XIII
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Arc XIII Chapter 6
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“... ... ...” Asami observed him, her fingers drumming on the desk. The truth was much to take in, even for those who had partaken in the tragedy of that night. “So this is what happened ... I suspected sothing along these lines ... I knew of the accusations ... I have heard the rumours ... But to hear my suspicions confird ... ... ... Your candour is appreciated, Itachi.”
“... ... ...” Itachi offered a blank expression. She called it candour. He called it the harsh truth. And yet, there was more. “This is the story behind the downfall of the Uchiha. At least, this is the story of those who believe they know.”
“Those who believe to know?” Asami raised her eyebrow, her confusion apparent. Nevertheless, her curiosity was inevitably piqued. “What are you trying to imply here?”
“... ... ...” Itachi t her questioning gaze with his usual stoicism. He spoke, his voice low and reserved. “The truth is, there is more to the events of that night than even those who believe they know are aware of.
Unbeknownst to everyone, there was yet another party involved. A man who orchestrated the fall of the Uchiha behind the scenes. He manipulated the Uchiha from the shadows, instigating the coup with his words and actions.”
“And who was this mysterious man?” Asami lent him her ear, yet her attitude remained decisively guarded. The girl neither dismissed, nor endorsed his claims outright. Instead, she listened, patiently and carefully. “Who was behind it all?”
Itachi hesitated. The ti had co to reveal the last secret, the greatest of them. “Uchiha ... Madara ...”
“...” Asami’s face showed neither surprise, nor shock. The princess retained her impassive expression, remaining entirely indifferent. “Uchiha Madara ... I have always been under the impression that he had been killed at the Valley of the End fighting the First Hokage ... So you are telling that he did not die that day?”
“... ... ...” Itachi exhaled. “He did not. Madara survived. He thrived in the shadows, plotting ever since his revenge against both the village and the clan that had betrayed him.”
“...” Asami studied him, staring at him. “Even if it were true, how can you be so certain that it was truly he?”
“... ... ...” Itachi fell silent. “I confronted Madara the day before the massacre. The man chose to reveal both his identity as well as his involvent. He had stirred up the hearts and minds of the Uchiha in secret, even going as far as to pledge his full support in the case of an uprising. He made it clear to that it was his intention to destroy both the Uchiha clan and Konoha. I was forced to act. Even in his current state, it would have been an unmitigated disaster for the village if soone as powerful as Madara had backed the coup. I thus struck a deal with the man.”
“A deal?” Asami narrowed her eyes in scrutiny. He had her undivided attention.
Itachi elaborated, “I offered to assist him in his revenge against the Uchiha. Together, we would go on to slaughter the entire clan. In return, he would not lay a hand on the village as well as my little brother. These were my conditions. He accepted. We then perford our grueso task.”
“... ... ...” Asami folded her hands, the gears in her head spinning. “To think that it was none other than Madara himself who had sown the seeds of rebellion and even brought about the end of the Uchiha clan by his own hand ... One might wonder whether the Uchiha are not truly cursed, would you not say so?”
“... ... ...” Itachi chose not to respond. At tis, it was difficult to escape said verdict. Tragedy and pain accompanied the Uchiha wherever they wandered.
Asami continued, “I suppose that it was also he who controlled the Kyuubi all these years ago, not to ntion the one responsible for the death of the Fourth.”
“I strongly suspect so”, Itachi seconded her opinion. He had long since arrived at the sa conclusion. “The evidence is pointing in his direction.”
“Uchiha Madara ...” Asami repeated his na with a subtle, but unmistakeable sense of animosity. “Why are you telling all of this, though, Itachi?” The unspoken aning of her words did not escape him.
“... ... ...” Itachi paused, mustering all of his remaining acun. The girl had proven to be far more discerning than he hadthought possible, both through her actions and her words. Asami was a danger, but at the sa ti also an opportunity, soone who could be reasoned with. The ti had co to see whether he had judged her correctly. “Madara has already achieved one of his primary goals. He succeeded in destroying the Uchiha clan. He had not yet succeeded in destroying Konoha.”
“Hehehe ...” Asami chuckled with a hint of amusent and a benign smile crossing her lips. “I would say that such was quite evident, Itachi-kun~. No need to point out the obvious. Not when Konoha is still standing. The question was rather, what reason do I have to lend you a hand against whom I presu, Itachi?” It was a question that he had expected in one form or another.
“... ... ...” Itachi raised his voice, “Make no mistake, Asami, his shadow reaches farther than you imagine. No matter who, whether I, you, or everyone else, in the end, we are all just pawns to him and his plans. Pawns ant to be used and discarded should the need arise.”
“...” Asami narrowed her eyes, observing with him caution. “What are you insinuating, Itachi?” Her mind was already primarily occupied with assessing the possible implications of his statent.
“The man is close, Asami. Far closer than you might suspect”, Itachi spoke. “In fact, you have co to know him well, albeit he wears the mask of the fool these days.” His last words showed the desired effect.
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