Naruto: Saving the Uchiha

Chapter 497.Go, Uchiha Itachi

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Kazuki did not accept Itachi’s suggestion. The machine Orochimaru had developed was quite helpful for stimulating the Uchiha’s psyche.

However, Sasuke was still too young at this point to undergo such stimulation.

Awakening the Mangekyō too young might not be a good thing.

Based on Kazuki’s own estimation, around thirteen years old would be more appropriate.

Too early, and the Mangekyō Sharingan might become a burden to Sasuke, possibly even causing his mentality to collapse.

After all, Sasuke was the type to start acting up as soon as his strength increased slightly.

He was the kind who wouldn’t settle down without getting beaten.

"The battlefield is the best place to temper Sasuke. I believe he’ll grow up by the time the war ends."

Itachi nodded slowly.

The battlefield truly was a place for rapid growth.

And Sasuke precisely needed that growth experience.

"However, not reciprocating isn’t my style. Since Ōnoki is targeting our village’s geniuses, let’s give him a little something in return."

Kazuki smiled and patted Itachi’s shoulder. "Go all out. Let the enemy know you exist."

Reputation was earned on the battlefield.

Even if you were a genius, if you were only famous in the village, few in the shinobi world would recognize you.

Only a reputation forged in battle could earn others’ respect.

The Sannin, Minato, Shisui, Kakashi – all of them, without exception, made their names on the battlefield.

Itachi had always kept a low profile. Kazuki felt it was time for him to get out and stretch his legs.

Ōnoki was targeting Sasuke, so let Itachi target Iwagakure’s ninja in return.

It would also boost Itachi’s reputation.

Iwagakure didn’t have many strong individuals who could act independently. They excelled at group tactics.

Unfortunately for them, genjutsu specialists like Itachi and Shisui were the perfect counter to group tactics.

With Itachi’s genjutsu mastery, using it on Iwagakure ninja on the battlefield would be a piece of cake.

"I will not disappoint you."

Sasuke was injured, so Itachi didn’t need to keep a constant watch. Kazuki was holding down the camp, so his protection wasn’t needed either.

So taking a turn on the battlefield was a good idea.

It would also help vent Sasuke’s frustration.

With Kazuki’s permission, Itachi didn’t hesitate. He packed his things that very night and stepped onto the battlefield.

His crimson Sharingan began to shine on the battlefield.

Even without using the Mangekyō’s power, with just his three-tomoe Sharingan, genjutsu, ninjutsu, taijutsu, and his incredibly skilled shurikenjutsu, Itachi was already an unstoppable force on the battlefield.

Unless Ōnoki came personally, Kazuki didn’t need to worry about Itachi’s safety.

Even if Ōnoki sent the village’s jinchūriki, they wouldn’t be able to handle Itachi that easily.

On the contrary, Ōnoki would need to worry about whether the jinchūriki might be controlled.

Itachi wouldn’t use his Mangekyō lightly, but that didn’t mean he would hide it forever.

When necessary, he would show its power.

"CAW!!"

"CAW!!!"

Sharp, piercing cries always affected people’s emotions.

Iwagakure ninja active on the battlefield noticed that in recent days, many crows had appeared in the area near the Land of Grass. These crows always sat on branches, staring at people and cawing.

"These crows’ cries are really annoying."

"Don’t worry about it. There’s no need to focus on them. Besides, is it strange to see crows on a battlefield?"

Crows were omnivores. They ate grains, fruits, nuts, and insects.

Those familiar with crows knew they also ate carrion.

And the battlefield had no shortage of corpses.

The smell of corpses attracting crows wouldn’t draw much attention. The only odd thing was that crows would gather in groups in such cold weather.

"But Captain, don’t you think these crows seem... off?"

"What’s off?"

Reminded by his comrade, the Iwagakure squad leader looked up at the crows on the branches. He saw a crow tilting its head, staring at them. Strangely, its eyes turned red.

"This crow..."

Shing shing shing~

As they observed the crows, the sound of rushing wind came. Before they could react, their nerves screamed with pain.

A dark figure slowly emerged from the shadows. The crows in the tree cawed twice, flew down, and landed on the figure’s shoulder, curiously observing the bodies on the ground.

A glint of mockery seemed to flash in their black eyes, as if laughing at the enemies below.

Itachi didn’t search the bodies. On the battlefield, there was a rule to follow: unless you were absolutely certain it was safe, never touch enemy corpses – or even allied corpses.

Otherwise, you risked falling into danger.

Killing someone, then setting traps on their body – this was a common ninja tactic.

Itachi was also skilled at this, though he had no intention of using corpses for traps.

The thin steel wire wrapped around his hand twitched. The shuriken embedded in the enemies’ bodies flew out, carrying chunks of flesh and spurting blood.

An Iwagakure squad had perished here without even seeing their enemy.

They didn’t even know who had killed them.

Itachi took out a scroll and quickly recorded the intelligence.

Then he vanished.

Kill to vent frustration, while also gathering useful intelligence for the village.

Itachi wasn’t the type to lose his mind over trivial matters. Even without Kazuki’s reminder, he would have taken the initiative.

"The Dark Crow?"

Itachi glanced at the crow on his shoulder and shook his head helplessly.

He had been on the battlefield for over ten days.

Frankly, he didn’t like that nickname, even if it was a respectful title from his comrades.

Even though he liked crows.

"CAW!!"

Sensing Itachi’s change of heart, the crow on his shoulder let out an annoyed cry.

Itachi’s mouth twitched. He soothed it.

"Alright, I’m not complaining. It’s just that if others spread that name, it might affect my movements."

It was fine if the nickname spread among his comrades. But if Iwagakure also noticed, it would hinder his actions. Fortunately, that was a minor issue.

Itachi didn’t need crows to draw enemy attention to kill.

It just made things easier and kept his summoned crows happy.