Itachi was a student in the academy.
His father pushed him to go the extra mile, to become what he was destined to become. Itachi worked his ass off to accommodate his father's requests. All throughout the year that he was in the academy, he was mistaken by many to be older than he was. His own teachers had their doubts about whether or not Itachi was really only six.
Itachi was a Genin.
Itachi's father looked at him sternly the day of his graduation. He said, "You are indeed my son." Itachi nodded. Praise was not given to him lightly. Because his father was the only one that gave it. Itachi killed his first opponent less than a week later, working towards the goal that his father continued to push him towards. He was destined to become a shinobi of the highest standards.
Itachi was a Chuunin.
Itachi's father only nodded when he received the news. It was not important enough that his eight year old son had become the youngest Chuunin in the history of the shinobi world, or that the self-same son had gained the Sharingan. No, it would take more than that.
Itachi was a Jounin.
Itachi's father looked at him once more and said, "You are indeed my son." Itachi nodded back. He had killed countless people, without a reason, for the sake of becoming what he now was. He would kill countless more to become greater.
Itachi was an ANBU.
Itachi's father said, "You are indeed my son." Itachi nodded, his ANBU mask in hand. This was what he had strived for his whole life. He had reached his goal in only 13 years. So many never got where he was. But still, he was not glad. And so he strived to be, in the only way he knew how.
Itachi was an S-rank.
Itachi's father did not say anything. Itachi's father was dead. That was what it took to get Itachi where he was. Itachi touched the forehead protector on his head. He felt the slash that was cut in it, and thought of the little brother who put it there. For the first time in his life, he hurt. Though he had faced down countless foes and sustained many injuries, he had never hurt.
Perhaps he had put his priorities in the wrong order? Perhaps he had gone too far? Perhaps he had lost everything that ever really mattered?
But no. He would not forget what he was taught.
Rank WAS all that mattered.
