oto Yumie frowned and looked at the Uchiha Sasuke in her hand.
Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw… Caw…
As soon as Yumie looked, the figure of Sasuke broke into countless crows, surrounding her.
"Crow Substitution Technique!?" – Yumie was stunned, then looked at Itachi and said, "You can actually use Crow Substitution Techniques, Uchiha Itachi, now I am sure that you have some connection with Uchiha Tsukihi, however times you may say otherwise, but I am certain. But putting that aside, at such an immature age you manage to trick me with your Genjutsu… Uchiha Itachi, it seems I was underestimating your potential!"
…
On Uchiha Sasuke's side.
Putting his hand over his face, Sasuke hurriedly followed the crow.
Because of being under excessive tension and fear only a few moments ago, his nerves were very tight, and he was feeling slightly dizzy. He was also unable to make out many of the things within the forest. All he wanted was to get as far away from that witch as possible and as soon as possible.
Smash…
Plop…
Because of the darkness, Sasuke didn't see the thing before him, ran into it, and suddenly fell to the ground.
"Oh, oh… it's you, but what are you doing here at this time, it's too late, ya'know!?" – came a voice in annoyance.
Sasuke who fell down to the ground on his butt suddenly heard a familiar voice, and he immediately looked up and said, "It's you! I should be asking you that same thing, what are you doing here?"
The person with whom Sasuke collided was none other than Uzumaki Naruto, who was rescued by Uchiha Shisui.
Hearing other party's question, Naruto put his hand on the back of his head, and said nonchalantly, "I don't know what's going on, someone with a mask suddenly kidnapped me, and I was brought outside the village, then another person with a mask rescued me, and told me to go towards the village. By the way, why are you crying, who is bullying you?"
"Crying!?" – Sasuke was shocked and confused, he immediately turned around, wiped away his tears, and said stiffly, "Uh… nonsense, I am not crying at all, it's too dark and you are seeing things!"
Naruto walked around in front of Sasuke, squatted down, and pointed out after carefully staring at Sasuke's face, "Obviously you are crying!"
Sasuke immediately blushed, "No… don't tell anyone!"
.
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Read up to Chapter 554 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations