What? And update? No way!
Naruto is a black hole and I've been sucked back in for the time being. Chapters will keep coming so long as I can't pull my mind out of the Naruto world. So let's say, maybe a month or two. Until Boruto starts to get ba.
Enjoy this update.
Reviews are unnecessary, however appreciated.
Also I really don't edit much so please forgive mistakes. It's a fanfiction, not a college essay.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Itachi was furious.
The Uchiha's talk of rebellion had grown to a full plan and Itachi could feel he was losing grip. As time passed, even he would not be able to stop it.
He jumped across the roofs of the village on his way to Hokage tower and thought back to the recent Uchiha gathering. His father, Fugaku, had spent the time spewing messages of hate towards the village. He told stories of oppression and encouraged feelings of unrest; slowly he was pushing all the Uchiha to the brink.
It was only a matter of time.
Itachi entered the building and soon found himself kneeling in front of the Hokage and the Council of Elders.
He made his report, "Lord Hokage," he said, his voice remaining even and professional, "I believe the coup is becoming inevitable. If Shisui couldn't stop it, then I have no idea what will."
The Third nodded gravely, "I still have hopes that this will be solved with words and not war."
"Enough!" Lord Danzo's furious voice rang through the room, "It's your own fault that this has escalated so far Hiruzen. And you have made this far more necessary by placing that… That thing in their hands!"
Danzo glared at the pacifist leader. The danger the Third Hokage had placed his village in was unacceptable. How dare he claim to be their leader.
But the Hokage was clear and firm; "I placed Naruto in the Uchiha's care knowing full well the power of the Sharingan. I believed that if Naruto were unable to control it, the Uchiha would be a second line of defense. And that reasoning was SECOND to what I believed would be best for the boy. Mikoto and Fugaku have raised him well."
Danzo snorted, "That is your weakness Hiruzen. You think of him as a boy. But as this war approaches, the more meaningful label will be weapon."
Itachi's eyes widened at the mention of his brother. What could they possibly be talking about? He wondered silently. But he continued to keep his mouth shut. He was a soldier and he knew his place.
The Third looked down and the young teen in front of him. So much pressure had been placed on this boy and Hiruzen wanted nothing more than to relieve it.
"Hiruzen," Koharu interjected, "in this situation I must unfortunately agree with Danzo, placing the nine-tail jinchuriki in the hands of the Uchiha was a grave error; one that must be corrected even before peaceful negotiations. I believe we must remove the child."
Upon hearing that Itachi lost himself for a second, inhaling a deep gasp before regaining composure. The nine-tail jinchuriki; it makes so much sense: Naruto's unbelievable chakra and ridiculous chakra control and the unwarranted hatred. Everything was so clear.
The council looked down at Itachi as if remembering he was there, "Itachi child," Hiruzen said quietly, "you were not aware that Naruto was the jinchuriki were you?"
Itachi maintained his expressionless face, "No Lord Hokage, however it does not come as a surprise."
Hiruzen sighed, "I suppose not."
"However, Lord Council," Itachi said, maintaining a soft and respectful voice, "I must insist that Naruto remain with my family. I can promise that I will protect him and keep him from being used as anything other than an innocent child."
"That's ridiculous!" Danzo scoffed, "For all we know Fugaku has already trained the boy to access the fox's power."
"I assure you Lord Danzo, that is not the case." Itachi said firmly.
"How would you know child?" Danzo asked, the word "child" slipping through his lips as though it were a curse.
"Enough!" Came the Hokage's firm and distinguished voice, "I have made a decision. Itachi I need you to keep a close eye on Naruto, make sure he remains unaware of the power within him. Keep him away from Fugaku if necessary. He may remain in your home for now, but I too admit that there is a risk to keeping him there."
Itachi nodded and allowed a small breath of relief to escape.
The Hokage turned to Danzo, "And you," He said firmly, "I want you to stay out of the situation for now. The last thing we need is add fuel to an already burning fire."
Danzo stood, "This is a decision you will regret Hiruzen." And he walked towards the door.
The Third sighed deeply, "Let's hope that is not the case."
The door of the Uchiha household slammed shut with a loud crash.
"Itachi!" Mikoto exclaimed in surprise, "It's strange to see you home in the middle of the day."
"Where is he?" Itachi asked, his voice almost shaking with uncontrolled anger.
"Where is who Itachi?" Mikoto asked, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Where is father?" Itachi said, his voice getting even more unstable by the minute.
"I'm here." Came Fugaku's deep voice as he entered the room, "what do you need Itachi?" He asked.
"I must speak with you in private," Itachi said. He walked past Fugaku briskly and into the next room.
Fugaku and Mikoto made quiet eye contact and Fugaku turned and quietly closed the door.
Itachi was standing facing away from his father. He didn't speak. The room was silent for a full minute before someone spoke.
"What do you need Itachi?" Fugaku asked again.
"Were you planning on using him?" Itachi asked, his voice almost a whisper.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Fugaku said firmly.
"Then let me elaborate," Itachi said sarcastically, "I am asking if you were planning on using my younger brother as a weapon in YOUR fight against the village."
Itachi put a very particular emphasis on the word "your," knowing that if would make his father flinch. And flinch he did.
Fugaku didn't question how Itachi has learned of Naruto's jinchuriki status. He was an ANBU and it was bound to happen eventually. There's only so much that can be kept from him. Fugaku looked at Itachi and decided to tell him the truth, "I was planning on doing what was necessary to free the Uchiha from the prison that is the Village Hidden in the Leaves."
Itachi spun around quickly, his sharingan glowing as he glared at his father, "he is your son."
Fugaku shook his head, "I have cared for Naruto as I was asked to. I have raised him, given him food and shelter, and taught him right from wrong. But in the end, he is not my son."
Itachi's eyes widened in shock. He of course knew that Naruto wasn't an Uchiha, but he had always seen him as his brother equal to Sasuke. It didn't matter that there was no blood. His love burned through his heart and his eyes, making his Sharingan stronger everyday.
Fugaku continued, "You, however, are an Uchiha. And you position is important. We need you to remain level headed. I will not allow this to turn back the progress we've made. Decide where your loyalties are Itachi, and then we can move forward."
Itachi's sharingan faded as he regained composure. He looked at his father with an unreadable expression any poker player would envy, "I understand father."
And with that, Itachi left.
Naruto was bored.
School is boring.
Work is boring.
Everything is boring.
His head laid down on his desk as he struggled to hear what Iruka-sensei was saying. Something about kunai projectiles maybe? Who knows?
The door opened.
"Oh… um… Everyone look, it's a genuine ANBU black-op, Itachi Uchiha," Iruka said in surprise.
Naruto's head shot up, "Big brother?" He exclaimed loudly, "what are you doing here?"
"Quite Naruto!" Iruka shouted, "Be respectful, you're still in class."
Itachi smiled slightly despite himself, "Iruka-sensei, I apologize, but I must take Naruto for the rest of the day. I hope that this ascceptable."
Naruto's eyes widened before his face broke in a huge smile. Skipping class with big brother? Nothing could be better.
"Oh," said Iruka, "Ok, I suppose he can miss one lesson, but he will need to make up the work."
"Ohhhh, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto moaned as he made his way to the front of the classroom, "way to make a fun day sound boring."
"Don't make me change my mind Naruto."
Sasuke, a respectful student, quietly raised his hand.
"Yes Sasuke," Iruka said, calling on him.
"Big brother, do you need me to?" Sasuke asked, trying his best to keep the hopefulness from his voice.
"I'm sorry Sasuke, today I just need Naruto, maybe next time." Itachi said, ushering Naruto out of the classroom.
Sasuke sat silently for a minute.
Damn it, he thought, Itachi never has time for me anymore, always Naruto this, Naruto that! What's so special about that idiot! FINE! I'll just stay in class and do better than that fool can every hope. Yes that's what I'll do.
He watched the door shut behind his two brothers.
But still, I wish I was going too.
"So what do you need me for big brother?" Naruto asked with his hands on his head. He looked around the training field they were in; what could big brother possibly have in mind?
"I want to teach you something Naruto. Something that could help you if you're ever in a tight spot in the future?" Itachi said.
"Really!?" Naruto shouted, excitement saturating his voice, "What are you going to teach me?"
Itachi smiled at Naruto's eagerness. If a teacher only showed interest in him; maybe Naruto's report card wouldn't be so poor, Itachi thought to himself.
He looked Naruto up and down, "But you know…. I don't know if you can handle it."
Naruto scowled, "Stop teasing me big brother! You know I can handle anything."
Itachi frowned slightly at that. He could only hope that was true. "I'm going to teacher you something called the shadow clone jutsu."
Naruto's face dropped, "but big brother!" He moaned, "I stink at clones."
Itachi smiles, "yes I know."
Naruto shouted a shout of frustration, "then why do you want me to learn a stinking clone?" He shouted.
"Because Naruto, while regular illusion clones are extremely difficult for you, I believe these shadow clones will be far more effective. Instead of making illusions you will make real clones. This requires far more chakra, but I think you can handle it."
"Really?" Naruto said, "You think I can do it?"
"Yes," Itachi said, "I really do."
"Ok!" Naruto shouted, fists in the air, "Let's get to work! I'll have the justsu mastered by the end of the day! Believe it!"
Itachi smiled, "Let's start from the beginning."
Itachi sighed as he sat on a roof at the Uchiha compound. He watched his family enjoy dinner from a distance. Naruto and Sasuke continued to bicker. They were loud enough that Itachi could almost hear them from his perch a quarter mile away.
True to his word, Naruto mastered the shadow clone jutsu in no time at all. Itachi had been right. It was the perfect technique for a person with Naruto's chakra level. Even having just learned it, Naruto could already make five clones without any trouble. It was spectacular.
Itachi looked up at the sky hoping for answers. He didn't know what to do. At first he wanted to tell Naruto of the danger he was in, but that would have scared him. If Naruto knew the truth, there will be no telling what could happen. So Itachi made a different choice. He gave Naruto a tool he could use to defend himself. It wasn't much, but it was something. At the very least, Naruto could use a shadow clone to get away if he ran into a tough situation. And the best part is, no one would ever expect it coming from him.
Itachi stood with a small groan. It had been a long day and it wasn't over yet. He has a private meeting with Danzo and he knows he isn't going to like the outcome. But there isn't much he can do at this point.
During his conversation with his father, Fugaku had said, "You need to decide where your loyalties are."
Well Itachi had made a decision, and it was the easiest decision he has every made. His is on his brothers side. Both of them. He will protect them no matter what and make sure that they grow up in a safe and peaceful world. That means there cannot be a rebellion; and he will do whatever it takes in order to stop it.