Chapter 4

Itachi Uchiha and Hana Inuzuka part 3

"Now seeing as I have told a really long story for just explaining one concept, I think it's better than explaining what do you say?" he asked already knowing the answer as expected both of them nodded.

"But the story was really great Uncle Minato and beside it taught us to be better friends so it doesn't matter," said Hana

"The Curse of Hatred as it's called by the Uchiha Clan and others who know the history well was an ideal common to members of the Uchiha Clan. Uchiha is people greatly devoted to love and friendship, yet they tend to conceal their more affectionate traits. When the object of their affection is lost, an Uchiha's love can instantaneously turn into hatred, leaving them more inclined to do anything and everything in their power to achieve their goals and show their own superiority, regardless of the consequences and repercussions of their actions. The despair of these experiences causes a manifestation of unique chakra within an Uchiha's brain, impacting the optic nerves and creating the Sharingan. The Sharingan's advanced form also requires extremely painful experiences, which cause the user to delve into the darkness that utterly consumes them. The Uchiha's Curse of Hatred can be considered a counterpart to the Senju's Will of Fire. Whereas the Will of Fire encourages a selfless approach to life, sacrificing oneself for the betterment of the many, specifically one's village, the Curse of Hatred typically sees Uchiha displaying self-interested tendencies, sacrificing the many for the betterment of the few, specifically the clan or an Uchiha's close intimates. There have been cases where the Curse of Hatred can be channel into something positive, although it may manifest in an extreme manner. Madara for example, after founding Konoha acted what he believed benefitted the village, but took a more ruthless approach in contrast to Hashirama's more compassionate approach. Individual Uchiha can also be released from the Curse of Hatred by those who are close to them, though this is incredibly difficult as the Uchiha becomes largely unreasonable and unflinching in their singular desire. After several years of failed negotiations, Hashirama Senju was able to draw his best friend, Madara Uchiha, away from the Curse of Hatred and channel his energies into their newly-formed Konoha. This was only a temporary success as Madara eventually returned to his former ways." the younger man finished his story

"What concept do you live to Uncle Minato?" asked Hana through she the answer

"The Will of Fire is the concept I have always lived to."

Itachi turned to the Blond Hokage and said" You know you were right actually the events leading up to the Uchiha Clan Downfall can be considered the ultimate display of the clash between these two ideas: the Uchiha, feeling mistreated by the Senju-influenced government of Konohagakure planned to perform a coup d'état to take control of Konoha, paying no mind to the fact that this in the short term would start another ninja world war and would likely see the complete eradication of the Uchiha." Minato nodded while many other people were shocked at the intelligence of someone so young, they just didn't know the fact that there were other people just as smart.

There was a polite cough from behind them stopping what they were doing to turn and see who he was there Genma Shiranui who was a member of the group that served as elite bodyguards for the Fourth Hokage who was smiling fondly at the scene in front of him, he loved working for the younger man he was a great person and Hokage always ready to help.

"I am sorry to interrupt you, Lord Hokage..." the blond-haired blue-eyed Hokage glared at the man in front of him his beautifully bright blue eyes turned into an icy blue.

"Genma what have I told you about the title?" the glare that could send entire armies running did not affect his bodyguard, after all, it did not have any real power to it right now.

So, he just smiled and said" Ah yes please forgive me, "

"How do you say my wolf princess should we forgive him?" he asked Hana with a serious tone

"I think we should I like him," she answered with an equally serious tone

"All right you are forgiven because she likes you," he said breaking into a smile

"Well thank you Lady Hana for intervening in my behalf. I am sorry to interrupt you Minato-sama" he said this time ignoring his glare" but you are late for your daily meeting with the villagers Shikaku-Sama and Fugaku-Sama are waiting for you..." he did not get to finish his sentence because of the fact Minato interrupted him

"Daily meeting with the villagers?" asked Hashirama

"Yeah, I made visits every day in the village to speak with the villagers." This surprised every Kage they did not have time to do that.

"Sh.." he started but stopped himself and changed it because of the presence of the children" Damn I totally forgot. "and then he turned to the children and said," I am sorry but I have to go see you again after I am done." they nodded and Minato told Genma" Genma can you take them to get something to eat for me?"

"Of course, Minato-Sama just go." in a flash of light the young Hokage disappeared

"How did you do that?" asked Kawarama Senju

"That one of my favorite techniques called the Flying Thunder God created by the Second Hokage too. It is actually why people call me the Yellow Flash I move fast enough that the only the thing they see is my blond hair. It's like this" he made a few hand seals and in the same flesh of light appeared after Tsunade. The younger generation who had never seen him do that had star in their eyes which were as wide as dinner plates.

"You have improved the technique," Tobirama said with as much emotion as the stoic Senju would allow himself to express thinking' So that's how he knows my technique.' he was impressed

"Until now we have seen him do amazing feats just how strong is this Minato Namikaze." was what quite a few people were thinking especially Hashirama, Mito, and Dan.

"So, do you want Dango and Ramen for lunch right?" asked the older man

"No," the young heirs said at the same time

"Hana does not like ramen," said Kiba

"Neither does Itachi," said Sasuke

No one corrected the two Genin they would learn sooner than they would think.

"Really the two of you are rejecting Dango and ramen. I think you are the only ones who like ramen just as much as Minato."

"No, we meant that we can't eat Dango before ramen. Dango is a desert. You don't eat something sweet before you eat something salty." Hana said in a scolding voice

"Right silly me. How could I say that?" he said laughing

"Hey, Genma how come you were not afraid of Uncle Minato glare?"
"Yeah I know that most people would be afraid of his glare but the one he gave me right now did not have any fire at all."

'Could it be true?' those who did not know The Fourth Hokage was thinking

The two young children snorted" We have heard that he scared entire armies with his glare. Is it true?"

"Yes, it is true but don't let him hear that," he answered after looking around at first to see if he was within hearing-range

"Dad says that if you ask him about a technique and he tells you he has not perfected it yet it means he knows it perfectly," said Itachi in serious tone well as serious as a child even an Uchiha can do.

"That's not true," said the blond Hokage but everyone who knows him well enough gave him a look that said that it was true.

"Yes, it's true but that's one of the things that make him such a well-loved person many people would develop a big head if they ever achieved what he has achieved and but he is humble about it says he still has the opportunity to achieve even when people are gifted like he is it can corrupt them if they don't find an outlet for them can also make them isolated and have to be careful Itachi something like that can happen to you too."

"I won't allow it even if many calls me a freak," he said really seriously

"You know many called Minato a freak too."

"Really why?"

"Because he had no bloodline, too much trust in everyone, too much love for everyone and no fear in death well his death. It wasn't natural according to some people and he has proved them all wrong well about the last one at least he still isn't afraid of his own death and he still loves everyone in this village and trusts everyone in different ways."

"Uncle Minato has told us a good shinobi is the one who is always pushing past his earlier limits but still knows his momentary limits," said Itachi making Hana nod

"The two of you are going to become amazing shinobi's just wait and see." the children in question smiled

"And I was right the two of you are amazing shinobi's," said the present day Genma" Right Minato-Sama?"

"Stop calling me that Minato is all right and yes you are right they are amazing shinobi." the smile in his face was possibly blinding

LATER THAT DAY

"Oh no," said both Itachi and Hana at the same time making everyone curious as to what was going on.

The view everyone was looking at was of the Uchiha compound everyone was running around with fear written all over their faces.

That made everyone even more curious Uchiha's never showed emotions those who understood what day it was paled so much that they looked like a piece of paper.

"THE KYUUBI IS ATTACKING," an Uchiha was yelling

That yell made everyone realized what day that was and why the Sannin, the Clan heads, the Hokage and quite a few other people had paled before.

"I-it's October 10th is there right?" asked Ino looking at her father.

"Yes, it is," everyone who knew what it meant had their heads bowed in sadness.

"Fugaku Uchiha where are you going?" question Mikoto Uchiha

"Where do you think I am going dear I am going to fight the Kyuubi before he kills more people and I are going to stop my brother from dying today. Have you seen my weapons?"

"No have you tried the weaponry?"

'I need to stop him for even a few minutes only a few minutes and I will be done with my part of the promise' thought Mikoto

"We can hear their thoughts?" asked Inoichi

"Yes, you can," answered the God-like figure

Fugaku was about to leave the house when he fell in the ground" I'm sorry I am late I had to knock out the ones who did not have spouses to hold them off first."

The fourth Hokage appeared with three clones by his side each with their arms full" I have to bring them here I send the others to Hiromi but there are only so many children she can take care by herself. You don't mind do you, Miko?"

"No of course not" when she said that one of his clones lowered in the ground Hana who was holding Kiba into her arms while the other two lowered Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi and Maito Gai none of whom looked really happy to be there.

"Minato-sensei why are you locking us there we have to go and fight to protect our the village," said the young Sarutobi

"No, you are going to stay here and be safe. Too bad, I can't force Kakashi to stay here too but he is an ANBU captain and I can't stop him from fighting."

"But why Minato-sensei we have to protect you as the Hokage, not the other way around," said Kurenai

"YEAH." yelled Gai

"Remember what I told you about the King," they nodded" well now it's time to put that to work."

He then turned to Hana who had tears in her eyes" What's wrong my beautiful wolf princess?"

"You are not coming, back are you?" she asked in a small voice

"I can only promise to try and come back but if I don't, I want you to promise me something all right," getting a nod he continued" Protect your brother and mother for me ok." when he finished, he kissed her forehead

"Ita-chan..." he started but was interrupted by the Uchiha heir

"Uncle Minato just promise me that you will try to come back alright." and for the first time, Itachi Uchiha cried he would only cry one more time when he would be forced to kill his parents.

"Of course but I want you to promise something extra except for the one Hana promised me Ok," again getting a nod he continued" Do you see this baby?" he asked showing the little boy that he had in his arms" His name is Naruto he is going to have a very hard job to do and I want you to protect him when you grow up Ok?"

"That's me?" asked Naruto smiling

"Yes, again I am sorry I never wanted that to ever happen to you," said Minato with a sad smile in his face and hunted look in his eyes

But Naruto waved the fact that this was the day his life changed he was jumping up and down yelling" THE YONDAIME HOKAGE IS HOLDING ME."

His friends laughed and Itachi said with a smirk" You know is not something that special he has held every child that was born until the day he died."

Every child who admired the Fourth Hokage so every child that was from Konoha looked at their parents waiting for an answer when they nodded those who were born at the time were jumping up and down while those who were born after were frowning.

Minato saw this and kneeled eye level with a group of those children and asked:" What is wrong?"

"We are upset because our older siblings or friends got the chance to be held by you, we haven't had that chance." said a little boy whose mother was about to scold him their beloved Hokage was nice enough to hold their children once when he was alive but they shouldn't guilt trip him into doing it again.

"Well if your parent allows you, I wouldn't mind doing it again," he told the upset children smiling said children turn their best puppy dog eyes to the parents. Those parents just sighted and nodded while their children were giggling in delight the parents were smiling remembering why this Hokage was the best because he was an amazing person.

"I promise Uncle Minato," the young Hokage smiled but his eyes were sad and the oldest there understood he would never see his son or godchildren grow up like he wanted to but he still smiled for the youngest there and poked Itachi's the forehead in the exact same way the oldest of the Uchiha brothers would do to the youngest no to long after.

"You are a good boy Itachi remember that your heart and soul are pure and whatever you do as long as it has good intention will never damage that and don't listen to your clan elders ok." In a flash of light, he disappeared and that was the last time any of them saw him alive.

"The three of you do not look happy to be there," said Sakura

"Of course, we were not happy we were shinobi and we should be out there fighting not to stay locked up in the house."

"You may be the Hokage but you shouldn't be allowed to stop them from fighting right?" asked Dan curious

"No as the Hokage I don't have that right but as their teacher, I do" answered Minato with a smile

"You're their Jōnin sensei?" asked Kiba

"No just their teacher a Jōnin sensei does not have that right a teacher does. I was Kakashi's Jōnin sensei through."

"That thing with poking of the forehead was something you did to me," said Sasuke his brother

"Yes, it was something Uncle Minato did to me when I was young and I kind of adopted with you when I grew up," said Itachi his voice still sad that day changed everything it almost destroyed the village and destroyed his father and the other Clan Heads.

After Minato disappeared the three teenagers that were brought here against their will tried to sneak out so they could go and fight but as expected they were caught" Where do the three of you think you are going?"

"Nowhere," they said trying to look innocent which did not work on the Uchiha Matriarch.

"Ok if you don't have anything to do go and take Itachi and Hana to his room while I take Kiba to Sasuke's room," they nodded realizing they couldn't do anything else

"Big brother Asuma do you think that Uncle Minato will be back?" asked Hana timidly

"You heard his promise Hana he promised he would try has he ever given you such a vague promise." the little girl shook her head" Me neither that means he knows he will not be back alive."

They entered the young Uchiha heir room moving like they had been there before many times. The room was quite big with most of the things that he possessed at the time were things that you would find in the room of an older child not a five years old but there were some toys, a shogi board, and a few children books but what caught everyone's attention were the photos that included everyone that right now were Clan heads whom everyone thought they hated each other because of the fact they could never stay in the same room without fighting for more than five minutes.

"Have you been in his room before Kurenai-sensei?" asked Hinata

"Well, we have babysat Itachi and Hana many times before."

The two in question glared at the Genjutsu mistress" We were not children." they said at the same time

"Sorry," said Kurenai but everyone could tell she wasn't sorry at all by the smile in her face

"Big brother Asuma what was that about the King he said?" asked Itachi

Asuma moved forward to were the Shogi board was located and looked at it" The King is a The philosophy he had. Like in Shogi were the King is the most important part if you were to ask most people who the King is they will say that the Kage is the King and every shinobi is a soldier. He said that the Hokage is the lowest soldier the one that has to sacrifice his life for the king."

"And the King?" asked Itachi

"He said the king is the next generation the one everyone has to protect with any cost. " finished Asuma