DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha.
Please support the official release.
Chapter 9: Itachi's New Funk
Uchiha Itachi was... finally getting her due hours of sleep.
It was shocking how a less-stressful job could do to someone that had been many times called a workaholic as a kunoichi, and it was even more baffling how much she came to appreciate the mere notion of just delivery food around Konoha.
Up to a certain point, the 'idealism' that had driven her to be the most effective 'tool' in the arsenal of the village had made her unwilling to consider ever quitting- ignoring the constant feeling of pushing her body to the limits as her 'proud' father made it clear that her 'ambition' was to aspire for more.
Truth be told, she did feel ambitious for a while. Ambitious in regards to feel praised some more. Maybe also protecting the home she was born to. But as time went on and it became apparent that the village itself was split between its people and its leadership, Itachi found some behaviors within orders and 'promises' of good changes to be outright saddening.
The village was stuck between a complacent Hokage and a Civilian Council that was growing more louder and far tougher with each step. It would be reasonable to say that the Uchiha Clan's switch from Pro-Civilian Council to against it came through the recent events that saw Itachi pulled out of the corps.
'Collateral damage', that's how some representatives excused her removal from the corps - they said it was time for 'less known names' to rise to prominence rather than be 'pushed by familial bonds'.
It had been twice the insult for both her and her parents. Fugaku was murderous as he saw some of his long-standing allies in the village's politics turn around and let his clan take a huge hit to its reputation, Mikoto was instantly bashing the Hokage for his 'inaction' (or lack of interest) over the heavy development, while Itachi just... felt upset.
Time and effort, both of which she put extensively in her role as both a kunoichi and a member of the ANBU corps, amounted to nothing to so many individuals? It was demeaning, infuriating, but Itachi just went on to train, checked on Satsuki's own progress and... felt surprisingly happy in her own rage.
Not because she didn't miss the job, but because she suddenly had a lot of free time. Free time that was swiftly invested in doing things rather than leaving her without purpose. Even just helping around the manor with her mother's own drive to aid servants in cleaning up felt somewhat refreshing.
Her mother would push her out of her 'funk' and it ultimately led her to get this job.
Albeit she didn't expect to go back to a job so suddenly, Itachi was fine with what she got. Her boss was not a ruthless shinobi trying to be both tough and yet 'understanding', but someone that was just there to objectively put her to tasks during the heart of shifts, and then give her a break or two whenever it felt the hours were getting quite intense.
It was a completely different pace than she had predicted, and the girl loved to see Konoha with the excuse of being on-duty. She could even use the basic ninja skills to move around and deal with all tasks at hand with rapid pace - while also keeping an eye on the conditions of the meals.
The first two mess-ups were 'forgiven', but it was clear from Ruruko's cheeky remarks that Itachi was 'expected to be more careful'. And Itachi knew the brat was right - she should be a specialist, someone with eyes on the mission rather than elsewhere but...
Itachi had a crush. And it was growing so evidently that it was difficult to keep track of little details at time.
It wasn't her fault- with someone as developed mentally as she was, the idea of seeking a man with a stable income, a good hand in taking care of children and an acceptable appearance. Jonno was 'a good target' in Itachi's mind, but it didn't help this was uncharted territory
The fact that her mother was so pushy about her getting with someone so that she 'could get some grandbabies from her' made the effort even worse than she would like. Itachi was also coerced by someone else that she never thought would have been 'fine' with this.
Uchiha Izumi was, without any doubt, her best female friend (with the ever-so quiet Shisui being the best male friend). The two had been close during their time at the academy, and from time to time they would spar together.
During one of their chit-chatting, the topic of Jonno-san came up and-
"What?! Itachi-chan, you like older men?"
The wave of pure embarrassment that struck her acted both as confirmation and a rather sore spot. In Itachi's mind, it wasn't that big of a gap- and it was a matter of experience. Plus the fact he was relatively settled and stable.
Since she also had the chance to explore more into the matter herself, she could also tell Jonno-san was a respectable individual and... and while she was recognized as an adult and all, it still felt weird to have wet dreams about 'lewd what ifs'.
Izumi still found this to be 'cute' and told her that she should eventually try to get somewhere with it. And while that was indeed the plan, Itachi found three big obstacles on that path: Ruruko, the Hyuuga Brat, and... Namikaze Menma.
The first two were predictable as Ruruko was a 'daddy girl' and the Hyuuga Brat was quite taken by a little crush.
The third option was an unexpected development as Namikaze Menma clearly didn't have a crush, but she felt entitled to have monopoly on Jonno-san as some sort of individual to confide her achievements. And it became clear it was so important that she was quite irritated when others interrupted their private chats.
In a sense, Itachi could understand the fellow genius' plight as, while her parents did listen to her deeds, it was reasonable to expect Menma's parents to be doting on their other daughter despite the great abilities shown by their youngest.
Sadly, this also meant competing with someone that was just as smart if not more unpredictable than she could imagine.
A tragedy in the making, but... despite that potential hurdle, Itachi didn't mind it. Not at all. After all, this would be 'easier' if compared to the fact she couldn't get much out of her chest when talking with Jonno-san beyond thanking him for some praising.
Ah yes, there was nothing worse for Itachi to be unable to 'think straight' for a while when facing her 'main opponent'.
AN
Next time... Menma's back but it will be Jonno's POV.
