It was already half a month ter when Kita could stand on the ground with the aid of a cane, no longer needing a wheelchair.

  Even thinking back now, Ibiki Morino had been terrifying beyond measure. She still didn’t fully understand how she had survived those days, and she considered herself extremely lucky. She had asked before who she had fought that left her exhausted and unconscious, only to be picked up by Konoha. Kita had smiled but didn’t mention Uchiha Madara, merely calling it a “confidential mission.” She knew not to press further. Yet when asked here, her answer wasn’t exactly about the mission.

  ——Do you think I fought someone that badly injured me and I had to fall off a cliff to survive?

  After months apart, Itachi’s skill at shogi had improved greatly. Beating him would take real effort.

  After moving a piece, Kita captured his rook and it became a meal in the middle of the board.

  “If you don’t say, how would I know?” Itachi said, smiling. Emotionally, this teenage boy had truly adapted to life in Akatsuki. Outside missions, he read books, pyed shogi, and sparred with teammates. He wasn’t as free-spirited and optimistic as Deidara, but he had formed a bond through their battles. Humans are social creatures, and Itachi felt Kita’s words were right.

  ——How much do you know about Uchiha Madara?

  Itachi dropped a piece in surprise, turning victory into defeat. Kita smoothly decred checkmate, smiling coyly.

  After a long silence, Itachi asked softly:

  “How did you evade the Intelligence Cn’s perception techniques? That level of sensory jutsu isn’t easy to resist, right?”

  ——Mind Lock.

  Kita’s reply was crisp, not feeling it was particurly secret.

  ——Not everyone is like you. What I know is dangerous, for myself and others. Mind Lock is wise. As long as I don’t speak, no one can force information from me.

  She reassured Itachi, who smiled without commenting on the technique, continuing their earlier discussion.

  “Now, what do you pn to do?”

  ——I won’t kill him yet, but I need to investigate his secrets thoroughly. Truthfully, what left me gravely injured was Wood Release.

  “Wood Release? What happened?”

  Itachi’s surprise was obvious. Kita shook her head.

  ——I’m wondering the same thing.

  She spoke, then after a pause asked:

  ——How much do you know about Izanagi?

  This time, Itachi fell silent. After a long pause, he spoke with a slight sigh.

  “Lucky you survived. You’re truly strong.” He looked at Kita, smiling, “In my lifetime, don’t strike Konoha—neither the vilge nor its ninja.”

  Kita shrugged, a questioning expression on her face.

  ——Are you afraid I’ll take revenge on Ibiki Morino and Kakashi Hatake?

  “Possibly.”

  Kita smiled, shaking her head with slight helplessness.

  ——I’m still a ninja. I can understand their actions. I’ll honor my promise. But Itachi, I’m done monitoring you. Understand?

  With the words spoken, Itachi nodded.

  “I understand. I won’t trouble you again. I’ll show you.”

  It wasn’t a dizzying illusion, but within the genjutsu, young Itachi, masked Tobi, and other reted events—covering even the cn’s annihition—fshed before her eyes. Most images were about Tobi or Madara. Hours in the illusion felt like a second in reality, perhaps less.

  Kita put down her piece, no longer focused on shogi. Itachi took advantage, moving his pieces. The previously disadvantaged game now twisted, turning defeat into victory.

  ——Decades ago, after Madara fought Hashirama Senju, how did he fake his death and fool the Second Hokage?

  “I don’t know. He said he used Izanagi.”

  ——At that time, he probably didn’t have extra Sharingan, but before the cn’s destruction, I saw him with a pair.

  “During wars, losing Sharingan was common. After the Third Great Ninja War, it decreased. Except for Kakashi’s single Sharingan and its buried pair, all others were recovered,” Itachi said lightly, silently hoping Kita would focus on the game.

  ——Really? I may have to return to Konoha.

  Itachi stopped his move, surprised.

  “Why?”

  ——Not sure. I feel something was missed. Where did he go after fooling the Second Hokage? And why did the Second Hokage not act accordingly? I want to visit his grave first.

  “I’ve been there. Nothing. The corpse was fake.”

  ——Do you know where the grave is?

  Itachi nodded.

  “Konoha’s back mountain. Long-standing, unguarded. Easy to find.”

  ——Wait… you saw his body? Not decayed? Why didn’t the Second Hokage handle it?

  “Respected figures in Konoha weren’t cremated. After preparation, they were buried.”

  Kita crossed her arms, studied him, then asked:

  ——Konoha doesn’t know about Edo Tensei?

  “They know. A forbidden technique. Besides Orochimaru, no one would use it.”

  ——Not worried the corpse might be lost?

  Itachi paused, then said disappointedly:

  “Only once it actually happened would people worry. It’s human nature.”

  Kita looked at him for a long moment, sighing slightly.

  ——You have it tough too.

  Having said that, her attention returned to the shogi board. She moved her knight, capturing Itachi’s king.

  “Wait, that’s not a legal move!”

  ——You bend the rules when it suits you, boy, she replied, smiling. Rising with the help of her cane, she began to move painfully toward home.

  Wood Release, Izanagi, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju… no wonder this vilge was the topic of every country.

  Let’s start. Investigate from the beginning. Madara, after leaving Konoha, how did you survive? How did you find the path to the Infinite Tsukuyomi? What is your purpose? I will uncover your mask and reveal all your secrets to Akatsuki…

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