"Sorry, Grandpa. I've waited for so many years. This time, I have to leave. I want to return to my parents… and to Sasuke."
Hearing this, Isamu's clone slowly turned around, took hold of the hand gripping the kunai, and said softly,
"You have patience, attentiveness, and perseverance. Grandpa believes that once you leave here, you'll be able to carve out your own path."
As he spoke, he guided Itachi's hand, driving the kunai into his own heart.
"Huh?!"
Itachi's eyes widened in shock as he watched his kunai pierce his grandfather's chest. He couldn't understand why his grandfather would do such a thing.
The next moment, Isamu's clone dissolved into streams of green light that merged into Itachi's body. The wounds covering Itachi instantly healed, and even his strength increased slightly.
Only then did Itachi realize that the grandfather he had been fighting all along was merely a clone.
At that moment, Isamu stepped out from the shadows.
"Itachi, you did well. You have passed this assessment. Go back, pack your things, then come to the clan's ancestral hall."
With those words, Isamu turned and walked away.
Thus, the spar between grandfather and grandson came to an end under Isamu's deliberate restraint.
Back at home, Tsunade, Garuda, and Shizune busied themselves preparing Itachi's luggage, each unable to hide their reluctance to see him leave.
Meanwhile, Isamu and the clan's senior members quietly waited for him in the ancestral hall.
After spending an hour gathering everything he needed, Itachi walked alone into the Uchiha Clan's ancestral hall.
This was the sacred place where the clan's departed ancestors were enshrined. The memorial tablets of Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Shinyō, and many other elders rested there.
Just as Itachi reached the entrance, Isamu's voice echoed from within.
"Three bows. Nine kowtows."
Without a word, Itachi obeyed.
Advancing three steps at a time, he knelt and kowtowed every nine steps until he entered the hall.
Looking at the assembled clan elders, confusion flickered across his face.
"Junior Uchiha Itachi," Isamu said solemnly, "offer three kowtows to Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Tajima, and the former clan leaders and ancestors."
Within the hall stood the memorial tablets of Isamu's father, Uchiha Madara; his grandfather, Uchiha Tajima; and his uncle, Uchiha Izuna.
As their descendant, Itachi knelt respectfully and offered three sincere kowtows.
When he finished, Isamu glanced toward the current Clan Leader, Uchiha Sora.
Understanding the signal, Sora rose from his seat and walked before Itachi.
"A child of the clan is about to depart," Uchiha Zhan announced loudly. "I ask the Clan Leader to perform the farewell blessing."
Sora gently placed a hand on Itachi's head.
"I, Uchiha Sora, the Thirteenth Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan, bestow upon Uchiha Itachi the courage to forge ahead, the wisdom to understand the past and present, and the strength to remain victorious."
"No matter where you go, the clan will always stand with you."
After the ceremony, Isamu stepped forward and looked quietly at the kneeling Itachi.
"Itachi, once you leave here, countless hardships await you. I can sense that your future is filled with trials. Are you truly certain you wish to go?"
"I am."
"If life had no hardships or obstacles, what kind of life would that be? No matter what happens, I, Uchiha Itachi, will never bring shame upon you or the clan. I will continue moving forward and cut down every obstacle in my path."
"Since you've made up your mind, I won't try to stop you."
"Everything about this clan is a secret. Once you leave, can you guarantee that none of it will ever be revealed?"
"I swear it. Even if I die, I will never betray the clan's secrets."
"Very good."
Looking at his favorite grandson, Isamu hesitated for a long moment before finally making his decision.
He slowly spread out his hands.
A small mirror and a tiny gourd appeared in his palms.
"Itachi, do you know what these are?"
Itachi looked at the two objects and shook his head.
"These are two of the legendary Three Sacred Treasures—the Yata Mirror and the Totsuka Blade—once wielded by the Sage of Six Paths."
"One is the ultimate shield, the other the ultimate weapon."
"The Yata Mirror can defend against virtually all physical attacks, while the Totsuka Blade possesses an unparalleled sealing power. One for defense, one for offense—they are unmatched."
Listening to Isamu's explanation, Itachi stared at the two divine treasures, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.
"I obtained these artifacts by chance many years ago."
"I have a premonition that the road ahead of you will be filled with hardship."
"Today, I entrust these two treasures to you. I hope they will help you change your destiny and carve out your own future."
As Isamu held them out, Itachi accepted them without hesitation.
"Thank you, Grandpa!"
The moment the Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade touched his hands, they transformed into streams of light and merged into his body.
"Have you already said your goodbyes to Grandma Tsunade and Grandma Garuda?"
"Yes. I've said goodbye to everyone."
"Good."
Isamu looked at him quietly before speaking again.
"I have a feeling that it may be a very long time before we meet again."
"Itachi, remember what Grandpa is about to tell you."
"If something happens, don't carry everything on your own."
"Grandpa and the clan will always be your strongest support."
"And whenever you face a difficult decision, calm yourself first before acting. Understood?"
"I understand, Grandpa. Thank you."
Although he didn't fully understand why Isamu sounded so serious, Itachi stepped forward and embraced him tightly.
"Good… very good."
"Whether you can change your own destiny depends entirely on yourself now, my child."
Isamu gently stroked Itachi's head, reluctant to let him go.
Finally, under everyone's reluctant gazes, Itachi departed from the Uchiha Clan's hidden world.
After leaving that day, he would not return for many years.
Watching him disappear into the distance, Tsunade could no longer hold back her tears.
"My little Itachi… my little Itachi is gone… sob… sob…"
Garuda gently comforted her.
"Come now, Sister. Little Itachi is only going out to experience the world. It's not as though you'll never see him again."
"That's right, Tsunade," Isamu added. "It's not like we'll never meet Itachi again. Is it really necessary to cry this much?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Tsunade slowly turned toward him with an icy smile, both fists already clenched.
"You… still have the nerve to say that?"
"How was I being sarcastic? I'm just telling the truth. It's not like we'll never see Itachi again…"
"You're still talking!"
"This is all your fault! Give me back Itachi! Give me back my grandson!"
She swung her fist at him without hesitation.
Seeing the danger, Isamu turned and bolted without the slightest concern for dignity.
"Hey, hey, hey! Tsunade! If you keep hitting me, I'm going to fight back!"
"You dare? Go ahead and try! If I don't beat you black and blue today, my name isn't Tsunade!"