Hey guys
Chapters a bit longer than usual, but whatever I think it's a good explainer
Anyway enjoy the chapter
I don't own Naruto
Chapter 4
Two months have gone by without any incidents. Itachi's birthday was a quiet one with just his parents and Shisui. Shisui beforehand asked what he wished and Itachi had asked for a pair of weights; as long as he wasn't using his sharingan and his stamina needed work, the weights would benefit him. Sasuke had been able to say a full "Itachi" "Kaa-san" and "Tou-san" along with a few other words. His father decided to teach him the fire ball justu, saying once this justu is mastered then he would be seen as an adult. He just taught him the hand signs for later for the two to practice. Itachi didn't have full control of his chakra yet so he only managed to create less than half of his fathers, which was fine by him. His mom just got him first aid since he looked to be constantly training and winding up with a bunch of scrapes. He also kept visiting locations in the village instead of his clans district, such as the ramen stand, the weapons shop, dango shop, clothing store (getting the uchiha sign sowed on the back), and the library. When he'd return, he would try to tell his parents how kind the people were and even try to invite his parents to come with him for another trip. His dad asked why goes there when they had one in the district, and his mom would say perhaps another time. He tried to ask some of his clan's people, and while a few kids decided to come out of curiosity, the adults refused.
Itachi had decided to try to get the kids more attached by this point since there were only five of them, not including him and Sasuke, in the clan, with two at least three years older than him. He hoped they could reply to their parents how good the people were in the village, giving the same reasons he gave to his parents when they asked.
"We are part of Konoha, therefore, we're allowed to shop and eat and enjoy the village like everyone else."
Shisui would back up his words if asked, and he also would state some of his experiences should anyone in the clan ask about such things for more promoting.
'This will take time convincing everyone, I hope the kids keep with the positive words to their parents' truth was two of them seemed to be arrogant, but Itachi tried to be friends with them non the less. The words would keep replaying in his head when he felt there was no point:
"However strong you become, never seek to bear everything alone. If you do, failure is certain."
Even if Itachi had no intention of telling anyone about where he came from, Shisui couldn't be the only one he could ask assistance of. The kids seemed to be training with their parents instead of going to the academy so he decided to make it a point that the academy and becoming a genin of the village was the way to get stronger. He sparred with them and beat them all. They were all pissed of course, especially the eldest who was the only one that got his sharingan activated.
"We are part of the Uchiha clan, but we are also part of Konoha. Last year you would have beaten me, but the Academy made me stronger. Ask to become a shinobi and you'll see how strong you can become" were the words Itachi imparted with them, with Shisui backing him up. After a while, all five of them had been enrolled at the academy once their parents finally gave in. Two 9 year olds, one 10, one 11, and one 12 had joined, and the 12 year old was going to attempt the genin exam with him. His father was filled with pride when he found out from the parents that Itachi had won the spars, but didn't seem too happy with Itachi when Itachi had broached that his strength came from being at the academy.
"Were Uchiha's, therefore, were the best at everything we do that's why you're strong" was what his father said.
"But out of all the kids who are closer to my age, I'm the only one who goes to the academy; therefore, I probably am learning differently and getting stronger because of it. I even won against Sora and he has the sharingan" Itachi said, trying to look confused like a kid should.
Shaking his head in disappointment, he began to leave muttering "sometimes you seem so mature, and then when you do that I forget you're still just a kid"
Needless to say his father seemed to be harbouring more hate than the rest of his clan, thus making it more difficult to convince him. Shisui would train sometimes with the group that he made friends with when Shisui wasn't out on a mission. He was quite surprised that all of them had joined the academy.
"Geez what happened for this to happen all of a sudden" Shisui asked about a month ago.
Taichi, one of the 9 year olds, had answered him before I could explain, "Itachi is the youngest out of all of us and yet beat us all in a spar. He said the only difference was he went to the academy and trained, so we decided we'll get stronger together, and that includes entering the academy".
Shisui was pleased from the look on his face, and tried to add his two cents in before the training began, " That's great, just remember we are part of the Uchiha clan, but we are also a Konoha citizen; therefore, try to be patient and kind to your fellow classmates. If you can't work with them by the time you graduate, then you will be the reason the teams weak."
All five of them had a look of shock on their faces, so Shisui had tried a different approach, "Here's an example, if one genin was to verse a jonin, who do you think would win?"
"Jonin" All five of them said.
"Correct, now if three genin were to verse a jonin, and they worked together as opposed to individually, do you think the jonin would win as easily as oppose to the one-on-on?"
Realization appeared on their faces.
"In Konoha, we work as a three man squad. It's important to have individual skills, but the way things get done is through teamwork. If you're in a bind, it will be your comrades that will save you. No matter how strong you are, three against one, or five against one, or ten against one, it won't make a difference, even if you're an Uchiha. You'll win those fights as a team, but will most likely die on your own". Shisui checked their faces to gauge their reactions.
They looked at each other, then looked back and got into a taijustu position, "So if all six of us were to face you, we'd have a higher chance of winning right" Zono, the 10 year old, stated.
"Correct, now come at me, and remember, don't always take charge, let others try so they can improve and get better for the future; were all equals, be an Uchiha or a Konoha Shinobi. Arrogance can most likely hinder the team as well."
They all nodded, and once I joined them, had charged.
After that, whenever Shisui was available, they'd always try to come up with plans, and surprisingly, give each other options as opposed to having one do all the thinking. It seemed that since Shisui was already a Shinobi, they took his word more to heart than if Itachi himself were to have been the one to suggest it.
After the Academy would be done for the day, Itachi and the group of friends that he made from the district would pick where to eat, then either train on one of the training grounds, or would play on the playground. Itachi suggested it, stating it might help to get to know the other kids for future references. The group seemed to be a little awkward when talking with the others kids, and even looked to him for help, but they played with them none the less.
Sometimes they would complain afterwards when heading back to the district, but Itachi would just say "isn't it less boring at least to talk with different personalities than the ones were used to at home" they would just laugh, and then start making fun of each other, or laugh at what the kids did at the academy, making Itachi smile somewhat.
Itachi knew that there was a chance his father might try to use them to get closer to the elders, but he was determined to make them more attached to the village than the clan. He needed to get them to build bonds with their future comrades.
By now, after two months, Itachi had completed the tree walking, water walking, and leaf exercise, and now had been practicing on how much shadow clones he could do. One seemed to be his limit and if he tried doing two, the second one didn't have enough chakra and disappeared after a few minutes looking a little sickly, along with Itachi panting from over use of chakra. Itachi had decided to increase the weights a little as a way to increase his stamina further, making sure no one but his cousin knew about it, while every morning he attempted the shadow clone. After the academy, he would run laps with the weights on in order to continue to increase his stamina since he didn't plan on using his sharingan any time soon. The group would sometimes join him or work on the things they felt needed improving on.
Today was the day the genin exam would take place, and then a week later he would put into a genin team. Sora, the 12 year old and the one with the Sharingan, was planning on taking the exam with him. Sora seemed to look at Shisui as more of a brother figure, and because of that he seemed to have the most change in him. He was originally the most arrogant than the entire group, but had attempted to change after his defeat with Itachi, Shisui's training, and lectures. He still had some pride and ego, Rome wasn't built in a day, but he seemed to be more patient and willing to listen when someone talked to him.
"You ready Itachi? I hope we get put on the same team" Sora said. Despite only attending the academy for a month, he got perfect on everything he did, expect working with others. Because Sora started late, he would automatically be declared the dead-last in scores once put on a team. Itachi figured he would probably be second last since he was the youngest at attempting to graduate.
"I feel we will both leave with the result we aim to achieve. I will put everything Shisui has been teaching us to action once we are placed on a team" Itachi said us, even though he had separate sessions sometimes with Shisui, in order to prevent jealously or envy from Sora; Sora sometimes would get that way when he saw the two of them together. Even though it was a bit out of character for Itachi, he raised his fist for Sora to respond to, which Sora happily did; it was Sora's way to greet or wish good luck or congratulate to others.
"Sora Uchiha, you're up" called one of the sensei's'.
"Let's do this, we will graduate together" Sora stated, and then proceeded to the examination.
Itachi did not have to wait long when his name was called, and just like last time, he graduated with a head band placed on his head. Sora walked up to him, and bumped fists with him again.
They usually left after the academy, but a surprise appeared on their faces when Itachi's parents and brother showed up with Shisui, along with Sora's grandparents; Sora's parents died when he was young.
"Well now that's my boy, good work son" Fugaku said with one of his rare smiles on his face.
"Congratulation to the two of you, especially you Sora since you only joined last month" Mikoto congratulated. Sasuke appeared to be held in her arms, and began to lean towards Itachi. Itachi lifted his arms, with a smile on his face, and helped up Sasuke in his arms.
"Are you going to congratulate your older brother too Sasuke" Itachi asked him.
Sasuke just placed a wet kiss on Itachi's cheek and screamed out "Itachi". They all laughed.
"Sora, I know we didn't really approve at first, but I am glad to see you smiling more; the academy indeed have showed results in your behavior and I'll be sure to thank the sensei's of this school" Sora's grandparents both nodded at this as his grandma spoke.
"Thanks oba-san, I am happier to be honest, and I will do my best to keep the clan proud of me" Sora stated with a smile on his face.
"Just do the best you can do Sora, we'll be proud no matter what, after all, failing is part of the lesson in life" Shisui said, smiling and ruffling Sora's hair in the process.
Although Fugaku narrowed his eyes on Shisui's comment, he didn't say anything.
"Well, how about we celebrate your promotion to genin, what would you like to do you two" Mikoto asked.
Thinking of a chance to get his parents to see more of Konoha, Itachi looked at Sora, who looked back at him and nodded. By this point the others have been trying to get their families to see more of Konoha. Before Itachi himself had offered to hangout, they had never bothered to see the village, and immediately thought it was huge and wanted to explore the place. Needless to say, they enjoyed every minute of it when it came to playing or eating or visiting stores.
"There's this barbecue place that the six of us sometimes go to after the academy. We wish to all go there together to celebrate; some of the servers there are starting to think were orphans because none of our parents ever come" Sora said, with a bit of a smirk at the last comment.
Fugaku had a hard look on his face and seemed to want to say something, but Mikoto beat him to it, "sure thing you two, I use to eat there myself with a friend years ago whenever she wasn't going to eat at the ramen stand."
The grandparents both nodded at this, "It's been quite some years since we ate there, I wonder if it looks the same. We don't usually leave the district since we are old enough to get tired easily, but since it's a special occasion we will join you guys." Sora's grandfather said.
Itachi, still holding Sasuke in his arms, proceeded to lead them to the barbecue location. It appeared that since everyone agreed Fugaku had no choice but to comply, walking with a stiff position of head of the clan.
'It isn't much, but it's a start. I hope Tou-san will be more open after this' It wasn't much to hope for, but at least his father would see that people of Konoha did indeed have respect for the clan.
AN there we are.
I hope You guys are liking the story so far
On another note, I have began a story called Unwavering Heart. I like it and I hope you guys can check it out.
27 follows, and 13 favorites, wow, people really like Itachi
