Naruto: Swarm System

Late night.

Shishou arrived at the designated meeting spot, where Uchiha Itachi had been waiting for some time.

Itachi glanced at Shishou and then deactivated his Sharingan, sighing inwardly. He could no longer gauge Shishou's power level, indicating the gap between them had become unimaginably vast. Itachi realized he was no longer capable of inflicting any significant harm on Shishou.

This was somewhat reassuring. With Shishou in Konoha, Sasuke's safety was guaranteed.

Thinking of this, Itachi spoke first, "Uchiha Obito has defected from the Akatsuki and has allied himself with Orochimaru."

Before leaving the Akatsuki, Obito had tried to recruit Itachi, but he had declined. With Shishou in Konoha, Itachi no longer had to worry about Konoha or Sasuke, so there was no need to entertain Obito. Additionally, Itachi suspected Obito had ulterior motives and feared being ambushed if he accepted the offer.

Obito allying with Orochimaru... Was this a desperate move after losing control of the Akatsuki?

It made sense. If Obito didn't make new plans after Konan obtained the Rinnegan, he'd never be able to resurrect the Ten-Tails.

Speaking of the Ten-Tails, Shishou thought about his future goal of consuming the chakra fruit, which would also require the resurrection of the Ten-Tails.

With these thoughts in mind, Shishou nodded expressionlessly, "I was aware of Obito defecting from the Akatsuki."

Itachi narrowed his eyes, surprised. The Akatsuki had been quiet for years, with Obito never appearing openly. How did Shishou know this?

Unaware of Itachi's thoughts, Shishou continued, "I need you to help me track down Jiraiya."

Although Pakura, Yugito, and the others were already searching for Jiraiya, Shishou wanted to see if Itachi had any information.

The sooner he found Jiraiya, the sooner he could bring Mount Myoboku under control.

Itachi replied, "I'm not currently aware of Jiraiya's whereabouts, but Obito had been searching for him."

Shishou frowned. Why was Obito targeting Jiraiya?

Wait, it must be Orochimaru, who was working with Obito, targeting Jiraiya. Orochimaru, like when he targeted Tsunade, was likely coveting Jiraiya's body to take over.

That made sense. But since both Orochimaru and Obito were after him, Jiraiya's fate looked grim.

Shishou asked, "Do you know Orochimaru's location?"

If Jiraiya was with Orochimaru, Shishou would have to find him.

Itachi shook his head. Orochimaru was cautious by nature, and even Itachi didn't know where he was hiding.

It seemed he would have to rely on Pakura and Mei Terumi to find him.

Thinking this, Shishou looked at Itachi and said, "It seems you're ready to help Sasuke awaken his Sharingan?"

Itachi nodded silently. His time was running out; he needed to lay the foundation for Sasuke soon. Once Sasuke awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi could transfer his eyes to him, granting him the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

This way, Sasuke would at least be able to protect himself, and Itachi would have no regrets.

Shishou nodded, expressionless. For Itachi, death was the best outcome.

He then said, "In that case, I will intensify Sasuke's training and then allow him to leave the village. I will inform you when the time comes."

With that, Shishou vanished.

He needed to discuss Sasuke's situation with Uchiha Mikoto to find a less traumatic approach.

Watching Shishou disappear, Itachi opened his mouth as if to speak but closed it again. He wanted to ask about his mother.

As death approached, Itachi had come to terms with the relationship between his mother and the Flying Thunder God user, hoping only that she was well.

"Next time," Itachi murmured and left.

...

Fire City.

Uchiha Mikoto's room.

Since Shishou's return, Mikoto, Kushina, and Hyuga Rimei had rarely gone to Ryuchi Cave to train, staying in Fire City instead.

Firstly, to spend more time with Shishou. Secondly, to guide Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata.

During the years Shishou was banished, Mikoto, Kushina, and Rimei had focused on training at Ryuchi Cave to increase their strength and bring him back.

This meant their guidance to Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata had been less frequent, only a few times a month.

Now that Shishou was back, they resumed their teachings, hoping their children would become independent.

Only then could they train peacefully, following Shishou's path to immortality.

Sitting at her dressing table, Mikoto saw Shishou and joked, "What brings you here?"

She had just returned with Kushina and Rimei from teaching Sasuke in Konoha, and Shishou's prompt arrival surprised her.

Shishou hugged Mikoto, inhaling her faint fragrance, and smiled, "I came to ask when you plan to help Sasuke awaken his Sharingan. Itachi is running out of time and wants to see him."

Mikoto's smile faded at the mention of Itachi.

She had never known how to face her son who had killed his parents.

When she was weaker than Itachi, she harbored extreme hatred, wanting him dead to protect Sasuke.

Now, with her strength surpassing Itachi's, she didn't know what to do.

Itachi was still her son.

Seeing Mikoto's silence, Shishou also remained quiet, hugging her gently.

After a long while, Shishou said, "Sasuke must face these things to awaken his Sharingan. You can't protect him forever."

Although Sasuke didn't know Mikoto's identity, he enjoyed her care and wasn't as lonely and ruthless as in the original story.

Mikoto sighed, "What do you think I should do?"

_____________________

POWER STONE!!!!

__________________

This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at [email protected]/Betek.

_____________________