Asami smirked mischievously, heartily amused, even somewhat delighted by his words. Her gaze lowered, and her hand reached for her chest, for her heart in an overly dramatic manner. “Hehehe~, I, an innocent maiden of pure heart? A threat to Konoha? You must think much of me, Itachi-kun~. To think me a threat to Konoha. I feel honoured to be held in such high regard.” “... ... ...” Itachi’s gaze did not waver. He was already well used to both her act and rhetorics. He would not be deceived. “For you to speak about innocence and purity of heart ... That is quite rich coming from you. If you were not a threat, I would hardly stand before you. I have come here for answers, not for your empty platitudes. So answer me, are you a threat to Konoha, or not?” Asami chuckled, her chin resting upon her delicate hand. “To speak with such conviction~.” Her voice lilted melodically. “How cold of you, Itachi-kun~. How I am supposed to be a threat to Konoha?” “Says the girl with a village and an army at her disposal.” Itachi took her words with a grain of salt. Asami smiled in response. “Touché~.” Itachi spoke, “Let alone your past actions ... You know what they say about you, the ‘Black Princess’. They call you a traitor. That say that you have turned against the village and your comrades. That you were colluding with Orochimaru, plotting the downfall of Konoha.” “Do they?” The girl grinned, amused. “Careful, Itachi-kun~, people say a lot when the day is long~. Reality is often far more complicated than it might seem at first sight. Not that it matters. Do you believe the rumours about me?” “... ... ...” Itachi pondered his words. “I will reserve judgment on this matter, though I must say that I consider the latter unlikely. There does not appear to be much love lost between the two of you. The former, however, ... I would not put it beyond you. You are ambitious, Asami, nor do you lack a vindictive streak.” “Ambitious ... A vindictive streak, you say ...” The princess giggled, a smirk crossing her lustrous lips. “Albeit exaggerated, you are not necessarily wrong, Itachi-kun~. But even if we were to assume that I were really a threat to Konoha, what would you be doing about it? Would you be trying to stop me, Itachi-kun?” “... ... ...” Itachi fell silent, his eyes closed. It was a challenge, one directly issued to him, one that could not go ignored. Tachi clenched his fists. The temperature in the room fell as his chakra accumulated. He called upon the power that lay in his blood. His eyes opened, unveiling pitch black on deep crimson red, revealing his mangekyou in all of their eternal beauty. They were testament to the legendary might and strength of the Uchiha. His gaze turned towards the girl, cold, piercing, unforgiving, uncompromising. “I would. And I will. Do not make the mistake of underestimating my resolve, Asami. You would not be the first.” It was a statement of fact. He stood by what he said, no matter the price, no matter the cost. And yet, the little princess hardly batted an eyelid, entirely unperturbed by the sight of his mangekyou, entirely indifferent to the power they were holding. Asami merely smirked in response, a languid smile crossing her crimson lips. “... ... ...” Itachi maintained his gaze, unwilling to show even the slightest hint of weakness in this battle of wills. He knew of the power of his eyes. Men, women, daimyo, ninja, no matter who, the mangekyou and the power residing within them inspired fear and awe in equal measure. They were the true eyes of the heaven, all seeing, all knowing, soul crushing. Eyes that made even the strongest sharingan pale in comparison. People feared them. People dreaded them. They were shaken, intimidated, put at edge by their mere sight. And yet, there was no sign of fear in her. Instead, he met nothing but defiance and even hints of silent amusement. Asami retained her calm, studying him intently from tip to toe. Had she seen the mangekyou before? When? How? Was it possible ... Asami folded her hands together, an ominous smile accompanying her, sweet, yet cold. “Ara~ ara~, such brave words, Itachi-kun~. Would I be correct in assuming that you are threatening me~? Under my own roof, no less~.” His expression did not waver. He remained steadfast. “I would not consider my words a threat, but rather a reminder.” Asami leaned back in her chair. Their gazes locked, with neither of them willing to concede defeat. “A reminder, you say? With you dictating the terms. Quite the reminder you are presenting me with here, Itachi-kun. Consider yourself fortunate, though, as I feel amicable these days. Enough to indulge your demands, no matter how unreasonable they might be. That being said, I do not consider Konoha an enemy. I never did, nor do I intend to do so. As long as Konoha does not raise her hand against me, I promise that I will do so likewise. Are you satisfied now?” “... ... ...” Itachi fell silent. It was more than he had hoped for. “Only time will tell. Know that I will see to it, if necessary.” The girl merely nodded, a smile on her lips. His implicit threat was understood. “Of course, that goes without saying. Anyway, now it is time for my end of the bargain. Tell me, Itachi-kun, what happened really that night eight years ago? I wish to know. All of it.” “... ... ...” Itachi retained his calm despite the poignant nature of her question. So this was what she wanted ... “What a peculiar question. I think we both know what happened that night. The Uchiha clan perished at my hands.” Asami giggled, smiling along. “Yes, at the hands of the infamous kinslayer, Uchiha Itachi. And yet you stand here before me, Itachi-kun~, eight years after your bloody deed, for the sole purpose of threatening me under my own roof and in no uncertain terms that I should not even dare to lay a hand on your Konoha. Why would you go so far to protect a village that you have supposedly betrayed in cold blood? All while being a long time member of a subversive organisation whose declared goal is nothing short of world domination, which goes at the obvious expense of Konoha. Would you not also call that absurd, Itachi-kun? Unless ... Unless you are not who you pretend to be.” “... ... ...” Itachi remained unimpressed. Of course, someone like her would catch on. It was an unpleasant outcome, but one that he had foreseen. It was a risk that he had been willing to take. “How much do you know?” Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩