Sasuke and Itachi stepped out of the portal to land onto the estate's garden. Sasuke closed the portal and covered his Rinnegan with his fringe again before turning to look at his brother who was now taking in his surroundings. "It feels odd being here" Itachi said, and Sasuke nodded and responded, "The restoration done to the place is very accurate". Itachi raised an eyebrow at his brother and asked, "It's been restored? That explains why it's the only place left standing when everywhere else had been destroyed… What happened here anyway?" and Sasuke responded, "It happened after our battle. That guy Pain, or Nagato from the Akatsuki attacked the village and succeeded in destroying everything except for a few buildings that were located close to the Hokage monument."

Itachi recalled his reunion with Nagato after they had both been reanimated and said, "This was the extent of the damage Nagato inflicted? I understand that Nagato perished in that confrontation… that he sacrificed himself to undo the deaths he caused…" and Sasuke interjected and said, "Yeah, Naruto is able to do that sort of thing… Nagato wasn't the only one he influenced into joining his side either" Itachi was now very curious, and Sasuke picked up on it and said, "I'll let him tell you about it, jabbering is his thing anyway. He should be here by now" Itachi chuckled and said, "You're much different from what I remember. You used to be so eager to speak to me about all the things you've experienced or accomplished. When did you adopt Father's stoic attitude?"

Sasuke wondered at his brother's words, was he really like their father now? He thought back to how his father used to be and then said, "I didn't remember them all that much for a while… there were a few memories that stood out; the first time Father said to me 'That's my boy', Mother telling me he would speak about me often when they were alone, but most of my memories were about you. When you shared your memories with me, I saw everything differently and began to recollect memories of my own. Things I had forgotten but now make sense because you helped me fill in those gaps." Sasuke turned to meet Itachi's gaze and said, "You've always been like our mother. She was kind as well… as for me, well… I guess someone had to continue the legacy of the infamous Uchiha scowl."

At that moment another voice was heard, "Wow, he can actually crack a joke… not that it was a good joke, but still I'm impressed all the same" Naruto jested. "Shut up, loser. It's about time you got here, what took you so long?" Sasuke remarked. Naruto rubbed the back of his head and explained sheepishly, "You couldn't have been waiting that long for me if you're both still standing out here. I forgot to tell Hinata I'll be staying with you for a while, but luckily Kurama reminded me, so I stopped by our apartment before coming here". Sasuke scoffed and remarked, "I don't know how she puts up with you" but Itachi was looking confused at the whole exchange, and Naruto picked up on it, "Oh yeah! Itachi, can you believe it, I'm married now and she's wonderful! I can't wait for you to meet her." Itachi smiled and said, "It would be an honour, Naruto. Is Kurama another friend of yours?" he asked them both and Naruto grinned, but Sasuke explained, "That's the Kyuubi's name" and Itachi responded, "So, the Kyuubi is who you were referring to when you said Naruto influenced more than just Nagato?" and Sasuke said, "That's just one more, let's head inside and the idiot can fill you in"

Naruto was looking incredulous when Itachi made it sound like Sasuke had been praising him, until his teammate called him an idiot, "You can act like a jerk all you want, but it's clear you were saying good things about me before I got here" he said smiling. Sasuke scoffed, "It's not what you think, loser. I was just filling Itachi in on some events. Anyway, you can fill him in on the rest now" and Naruto looked at Sasuke curiously, "Why not just fill him in using the Sharingan? It's quicker and you know my side of everything that happened leading up to the end of our battle since you've seen all my memories when we both almost died" Sasuke was hoping to avoid that method as he didn't want his brother to see how much he had fallen. He cursed Naruto for recalling this ability, but there was no avoiding it now. "Fine, let's head inside" he groaned, and Naruto and Itachi followed him.

Itachi had just relived both Sasuke's and Naruto's lives leading up to different points of events. The man he had thought to be Madara Uchiha turned out to be Obito, his Senpai's old teammate. He had suspected that he was the man behind the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha as well and turns out he had been right. That is why he had been shocked to learn that Naruto had succeeded in persuading him to abandon his quest and to join the Allied Shinobi Forces' side. Yet it was this same ability that helped save his brother. Although it had cost them an arm each, but Naruto had acquired remarkable healing abilities from the Sage of Six Paths that had restored both their arms.

Sasuke, Itachi was so proud of the man his brother had become; Sasuke was able to break free from their clan's curse and transcend into who he is today. That was a feat he realized was much more difficult for Sasuke to do after he learned about the influence that Indra Otsutsuki had on his brother. Sasuke had won against not only his own hatred but as well as this Indra's. He admires the strength his brother has very much and was glad he received this chance to see what Sasuke had now become. "Sasuke, you have become a man even better than I had expected" he said as he pulled his brother into an embrace.

Sasuke did not expect this reaction from Itachi. He thought his brother would be ashamed of him for all the things he had done but turns out he had been wrong. This was now a familiar thought; Hadn't he always been wrong with his assumptions about his brother? Even with his brother's memories, it still seems that Sasuke doesn't know him that well. That is all going to change now.

Sasuke turned to a chipper looking Naruto after breaking away from his brother's embrace to say, "Itachi agreed to disclose the truth to the village. We should meet up with Kakashi to get this settled." And Naruto was looking smug and said, "No offense, Itachi, but I wasn't really going to wait for you to agree. I was going to spread the truth anyway" and Sasuke scoffed and said, "Typical… act first and think later has always been your real shinobi way" he smirked at his best friend who was now getting riled up, "If that's my shinobi way, then yours is being a real pain in my ass!" he retorted. Itachi was even happier at seeing this casual exchange between the two. "Hey Itachi… I'm glad you're back. I've always considered Sasuke to be a brother to me, you know, but now I get to know what it's like to have an older brother too" he said grinning. Sasuke thought Naruto would help in easing the situation; therefore, he asked him to join them, and he was glad he was right. How is it that this loser knows exactly what to say in every situation? He mused to himself, but this was something he would never admit to Naruto.

The village had been called to assemble by the Administration building to hear an important announcement from the Hokage. Kakashi watched from atop the roof of the building as hordes lined up in anticipation for what he had to say. Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Lady Tsunade, and Shizune, have all been on the roof alongside Kakashi. Itachi was waiting back at the estate; once the announcement has been made, Sasuke will use his Rinnegan to transport him to the roof.

Kakashi had been advised by Tsunade to keep the information between those who are already aware about Itachi. The higher-ups should learn about it along with the rest of the village. This was the best way to avoid any pushback about revealing the truth. The last thing Kakashi would allow was for them to go back to the old way of doing things. This was unfair to Itachi who had already sacrificed enough for his village. It was now the village's turn to pay him back.

Kakashi stepped up to begin his announcement. There's no going back now, he mused as he began his speech.

"People of Konohagakure, citizens and shinobi alike. I have called you all to assemble here today to learn the truth about a significant event that took place many years ago." The whispers in the crowd began to rise in the air, no doubt in wonder about what possible event the Hokage could be referring to.

"Eleven years ago, a certain shinobi had sacrificed himself to protect us all. I speak of Itachi Uchiha" The crowd had gasped at the mention of the traitor they had all been familiar with. "Our predecessors had made unfortunate choices that have led to grossly mistreating one of Konoha's most prominent clans. When the Kyuubi had attacked the village nineteen years ago, we learned that it was Obito Uchiha who had been responsible for the attack, however, back then the Uchiha clan had been suspected to be involved. Today we know this was untrue, still this suspicion had cause the higher ups to make decisions that would lead to another catastrophe." The whispers were getting louder but each time Kakashi spoke, the crowd would quiet down to receive answers to their posing theories.

"The Uchiha had been ordered to protect the citizens rather than help fight the Kyuubi, and later the village held this against them. Furthermore, they were instructed to rebuild the compound at the outskirts of the village, where it would become easy to watch their every move. This had fostered a resentment within the clan which had driven them into scheming to stage a coup d'état." Many in the crowd were marvelled at learning all this and incredulous comments could be heard emerging about how clueless they were about all this. Many were in utter disbelief and asking how the higher ups could have allowed all this to happen.

"One member among the Uchiha took on the role of a double agent and stood before his clan to protect the village and all of you. Itachi Uchiha was ordered to annihilate his own clan by Danzo Shimura, the former commander of the Anbu Root unit and the man who almost became the Rokudaime Hokage. He was forced to bear the false charge of traitor and joined the Akatsuki to infiltrate the organization. The intel we had received about the group was all because Itachi Uchiha put his village first."

Chaos and loud objections at the higher ups were being heard from the crowd now. Many were calling out asking why something wasn't done about this before. Others questioned why they were hearing about this only now. Kakashi raised a hand to quiet the crowd down and they obliged after several moments.

"Itachi Uchiha prevented a coup from taking place by taking out his own clan. In doing so he had prevented a war from breaking out and our village weakening. He joined the Akatsuki and provided us with important intel that helped us defeat many of them, later Itachi succumbed to death upon clashing with Sasuke Uchiha, but his deeds did not end upon his death. Itachi was reanimated during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, and it was he who ended the Reanimation Jutsu along with Sasuke Uchiha and gaining us a huge victory and advantage against the enemy we faced." The crowd gasped again, and many began to call to honour Itachi.

"Settle down please. I too believe Itachi Uchiha should be honoured for all his sacrifice and that is precisely what will be done" The crowd began to cheer and Kakashi nodded to Sasuke, he opened the portal and went in to escort his brother. Kakashi motioned to the crowd to settle once more, and as soon as they quieted down, he said, "Itachi Uchiha is alive" the crowd stared silently and blankly at their Hokage. Many wondered if he had lost his mind. However, Itachi now appeared before them and another gasp had been heard louder than before, then followed by incredulous cheers. "The Sage of Six Paths had offered Itachi another chance in life. We are lucky to receive this chance as well to do right by him. Itachi Uchiha has returned to his village and his people." He looked to Itachi and motioned to him to step forward and he was met with loud cheers by everyone in the village.

Word about Itachi's return and his deeds have spread across to every country. Many messages have been coming into the village to confirm it, and Kakashi instructed to have an official written announcement bearing the Hokage's seal sent out to all their allies.

A few days after the announcement, Kakashi had summoned Itachi to the Administration building to discuss his future as a shinobi of Konoha. "Rokudaime-Sama, you have requested my presence…" Itachi said as he bowed to Kakashi, who had been waving his hands in objection at the formality he was receiving, "Itachi, please, just Kakashi is fine". Itachi thought it to be a ridiculous request. He was the Hokage, and the honorifics had to be used, even if Kakashi didn't like them, so he met his objection with a blank stare and Kakashi moved on to the reason why he asked Itachi to his office. "I don't think you are aware of this, however, ever since we had lost Shikaku Nara in the war and the position of Jonin Commander has been vacant. Itachi, I want you to take on this role"

Itachi bowed his head down in thanks to Kakashi, but responded with a question instead, "Hokage-sama, are you sure I am the right person for this position. I haven't been around in the village for a very long time, and the Jonin shinobi do not know me, nor I them. Wouldn't someone more familiar be more suitable for the role". Kakashi understood Itachi's concern, but these typical concerns no longer apply. "There isn't a shinobi around today who is as skilled as you are. My other options would be Sasuke or Naruto, and neither of them are Jonin, matter of fact they are both still Genin until this day. You were made an Anbu captain at the age of thirteen, you are dedicated to the village more than anyone I know, and the reaction of the village made it clear that you are highly respected. You've been hailed as one of the greatest heroes next to Sasuke and Naruto. No one is more appropriate for this position than you Itachi". Itachi made a promise to put Sasuke before the village, would this make it right for him to take on this position? "Hokage-Sama, I am not the person I was before. I… I'm not someone who would pick my village over my blood, that is, to me Sasuke comes first. Do you think this a quality suitable for a Jonin commander?"

Kakashi thought about Itachi's statement, and said, "Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum. These are words that I live by, that I've seen Naruto follow time and time again. He would turn his enemies into friends, yet he never abandoned Konoha, not once. This quality made him stronger, and it was what united the shinobi world and brought peace to us. I think it's the perfect quality to have as a Jonin Commander" Itachi absorbed the words that Kakashi said and realised maybe he could be the person he promised he would be. He nodded and said, "I humbly accept the offer, Hokage-Sama" and Kakashi droned and said, "Please, just call me Kakashi" and Itachi bowed then excused himself to leave.

Author's Note:

Now it begins...

Itachi becomes part of the village officially and what's next is to assimilate with it all.

I would appreciate it if you have enjoyed the story to follow it to receive notifications of the next chapter posting, and to please leave some review for supprot and for me to hear what your opinion is on the story so far. Reviews are quite encouraging and motivating for the author. Thank you.

Next chapter:

Itachi is hailed as a hero, and the attention he is receiving is starting to become overbearing

Team 7 meet their Sensei-Hokage