Konoha's Weasel Prince
Summary: Itachi never got to use his Susanoo in his fight with Sasuke. As soon as the Kirin hit, he was sent back through time to the founder's era and it was up to him to ensure a safer and surer future for Konoha and the world at large. KisaIta TobiMada HashiMito others mentioned
''You have summoned me at a rather difficult time, Shimura-san.'' Itachi said by way of greeting as soon as Danzo brought him before his father. ''I have an important meeting to go to and yet you have me coming here now, of all times.''
''I apologize, Itachi-san.'' Sanzo surprised the secret Uchiha by actually sounding sincere in his apology and the bow that followed it. ''But what I have called you here to discuss might be of some help. Please, sit.'' He indicated towards a royal purple cushion right across from himself and Itachi followed to direction, making himself comfortable but sitting in such a way that he can easily react should things come to that.
''What is it you wished to discuss?'' Itachi was well aware how his behavior was revealing his heritage, his status as a once Clan Heir and he didn't bother to squash it. His authority - something that only got more and more polished in his ANBU and then his Akatsuki career - has helped in a great number of meetings with other Clan Heads that wanted their clan to join Konohagakure. Even if Itachi's clan 'no longer exists' - which it really doesn't, in more ways than one - he was still recognized in his status and people who didn't know him actually bothered to listen and not just ignore him and then get beat up by Madara-san so they would. It happened once, when they first held such meetings and Itachi acted like his humble self. And it was a mere merchant who dared try and shut him up. The man must be scarred for life after seeing the Uchiha Clan Head lung for his jugular. Itachi never acted as anything but another Clan Head ever again. It was simply too much work to convince everyone that Madara was not crazy.
"I am very well aware of what you have done all those months ago, Dare no Ichozoku no Itachi-san." Said man stiffened faster than a cat aware of a dog nearby that would try to chase it. And Itachi knew how that was. He had spent quite a few years helping Nekobaa-sama and her cats out, even after he became ANBU. It was quite an impressive speed and Itachi stiffened faster than that. And Shimura Sanzo noticed. "There is no need for alarm, Itachi-san. This is not some ploy for revenge or to somehow sabotage or blackmail you. If anything," the man bowed yet again, much to the bafflement of the younger. "I wish to humbly express my greatest gratitude for your actions and apologize for the trouble we have caused with our actions."
"I don't understand?" The Uchiha hesitantly admitted, warily watching the man before him. A sensor he might not be, but he was still a shinobi and a damn good one. He couldn't determine the emotions in a person through sensing their chakra - and he couldn't afford to activate his Sharingan, even if just for a second, to see if there were any changes in the older man's chakra flow without exposing himself to the risk of discovery on the same level as when he used that technique while fleeing the old Shimura Compound - but he was still able to detect if there was any killing intent coming from the man. There was none. And Itachi was more than observant enough to tell that the man was genuine in his apology and gratitude, seeing it in every line of his body language.
It truly confused Itachi. Shouldn't this man hate him for foiling his plans? Why would he be thanking him instead?
"You had my only son, my heir, the Heir of the Shimura Clan, in your custody when you escaped and you have not harmed him. You protected him as though he were also kidnapped. Moreover, when you had the opportunity to rightfully blame my clan for our treacherous actions, you simply said it was some random rogue shinobi and not us. You said we helped when we were the ones who have caused you so much problems. You opened for us a gate to a greater alliance than we deserve to be a part of, you offered us peace and I cannot thank you enough.'' The way the Shimura was looking so gratefully at him had Itachi fidgeting a little in his place. He really hadn't expected this. ''For your actions, you have forever earned the loyalty of the Shimura Clan and where you direct us, Itachi-san, we will go. We are in your dept and we can only offer you our eternal loyalty.''
''If you want to thank me at all, then I suggest that eternal loyalty goes to Konoha.'' The weasel said confidently, seeing an opportunity to maybe strengthen an alliance. While the loyalty of a Shimura would never measure up to the loyalty earned in an Uchiha, the Shimura were still known far and wide as being extremely loyal and protective. Such behavior might come from their pride - they never broke a vow - and not from deep emotions like in his own clan, but the Shimura always stayed true to their alliances. It might be for that reason that Sandaime-sama chose Danzo to lead a part of ROOT. Danzo was so fiercely loyal to Konoha that he would do anything to keep it safe and stronger than the other villages. For the Shimura, there were no moral boundaries, no matter how small or big the task or offense given from/to the object of their loyalty. ''I am tired of conflicts and Konohagakure is what will eventually stop all conflicts. I truly believe that. But Konoha must be kept safe, so I ask you, instead of giving me the honor of your undying loyalty, give it to the village. Protect it to the fullest of your might and we will be more than even.''
Sanzo nodded seriously, mulling over the words. ''Very well. If that is what you want, Itachi-san, then I officially declare Konoha the Shimura Clan's top priority.'' The man straightened up properly, meeting Itachi's eye from his own seat on bigger and comfier looking cushions befitting a Clan Head. ''However, this brings us to the topic I have wanted to discuss with you in the first place. About this meeting you will be having with the Nara Clan about them joining the village.''
That caught the secret Uchiha's interest and it must have shown on his face. However, instead of smiling like most people do when they manage to get a reaction out of him, Sanzo's face just grew grim. And that didn't escape the Clan Killer. ''Is there something that I should worry about?''
''The Nara are, as you are no doubt informed, a genius clan like no other.'' The older man began in serious tones. ''It is genetically passed from one generation to the next, along with their ability to manipulate shadows. You never know how gifted a Nara is until they blindside you.''
''As you've pointed out, I am quite aware of that.''
''Then you must be aware of the possibility that the Nara will try to offer you a seemingly normal treaty that will bind you legally to give them privileges no other clan, not even the founder clans, have.'' The Shimura carefully half asked, half stated. Itachi nodded grimly, letting the man continue. ''Just in case, I wanted to warn you, as a sign of good will and loyalty that we have discussed moments ago.''
''I thought you have an old and still lasting alliance with them?'' The twenty one year old suspiciously asked, a frown marring his features. Sanzo grimaced.
''Indeed. A business proposal, if I've ever seen one.'' He shook his head, scowl still in place. ''They tricked even us, so they never did quite earn our loyalty, but we still will not break our vows for despicable people like them.'' Itachi very carefully didn't point out that Sanzo's own actions some seven months ago weren't all that pure, either. ''I would have given this warning to one of the Senju or the Uchiha brothers, or anyone, really, but the agreement we have signed with the Nara legally binds us against doing so. We are not allowed to warn other clans of their methods of legally tricking people, so our hands were tied.'' Those grayish-brown eyes that he shared with his son focused on Itachi's own black ones and the Uchiha was interested in their intensity. ''However, you change the playing field.''
'Ah,' Itachi thought with a nod. 'Now I understand why he has called me here.' Itachi had been introducing himself with only his name, rebuking the claims of belonging to any clan because his birth clan had been wiped out, earning himself the name Dare no Ichozoku no Itachi. As a person who belonged to no clan, he was the only truly neutral person in this village, more so than even the merchant and craftsmen families were because he was completely alone. Yes, the Senju took him in, but he was still not one of them. Yes, he looked like an Uchiha and they have accepted him, but these were still not his relatives. As far as anyone was concerned, Itachi really had no clan and was as such excluded from the 'clans' that the Nara's agreement would have obligated the Shimura not to inform. Itachi was their one loophole they could not have hoped to cover, as there was not many people like him in a time where you can only trust your own clan to keep you safe and cared for. It was considered suicide in this time to alienate yourself from a clan. Itachi was, once again it would seem, the exception.
''I see. Very clever of you, Shimura-san.'' The ponytail wearing man said with a smirk that Sanzo echoed.
''Thank you.'' The older man replied before growing serious again. ''I advise you to carefully read everything on the treaty the present you with. There will be small print, sometimes in between the lines in the very main text, written with a smaller pen and in a fainter ink that will with time grow darker. Within two days, at most, and the Nara will make sure you sign it before then. Be careful of any smudges that might on the paper or parchment that the treaty is on; they usually contain a few words that completely change the meaning of a sentence. And don't forget to view every sentence from every possible angle. The deer-lovers have a tendency to use technicalities in grammer to change the meaning in twenty different ways, each time giving the sentence a new meaning that went into their favor. And be careful: while their wish for peace may be genuine, they will not allow themselves to not get the best possible terms for their joining of your village. You are better off granting them nothing than giving in to any of their demands. Better good riddance than whatever they might bind you to do.''
Itachi frowned in thought even as he nodded to the older man to show that he recognized the wisdom in his words. He was right, of course. It would be wiser to let one clan go instead of being bound to ludicrous demands they might make and Sanzo was genuinely trying to give good advice. But he wasn't aware that Itachi cannot let the Nara Clan go. They were one of the more famous and more important clans in Konoha and their strategic genius has saved them all more than once during the wars that will no doubt still come. Itachi had no idea how long he will be staying here, so he didn't know whether he'll see the First Shinobi War or not and without his insight in to the flow of history and without the Naras that had made some of their most important strategies, Konoha would no doubt lose and maybe even be leveled with the ground. Itachi wasn't about to let that happen, so he knew he had to somehow convince the Nara that it was in their best interest to stay but without giving in to any of their demands. There Nara were not the founders. They cannot have the privileges that they might desire.
But even if they did stay - as Itachi will make sure they do - they will need to be shown that they cannot go around manipulating people to do as they would like them to. The decisions made in the council will be made for the good of the village, not for the good of the Nara. Or any other clan. They will need to show those geniuses the sharpness of their minds and that they will not be cowed or manipulated.
'And who better for the job than the man who had manipulated all of the shinobi world into hating him and naming him a criminal?' Itachi thought as he stood and bowed to the still seated man. ''Thank you for the heartfelt advice, Shimura-san. I now know what to look out for and what to do with the Nara. Unfortunately, I must leave now as I am already late for the meeting and your advice would go to wast if I were not to attend at all.''
''Of course. Best of luck, Itachi-san.''
''Thank you, And take care of Danzo-kun. I bid you farewell.'' Despite his words, Itachi did not hurry or use the Shushin to get to the Hokage Tower faster. The later he was, the more incompetent the Nara will think him to be and as such, they will underestimate him. Itachi had used his opponents underestimation of his skill for many a years of his life and he wasn't above using them now, too. The less the thought of him, the easier it was to take them by surprise. For the plan slowly putting itself together in his head, that was essential. Well, that and his ever fateful Kuro Onyx.
'This is going to be fun.' He thought as he finally made it in front of the doors to the council room, where he could hear Hashirama-san trying the reassure the Nara that Itachi was indeed coming and that this didn't usually happen.
''How troublesome.'' He heard one of the Nara say and rolled his eyes since there was no one to see him behaving in such an improper way. They were all lazy, no matter the generation. How they even bothered to write such tricky treaties when they were almost too lazy to breathe, Itachi will never understand. ''And I so wanted to meet this Dare no Ichozoku no Itachi everyone's been talking about. Shame.''
Taking that as his cue, Itachi opened the doors of the council room without announcing his presence and plastered on one of his most deceiving but in fact deadliest smiles in place, the same one he had given Kurenai when she thought she had caught him in a genjutsu that day when he came to check up on Sasuke and Konoha in general after the Konoha Crush and Sandaime's death. He saw Hashirama and Izuna deflate in relief, Izuna being a lot less obvious while their brothers remained impassive, if confused. Tobirama was the best sensor this side of the globe and Madara was as close to a sensor as one can get without actually being a sensor, so they both must have felt where he had been and when he had arrived in front of the door, so no wonder they were confused with his not entering until right then.
''Then I am glad that I will not disappoint you, Nara-san.'' He ignored the strange looks he was receiving as he walked straight up to the man that had spoke, eying him up and down and almost snorting a he figured him out. The man was like an open book. It was far too easy to read him. He extended his hand to him to shake, hiding his assessment as easily as he used to hide his love for his baby brother even when he slammed Sasuke into a wall by the neck. The Nara man took it and shook hands with him, eying Itachi in a manner that would no doubt have Kisame hot on his heels if the blue man was here, Samehada at the ready. As it was, his current friends looked ready to take his place, anyway, so it wouldn't have mattered.
''Itachi, I presume.'' An older man from the Nara said, also standing to greet Itachi. The weasel named man shook hands with him as well, assessing him in the same manner and finding him a more formidable opponent to read than the younger Nara. There were two more members of their clan, one an elder in her late forties and one a young woman about Itachi's age. She had a heavy blush on her face and did her best not to look directly at Itachi. It was the most embarrassed Itachi had seen a Nara look in all of his life. ''A pleasure to meet you.''
''The pleasure is all mine, Nara-sama.'' The secret Uchiha replied, meeting the ban's gaze boldly. He wondered if this man would have the same guts to look him in the eye like this if he knew from which clan he actually hailed from. Probably not.
''Shikama, please.'' The Nara Clan Head introduced himself with a tight smile that didn't quite reach his eyes for one to call it sincere. "What might be the cause of such a tardy entry?"
"I believe that is no one's business but my own, Shikama-san." Perhaps the man noticed the change of tone in his voice from mild and humble to the authoritative drawl he used when addressing his ANBU subordinates or he saw the glint that flashed across his eyes, but Shikama stiffened and seemed to realize that Itachi would not be an easy opponent. In any field. For his hold on Itachi's smaller yet far deadlier hand tightened momentarily in a spasm before he reigned in his control. Itachi wanted to chuckle. In his time, where his reputation preceded him, he would have understood such a reaction. Here, where his only displays of skill have been escaping a medical ward, escaping the Shimura compound and that 'fight' with Senju Butsuma and Uchiha Tajima, people had no excuse to be so intimidated by him. "You are here for the treaty, not to pry into other people's daily affairs."
"How can I be content in letting my clan join a village that cannot even keep track of one of its most prominent figures?" The pineapple hairdo man asked, eyes weary as he studied Itachi.
"How can we be content in letting your clan join our village when we know you will try to undermine us with a shameful offer in your treaty that you will try to get us to sign?" It was quite amusing seeing both of the Nara males pale just half a shade and their eyes widen a millimeter before narrowing two more in the laziest attempt at a glare Itachi had ever seen. At least this made it certain they were Nara.
"Itachi, what are you doing?!" The incredulous Hashirama demanded in practically a stage whisper as he hissed at the younger man. Itachi had never been this aggressive with potential new allies and villagers. To see him go like this at the Nara was disturbing. Madara was strangely reminded of the Tale of Vermilion Itachi had told his own Elders and wondered if these people have earned the young genius' ire in some way. He rather hoped the retelling of that tale won't be needed. As educational as it was, it was also very uncomfortable to hear of clan slaughter when one lived for their clan like the Uchiha did. And he wasn't sure the Senju were ready to hear that story, either.
"Do not think us fools, Nara Shikama." Tobirama marveled at the ease with which Itachi ignored their joined incredulity and prowled on unhindered. He wondered how he got so good at it and how many years of practice he had had. "It only makes you look foolish. We are quite aware of what you do with each of your treaties. It will not work on us. Your demands will not be met."
"What do you think he's getting at?" Izuna asked of Toka, who could only shrug and watch the show. The Hyuugas and Hatakes present didn't even bother trying to figure Itachi out and instead just observed the proceedings.
"What are you insinuating, boy?" The eldest Nara hissed, glaring at Itachi with all her might, not at all pleased that it had zero effect on her target. "What right have you, a boy of no clan to speak of, to badmouth us like so?"
"I of no clan do not count under the restrictions your previous agreements have put you allies under, Nara-baa-sama." A more subtle yet at the same time more effective threat had never been uttered. The Nara were geniuses. It didn't take them long to figure out what he meant and put the pieces together. "Such are the privileges of us who do not grow arrogant enough to think ourselves better than others, for we earn loyalty. Friendship with the only Heir and saving his life tends to make the Head of the clan quite favorable of you."
"What do you want?" The younger Nara male, a couple of years Itachi's senior, snapped, baring his teeth. It showed nothing more than how truly helpless he was. Itachi smoothed his face out and faced him, knowing he had him hook, line and sinker.
"The Nara would be valuable allies and I still very much wish for your clan to join Konoha." Hashirama sagged in relief but was expertly ignored, everyone more focused on what Itachi was getting at. "However, even without reading it, I already know your treaty has ludicrous demands and as such is unacceptable. Still, there is a way we can make a compromise."
"We're listening." Both Nara males intoned, sharp eyes focused on a deceivingly pretty and mild face.
"A game of Shogi, to settle things. If you win, you may chose three demands from your original treaty that Konoha will have to agree with." Said village's representatives immediately jumped up to protest but a sharp look from the man speaking had them snapping their jaws shut. Satisfied with their silence, Itachi turned back to the men he was conversing with.
"That sounds agreeable."
"However, if we win, you will draw up a normal, standard treaty with us and sign it without discussion." By the grimaces on all four Naras' faces, they obviously had wanted to get quite a bit more than a compound and grounds symmetric with the numbers and needs of their clansmen, a representative in the Council of Clan Heads and the security and protection Konoha offered for all the clans that allied themselves with the village. "Do we have a deal?"
The two men exchanged looks, a silent conversation going on between them that didn't go unnoticed by Itachi. He wondered viciously how surprised they would be if they were to learn he knew everything they were communicating to each other. When they looked back at him, Itachi knew his face was perfectly blank.
"Very well. Let the game decide."
The smirk sent their way definitely made the Nara nervous.
"Game, indeed."
