Naruto: My Clones Can Evolve

Uchiha Itachi cast a glance at Kakuzu, his expression tinged with doubt.

A battered and scarred Kakuzu falling from the sky—what was going on?

Even more baffling was the fact that Kakuzu was standing side by side with Kakashi. The two should have no reason to be allies…

Could it be that Kakuzu was working for Konoha?

Hoshigaki Kisame spat to the side. "Well, if it isn't Kakuzu, the guy who refused to join the Akatsuki. Guess today's a good day to clean you up too."

Finally, he unsheathed the massive blade strapped to his back—Samehada.

"Getting tired of this," Kisame sneered. "Kakashi, you're still not going to tell us where Phantom is?"

From the beginning, the true target of these two was Genzuki.

They didn't care about Gato; it was just a coincidence that they got intel on Genzuki's presence in the Land of Waves.

After all, the upper ranks of Akatsuki were very interested in his Sharingan.

"No need," Itachi said calmly. "I can make him speak with genjutsu."

Kakashi tensed, but before he could react, Kakuzu slowly got up.

"If we work together, we can stall them long enough for Lord Genzuki to arrive," he muttered.

"Where is Genzuki?" Kakashi asked quickly.

"He's fighting Kinkaku and Ginkaku," Kakuzu said gravely.

Kakashi stiffened. "You—don't joke about things like that."

He had, of course, heard of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, the infamous duo who once attempted to assassinate the Second Hokage.

But those two had been dead for years—how could they be fighting Genzuki?

Before Kakuzu could explain further, a violent explosion echoed from the shore.

Even through the mist, the eerie glow of Nine-Tails' chakra could be seen, alongside the towering silhouette of a fully formed Susanoo.

All four fighters turned their heads at the sight.

"So that's the extent to which he's mastered Susanoo?" Kisame smirked. "Even you, Itachi—"

Itachi remained silent, simply observing.

"Now that we know where he is," Kisame continued, "you guys are useless."

The moment he finished speaking, he formed a hand sign.

But just as he was about to unleash his technique, Kakashi's kunai suddenly lit up!

A flash of white light streaked across the battlefield—Genzuki had arrived in an instant!

"Lord Genzuki!" Kakuzu's face lit up with relief. He knew that, with Genzuki here, they had nothing to fear.

The remaining Water Sharks from Kisame's jutsu surged forward, but Genzuki simply snorted.

"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"

A sea of flames erupted, devouring every single one of Kisame's water attacks!

"That level of Fire Release…?" Kisame narrowed his eyes, stepping back to avoid getting burned.

"Incredible," Kakuzu muttered. "This Fire Release… Even if a thousand people used it together, they wouldn't match this scale!"

Genzuki sighed. "Kakuzu, could you not suck up to me so blatantly?"

Kakuzu, apparently oblivious to the sarcasm, simply nodded.

Genzuki chuckled. "Still, I'm impressed. You didn't run away this time. You even came back to help Kakashi."

"As a reward, I'll find you some stronger hearts."

Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with joy. He was immensely satisfied with himself—thank god he hadn't run away this time.

"Kakashi, take a break," Genzuki said softly. "It looks like Sasuke is… unstable."

Then, he turned to face Kisame and Itachi, his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan gleaming with a crimson glow.

Kisame instinctively looked away.

But Itachi?

Itachi stared directly at Genzuki, his own Mangekyō Sharingan as still and deep as a tranquil lake.

"As expected from Uchiha Itachi," Genzuki murmured. "Even in front of my Tomoe Sharingan, you don't falter."

Itachi finally spoke. "The Tomoe Sharingan is a power said to belong only to the most gifted of the Uchiha… Or, if two Mangekyō Sharingan are fused, it can be achieved."

"How did you obtain it?"

Itachi suspected that Genzuki had connections to Danzo.

That night, when he massacred the Uchiha, Danzo had taken countless Sharingan for his research.

Genzuki's Sharingan—was it a result of those experiments?

"This is my secret, Itachi." Genzuki smirked. "And secrets… everyone has them, don't they?"

Itachi's pupils shrank slightly.

For the first time in a long while, he felt as though someone could see right through him.

"How much do you know?" Itachi asked.

"A lot," Genzuki replied. "Even more than you do."

Itachi hesitated.

For years, he had carefully guarded his true motives, never revealing the real reason behind his actions.

Yet now, standing before him, was someone who—somehow—already knew everything.

"You just said something interesting, Genzuki," Itachi murmured.

"Did you mean… that you understand my actions?"

Genzuki chuckled. "More than you think."

Kisame interrupted, resting Samehada on his shoulder. "Alright, enough chit-chat. We're not here to make friends, Itachi. Let's wrap this up."

"You're right," Genzuki said, stretching. "If we're going to fight, let's do it properly."

Just then, Sasuke suddenly pushed Genzuki aside.

"Move. Uchiha Itachi is mine."

Genzuki glanced at him, shaking his head in amusement.

"Sasuke," he said slowly, "when you learn the truth, you'll understand why Itachi did what he did."

Sasuke clenched his fists, his Sharingan flaring. "You're not an Uchiha! What do you know about me?!"

Genzuki sighed, his gaze turning icy.

"I've been patient with you because of your tragic backstory," he said. "But don't test me."

A mere moment later—

"Sleep."

Sasuke collapsed, unconscious.

"NANI?! SASUKE!!" Naruto yelped.

"You too, Naruto," Genzuki muttered. "This fight isn't for kids."

He cast another genjutsu—Naruto dropped, sound asleep.

Kakashi swiftly caught the two and gave Genzuki a silent nod before retreating from the battlefield.

Genzuki exhaled. "There, no more distractions."

Itachi, however, was still focused on one thing.

"You said you understand my true purpose," he murmured.

"Does that mean you… know what happened that night?"

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