Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
An Unexpected Reaction - 1
It was accepted that Itachi was a genius, the kind that is born only once every ten generations. And it wasn't just in intelligence, but in all aspects of the shinobi arts. In mind, in body, perhaps even in soul - the perfect soldier.
Not only did he possess the Mangekyou Sharingan, he had also uncovered every rumor and myth surrounding the Uchiha legacy. Not only could he execute a S-level jutsu with ease, he could also pick it apart, and mold it and make it his own, into something frighteningly better. Not only could he unravel the intricate twists of clan politics with nimble fingers, Itachi could tie the most belligerent players back into harmless knots, all united around his idea of peace.
His father, of course, made no little show of pride whenever he could find room to brag about his son. And no one could blame him. Itachi excelled in every role he played: soldier, leader, teacher, son, brother...
Sasuke often joked that Itachi's greatest imperfection was that he was obnoxiously perfect. If said joke was said within earshot of his teammate, Haruno Sakura, Sasuke would receive a punch to the head and a lecture about how he "shouldn't insult Itachi-sensei because that is a good thing and you're jealous!" Naruto also got punched too, for laughing.
(Three hours in to being a new jounin-sensei, Itachi had quickly decided that he required a medic nin on Team 7 if his foolish little brother was going to survive to adulthood. He wondered if anyone noticed the irony behind his choice. )
Most just agreed that he was simply incomparable to his peers, and left it at that. When Team 7 limped back into Konoha, tired but triumphant after the defeat of the Akatsuki, no one was all that surprised. When Itachi quietly confirmed the death of Madara, no one breathed great sighs of relief - they simply hadn't been holding their breaths for any other outcome.
Like how extreme, excessive stimulation dulls the senses, the people of Konoha, too, had grown jaded to Itachi's achievements. They couldn't be blamed, for it was the nature of things. People grew accustomed to patterns.
Even Itachi himself was beginning to find the hurdles set before him too low, the riddles too straightforward. Habit kept Itachi reporting for missions without fail, but in times of peace, those varied little beyond high-class escort missions, essentially a stroll through the countryside. He could never dare to wish for a new challenge, a new puzzle, for that would require a great time of trouble for his village. And above all, Itachi valued peace.
So he was grateful that the role of hero was left collecting dust, unneeded, unwanted.
It was a quiet existence, bereft of uncertainty and chaos and fear, and Itachi could convince himself that he was satisfied.
AN: I imagine that in this world, Itachi would be incredibly bored. Good thing there's a Hinata coming along. ;)