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***
"What you lack is the most fundamental ninja sense of teamwork."
Minato patted Itachi's shoulder, his golden brow furrowing slightly.
He saw this because another of his students was currently in the same situation.
Itachi and him were indeed very similar.
They were both incredibly gifted ninjutsu prodigies.
Within their hearts, they each carried things that others could hardly imagine.
Even their styles and mindsets were almost identical.
Over a year had passed since the Third Shinobi World War ended, and Minato had been trying to help his student break free from the shackles within him, but so far, he had achieved little success.
That was because those who could have helped him break free had all perished in the mission.
Now, the only option was to wait for time to heal all that was left. But Itachi was different.
Those he cherished were still alive and well.
What Itachi needed now was his environment.
The Uchiha clan, despite its rich heritage of learning, was a place with little human touch.
This doesn't mean the Uchiha clan doesn't value relationships.
It's quite the opposite.
However, most Uchiha clan members are naturally arrogant and not good at expressing their inner feelings.
"The more outstanding a person is, the more likely they are to find themselves isolated. But you have to understand that in the ninja world, while strength and mobility are prerequisites, teamwork is paramount."
Minato raised his arms slightly and said with a relaxed expression, "It is precisely for this reason that we have the present-day Konoha Village, the Five Great Ninja Nations, and the entire ninja world, isn't it?"
Itachi pondered.
Konoha's foundation was built decades ago during the Warring States Period, when the two most powerful ninja clans, the Senju and Uchiha, joined forces.
After these two clans joined forces, other clans joined in, ultimately establishing the Konoha of today.
This, too, could be called teamwork.
Itachi understood these principles, common to most Genin.
But as the saying goes, one's own perspective can blind them.
Itachi's thoughts were too heavy, and coupled with his past experiences, he had to bear everything alone.
But the situation now was very different.
Minato's words gradually made Itachi realize that his previous decisions weren't entirely correct.
He'd tried to shoulder everything alone, but the results weren't what he'd initially envisioned.
Just like Sasuke, he'd believed that by making him hate him, Sasuke would grow rapidly and survive in the ninja world.
But Sasuke overemphasized this, seeking the power to kill him, defected from the village, and even nearly became Orochimaru's vessel.
While Itachi might not have had a better plan at the time, if he hadn't been so self-righteous, Sasuke wouldn't have ended up like that.
"Perhaps I was wrong?"
Itachi asked himself, reflecting on his past, which seemed filled with failures.
"I know you want to become stronger quickly, but training has its limits. With your current body, even if you practice hard, you won't be able to become stronger in a short period of time."
Minato possessed a perceptive ability, and he could determine Itachi's current chakra level.
The chakra pathways in the human body typically aren't fully formed until the age of six, so if Itachi began intense training now, it might actually backfire.
"During the time it takes for your body to fully grow, you could definitely train while attending ninja school. What do you think?" Minato chuckled.
He could already tell Itachi was struggling to maintain his Sharingan.
Itachi already accepted Minato's advice.
After much reflection, he saw no reason to refuse.
A smile crept across Itachi's solemn face, and he said, "Thank you for telling me this. I'll take the entrance exam for the ninja school."
"That will put Mom's mind at ease."
"Okay!" Minato nodded, glancing out the window.
"It's about time we return."
Itachi nodded.
"Hokage-sama, all I can tell you is that the dĆjutsu Madara uses is likely a space-time jutsu."
"However, as for the specific capabilities of that dĆjutsu, I'm not entirely sure."
Although he had gathered considerable intelligence from the Akatsuki organization, he didn't know much about Madara's current abilities.
"Space-time jutsu?" Minato's eyes fluttered, a hint of solemnity crossing them.
But he quickly regained his composure.
With Itachi's reminders, he could make many preparations in the two months leading up to Kushina's due date.
No matter what, he would stop the enemy's plans and protect the village.
This was the oath he had sworn upon becoming Hokage, and it was something he had promised Kushina long ago.
Then, Minato placed his hand on Itachi's shoulder.
Swish!
In the blink of an eye, the two reappeared at Shisui's doorstep.
Shisui had been waiting there.
"Hokage-sama!"
Shisui said again, seeing the two suddenly appear beside him.
Minato nodded at Shisui, then glanced at Itachi and said, "Then I'll be leaving first."
"Yes," Itachi replied.
As soon as he spoke, Minato had vanished from sight.
"So fast," Itachi sighed softly inwardly. Space-time ninjutsu.
If this were a technique possessed by a hostile ninja, even he would find it quite daunting.
Although he had yet to witness the Fourth Hokage in combat, the speed with which he unleashed the Flying Thunder God was enough to give him a good idea.
With such speed, even the MangekyĆ Sharingan's perceptive power would struggle to accurately grasp his location.
Even if it did, the body and brain would likely be too slow to react.
"Shisui-senpai, thank you so much for today." Itachi looked at Shisui.
Without his help, he wouldn't have been able to see Minato so easily.
The shackles in his heart would have been difficult to untie.
"It's all right," Shisui waved his hand, chuckling softly.
"It seems you and Hokage-sama had quite a good chat. That puts my mind at ease."
He had been observing Minato's expression before he left.
Although he didn't know the specifics of their conversation, after talking with Itachi, the Hokage-sama looked noticeably more relaxed than he had during the day.
Knowing the Hokage's abilities, Shisui believed that even if the crisis Itachi had described was real, the Hokage would be able to resolve it.
"It's getting late, you should go back."
Shisui glanced at the sky.
Itachi's conversation with Minato today was confidential, so he naturally kept it a secret.
So, to avoid arousing the suspicions of Itachi's parents, Itachi would be wise to return as soon as possible.
"Yes," Itachi replied, but before leaving, he looked at Shisui and said, "Shisui-senpai, can I come visit you more often in the future?"
Shisui paused for a moment before replying, "Of course, but I'm away most of the time, so it might not be easy for you to see me."
Although Itachi was very different from the average child of his age, Shisui had a great admiration for him after their previous conversation.
"Haha, see you next time then." Itachi smiled.
Shisui had been his only good friend, so seeing him again filled him with joy.
Swish!
With that, Itachi's figure transformed into a black shadow, quickly disappearing into the night.
...
The next morning, after completing his pre-breakfast training, Itachi returned home.
Mikoto had already prepared breakfast.
He first went back to his room to clean up.
"I'm back."
Itachi walked into the room, but he didn't go to his seat immediately.
Instead, he came to Fugaku's side.
"Dad, I have a favor to ask of you."
He pulled out the form that Fugaku had brought back over half a month ago and handed it to him.
"I want to attend the Ninja Academy."
Fugaku and Mikoto were stunned by his words.
Fugaku frowned and looked at Itachi, asking, "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
"I've been thinking carefully about what Mom said these past two days," Itachi looked at Mikoto, scratched his head like a child, and said, "Actually, I still have a lot to learn."
Then, looking at Fugaku again, he said, "More importantly, I don't want to limit my vision to just our own clan. At the Ninja Academy, I should be able to meet a lot of people from other clans."
"You finally figured it out, kid," Mikoto, holding Sasuke in her arms, slowly relaxed her brow, clearly happy with Itachi's decision.
Fugaku didn't answer Itachi immediately.
Itachi knew that after his previous determination, he needed to give his father a reasonable explanation for his sudden change of heart.
That was why he said that last part.
Itachi, observing Fugaku's still hesitant expression, added, "Don't worry, Dad. I know what to do once I get into the Ninja Academy."
Fugaku worried that with Itachi's abilities, entering the Ninja Academy would quickly draw the attention of the village's higher-ups.
Therefore, Itachi first needed to assure his father that he knew how to handle the situation.
"Since this is your own wish, I agree."
Having his doubts and concerns dispelled, Fugaku nodded and said, "However, after this, your decision must not be changed."
"I know."
Itachi nodded at Fugaku and said, "Thank you."
"Please sit down and eat," Mikoto smiled at Itachi.
"Yes," Itachi replied, sitting down across from Fugaku.
Mikoto was delighted by his change of heart.
She gently stroked little Sasuke in her arms and chuckled, "Sasuke, your brother is going to take the Ninja Academy entrance exam soon."
Sasuke nodded obediently, as if understanding Mikoto's words.
Because Itachi had already made arrangements with Minato, when Fugaku approached him about this, the Fourth Hokage agreed without hesitation.
Fugaku had previously agreed to Itachi not attending the Ninja Academy because he feared he would be targeted by the village's higher-ups, just as Shisui had been.
But Itachi now knew how to handle himself, and Fugaku knew that if he specifically asked the Hokage to let his son skip the entrance exam, it would inevitably arouse the suspicions of the higher-ups.
This way, Fugaku avoided unnecessary trouble in the future.
The third day marked the final day of the Ninja Academy's freshman exams.
Although it was the last day, the number of applicants was considerable.
With the exception of Itachi, all the students came from ordinary families in the village.
Those from larger clans had already completed their exams on the first day.
This exam, designed to test whether a new student had the potential to become a ninja, was naturally no challenge for Itachi.
He scored a perfect score, according to the highest level of freshmen admitted.
"As expected of an Uchiha, he's truly impressive!"
Gazing at the fan-shaped family crest embroidered on the back of Itachi's clothes, these children from ordinary families, still unsure of their chances of passing the entrance exam, expressed immense envy.
Despite Itachi's impressive performance, the Chunin teacher acting as the examiner was not surprised at all.
It was rumored that another Uchiha girl had already scored a perfect score on the first day of the entrance exam.
And in previous entrance exams, any Uchiha freshman had almost always topped the list.
For these freshmen from the major ninja clans, the entrance exam wasn't difficult to begin with.
Furthermore, knowing Itachi was the son of the Uchiha clan leader, they considered his performance to be quite normal.
Having successfully passed the entrance exam, with only about ten days remaining until the regular opening of the Ninja Academy, Itachi, of course, didn't slack off, consistently practicing daily.
Besides training, he spent his free time at home helping Mikoto with some housework and taking care of Sasuke.
A child like Sasuke changes every day.
Watching his younger brother grow up day by day once again, Itachi felt an indescribable joy.
With the burden lifted from his heart, he felt the warmth of family affection more deeply than he had in a long time.
Meanwhile, he was also keeping an eye on the Fourth Hokage's preparations for the events that would unfold over a month from now.
Itachi's current abilities naturally prevented him from knowing all this in real time, but during this time, Minato had Shisui deliver several letters to him.
After all, it was Itachi who had leaked the information to Minato, and Minato knew that the former would be paying close attention to these matters.
Only after learning of Minato's plans did Itachi truly feel at ease.
After several meetings and conversations, Shisui and Itachi gradually became familiar with each other.
Everything was going in a good direction.
The time for the Ninja Academy to start had finally arrived.
September was already autumn.
Perhaps due to the sudden turn for the cooler weather, Sasuke had suddenly developed a fever last night.
Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi stayed up all night caring for him, and Sasuke's temperature only gradually subsided near dawn.
Although the fever had subsided, Sasuke's face in his cradle was still slightly red.
Itachi, deeply worried, stayed by Sasuke's side until it was time for him to leave for the Ninja Academy.
He had originally intended to continue watching over Sasuke at home, but at Mikoto's urging, Itachi packed up and prepared to leave.
"I'm sorry, Itachi. Under the circumstances, Mom can't go to your entrance ceremony," Mikoto said, her brow furrowed slightly as she sat by Sasuke's cradle.
"It's okay," Itachi shook his head.
He naturally didn't mind.
"I'll be back to see Sasuke at noon."
This was Itachi's insistence.
Generally, students at the Ninja Academy packed their lunch boxes when they left in the morning and ate lunch directly at school.
Mikoto couldn't persuade him, so she agreed.
"Sasuke, I'm going out now. I'll be back to see you at noon," Itachi whispered beside the sleeping Sasuke, slinging a backpack full of books across his shoulder, and walked out of the house.
For the first time since his rebirth, Itachi jogged through the familiar streets of the Uchiha clan.
Many people on the street greeted him, and Itachi politely responded.
Soon, he approached the Uchiha clan's main gate connecting to the rest of the village.
Just as Itachi turned the corner on the left and saw the clan's main gate, a girl about his age emerged from the corner on the other side of the gate.
.
.
.
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(A/N: Do you have any thoughts on who this girl might be?)
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)