I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Familiar Sight

While Shisui was taking action elsewhere, Itachi was at the Uchiha training grounds, accompanying Sasuke in his ninja training.

As his younger brother launched another attack, Itachi blocked absentmindedly, his mind wandering. He sighed inwardly.

Since Shisui's death, he had become the bridge between the Uchiha clan and Konoha. Both sides claimed to need him, yet neither truly trusted him. To the village, he was a dangerous prodigy; to his clan, an enigmatic enigma. He had no place of his own.

Within the village, he couldn't trust Danzo, Hiruzen, or even his former superior, Kakashi.

Within the clan, he couldn't trust his father, the elders, or anyone else. The only one he could trust was Sasuke, the younger brother who adored him. But Sasuke was powerless to help.

At least, for now, he could take solace in the way Sasuke still called out to him excitedly, full of admiration and warmth.

Another attack came—Sasuke's kunai sailed toward him. With a sidestep, Itachi avoided it effortlessly, then picked up a small stone and threw it at Sasuke, only for it to hit a puff of smoke—the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

He's learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu at this age?

Mildly surprised, Itachi turned just in time to evade a sneak attack from behind. With practiced ease, he countered and pinned Sasuke to the ground.

It wasn't that Sasuke was too weak. It was that Itachi was simply too strong.

At Sasuke's age, Itachi had already graduated from the Academy, earned his place in the ANBU, and taken lives in service to Konoha. Sasuke, on the other hand, had yet to experience real combat and still hesitated when attacking.

But that very hesitation reaffirmed Itachi's resolve—his brother was still innocent. He would do anything to protect that innocence.

Just last night, Danzo had summoned him. The ultimatum was clear: stand by and watch as the village and Uchiha clashed in inevitable bloodshed, or strike first, preempting the coup and securing Sasuke's future.

If he chose to destroy his own clan, Danzo promised Sasuke would be spared.

Half a year ago, Shisui had faced the same decision. Now, it was Itachi's turn. He had yet to give Danzo an answer.

No matter what he chose, he would betray someone.

Lost in thought, Itachi barely reacted when Sasuke formed hand seals for the Fireball Jutsu. But then, Sasuke hesitated. Noticing his brother's distraction, he dropped his hands and frowned.

"Brother, you're thinking about your mission again, aren't you? Didn't you promise we'd spend the day together?"

Itachi blinked, then smiled. "You're right. Let's continue."

They trained until Sasuke was exhausted. Afterward, the brothers sat beneath a large tree, catching their breath. Sasuke rummaged through a small wooden box and pulled out a bottle of chilled water, handing it to Itachi.

"Brother, last time you said I'm strong enough to graduate early. Now that I'm almost at chūnin level, I really want to take the Chūnin Exams and move up."

Itachi tilted his head. "Why do you want to become a chūnin so badly?"

Sasuke didn't hesitate. "Because I want to surpass that guy, Naruto! He beats me too easily. He must be at chūnin level already, and the only way to catch up is by advancing too."

Itachi chuckled. "Becoming a chūnin isn't hard. But if you want to win the exam, you'll need jōnin-level strength."

Sasuke frowned. "Why?"

Instead of answering, Itachi shifted the topic. "You talk about Naruto a lot. Are you two close?"

Sasuke's expression soured. "Not really. He only visited us once. After that, he stopped coming."

Itachi smiled knowingly. "It's not your fault. The tension between the clan and the village makes things complicated. And Naruto's identity makes it difficult for him to be around us."

Sasuke scoffed. "Identity? You mean the Nine-Tails? Our clan has plenty of jōnin. Are they really afraid of one kid?"

Itachi's eyes darkened slightly. "I'm sorry, Sasuke. That's classified. I can't tell you without the Hokage's permission. Even Naruto himself doesn't know the truth."

Sasuke frowned. "Why? Why would they keep it a secret from him?"

He kept pressing for answers, but Itachi remained firm. "Change the subject, Sasuke. This isn't something I can discuss."

With a huff, Sasuke relented. "Fine. Then at least promise you'll come home for dinner tonight. It's been a while since we've eaten together as a family."

Itachi froze for a moment, then nodded. He truly hadn't been home in some time.

That night, he would make one final attempt to convince his father to abandon the coup. The Uchiha had almost no chance of winning. Even if by some miracle they seized control, Konoha would be left too weak to fend off enemy nations.

As night fell, Itachi and Sasuke walked hand in hand through the Uchiha district.

Itachi had often called Sasuke childish for insisting on holding his hand, but his brother refused to let go, as if he were still that four-year-old boy clinging to him. But Sasuke was already eight now.

During the Third Shinobi War, eight-year-olds were already fighting on the battlefield. But here, in this moment, Sasuke was still just a child. And Itachi wanted to protect that.

As they walked, laughter in the air, a sudden chill ran down Itachi's spine.

Someone is watching me.

He stopped and scanned his surroundings. The presence vanished almost instantly, but the feeling lingered.

Izumi wouldn't spy on me. Danzo's Root can't enter Uchiha territory. That only leaves…

The masked man.

A rogue Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan. His spatial jutsu allowed him to slip past any barrier—be it the village's or the clan's. He was the one behind the Nine-Tails attack, the one responsible for Minato and Kushina's deaths.

And now, he was watching.

But there was something unsettling about the sensation Itachi had felt. There was something… familiar about it.

Suppressing his unease, he continued walking with Sasuke, pushing his thoughts aside.

When they arrived home, their mother, Mikoto, looked up in surprise. "Itachi, you're home for dinner?"

Itachi nodded. "I'm not busy today."

A warm smile appeared on Mikoto's face. "That's good. We're a family, after all. You and your father should stop bringing work home. Have you thought about how Sasuke feels?"

Fugaku sat silently in the living room, his sharp gaze resting on Itachi. No words were exchanged, but Itachi understood the message in his father's eyes.

Tonight, they would talk.

And judging by how things were unfolding, this would likely be the last time.

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