Dead? Of course not. Ethan had gone to such lengths; how could he casually kill Itachi?

"No!"

Sasuke suddenly turned his head, staring at Ethan with surprise, as if trying to confirm whether Ethan was lying. Only after seeing Ethan’s calm expression did his turbulent emotions settle slightly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"I see..."

He turned his gaze again toward Itachi, lying not far away. His current state truly looked lifeless, especially with the rose embedded in his chest swaying gently in the wind, as if reminding everyone of its presence.

"Then what is that flower?"

"It puts him into a state of suspended animation, and it also heals the hidden injuries in his body."

Kakashi and Sasuke both looked at Ethan in surprise, not understanding his intentions. As for Ethan’s Wood Release having healing properties, after witnessing the earlier scene, nothing about him could surprise them anymore.

"Let’s leave here first. I’ll explain somewhere safer."

Ethan had been monitoring his surroundings. Zetsu, that nearly omnipresent spy, wasn’t nearby, which was why he dared to explain so much to Kakashi and Sasuke.

Kakashi had already guessed part of the truth. As an elite Jonin of Konoha, he had access to certain secret information. From Ethan’s seemingly reckless pursuit and the fact that he had only rendered Itachi unconscious while pretending to "eliminate this rogue ninja" in front of another Akatsuki member, Kakashi knew this matter wasn’t simple.

What he was worried about now was Sasuke, unsure if the boy was ready to handle what was coming.

He also knew that a ninja couldn’t live in the light forever. Sasuke would have to face such truths sooner or later.

"Does that flower need to be removed?"

"Leave it for now. This way, he’ll be more cooperative."

Kakashi understood. Casually hoisting Itachi onto his back, he followed Ethan as they hurried back toward the Land of Fire.

They were currently between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, not far from the Land of Wind.

Since Akatsuki’s base was in the Land of Rain, Ethan had no intention of provoking Pain or Obito just yet. That was why he decided to take Kakashi and Sasuke back first.

He wondered if Obito would be annoyed enough to chase them.

The group traveled nonstop until they reentered the Land of Fire. Ethan led them deep into the forest, only stopping once he was certain no one was following.

Kakashi and Sasuke also stopped, both knowing Ethan was about to explain everything clearly.

"Wood Release: Forest Dwelling."

Kakashi watched as a small wooden house took shape before him, suppressing the urge to comment. Then, still carrying Itachi, he followed Ethan and Sasuke inside.

As soon as they entered, the entire house shimmered briefly before disappearing, as if it had never existed.

Kakashi immediately noticed the chakra fluctuations. From inside, he quickly figured out what Ethan had done.

"Genjutsu?"

"More than that. It also masks all sound. No one outside can overhear our conversation."

Kakashi realized the discussion ahead would involve serious secrets. With his years of experience, he naturally knew to stay cautious.

He also gave Sasuke a warning look. Sasuke nodded silently, indicating he understood.

Placing Itachi down, Kakashi noticed that the yellow rose on his chest had vanished, and the wound had completely healed.

Ethan sat casually on the wooden floor. The small room was simple and unfurnished, but it was far more comfortable than sitting on bare earth.

"Since you’re awake, stop pretending."

Itachi, who had appeared lifeless, immediately opened his eyes. Kakashi and Sasuke instinctively tensed, ready to fight, but quickly realized there was no need.

After Ethan’s repeated interventions, Sasuke had learned to restrain himself. Knowing there was a deeper reason, he managed to hold back his anger instead of rushing at his brother.

"I want an answer."

"You’ll get your answer."

Itachi sat up, looking at Ethan, then at Sasuke beside him.

"How much do you know?"

"I know everything I need to know."

Itachi was silent for a moment. He seemed to want to act, but found that he couldn’t control his chakra freely.

"My Sacred Rose is still healing the injuries in your body. That means there’s foreign chakra moving inside you that you can’t control. You should know what that implies."

Itachi’s expression remained calm, but he understood what that meant. His chakra was unstable, and without control, most of his combat ability was gone.

Hearing this, Kakashi and Sasuke relaxed a little, then sat down nearby, waiting for Ethan’s explanation.

"You shouldn’t have told him."

"There’s no such thing as something that shouldn’t be said. Do you really think living in lies is a good thing? Have you ever considered the feelings of the person involved? And haven’t you thought your good intentions might be used by others, causing irreversible consequences?"

Itachi knew exactly what Ethan meant. He was just surprised that Ethan seemed to know about "that person." Clearly, when Ethan said he knew everything, it wasn’t an exaggeration.

"This isn’t good for him."

"The benefits are far greater than you think. At least he doesn’t have to keep living in false hatred, not even knowing who his real enemy is."

If Sasuke had been confused before, he was starting to piece things together now.

False hatred? Was everything he knew... fake? How could that be?

He wanted to shout and demand an explanation, but Kakashi stopped him. "Ethan will explain. Don’t rush."

Indeed, there was no need to rush. Ethan calmly revealed everything.

The Uchiha clan’s rebellion, the internal division within the clan, the endless debates among Konoha’s elders, Itachi caught between duty and family, Shisui’s sacrifice, the involvement of a mysterious figure, and finally, Itachi choosing to bear everything alone and become Konoha’s spy inside Akatsuki.

Each revelation shattered Sasuke’s worldview. Everything he thought he knew was a lie his brother had built. The hardest truth to accept was that Itachi had carried all the hatred and blame just so Sasuke could live peacefully in Konoha and grow strong.

"No! That’s impossible!"

The overwhelming shock broke Sasuke’s composure. His emotions spiraled out of control, and his Sharingan activated on its own, seemingly evolving.

The emotional and chakra fluctuations were too much for his body to bear, and he fainted.

Kakashi quickly checked him, confirming he had only passed out from the shock and would recover after some rest.

Itachi, slightly surprised by Sasuke’s reaction, said nothing, his face returning to calm.

Ethan, however, studied Sasuke more closely. Though it was brief, he was certain of what he saw—it was indeed the Mangekyo Sharingan.

The others present had sharp eyes too. They likely noticed the same thing.

"Congratulations. Your most important goal has been achieved."

"Yes."

Itachi slowly closed his eyes, and for the first time, his expression softened. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Now, as long as Sasuke mastered the Mangekyo, he would have the strength to protect himself. Even if Itachi died now, it would be fine.

But Ethan, seeing through his thoughts, poured cold water on him.

"The Sacred Rose is quite effective. Haven’t you noticed your body gradually recovering?"

Itachi’s eyes snapped open in shock. He had never thought his condition could improve. His only plan had been to preserve his eyes by limiting the use of his Mangekyo, hoping to survive long enough for Sasuke to awaken the Eternal Mangekyo.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because Konoha still needs you." Ethan’s tone was utterly serious, though even Kakashi standing nearby found it hard not to cringe. Could he act any more fake?

Even so, Kakashi couldn’t deny that Itachi’s return would be a tremendous asset for Konoha, having witnessed his power firsthand.

As for Itachi’s identity, Kakashi, once an Anbu himself, knew it wasn’t an issue.

"You’ve been in Akatsuki long enough to understand their movements. For Konoha, Akatsuki is the greatest threat now. Your return would protect the village from their reach."

Itachi didn’t answer. He just stared quietly at Ethan.

"Since you know so much, then you must also know... I can’t go back."

Ethan knew what he meant.

"Because of Danzo?"

"This problem is actually very simple. Just kill that old man."

Itachi froze. He hadn’t expected Ethan, a Konoha ninja, to say something like that. Was this guy really from Konoha... or was he someone else’s spy?

(To be continued.)