Naruto: The Abstract Strategist of the Akatsuki

Chapter 8 The Supporting Shadow, Uchiha Sasuke

"A ninja world from the future?"

"An invasion by the Otsutsuki clan? The ninja world is in grave danger?"

As Bai Mo recounted his story, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki fell into a long silence, seemingly trying to digest the information and discern its truth.

Bai Mo mentioned that he came from the ninja world of the future, but unlike the previous gatherings, he did not make any attempt to prove himself; he merely mentioned it briefly.

Then he revealed the Otsutsuki clan's future invasion of the ninja world.

Another change is that the Akatsuki organization's goal has been revised from collecting tailed beasts to gathering powerful combat forces.

This includes the goal of reviving Kaguya Otsutsuki.

"Is this the real world?... But if you told these words to the people of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, they wouldn't believe you at all, would they?"

Kisame Hoshigaki was somewhat sentimental.

"That's right, so the Five Great Ninja Villages are still our enemies for the time being. However, if we weaken their power, it will also affect our future dealings with the Otsutsuki clan..."

Uchiha Itachi paused here and began to observe Bai Mo's expression.

"Itachi, for the future of the ninja world, are you willing to make some sacrifices and choices?"

Bai Mo didn't continue from Itachi's words, but instead asked another question directly.

"..."

Itachi Uchiha frowned, opened his mouth, but didn't speak.

He was about to nod, but then he thought that his persona in the Akatsuki organization didn't seem to be like that, so he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

"Strategist, why don't you tell us exactly what you want Mr. Itachi to do first?"

Knowing the specifics, Itachi could then weigh whether or not to agree.

Kisame Hoshigaki chimed in.

"Itachi, you have a younger brother in Konoha, right? What are your thoughts about him?"

Bai Mo walked ahead, a faint smile on his face.

Upon hearing Bai Mo's question, Itachi Uchiha immediately stopped in his tracks.

"...He is my spare eyes, my new light."

"Then I'm sorry, Itachi, but for the future of the ninja world, I must stop you from doing this."

Bai Mo stopped and turned to look at Uchiha Itachi.

With that kind of acting skill and those expressions and demeanor, he would have become an international superstar in no time if he had played in Boruto.

"you mean……"

"Do you remember what I just said about the core principle of our Akatsuki organization's new goal? — To gather all powerful forces."

As one of the strongest fighters twenty years later, Sasuke Uchiha's strength and character are beyond doubt, and he is known as the pillar of Konoha.

Although he and the Hokage at the time were defeated by the Otsutsuki clan's enemies, and in a crushing defeat at that, they were still among the most valuable fighting forces.

After Bai Mo finished speaking, it was Itachi Uchiha's turn to put on his acting show.

"What is the Shadow of Support?"

Uchiha Itachi appeared worried, with his brows furrowed.

But deep down, I felt gratified and happy.

This slight joy wasn't just because he learned about Sasuke's future achievements, but also because, according to Bai Mo, if this was the Akatsuki's goal, then wouldn't he have gone from being a "superficial teammate" to a true teammate?

At least in terms of their attitude towards Sasuke, that is certainly the case.

"In the future, Sasuke Uchiha leaves the village under the guise of traveling the world to gather information about the Otsutsuki clan."

Protecting the village from outside, he is like another Hokage, silently supporting the village; this is the Shadow of Support.

However, while they claim to be protecting the village, they are actually protecting the world.

After all, the Otsutsuki clan's goal wasn't just to destroy Konoha, but the entire world.

As Bai Mo spoke, he took a scroll out of his waist bag.

With a "bang," a stack of cards appeared in his hand.

He flipped through the cards a few times, took one out, and handed it to Itachi Uchiha: "These are 'Genius Ninja Cards' developed by a company during a peaceful future. This card is very rare and valuable."

Uchiha Itachi took the card and saw a profile of a middle-aged man.

Before Bai Mo put the other cards away, Itachi glanced at them.

The other cards all feature frontal portraits of the characters, and they all appear to be deliberately posing.

There's only this one picture of Sasuke, just a side profile.

If it weren't for the familiarity between brothers, even those in Konoha who have seen Sasuke before might not recognize him.

And this side profile...

Even if it was just a tiny glimpse, Itachi keenly noticed it.

That's... the Rinnegan?

The appearance of the Ninja Card further increased Itachi's belief in what Bai Mo had said.

"The Rinnegan? Itachi's younger brother will actually have the same eyes as the boss in the future?"

Kisame, who was watching from the side, also noticed this detail and asked about it bluntly.

"That's right. As for how the Rinnegan came about, you'll find out during this mission. No need to rush."

Bai Mo's words implied that he wouldn't tell them now.

Kisame then said nothing more.

"I can let go of my desire to kill Sasuke, after all, if the ninja world is destroyed, I won't survive either."

"Then, strategist, could you tell me, what is the organization's, or rather your, plan regarding Sasuke?"

Uchiha Itachi silently put away the Ninja Card, then replied to Bai Mo with an expression that suggested he had struggled with his thoughts.

"The part of the plan targeting Sasuke? What could it be? It's nothing more than helping him avoid some detours and improve his strength as quickly as possible."

"Understood."

-

After a day and a night of travel, the three had crossed the Land of Fire. They were on the northwest border in the morning, but now they had arrived in the east and were about to reach their destination.

The three of them found a hotel to rest.

As night deepened, Itachi Uchiha was still pondering and analyzing what Bai Mo had said during the day.

First of all, the things Bai Mo said about the Otsutsuki clan and the various things from the future are already highly credible.

One of Itachi Uchiha's current concerns is whether Bai Mo, since he comes from the future, knows that he is a spy for Konoha and what his true feelings are towards Sasuke.

After thinking for a while, Itachi Uchiha gave up on exploring this question.

Whether Bai Mo knew it or not, as long as there were no other factors interfering, the final result would be the same as it is now.

Even if Bai Mo knew about his situation and was deliberately catering to his ideas, as long as the direction was still correct, he didn't need to worry about anything.

Bai Mo, on the other hand, slept soundly.

Sometimes, "intelligence" is indeed very important.

Only by clearly understanding the specific personality and pursuits of each person in the organization can Bai Mo control everyone.

Just like with Itachi Uchiha, we must tell him part of the truth, let him know that the ninja world is on the verge of destruction and almost beyond saving.

Otherwise, characters like Itachi Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, Naruto Uzumaki, and later Sasuke Uchiha would be considered.

People of this type may inexplicably feel resistant to "time travel" and "changing history".

Unless faced with a world-ending threat, they would all try not to change the past, even if it meant making some sacrifices.

Whether it's sacrificing yourself or sacrificing others.