Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


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'Person thinking'

"Person talking"

"Jinchuriki talking inside his head with Bijuu"

'Bijuu thinking'

"Bijuu talking"

"Bijuu talking inside jinchurki's head"


Chapter 23 - Nin-do

"In much wisdom is much grief; and he who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow." Itachi voiced contemplatively.

"Huh?"

"I read that once, when I was exploring some ruins near Konohagakure. An old saying at the feet of the statue of a monk from long ago."

"What does it mean?"

"It means that the more we know about the world, the sadder we are, because we will inevitably learn about all the injustice, the horror and the suffering that comes with living."

"That sounds depressing…"

"At first glance, I thought so too. But then, after much consideration, I realized something."

"What did you figure out, niisan?"

"Suffering makes us more compassionate. The more we experience, the better we understand those around us. Sure, it makes our hearts heavy, but it also allows us to care for the hearts of others with a gentler touch and, in time, make their lives better."

"I guess I know what you mean. Like, now that I know how Natsumi-neechan is hurting, I can take care of her better."

Smiling compassionately, Itachi responded "Indeed so."

"Niisan. Kurama said I would have to deal with things worse than what I felt in the Red-lights district. And I believe him. Did you deal with worse stuff? And, how do you keep it from making you mad all the time? I was so angry and hurt when I felt all those people suffering and how it just wasn't right. How do you deal with it?"

"I was not much older than you when I had my first taste of the battlefield. It was after a battle where I lost a comrade that, in a moment of intense grief, anger and suffering that I had awoken my Sharingan in fact. My father was proud of my achievement, saying that almost no one unlocked our dojutsu at such a young age. I however, felt torn. 'Is this the price we must pay for power?' I kept asking myself. In the beginning, I did not even want to use my Sharingan, thinking I was spitting on the graves of those who suffered in order for me to unlock them. After a while though, I realized that I could use them as a tool to protect who cannot protect themselves and thus honor their memory. Many more missions followed and, slowly, this mindset transformed into my nin-do."

"What is 'nin-do'?"

"Your ninja way. It's a personal code of sorts. Every great shinobi has one. It's what keeps them going when all seems lost."

"What's yours Itachi-niisan?"

"'I am the guardian in the shadows. Working in the dark to protect the light in others.' That is my ninja way."

"Sounds a lot like what I've been doing these few days…"

"Indeed. But I don't think you are meant to act from the shadows. Not like I do anyway."

"What do you mean, Itachi-niisan?"

"With your ability, no one can understand other people's pain as well as you. I think that in itself is a gift that might help you in your quest to bring understanding between peoples. And this sort of thing does not happen in the shadows. Such a mission requires one to be a beacon in dark times. To step on the untrodden path and show the way to others. I think you were meant to be a guiding light."

"A guiding light, huh… I kept telling Kurama I am smart for my age, but after tonight, I just can't believe how little I know. How can I be a guiding light when I know so little? And how do I even know if my way is the right way?"

"They say that the mark of the wise is to know what they don't know. In that sense, you could say you're already on the path to wisdom. In time, you will learn more and grow. I may seem impressive and wise to you but even I know very little too compared to Hokage-sama for example. But that's why it's important to always keep learning. Brute strength is not enough. Power without wisdom is just like a wild beast flailing about, hitting everything in its path indiscriminately. If you truly wish to make the world better, then sharpen your mind, body and soul and always stay true to your ninja way. As for whether you will know your way is the right way, that I cannot tell you for certain. But even if your way might not be the best way, if it's better than what we've got so far, it's still a good idea to pursue it, don't you think?"

"I guess… Niisan, when did you know for sure what your nin-do was?"

"After a long mission, I came home and ran into my little brother Sasuke, who was still only about 4 years-old at the time. When he saw me, he brimmed with excitement. I can still remember the sunset rays washing over him from the back, making him glow like a little angel, filled with light and happiness and joy. It was then that I decided that I would take as much of the darkness upon my shoulders as possible, so his light would never dim. In time, that extended to the rest of my family and friends, and now, all of Konoha."

"So, you just kinda figured it out in that moment."

"Yes."

After some pondering, Naruto resumed his questioning.

"Niisan, how do you deal with not being able to help everyone? I mean, when I felt all those people suffering, I just wanted to go and save them, but I couldn't. It made me feel so useless."

"Naruto-kun, no matter how strong you become, the truth is that you will not be able to help everyone, but what is also true is that if you don't do your part, then not even those people that you could have helped will be helped. And this is especially true if you try to shoulder everything on your own. That's why Konoha shinobi operate in teams. While we may not be able to succeed every time, working together increases our chances of success significantly, because we can cover for each other's weaknesses and blind spots."

"Then why do you want to shoulder all the darkness on your own, niisan? Isn't that exactly what you just said I shouldn't be doing?"

"…That's actually an astute observation, Naruto-kun. You gave me something to think about."

"Glad I could help! …Umm, Itachi-niisan, what were those people actually doing to those other people in the brothel building?"

Blushing, Itachi asked "Umm, why do you want to know?"

"Well, some of them really seemed to enjoy it, while others hated it. It doesn't make much sense, so I want to understand."

"Oh…" Itachi was staring into space for a while, not knowing how to proceed with the conversation. He was quite alright with talking about shinobi life and its challenges, but he never had to give the birds and the bees talk to anyone ever.

"Niisan?"

"Umm, well, you see, normally, what those people were doing is what people do to make babies."

"What?! That's how babies are made? I thought they were brought in by Stork-sama to the parents that asked for it in prayer really really hard!"

"…Yes. Well, you see, I think you would be better served if you learned a bit about the human body before I explained anything more. Tell you what, bring an anatomy book from the library tomorrow and I will explain everything."

"Umm, ok."

"Naruto-kun, I must go resume my patrol. This discussion, while enjoyable, may bring unwanted attention to both of us and that we cannot allow to happen."

"I understand. And, thanks niisan, for being here. Means a lot."

"It was my pleasure. I'll be seeing you tomorrow." Having said that, Itachi put his mask back on and resumed his patrols around the village.


The following morning found Naruto tired. He couldn't sleep well. All his thoughts were on the people who suffered. He tried to reason with himself that this was just how it needed to happen but it just didn't feel right to him. The world just wasn't right.

'I will find a way to make things better for these people. Maybe I can talk with jiji about it. Make him stop what those people are doing. Yeah, I'll talk to him when I see him next.'

With renewed resolve he went to the bathroom and freshened up for school. He realized Natsumi was bound to arrive in about an hour.

'I should definitely do something nice for her today. And tomorrow. And as many times as I can… Girls like flowers, right? That's what the Yamanaka girl was saying a few days ago. I should get her some.'

Knowing he was on a tight schedule, Naruto ran outside and to the park where he used to spend his days when shunned by others. Since it was still morning, he knew he could sneak and get a few flowers without getting caught. He plucked a few, all the while keeping his sensing ability active to make sure no one came by. Having gotten his quarry, he made his way back home and got the vase he had laying around from when Natsumi had brought in some flowers a while back. He filled the vase with some water and carefully placed the flowers inside. The blond hero then took a sheet of paper from one of his notebooks and wrote a note which he placed next to the vase.

'Ten more minutes.'

Naruto hastily brought his signature milk and cookies and placed them next to the vase and note.

'Right. Now to make sure she knows to come over, I'll leave a note on the door too.'

Having done what he set out to do, he went to the academy, mostly intent on getting that anatomy book so he could learn about babies and how they're made from his niisan. On the way, he noticed the timid sun rays piercing through the clouds in a mix of reds and yellows, making all of Konoha look that much more peaceful, angled right towards the academy.

"A guiding light, huh…" steadily, a hopeful smile crept on his face. 'Yeah, I think I can do that. It'll be hard, but it'll be worth it.'

Feeling Naruto's resolve and cheerfulness, Kurama opened one of his eyes and smiled, proud of his friend's newfound strength.


When she reached the all-too-familiar hallway of their apartment building, Natsumi found a hastily written note on Naruto's door.

'Left for the academy but I made breakfast. Please enjoy!'

She unlocked the door with a key she held with her at all times ever since Naruto's incident with the villagers. Opening it she found herself giggling at the surprise.

'Those are definitely roses from the park. Wait, there's also a note.'

Opening it, she began reading its contents:

"Dear Natsumi-neechan,

You're the best sister in the world and I want you to know how much you mean to me.

I heard that girls like getting flowers. These are for you. Hope you like them!
Also, there's milk and cookies so make sure to eat them too!

Thanks for always being there for me, even when you're not around.

Love,
Naruto"

Natsumi broke into tears as she took a seat at the table. She stared at the gift for a while.

'Last night was so difficult. The clients were horrid. I never felt so used and dirty in my entire life. How I wish I could tell him how much this means to me… One day, he will know.'

Still teary-eyed, she took the vase to her chest and smelled the roses, doing her best to commit their smell to her memory. This was going to be her guiding light in the dark nights that would follow, she thought to herself.

She then took the note, folded it carefully and placed it in her purse, as a physical reminder of his tender gesture.

Her eyes fell on the milk and cookies, his ever so simple yet honest gesture. She looked at them for a while, just enjoying the sight. So much love in something so unassuming. But that was her Naruto. Always caring, even when no one saw it. She could feel him caring for her from a hundred miles away.

Steadily, she grabbed the sweets and enjoyed every single crumb and every sip of the beverage. She could feel the slime on her skin peel away with every bite, like the very meal was a much-needed shower.

Finishing her meal, she cleaned the cookie dish and the glass and placed them on the drying tray with as much care as her soft hands could muster, as if they were the most sacred relics in history.

Turning, her eyes fell again on the vase. She took it to her room and placed it on the nightstand. After a soothing shower and having changed into her sleeping clothes, she lay in bed with her face in the direction of her most recent gift. Every petal her gaze explored brought her ever more peace and quiet. Before she knew it, her mind drifted into peaceful oblivion, her entire being enjoying a most gentle sleep.