Good day all! Its time for another chapter of my fanfiction! Read and Enjoy!
Itachi was happy to be free of his two fellow ANBU agents after the breakfast. He cringed, however, when he remembered Hoji’s request that they ‘should do this again sometime.’ A request which unfortunately he had replied with ‘Sure.’. The young Uchiha hoped they would somehow forget the whole matter and he and the ANBU operatives would return to their civil but far from social manner of relations. Only time would tell.
The Uchiha returned to his clan quarters by 10:30AM and was greeted by a very excited Sasuke before he even entered the house. Sasuke began to regale Itachi with tales of academy experiences as his elder brother kicked off his sandals and dragged his feet through the front door. As he was about to enter his room with an eager and rambling little brother in tow, they heard the cold and austere voice of their father calling for Itachi from another room.
Sasuke was struck silent, his eyes widened anxiously and his face slightly pale. Itachi, who had been listening to his little brother with a happy grin on his face, now had his eyebrows knitted and his lips drawn tight in a menacing expression. He turned to the lad and forced a half-smile. “Wait for me in my room, ok? Dad and I need to talk.”
Sasuke nodded sheepishly and watched as Itachi made his way through the corridor into their living room, where the boy could see the silhouettes of their seated parents through the paper walls. Itachi slid open the door, took a very deep breath, and proceeded inside.
Uchiha Fugaku was a man of average height and stocky build which he kept hidden behind the typical attire of Konoha shinobi. His clothing was set apart from the normal ninja’s by the fact that it was the Uchiha symbol that was emblazoned on both his shoulders instead of the Uzumaki clan emblem and that a cloth was wrapped around his waist. With a skin tone identical to Itachi’s, his broad face was also framed by long bangs which fell to his chin and his face bore conspicuous tear troughs as well, although Itachi's were far more pronounced. Fugaku’s heavy set features, tightly drawn lips, sharp thin nose and sunken, narrowed, hawk-like eyes spoke of a man who has seen more battle and blood than your average shinobi and was more than able to deal with more.
His heavy arms, sleeved folded to the elbows, were intertwined across his broad chest as he was seated before Itachi. Next to the Uchiha clan leader was his wife Uchiha Mikoto, who’s long blue-tinted black hair- the same color as Sasuke’s-fell behind to her waist, and also as bangs which dropped down to her chest. Mikoto was slender and of a shapely figure which was still apparent despite the beige apron she donned over her long black skirt and blouse. Her skin was as light as that of her second son, her oval face was yet to lose the beauty of her youth despite being the mother to two children and she wore the most serene expression as she looked at Itachi through almond-shaped, dark eyes.
“Be seated, son.” commanded Fugaku, gazing at Itachi with a complete apathy. Itachi obeyed immediately and met his father’s look with an equally empty one, wearing an identical lethargic expression. Tension lurked in the air as the three individuals sat there in silence. After a few seconds, Fugaku cleared his throat and began to speak, “I only returned from some business outside the village this morning and I heard you arrived yesterday. How was your mission?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. It’s ANBU business.” replied Itachi calmly.
Fugaku’s brows furrowed. “I see. Well, it’s of little consequence. I’m more interested in an update of ANBU’s policies and information on their top officers. It came to my knowledge that ANBU legend Hatake Kakashi , hero of the Sharingan,” he jeered the white haired ANBU with a mocking tone, “joined you on your mission. What can you tell me of his abilities?”
Itachi spent the next twenty minutes informing his father of as many ANBU’s secrets that had come his way. Since he was still a lower agent, there was not much he could give and it was with many questions left unanswered that Itachi was finally allowed to leave. As he slid open the door, he heard a hasty “Wait.” from his mother.
Itachi looked over his shoulder and quirked an eyebrow at his mother as if to ask, ‘What?’
“Mitsuki.” said the woman, her placid expression tinged with consternation.
“Are you still associating with her?!” Fugaku asked brusquely, his voice laced with anger. “I told you to stay away from her. She’s Shisui’s sister. Every time the clan sees you two together, they are reminded of Shisui’s death.”
“Suicide.” corrected Itachi. “I didn’t kill him so it shouldn’t matter.” he added as he sauntered away.
When he returned to his room, he met Sasuke seated on his bed with several scrolls unrolled before him on the blanket. It was Ninja Academy assignment and the boy wanted help. Itachi smiled and beckoned Sasuke to come to him. The boy leaped enthusiastically off the bed and bounded towards his older brother only to be halted by a sharp poke to the forehead courtesy of Itachi’s index and middle fingers. As a pouting Sasuke massaged the spot between his eyebrows where Itachi had struck playfully, the older brother said warmly, “Sorry Sasuke, maybe another time. I have to go somewhere right now”
“Itachi, no one said this was going to be easy.” said Hiruzen sympathetically before he took another drag at his long pipe. Dressed in his typical Hokage attire, his wrinkled face shadowed by the broad Hokage hat and the white fabric which hung from it around his head, the Hokage sat at his table opposite a standing Uchiha Itachi. One wrinkled hand worked his pipe while the other rested gently on the smooth surface of the wooden table between two tall towers of paperwork in need of signing. The boy had rushed to the village leader’s office immediately after the traitorous conversation he had with Fugaku and Mikoto.
“I know, Hokage-sama. But, might I request for another mission? The more I stay in Konoha with…them. The more they will ask questions. It would be best if I don’t remain at home for too long. I need another assignment.”
Hiruzen eyed the lad with pity. A twelve year old boy was not meant to deal with weighty matters like a looming civil war. The Third could recall when he was a similar age, and his top priority as simply one upping his then childhood friend and rival Danzo. However, if there was a child who could handle this vital and dangerous position, it was Uchiha Itachi.
When Itachi reported to Konoha’s Council that the Uchiha were planning a coup d’état, Hiruzen was very worried that Itachi would lack the wisdom, tact and discretion to play the role of a double agent for Konoha’s government. However, the Hokage found that he was the man, or rather the boy, for the job. For more than a year, Itachi had been giving his clan false or superficial information about the inner workings of Konoha while at the same time acquiring intricate details about Fugaku’s plot to overthrow the government and revealing those secrets to the village higher ups. It was truly fortuitous for Konoha that Itachi was on their side. As far as Hiruzen was concerned, the boy was their only hope in this crisis.
“We have nothing for you yet so you’ll just have to bear with it. But, I’m working on something. It’s not a big assignment but it’ll keep you from home for at least a week until something more long term comes our way. Don’t forget that we can’t risk your life on the extremely difficult missions since you are a valuable agent.”
“A spy. A traitor is what I am.” said Itachi with an exasperated sigh as he lowered his head in shame.
There was a small silence before Hiruzen spoke. “Do you know why Konohagakure was created?” he asked with a tender smile.
Itachi, still with his head sunken dejectedly, answered, “In order to bring peace to the world of shinobi.”
Hiruzen shook his head. “No, it was more than that. Konoha was created in order to create better shinobi. Now, I don’t mean merely in skill. Although, I was incredibly young, I saw the horrors of the era which preceded the time of Ninja Villages. Even the Great Ninja World Wars are mere petty trifles compared to that hellish time. Men spilled each other’s blood like animals and every clan was simply a horde of savage, merciless beasts.”
“However, that all changed when this village was created. The bloodlust was lifted from the heart of ninja and they remembered their humanities. They learned to love one another. This is the ultimate reason why Konoha exists. We live, fight and die so that those who come after us will not be reduced to the same base, ruthless state as the ones before us. Itachi, a ninja like you who is ready to endure through pain and trying times not to benefit himself, but for the good of the whole shinobi world. You are the dream of your predecessors! If, for the sake of Konoha, I were to meet an untimely end in battle, I would die happily knowing that a ninja like you would be carrying my legacy. You’re a hero and don’t let anyone tell you different.”
Itachi barely noticed that his head was now raised and he was looking at the old and wizened Hokage’s warm expression with utmost respect and adoration. The Uchiha prodigy was much too occupied with fighting the moisture that had blurred his vision and glossed his eyes. “Thank you, Hokage-sama.” He said with an uncertain voice which hung far too close to the edge of a sob.
HIruzen smiled. “Don’t worry Itachi. I’m making every effort the resolve this issue via dialogue with your father. In the meantime, we all just have to endure. A true ninja is one who can.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
“You are dismissed.”
As the young prodigy made his way home through the busy streets of Konoha, he resolved in his heart that despite whatever happened between the Uchiha and the village, he would be and always remain Konoha’s Uchiha Itachi. Turning his head upwards, Itachi observed a clear blue sky streaked sparsely with white clouds, illuminated by bright midday sun and dotted with flying birds. Perhaps he was not as free to make his choices as the arboreal creatures, perhaps he would not get to bask in warm and beautiful sunshine, he would remain a loyal shinobi and a fighter for peace, come hell or high water, until his very last breath.
And he also decided to head to Mitsuki’s place.
To Be Continued.
Itachi was happy to be free of his two fellow ANBU agents after the breakfast. He cringed, however, when he remembered Hoji’s request that they ‘should do this again sometime.’ A request which unfortunately he had replied with ‘Sure.’. The young Uchiha hoped they would somehow forget the whole matter and he and the ANBU operatives would return to their civil but far from social manner of relations. Only time would tell.
The Uchiha returned to his clan quarters by 10:30AM and was greeted by a very excited Sasuke before he even entered the house. Sasuke began to regale Itachi with tales of academy experiences as his elder brother kicked off his sandals and dragged his feet through the front door. As he was about to enter his room with an eager and rambling little brother in tow, they heard the cold and austere voice of their father calling for Itachi from another room.
Sasuke was struck silent, his eyes widened anxiously and his face slightly pale. Itachi, who had been listening to his little brother with a happy grin on his face, now had his eyebrows knitted and his lips drawn tight in a menacing expression. He turned to the lad and forced a half-smile. “Wait for me in my room, ok? Dad and I need to talk.”
Sasuke nodded sheepishly and watched as Itachi made his way through the corridor into their living room, where the boy could see the silhouettes of their seated parents through the paper walls. Itachi slid open the door, took a very deep breath, and proceeded inside.
Uchiha Fugaku was a man of average height and stocky build which he kept hidden behind the typical attire of Konoha shinobi. His clothing was set apart from the normal ninja’s by the fact that it was the Uchiha symbol that was emblazoned on both his shoulders instead of the Uzumaki clan emblem and that a cloth was wrapped around his waist. With a skin tone identical to Itachi’s, his broad face was also framed by long bangs which fell to his chin and his face bore conspicuous tear troughs as well, although Itachi's were far more pronounced. Fugaku’s heavy set features, tightly drawn lips, sharp thin nose and sunken, narrowed, hawk-like eyes spoke of a man who has seen more battle and blood than your average shinobi and was more than able to deal with more.
His heavy arms, sleeved folded to the elbows, were intertwined across his broad chest as he was seated before Itachi. Next to the Uchiha clan leader was his wife Uchiha Mikoto, who’s long blue-tinted black hair- the same color as Sasuke’s-fell behind to her waist, and also as bangs which dropped down to her chest. Mikoto was slender and of a shapely figure which was still apparent despite the beige apron she donned over her long black skirt and blouse. Her skin was as light as that of her second son, her oval face was yet to lose the beauty of her youth despite being the mother to two children and she wore the most serene expression as she looked at Itachi through almond-shaped, dark eyes.
“Be seated, son.” commanded Fugaku, gazing at Itachi with a complete apathy. Itachi obeyed immediately and met his father’s look with an equally empty one, wearing an identical lethargic expression. Tension lurked in the air as the three individuals sat there in silence. After a few seconds, Fugaku cleared his throat and began to speak, “I only returned from some business outside the village this morning and I heard you arrived yesterday. How was your mission?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. It’s ANBU business.” replied Itachi calmly.
Fugaku’s brows furrowed. “I see. Well, it’s of little consequence. I’m more interested in an update of ANBU’s policies and information on their top officers. It came to my knowledge that ANBU legend Hatake Kakashi , hero of the Sharingan,” he jeered the white haired ANBU with a mocking tone, “joined you on your mission. What can you tell me of his abilities?”
Itachi spent the next twenty minutes informing his father of as many ANBU’s secrets that had come his way. Since he was still a lower agent, there was not much he could give and it was with many questions left unanswered that Itachi was finally allowed to leave. As he slid open the door, he heard a hasty “Wait.” from his mother.
Itachi looked over his shoulder and quirked an eyebrow at his mother as if to ask, ‘What?’
“Mitsuki.” said the woman, her placid expression tinged with consternation.
“Are you still associating with her?!” Fugaku asked brusquely, his voice laced with anger. “I told you to stay away from her. She’s Shisui’s sister. Every time the clan sees you two together, they are reminded of Shisui’s death.”
“Suicide.” corrected Itachi. “I didn’t kill him so it shouldn’t matter.” he added as he sauntered away.
When he returned to his room, he met Sasuke seated on his bed with several scrolls unrolled before him on the blanket. It was Ninja Academy assignment and the boy wanted help. Itachi smiled and beckoned Sasuke to come to him. The boy leaped enthusiastically off the bed and bounded towards his older brother only to be halted by a sharp poke to the forehead courtesy of Itachi’s index and middle fingers. As a pouting Sasuke massaged the spot between his eyebrows where Itachi had struck playfully, the older brother said warmly, “Sorry Sasuke, maybe another time. I have to go somewhere right now”
00000
“Itachi, no one said this was going to be easy.” said Hiruzen sympathetically before he took another drag at his long pipe. Dressed in his typical Hokage attire, his wrinkled face shadowed by the broad Hokage hat and the white fabric which hung from it around his head, the Hokage sat at his table opposite a standing Uchiha Itachi. One wrinkled hand worked his pipe while the other rested gently on the smooth surface of the wooden table between two tall towers of paperwork in need of signing. The boy had rushed to the village leader’s office immediately after the traitorous conversation he had with Fugaku and Mikoto.
“I know, Hokage-sama. But, might I request for another mission? The more I stay in Konoha with…them. The more they will ask questions. It would be best if I don’t remain at home for too long. I need another assignment.”
Hiruzen eyed the lad with pity. A twelve year old boy was not meant to deal with weighty matters like a looming civil war. The Third could recall when he was a similar age, and his top priority as simply one upping his then childhood friend and rival Danzo. However, if there was a child who could handle this vital and dangerous position, it was Uchiha Itachi.
When Itachi reported to Konoha’s Council that the Uchiha were planning a coup d’état, Hiruzen was very worried that Itachi would lack the wisdom, tact and discretion to play the role of a double agent for Konoha’s government. However, the Hokage found that he was the man, or rather the boy, for the job. For more than a year, Itachi had been giving his clan false or superficial information about the inner workings of Konoha while at the same time acquiring intricate details about Fugaku’s plot to overthrow the government and revealing those secrets to the village higher ups. It was truly fortuitous for Konoha that Itachi was on their side. As far as Hiruzen was concerned, the boy was their only hope in this crisis.
“We have nothing for you yet so you’ll just have to bear with it. But, I’m working on something. It’s not a big assignment but it’ll keep you from home for at least a week until something more long term comes our way. Don’t forget that we can’t risk your life on the extremely difficult missions since you are a valuable agent.”
“A spy. A traitor is what I am.” said Itachi with an exasperated sigh as he lowered his head in shame.
There was a small silence before Hiruzen spoke. “Do you know why Konohagakure was created?” he asked with a tender smile.
Itachi, still with his head sunken dejectedly, answered, “In order to bring peace to the world of shinobi.”
Hiruzen shook his head. “No, it was more than that. Konoha was created in order to create better shinobi. Now, I don’t mean merely in skill. Although, I was incredibly young, I saw the horrors of the era which preceded the time of Ninja Villages. Even the Great Ninja World Wars are mere petty trifles compared to that hellish time. Men spilled each other’s blood like animals and every clan was simply a horde of savage, merciless beasts.”
“However, that all changed when this village was created. The bloodlust was lifted from the heart of ninja and they remembered their humanities. They learned to love one another. This is the ultimate reason why Konoha exists. We live, fight and die so that those who come after us will not be reduced to the same base, ruthless state as the ones before us. Itachi, a ninja like you who is ready to endure through pain and trying times not to benefit himself, but for the good of the whole shinobi world. You are the dream of your predecessors! If, for the sake of Konoha, I were to meet an untimely end in battle, I would die happily knowing that a ninja like you would be carrying my legacy. You’re a hero and don’t let anyone tell you different.”
Itachi barely noticed that his head was now raised and he was looking at the old and wizened Hokage’s warm expression with utmost respect and adoration. The Uchiha prodigy was much too occupied with fighting the moisture that had blurred his vision and glossed his eyes. “Thank you, Hokage-sama.” He said with an uncertain voice which hung far too close to the edge of a sob.
HIruzen smiled. “Don’t worry Itachi. I’m making every effort the resolve this issue via dialogue with your father. In the meantime, we all just have to endure. A true ninja is one who can.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
“You are dismissed.”
As the young prodigy made his way home through the busy streets of Konoha, he resolved in his heart that despite whatever happened between the Uchiha and the village, he would be and always remain Konoha’s Uchiha Itachi. Turning his head upwards, Itachi observed a clear blue sky streaked sparsely with white clouds, illuminated by bright midday sun and dotted with flying birds. Perhaps he was not as free to make his choices as the arboreal creatures, perhaps he would not get to bask in warm and beautiful sunshine, he would remain a loyal shinobi and a fighter for peace, come hell or high water, until his very last breath.
And he also decided to head to Mitsuki’s place.
To Be Continued.
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