Chapter Summary: History has a tendency to repeat itself; those who don't learn that lesson are doomed to endure it over and over
Chapter Beta: None beyond my own two eyes and editing software at the moment
戦国時代
Sasuke doesn't approach his brother right away, instead seeking advice from Kakashi about what to do. Although the man feels protective of both Uchiha brothers, he can also see the grander picture in a way Sasuke has not yet learned to.
When Sasuke questions the wisdom in suggesting Sakura's potential cure, especially in the wake of Shisui's death, Kakashi sighs
"You know you must inform him of this. And respect whatever he wishes, no matter your own reservations."
A part of Sasuke wishes Kakashi had told him to keep silent though he isn't sure if it's for Itachi's peace of mind or his own.
It's another day of weighing his options before Sasuke finally broaches the matter. He enters Itachi's quarters, expecting him to be sitting in quiet, grief-fuelled reflection, only to stumble upon him putting on his armour.
"What are you doing?" he demands as his brother adjusts his cuirass.
"What I should have been doing all these long months," Itachi replies neutrally. "Leading my people."
"You're supposed to be resting. If you push yourself, you could have another fit and—"
"It doesn't matter," Itachi interrupts. "This war will never end. We're all destined to die anyhow."
"You think Shisui would be happy about you just giving up just because he died?"
Itachi's eyes flash in irritation. "Have a care, little brother. I won't tolerate his name used in the manner you intend."
"Only because you know he'd tell you not to be a coward."
"I fail to see how giving up my life to protect our people is cowardly. It's a far better outcome than wasting away in a bed," Itachi maintains stubbornly, and then sighs. "I've allowed myself to put it off too long."
The hopelessness in his brother's voice angers him.
"Put what off?" Sasuke demands. "Your death? If that was your end goal why the hell did you let Sakura and I try to save you these past months?" Itachi is silent, and Sasuke stalks forward, furious. He grabs his brother's armour and pulls it off; it's a mark of how weak Itachi is that he doesn't have the strength to stop him. "You're not just giving up. You're too important to this damned peace everyone wants so badly. If you're not there, what's the point."
"Sasuke—"
"We might have a cure," Sasuke cuts him off before he can think of better phrasing. Itachi stills and raises an expectant eyebrow. "Maybe…but it comes at a cost."
"These things usually do," his brother replies dryly, but allows Sasuke to lead him back to his bed to sit. As he helps him remove his armour, Sasuke hurriedly explains what Sakura has found and the technique she is proposing. His brother listens with a neutral expression the entire time, betraying none of his thoughts as Sasuke confesses the caveat of the plan working and Sakura's true identity.
"I've known who she is all along," Itachi tells him wearily when he finishes. In happier times, there would be amusement in his voice, but now he simply sounds tired. "She is the most competent healer I've ever known—more so even than Tsunade-hime, I suspect. Besides," He manages a wan smile here, "I said it was impossible to forget eyes like that."
"And you still allowed her to treat you," Sasuke says, disbelieving.
"I said before that you have immense trust in her if you were to ask her help. If you trust her, I trust her," his brother says. "There are good men and women on both sides of this war. Why do you think I've tried so hard to end it? And that was long before your feelings for a comely woman entered into it."
Sasuke jerks in surprise, but Itachi waves a hand in dismissal, frowning only at the effort it takes him.
"As unlikely as it is…you forged bonds with these people," Itachi says. "That's both admirable and dangerous. And so, I ask you: if you were to put aside these bonds and think of them simple as that, as people. Not a childhood friend, but the leader of one of our enemy clans—not your lover, but the heir to Senju Tsunade herself—would you still trust them?"
"I…"
"The Senju can play a long game, Sasuke. There's a reason this war has continued so long," Itachi tells him. "Both sides are unfailingly adept at carrying out strategies that require years to come to fruition. Generations even. The Uchiha…the Senju…it's all the same."
"We aren't the same Uchiha and Senju that started this," Sasuke points out.
"Aren't you?" Itachi challenges. "History has a tendency to repeat itself; those who don't learn that lesson are doomed to endure it over and over."
"Repeat what?" Sasuke demands.
"Do you remember the stories Mother used to tell you? Of the Peace That Wasn't?"
"Hashirama betrayed Madara. Mother said it was a woman they both loved."
"It was Uzumaki Mito."
Sasuke feels the air leave his lungs.
"A healer," Itachi continues, eyes boring into Sasuke's. "The first to awaken the Byakugō no In. She was Madara's lover but betrothed to Hashirama—and in the end, she chose duty over love and stood by her husband. She even sealed a demon inside herself to help him defeat his former friend."
"If you're suggesting…"
"I'm suggesting nothing. I'm simply offering a caution. If we agree to this and it goes badly…this would be their best opportunity to turn the tide of the war," his brother points out. "To lure the leaders of their enemy away and destroy them, then win the war on their terms. In our absence, ambitious men like Inabi would take over—"
"But Obito—"
"Obito does not possess the patience required to lead and the remnants of our council are aware of this. If the worst were to happen to us both, they would invoke clan law to elect a different leader. You know Inabi has a talent for winning people to his cause—how long do you think it would take him to oust Obito?"
"He'd have to kill him first. Obito wouldn't go down without a fight."
"Exactly. And our people would endure war on the home front as well. It would not be long before the Senju emerged victorious, picking the clan off as they saw fit. And perhaps that's for the best—this war must end—but too many among the Senju forces hate and revile us. Within generations, anyone of Uchiha blood might find themselves reduced to the status of slave, or even banished from our ancestral lands. At worst, they might wipe us out entirely." Itachi pauses here, allowing his words to sink in. "And so, little brother, I ask again: even knowing all of this, do you trust these people?"
"Yes." Sasuke is surprised at how quick his response comes to his lips this time.
"Other than Sakura," Itachi clarifies. "I know you trust her. Even if you didn't, she's a true healer; her duty is to her patient, and I suppose I am protected by that. Out of everyone I can think of, her motives are the most trustworthy. But innocents like her can be turned into pawns by others. Do you trust Uzumaki Naruto?"
Sasuke thinks over everything he has ever known about the other man. The image comes back to him of Naruto standing before him, refusing to fight him because he was respecting his grief.
"Yes," he says finally.
Itachi studies him for a very long while, and with a maddeningly unreadable expression. Then he nods once.
"Very well," he says at last. "Sakura will perform this healing technique of hers. I will put my fate in her hands—but I cannot in good conscience put our people's there as well. Not in the current climate. I imagine you have no intention of staying here—"
"Don't even suggest it," Sasuke warns.
"—which means we will need insurance. Someone who can extract you if the worst should happen." Sasuke makes a noise of protest, but Itachi raises his hand. "There is having complete faith and trust in someone, and there is being practical. When you are the leader, you will understand that."
"If," Sasuke corrects, narrowing his eyes. "If I were the leader."
Itachi smiles a little, but it doesn't reach his eyes.
"This is absurd," Sasuke tells him. "If you told anyone else in the clan about this, they would stop you."
"Then we won't tell someone from within the clan," Itachi replies. "In fact, there is already someone in your confidence who is loyal to the Uchiha and to the idea of peace. And who, if I'm not mistaken, also has a soft-spot for Sakura-chan."
Sasuke is the one who is quiet this time. He knows that his brother is referring to Kakashi, and while he can't argue with anything Itachi has said, he can't help being wary. He suspects there is another reason Itachi wants their former teacher to go with them; that Sasuke can't figure it out bothers him more than he would like.
But his task was to get his brother to agree to Sakura's procedure, and he has succeeded. He will deal with any other difficulties as they come.
戦国時代
Several days later, under the cover of night, Itachi, Sasuke and Kakashi arrive in one of the neutral border villages. It is a tiny hamlet that has never taken sides in the large conflict if only because there are too few villagers and too few beneficial resources.
Naruto's messenger—a tiny frog summon with an attitude—said they must travel to the farthest hut in the village. In no time the three of them stand a short distance from the homely structure. Sasuke indicates to the others that he will go first, and heads for the entrance.
A slender woman with long dark hair peeks out from the doorway, eyes widening a little at the sight of him. He suspects he is a disconcerting sight, dressed entirely in black and hand on his hips, but she is expecting him. With a nervous smile, she motions for him to come inside.
Sasuke exchanges last looks with his brother and mentor, a general agreement to be wary. Trust aside, they are all conditioned to await ambush.
The interior of the hut is dimly lit, and that only within the confines of what seems to be a small tent at the back of the room. A clean room for surgery, Sasuke realises a moment later when Sakura emerges. She is dressed for surgery in a cap and gown, her hair carefully tucked away beneath her gear. Beside the cloth walls, Naruto is speaking quietly with an older man, who resembles the dark-haired woman enough that Sasuke suspects it's her father. And then, lurking in the shadows—
Sasuke frowns at the third figure in the room. This man is a stranger with hollow cheeks and dark features and dressed casually but his bearing and the scars on his hands betray him as a warrior.
"Who's this?" Sasuke demands, suspicious.
"This is Tenzō Yamato," Sakura replies in a soothing tone. "He's a distant relative of Tsunade-shishou, and the only person alive who inherited Hashirama-sama's Mokuton."
"I don't care who he is, I care why he's here," Sasuke snaps, nerves making him shorter than usual even with her.
"He is here to protect Naruto if something should happen to me," Sakura says curtly.
"Did I hear someone say 'protect'?" Naruto speaks up, sounding annoyed at the idea.
"Don't be childish," she retorts.
"And what danger does he need to worry about?" Sasuke challenges, narrowing his eyes at his rival. The blue-eyed man returns the gaze with equal wariness, until Sakura steps between the two.
"You're not the only ones worried about ambush," she lectures sternly. "It pays to be prepared." When he continues to frown at her, she adds in a softer, quieter voice, "You can't fault us for extra measures. I trust you…and I know Kakashi and Itachi to be good men. But on the off-chance someone overheard your plans to come here? Or ours? What we do tonight is not something to be taken lightly."
Sasuke growls wordlessly in reply, eyes flitting from Naruto to the stranger in the shadows, but then forcibly relaxes. "Fine. Are you sure this location is secure?"
"I've known Teuchi and Ayame since I could barely walk," Naruto interrupts. "They're trustworthy."
He and Sasuke regard each other for a further moment, hard-eyed, and then Sasuke nods.
Sasuke returns to the door and waves a hand through, signalling his brother and Kakashi that all is safe. Or as safe as it can be under these circumstances. As she watches them approach the small hut, Sakura's forehead wrinkles in consternation over something. She turns to Sasuke.
"You were supposed to bring someone who could be a match for Itachi. There's very little chance that Kakashi would be."
Sasuke gives her an unimpressed look. "You know that's not why he's here."
"I can hope, can't I?" she returns, face falling a little. Obviously, she expects what he intends, but still hopes to be told differently. In some ways, she is still so innocent.
"You're a stranger risking your life for my brother," he tells her. "Is it even a question that I might do the same? Of the two of us, his survival is the most important."
"Don't say that," Sakura snaps, a little harsher than usual. Noticing how Naruto and Yamato glance over, she lowers her voice. "His survival isn't the only one that's important."
"You're in the minority with that belief," Sasuke replies as his brother enters the tent.
At once, Itachi's eyes fly toward Naruto, and the two rival clan leaders size one another up. There is a palpable tension in the air; Sasuke has the sudden mental image of a crow facing a toad, trying to decide whether to eat it or not.
A beat later, Naruto takes a step forward, and bows into a low saikeirei. There are several surprised intakes of breath around the room—even Sasuke is somewhat caught off-guard, as he wasn't even aware Naruto knew how to be respectful.
"Uchiha-dono," he says. "I express my heartfelt sorrow for your friend's passing. Too many good men have been lost to this war, and I'm sorry his end came at the hands of anyone associated with the Senju or the Uzumaki."
Itachi remains carefully composed, studying the younger man, and then ducks into a stiff eshaku. "You condolences are appreciated."
"Please know that my clan and I remain committed to peace," Naruto goes on, straightening to his full height. "Danzō does not speak for us—or the Senju, however much he believes he does."
"That discussion is too long for today," Itachi says quietly. "Although it begs the question. Many a man would expect recompense for the danger you throw yourself into tonight. Tell me, Uzumaki Naruto - is your help tonight conditional on a peace treaty?"
"No," Naruto says immediately; his tone sounds almost offended. "This is because you're Sasuke's family."
Itachi raises an eyebrow. "What do you care for my brother?"
"When I was a child, he was the only friend I had," Naruto says in a firm tone, eyes flitting briefly to Sasuke and then returning to Itachi's face. "Before I met Sakura, before the war caught up with us and forced us to fight each other. I don't forget the people to whom I've formed bonds."
Sasuke blinks at this, surprised, while Itachi nods, thoughtful.
"Besides," Naruto continues with a shrug. "Sakura is important to me, and Sasuke is important to her. And you are important to him."
"That's a rather loose set of reasoning to help the enemy."
"Better than some reasons that people go to war," Naruto shoots back.
In the corner, Kakashi snorts and even corners of Itachi's mouth twitch.
"Very well," Sasuke's brother says. "Then answer me one last question."
"Fine," Naruto juts his chin out as if to dare the leader of the Uchiha to find something he has to hide.
"This is a dangerous medical procedure. Even one that your distant ancestor Uzumaki Mito could not manage. Why are you here to help your medic friend carry it out instead of Senju Tsunade? To my knowledge, you are not learned in the art of medical ninjutsu."
Naruto and Sakura exchange glances then, and something passes between them. The silence conversation is that of long-time friends, and Sasuke instantly resents it. A beat later, the leader of the Uzumaki tilts his head at Yamato, who appears wary, but slowly nods.
"It's because I have something Tsunade-baachan doesn't," Naruto says at last, utterly serious. "And which Mito didn't have at the time that she tried the technique."
Itachi considers him for a long moment, frowning as he weighs these words, and then his eyebrows raise incrementally. "Ah. I see. So that's why the Mokuton wielder is here."
Naruto startles and Sasuke shoots his brother a confused look. "What are you talking about?"
"Uzumaki Naruto is a jinchūriki," Itachi declares quietly. "To the same demon that harnessed by Uzumaki Mito, if I'm not mistaken."
There is a heavy silence in the room.
Naruto doesn't speak or move beyond a clench of his jaw, neither confirming nor denying it. Sakura bites her lips, eyes flitting worriedly between her friend and her lover, as if she's unsure who she ought to be more worried about.
Sasuke is stunned.
He has always suspected that there was something about Naruto, something that allowed an otherwise average warrior to withstand Sasuke's training and talents. Some secret technique that allowed him to heal from wounds that would have killed lesser men.
But he would never have guessed at a legendary beast residing within his rival. He glances to Sakura, understanding in that moment why she could not tell him the truth.
"It's amazing that you could keep this a secret from us," Kakashi remarks, sounding uncharacteristically surprised. "And a dangerous gamble, if anyone found out."
"Yes," Itachi agrees. "If he and the demon are one, his power is potentially unlimited. But considering we have never heard of any of your abilities, and you haven't used them on the battlefield, I assume this balance yet escapes your grasp."
"Not to mention Sasuke would be dead several times over," Kakashi points out, earning a glare from the younger Uchiha.
"Not necessarily," Itachi says, narrowing his eyes at Naruto. "And you know that too, do you not?" His eyes gleam red, Mangekyō Sharingan spinning in a threat. Yamato makes a move toward him, but a tiny gesture from Sakura stops him. "Without having reached the pinnacle of your power, you still appear before me knowing that you could hand me a key to win the war. You are familiar with the stories of Madara I assume? They say he could command untamed demons with his eyes."
Sakura flinches, but Naruto steps forward.
"You won't," he says, though his fists clench like he's trying to convince himself of this. "You want a peace that lasts, not one that's built on an illusion. Besides, this has to be fair. You came here tonight even though I'm sure you suspected it was a trap. And you have a lot to lose if your disease is discovered by your people. So I should have a lot to lose too. We have to be equal."
It's the most ridiculous, naïve thinking Sasuke has ever heard of. No warrior he has ever faced would voluntarily handicap himself when meeting with the enemy, and yet the Uzumaki leader has done just that.
Then, to his shock, Itachi gives a short chuckle.
"You are a strange man, Uzumaki Naruto," he says, sounding coolly amused. "You have a very simple view of the world. I would call it innocent, except I suspect you understand better than most that the world and the people in it are not kind. That you have maintained this…hope in the face of adversity is no small feat. And I can see why my brother trusts you."
This time it is Naruto who appears surprised, glancing over to Sasuke as if to gauge the truth of this.
"We will proceed," Itachi declares, and turns to Sakura. "I commit my life to your hands. Whatever plan you have, let us carry it out now."
"I can do this," Sakura insists to him. "With Naruto's help and my training, I'll succeed where Uzumaki Mito did not."
Itachi studies her face for a moment and then looks to Sasuke.
"That is my sincerest hope," he says, and Sasuke wonders if he has imagined the undertone in his brother's words.
つづく
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