"Huh? Itachi's a spy?!"
"He's a Konoha spy? Didn't he massacre his entire clan and defect from Konoha?"
Deidara and the others' expressions immediately changed.
Swiftly, they used Shunshin no Jutsu, leaping around and surrounding Itachi, ready to attack at any moment.
Since joining Akatsuki, Itachi had always been trusted by Nagato. After all, other defecting members usually only did so due to ordinary mistakes.
But someone like Itachi who massacred his entire clan? He was the only one in this world!
Konoha couldn't possibly sacrifice the entire Uchiha clan just to place Itachi as a spy in Akatsuki!
Especially since Akatsuki wasn't very well-known at the time, not worth such a huge sacrifice.
So from the beginning, no one doubted Itachi's identity.
Faced with this revelation, Itachi was surprised but not afraid. From the first day he became a spy, he was prepared to be exposed.
Rather than his identity being exposed, he was more worried about the news of Konoha's destruction that Nagato had just mentioned!
"Konoha... is it really destroyed?!" Itachi asked in a cold voice.
If Nagato confirmed it, Itachi was ready to fight to the death to avenge his village.
"Destroyed, but also not..."
"Huh? What do you mean?" This sentence confused Itachi.
"I destroyed almost all the buildings in Konoha, killed tens of thousands of its inhabitants, but then revived them all with Rinne Tensei no Jutsu..."
Their expressions all turned into big question marks.
Not only Itachi, but even Sasori and the others were stunned; so much so that they doubted if the Leader was fooling them?
What did he mean by killing tens of thousands of Konoha residents, then bringing them back to life?
Leader, please listen again to what you just said?
Did he think they were easy to fool?
"Are you testing me?"
Itachi held back his fighting intent, his brow furrowed tightly, unable to understand Nagato's words.
Such nonsense was hard to believe!
After thinking about it, Itachi found more inconsistencies.
For example, Nagato said he destroyed Konoha an hour ago, but now they were in Amegakure.
That wasn't even enough time to get out of the Land of Fire, let alone return to Amegakure?
So was this all a lie? Was the Leader testing him?
"No! I'm telling the truth. I died because I used Rinne Tensei no Jutsu."
After Nagato's reconfirmation, they were all shocked.
Especially Sasori and Itachi, who desperately wanted to revive their families, were clearly more interested in this forbidden technique...
"Why did you do that?"
"Why? Capturing the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki in Konoha was indeed my goal. But as I said, I failed. I lost to Uzumaki Naruto."
"No, I mean why did you sacrifice your life to revive the enemy?!"
Itachi asked again, increasingly not understanding Nagato's actions.
For him, the Leader wasn't the type of person to easily sacrifice himself for others.
"There are many reasons. The main one is because I was influenced by Naruto. I believe he can change the ninja world, change the future, create a new world..."
Nagato explained honestly.
Even now, he still admired Naruto's conviction and spirit.
Itachi inwardly also admired him, thinking, 'Indeed worthy of being my little brother's friend!'
"Naruto convinced you with actions? Could that kid go that far?"
"He is indeed extraordinary."
"But if what you said is true, you were willing to die to revive the residents of Konoha, and now you...?"
Itachi began to question Nagato's current stance.
If he really changed Konoha's fate and was influenced by Naruto, then they weren't enemies now?
"Don't misunderstand, although I believe in Naruto; but whether he can truly change the world, protect Amegakure, all is still uncertain."
"I am the leader of Amegakure, responsible for the entire village and Akatsuki."
Nagato's answer confused Deidara and the others, but Itachi understood.
In short: Nagato would no longer attack Naruto and Konoha; but for the sake of Amegakure's interests, he would still be vigilant against threats from the great villages...
"I understand. If everything is as the Leader says, on behalf of Konoha, I thank you."
Itachi bowed respectfully.
Although Nagato attacked Konoha, he also saved it, as if it balanced out.
But in the cruel ninja world, the willingness to forgive and save others was already worthy of thanks.
In the end, Konoha was still able to survive, which was already great luck. After all, Nagato could have chosen not to use Rinne Tensei... Then Konoha would have been truly destroyed.
"Good that you understand. Now let's talk about your lies to me and Akatsuki."
"I apologize for that. I can only say we have different positions, I hope the Leader can understand..."
Itachi remained firm.
He was still Uchiha Itachi of Konoha, not a ninja from another organization.
"You bastard Itachi, you've been deceiving us all! Damn you, I'll destroy you with my art!" Deidara began to shout angrily, if not for his fear of Itachi's genjutsu, he would have already attacked.
"Deidara, wait a moment!" Nagato stopped him.
"Itachi, this is your last chance. Surrender! You've contributed a lot to Akatsuki, I don't want to go overboard..."
"Leader, I'm sorry I have to refuse. I need to return to Konoha immediately to confirm. Before that, I can't stay here!"
Itachi's eyes flashed, without saying much, he directly activated Susano'o!
Now, with a healthy body without illness plus a limitless chakra buff, his strength soared drastically. No longer needing to worry about running out of chakra or his body not being strong enough.
Even against four people at once.
Maybe he couldn't defeat Nagato, but escaping from Amegakure?
He was quite confident!
Moreover, he still had many trump cards up his sleeve.
"You're in such a hurry!"
"If you really want to fight, I'm ready too."
"But, one last question. Itachi, don't you care about your little brother Sasuke?"
With the advantage of information, Nagato was calmer. He directly threw out an offer that immediately touched Itachi's heart.
"What do you mean? What happened to Sasuke?"
As soon as he heard his beloved younger brother's name, Itachi immediately became unstable.
"Sasuke is now preparing to attack the Five Kage Summit for revenge, and is being used by the masked man. His situation is more dangerous than Konoha's. Are you sure you want to leave him? If you insist on leaving, maybe I can't stop you."
"But I will lead Akatsuki to eliminate Sasuke and Zetsu. Itachi, you surely don't want your little brother to be in danger, right?"
As soon as Nagato finished speaking, before Itachi could reply, Deidara beside him was already more emotional:
"Huh? Didn't I kill Sasuke with my explosion?"
"No. He's still alive, and now he's joined Akatsuki led by Tobi."
"What? Impossible! That was my greatest explosion, how could he survive? And that damn Tobi, I'm so angry!!"
Deidara immediately flew into a rage upon hearing Sasuke was still alive, wanting to kill him immediately and beat up that annoying junior Tobi...