Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Itachi clutched his head and gasped.

Seeing this, Naruto couldn't help but chuckle.

'As expected, the contract is convenient. It could even awaken someone who had fainted. Truly worthy of its claim to enforce absolute obedience.'

Although Naruto didn't fully understand the mechanics, he guessed that forcing Itachi to wake up might involve tapping into his vitality.

But Naruto doesn't feel guilty about this.

If Itachi hadn't used Tsukuyomi on him, none of this would have happened.

Besides, in the original work, Itachi only had about three years left to live before meeting his end. So, what's a little vitality depletion?

At least as Naruto's servant, Itachi wouldn't need to face such a tragic early death.

In truth, this was probably a blessing in disguise for Itachi.

After all, Naruto was practically a saint when it came to saving lives.

"What did you do to me?"

Itachi, sensing the abnormality in his body, tried to restore himself but was met with a splitting headache, unable to focus at all.

"A contract, like the one with Sasuke. From now on, my commands are absolute. Even if you pass out, I can force you to get up and push yourself to the point of death."

Naruto explained casually, "Of course, I won't do that. The reason I've taken you as my servant is that I have plans where your skills will come in handy. That said, your mental state is still fragile after being forcibly awakened. Rest here for two days, and I'll come for you on the third."

After saying that, Naruto pulled out some food from the system inventory, handed it to Itachi, and left without looking back.

Bound by the contract, Itachi couldn't leave even if he wanted to.

…

Three days passed in a flash.

Naruto followed Jiraiya and Kakashi to 'research' as usual, taking advantage of his last days in Konoha to appreciate the beautiful scenery.

Or rather, he seized every opportunity to train harder, ever diligent.

During this period, Naruto also asked random villagers about Sakura and found that most of them had nothing but disdain and scorn for her.

This discovery delighted Naruto immensely. It felt… vindicating.

The only thorn in his side during these three days was Orochimaru. Despite Naruto's attempts, Orochimaru remained in a deep slumber, showing no signs of waking up.

Although Naruto could forcibly awaken him, he refrained from doing so, knowing it might disrupt Orochimaru's mental recovery and adaptation to his new body.

After repeatedly checking the Servant Contract Scroll and confirming Orochimaru's condition was stable, Naruto had no choice but to wait patiently.

…

On the third night, under the cover of darkness, Naruto returned to the underground chamber beneath the Naka Shrine.

When he saw Itachi again, he noticed that the latter's condition had improved significantly. The Servant Contract also showed that Itachi's condition had improved a lot.

'As expected of the Uchiha Clan's true genius, Itachi's mental fortitude was astonishing.'

It must be known that, in the original work, Sasuke and Kakashi both spent a month recovering in the hospital.

Yet, Itachi had bounced back remarkably in just two days.

"Yo, my old buddy! You're looking much better. Not bad, not bad!" Naruto teased, using a playful tone.

"Much better." Itachi replied evenly, "Now, tell me your plan. What exactly do you need from me? Once we're done, I'll take my leave… I still have other matters to attend to.

His tone was no longer cold and detached but carried a hint of negotiation.

Itachi understood very well that as long as Naruto held the contract, he had no choice. If Naruto wanted, he could keep him trapped in this basement indefinitely.

"So eager to leave? Then you're free to go now." Naruto said calmly.

The restrictions on Itachi's body disappeared in an instant, and his eyes lit up with joy. Without hesitation, he rose to leave.

But before he could get far, he heard Naruto mumbling to himself.

"Sigh… Sasuke, how pitiful you are. If your dear brother won't help you, then I'll have no choice but to reveal the entire truth to you."

Hearing this, Itachi immediately stopped and turned around, "Kyubi...Naruto-kun, what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Hmm? You're still here? Weren't you in such a hurry to leave?" Naruto asked with a playful smile.

"I'm not in a rush anymore. I want to hear your plan," Itachi replied calmly.

Everything Itachi did was for Sasuke's sake. And in his eyes, Naruto wasn't some benevolent figure. So if left alone, who knows what Naruto might turn Sasuke into?

"Hearing my plan means you'll need to assist in executing it. If you want to back out, now's your chance." Naruto warned.

Though Naruto could use the contract to force Itachi's cooperation, that wasn't his style. If Itachi wasn't fully committed, the plan could fail due to lackluster performance, especially since Sasuke was perceptive enough to notice any flaws.

Besides, Naruto has a strong desire for control. Solely relying on the contract felt bland. What truly satisfied him was having Itachi's wholehearted submission, willingly and from the depths of his heart.

After a brief silence, Itachi nodded slightly. "I'll listen to the plan."

"Okay, here's the plan."

Naruto pulled out a detailed plan and opened it, "First, some good news. After my careful guidance, Sasuke has already awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan. Now, he just needs an emotional trigger to evolve into the three-tomoe Sharingan."

"Go on." Itachi said, his expression stoic.

Seeing this, Naruto was speechless.

He thought Itachi might be pleased, but then he remembered that at Sasuke's age, Itachi was already a Anbu Captain. From that perspective, Sasuke's progress wasn't exactly impressive.

"Cough!"

Clearing his throat to ease the awkwardness, Naruto continued, "My plan is very simple. Because of our unique relationship, Sasuke trusts me completely. It's no exaggeration to say that he has already regarded me as a family."

"Family? What exactly do you mean?" Itachi's brow furrowed slightly, sensing where this was going.

"Exactly what you're thinking."

Naruto grinned and said, "I plan to bring Sasuke to this basement room under the pretense of uncovering the Uchiha Clan's secret. Then you'll suddenly appear, claiming you can't let the Uchiha Clan's secrets leak and attempt to kill me. When Sasuke sees me 'die', he'll be emotionally shattered, triggering the evolution of his Sharingan. How's that for a plan?"

"…"

Itachi fell silent for a long moment before nodding in agreement.

Although Naruto's plan can stimulate Sasuke's Sharingan to evolve, it will once again turn Itachi into a villain who killed Sasuke's 'family'.

Sasuke would undoubtedly despise him even more.

But for Itachi, who had long come to terms with bearing such burdens for his brother's growth, it was just another addition to the pile.

"If you don't have any objections, prepare yourself. I'll go get Sasuke now." Naruto said and was about to leave.

Itachi hesitated and asked, "And what about after? How will you face Sasuke later? What's your next step? Surely it's not just faking your death to help him, is it?"

Naruto smirked and said, "As expected, you're sharper than Sasuke. Of course, I have other plans, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll deal with Sasuke first, then move on to other matters. That's it for now… I'm leaving."

Without waiting for a reply, Naruto left.

Naruto wasn't concerned about the issues Itachi raised. If he wanted to reappear before Sasuke later, he could simply claim that it was all part of a plan to help him grow. Such a heartfelt explanation would leave Sasuke moved to tears.

As for blame, of course there is no such thing.

This is just like in the original work. When Itachi finally explained the truth to Sasuke, Sasuke instantly forgave Itachi. This is the same situation.

To put it nicely, Sasuke is naive.

To put it bluntly, Sasuke is stupid...