The Story of Hagami III [Naruto Fanfic | Uchiha] [Completed]

30 | Shrine

Despite recognizing the chakra emitting from the snake, Itachi and Shisui tensed. They saw the body next as it slinked out and stand rather casually. A smirk didn't come to his lips but his eyes did lock with the three Uchiha. Surprisingly, he was the first to begin speaking.

"I didn't think you'd stand around this long, let alone knock Hagami-san out. I couldn't see anything but I heard little bits and pieces." Orochimaru began with his oozing voice. However, before either Shisui or Itachi could respond back, Orochimaru turned his attention around the cave, seemingly looking for someone or something.

Finally, he stopped his head when he got to Kabuto. Bearing a somewhat striking resemblance, Orochimaru took a moment to see how his pupil had dove so deeply into the unknown. Almost guiltily, Orochimaru let out a sigh and then turned back to the Uchiha.

"I take it you already know about the war, if you could hear bits and pieces from within Anko." Itachi spoke first but not hastily.

"I could feel the chakra surging by the time Kabuto used the Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu)." Orochimaru corrected sharply. "You're also looking for a healer too, or more specifically, a Medic since this war has lost one of its aces in the hole?"

Shisui looked unsurely at Itachi and then back at Orochimaru. Judging by the latter's tone, there was a scheme at work in his mind. Shisui shifted uneasily on his feet as Itachi recommenced their conversation.

"That's right." Itachi answered calmly. "What would you have to do with anything like that, let alone bring it up in such a situation?"

"I have no intent in participating in this war, though it's proving troublesome. My goal is to completely understand and master every jutsu in this world. However, I can't do that if I'm killed or this world is obliterated." Orochimaru tutted his tongue. "There's a way that I can restore Hagami, but you two will need to come along with me."

"What do you plan to do?" Itachi demanded before he made a decision or even a hint of movement.

"I'm planning to bring forth the All-Knowing." Orochimaru answered. "You may not be able to sense it, or perhaps you know and is completely ignoring the fact that Madara-sama's chakra is still raging throughout this world.

"I don't believe that you'll be able to defeat such a force with just the Allied Shinobi Force. It was a good strategy, but you'll need more than that to combat Madara-sama, and then possibly a Jinchūriki of the Jūbi (Ten-Tails)." Orochimaru smirked when a flash of doubt went through Itachi and Shisui's eyes.

"The All-Knowing, you don't mean...?" Shisui trailed off, glaring soundly at the Sannin. "The Edo Tensei is an inhumane jutsu, why would you suggest using it, even in this situation?!"

"Because what other force do we have against Madara-sama?" Orochimaru snapped harshly. "Let's say the Uchiha were at full force, and the rest of the Shinobi Force wasn't decimated, then we'd stand a chance. But halfway through the war, you've already lost half of your men.

"What does that tell you?" Orochimaru asked knowing he was right. "They have the upper hand already. You don't stand a chance. And you're down a shinobi who could significantly add a platoon of people." Orochimaru concluded.

Itachi and Shisui again glanced at each other. They're still unsure, but Orochimaru's words provoked something in them. It was obvious for the decision but the two Uchiha still doubted the trust Orochimaru had employed on not only them but everyone else too. Finally, Shisui let out a sigh. At any rate, Orochimaru was right and they also needed to get to the battlefield as soon as possible.

"Lead us there." Itachi read through Shisui's eyes. "But the moment you should any sign of betrayal or ill intent, Shisui and I will kill you." He warned monotonously.

"I wouldn't dream of killing you under our circumstances." Orochimaru's oozing voice vanished and it was replaced with a serious one.

---

They traveled under the conditions of night, with Orochimaru leading them toward a hidden base, originally belonging to the Uzumaki Clan of Uzushiogakure. Shisui lingered in the middle, where he'd be protected from both sides if someone were to attack whilst Itachi brought up the rear.

Itachi and Shisui both did not risk leaving themselves open for attack. Their Sharingan was in their eyes, watching every move around them from the blade of grass that made a strange move to Orochimaru's breathing and if his chakra network made an odd shift.

The base was actually quite a distance from the cavern where Itachi and Shisui fought Kabuto. It definitely seemed to take another hour to get there, since they're under pressure too. Orochimaru could sense their tense dispositions too. He even picked his speed up when he began to seemingly feel the anxiety radiating from Shisui.

When they finally encountered the hideout, Orochimaru requested that the two Uchiha stay outside as he ventured in. Shisui was against this, but Itachi assured him that it'd be fine. If Orochimaru backstabbed them, then they still had the alternative of finding a Medical Nin on the battlefield, or better yet, the Fifth Hokage or Haruno Sakura.

Returning with a mask in his hands, Itachi inquired what it was for.

"It's a specific mask the Uzumaki Clan used to use to evoke the Shinigami from the Shiki Fūjin (Sealing Jutsu, Reaper Death Seal)." Orochimaru answered and he walked in between Itachi and Shisui. "Now, to Konohagakure and where all secrets sleep."

Again, it was a dreadfully short run to get back to the Village. Unfortunately, civilians were still present, so the only way to get in was a disguise, at least for Orochimaru and Hagami. Orochimaru had merely put a cloak on, as for Shisui, he casted a Genjutsu over himself, similar to one Hagami used to completely alter the appearance of oneself, or rather distort the atmosphere giving off the impression of a different person.

Itachi led the way to the Uchiha Stone Tablet, and where it was stowed under Orochimaru's instructions.

"It takes a special jutsu to open the hideout." Itachi informed and had Orochimaru and Shisui stand back. The ground rumbled when Itachi put his hands together and formed a hand seal. The ground suddenly became adorned with a jutsu formula, a Sharingan eye pattern in the center. A chunk of stone in the perfect shape of a rectangular prism lifted from the ground, dropping sediment along the way because of how old it was.

"Impressive." Orochimaru murmured. "There's not even a trace of the Uchiha's Nakano Shrine."

"The exterior doesn't matter. What's important is what's beneath." Glorifying the Nakano Shrine was not something Itachi appreciated as he let the way down to the underground chamber.