"Itachi Uchiha — I want to talk to you."
Naruto spoke directly, without hesitation.
Itachi raised an eyebrow. This wasn't what he'd expected — it almost felt like Naruto had been the one seeking him out.
"You want to talk?" Itachi asked quietly.
Naruto nodded. "If you didn't want to talk to me, then why did you come looking for me in the first place?"
Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had been searching for Naruto — he'd been tracking his chakra just moments ago. And yet, Naruto had not only found him first but seemed to know his intentions as well.
"How did you know I was looking for you?" Itachi asked, voice calm but tinged with suspicion. "And what exactly do you want to talk about?"
Naruto looked at him steadily — at this man who had shouldered impossible burdens.
The man who had slaughtered his own clan to protect Konoha.
Who had borne hatred, guilt, and infamy alone… just to protect his younger brother, Sasuke.
When Naruto became Hokage in his previous life, he finally understood how cruel the world of power and politics could be — and how much of a sacrifice Itachi had been.
Even now, before his fatal duel with Sasuke, Itachi had come to meet him — to ensure that Sasuke would be safe and that the village would not fall into chaos.
For that alone, Naruto wanted to change his fate.
He took a step forward and said earnestly, "Itachi, I respect you — truly. I won't hide it. I came here to ask you to stop the fight with Sasuke. I want you to live. I'll find a way to change everything for you."
Itachi's eyes flickered in surprise.
Respect? That was not something he expected from Naruto Uzumaki.
Naruto continued, voice steady, almost gentle.
"I already know the truth about the Uchiha massacre. And I know why you came here — to test my feelings toward Sasuke, right?"
He said it so casually, yet to Itachi, those words struck like thunder.
His Sharingan flared instantly, spinning into the Mangekyō pattern.
How… how could Naruto possibly know all this?
For a moment, instinct drove a deadly impulse through him — a flicker of killing intent.
If Naruto knew too much…
But the thought passed as quickly as it came.
He looked at Naruto again — calm, composed, unafraid.
So he's not here to expose me.
Naruto smiled faintly, reading his tension. He had expected that reaction. Anyone else might have panicked — but Itachi regained control within seconds.
As expected of Konoha's prodigy, Naruto thought.
Once his emotions had settled, Itachi gave a small, weary smile.
"Naruto… you are full of surprises. Since you already know why I came — then tell me. What's your answer?"
Naruto's expression softened, but his voice was firm.
"Sasuke is my brother — for life. No matter what happens, even if he attacks Konoha itself, I'll protect him. And I believe… I can bring him back."
Itachi went silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
"You sound very sure of yourself. But what if Sasuke chooses hatred — what if he walks the path of darkness completely?"
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"Then I'll follow him into that darkness if I have to — and bring him back with my own hands. I swear on my life, Itachi — I'll make sure Sasuke returns to Konoha."
Itachi's lips curved upward in a faint, almost relieved smile.
That was all he needed to hear.
As long as Naruto's resolve toward Sasuke was unwavering, then his mission — his purpose — could continue as planned.
He still had the failsafe: Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate genjutsu.
Naruto could see that hint of understanding in Itachi's eyes and sighed softly.
"So that's your answer then? You still plan to fight him?"
Itachi nodded slowly. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I can't agree to your request. I still have to fight Sasuke."
Naruto's hands clenched into fists. "Why does it have to end in death? Why can't you just tell him the truth? You're the only family he has left!"
Itachi looked at him with calm acceptance. "Because I'm a man steeped in sin. The moment I slaughtered my clan with my own hands, my fate was sealed. If I live, the stain of the Uchiha will never fade. There are those who would use that to tear the village apart from within. My death… keeps Konoha safe."
Naruto's gaze darkened. "So that's it… You want Sasuke to kill you — so that he'll be seen as a hero of Konoha. And for you… dying by your brother's hand is your atonement."
Itachi's eyes softened slightly. Naruto's words were too accurate — as if he could see straight through his soul.
How… how can he understand me this well?
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Only the wind moved between them — the faint whisper of two shinobi who bore the weight of entire worlds.
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