"I don't think continuing the war is a wise choice."
Itachi Uchiha didn't quite agree with Naruto Uzumaki's opinion. Their perspectives were different. Itachi was still focused on his duty of monitoring Akatsuki's every move, while Naruto was already looking at the entire ninja world.
The young Hokage tilted his head, looking at the crow clone floating in the air. "Hmm, Senior Itachi, are you telling me what to do?"
"..."
Itachi felt his words had come out wrong. He shook his head and explained, "It's just that compared to the Cloud and Stone villages, Akatsuki is the greatest threat, even though they have very few members."
"Yes, that's true," Naruto nodded, his voice deepening. "But Akatsuki can be useful. Why don't we take advantage of their internal strife to completely control the organization? It would help us unify the ninja world faster."
"..."
Itachi vaguely sensed the Fifth Hokage's scheme. Based on Konoha's recent actions, this Hokage likely wanted Akatsuki to become the new version of Konoha's Root—shouldering the blame for things they didn't do.
For example, the matter in the Land of Water. He and Kisame had completed missions in the Land of Water and surrounding countries, but they had never received a mission to interfere in a civil war. Yet, Konoha had publicly declared that Akatsuki was behind it.
Itachi frowned and asked in a low voice, "So... what you mean is..."
"Right now, can you replace Pain?" Naruto looked at Itachi leisurely. Having received his Yang Power and transplanted Sasuke's Sharingan, the Itachi before him had awakened the Rinnegan. With his power, he should be able to do it, right?
Itachi was a bit dazed. "Lord Hokage... are you asking me to seize the position of Akatsuki's leader?"
"Can you do it?"
"..."
Itachi fell silent. He preferred being an undercover spy—the kind who works for three years, and then another three years. But now, his superior was asking him to become the boss of an evil organization.
After a long moment of thought, Itachi nodded seriously. "I understand. I will find a way to deal with Pain and Obito Uchiha and become the leader of Akatsuki."
"Good." Naruto waved his hand. "After you've taken control of Akatsuki, you can attack the Cloud or Stone villages under their banner. Konoha will then enter the Land of Lightning under the pretext of striking Akatsuki. Do you understand what I mean?"
"...I understand." Itachi nodded.
What else could he do? This was just asking him to take on the role of Danzo Shimura, the former leader of Root. Konoha in the light, Akatsuki in the shadows. Itachi couldn't help but think about how a person often becomes the very thing they hate the most.
But, for Konoha! For Sasuke! All the sacrifices he was making were worth it.
Thinking of this, Itachi inevitably thought of Danzo, the man he had killed. That old man was always saying everything was for Konoha.
Itachi had learned some things about the future from Naruto. In that timeline, his own brother had become Naruto's shadow, shouldering Konoha's darkness. In this life, it was better for him, the older brother, to take on that burden. Let his brother live in the light forever.
"Do you want to go see Sasuke?" Naruto suddenly smiled, mentioning the one person Itachi wanted to see most. "Sasuke has been wanting to find you. To stop him from leaving the village, I made a deal with him. I told him I'd only acknowledge he has the strength to defeat you if he can defeat me first."
"..." Itachi lowered his head. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Naruto shook his head and continued softly. "Our duel is tomorrow. Do you want to stay and watch?"
"No." Itachi hurriedly shook his head. "I'll come see him when I've figured out how I should face him."
After speaking, his figure quietly dissipated into countless crows.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, there was a knock on the office door. Naruto glanced at the spot where Itachi had vanished, composed himself, and said softly, "Come in."
A man walked in, and a smile immediately appeared on Naruto's face. "Teacher Jiraiya, what brings you here?"
"Naruto." Jiraiya entered the office and looked around suspiciously. "When I was about to come in, I definitely felt another person in here. Was it an ANBU reporting?"
"Yes, an ANBU on intelligence work," Naruto nodded. It was best not to explain too much, so he changed the subject. "Teacher, is something important?"
"Well, I want to leave the village for a trip," Jiraiya said, scratching his head with some embarrassment. "You've become a reliable Hokage. You don't need much of my teaching anymore..."
"Did something happen?" Naruto's face suddenly turned serious. His fingers tapped lightly on the desk. "Orochimaru has already been captured, and Granny Tsunade is here. Why do you suddenly want to leave?"
"No, no, it's mainly because I have some other things to do outside," Jiraiya sighed and stood by the window. "Yesterday, when I was drinking with Orochimaru, he mentioned that he had joined Akatsuki. Actually, after we were ambushed by Yahiko and Konan last time, I've wanted to go see them and ask them why they joined."
"..."
Naruto fell silent, his fingers digging into the tabletop. He couldn't help but think of his previous life, of the white-haired man who had guided his growth sinking traceless into the sea. Even after so much time, the memory filled his heart with sadness.
"No." Naruto suddenly looked up at Jiraiya, his voice firm. "That is absolutely not allowed. Teacher, you are a high-ranking official of the village. You cannot leave Konoha!"
"Hey, hey, why are you being so fierce!" Jiraiya was startled, leaning back against the window as he stared at his student, whose eyes were red and expression was strange. "Naruto, what's wrong with you?"
"I'm fine," Naruto said, sitting back in his chair. "Teacher, just wait a little while. I will go with you to the Hidden Rain Village."
"...What are you going there for?" Jiraiya's expression soured. "You just occupied the Land of Water. You don't want to destroy the Hidden Rain Village and occupy the Land of Rain too, do you?"
"That's inevitable," Naruto said, looking at Jiraiya seriously. "If you go to the Hidden Rain Village now, you'll just get in the way of our plan to unify the ninja world. When we attack, you can go persuade your former students to surrender."
Jiraiya was speechless. Were Konan and Yahiko the kind of people he could persuade to surrender?
Naruto added, "Alright, Teacher, don't think about sneaking out. Just wait and go with me. Besides, Granny Tsunade and I just revised the system for leaving the village. Jonin are under strict control. Other than official orders, you must have a handwritten approval from the Hokage. Otherwise, you'll be considered a rogue ninja. You don't want me to personally issue a wanted order for my own teacher, do you?"
-----
Bonus:
Itachi: You promised three years… and then another three.
Naruto: Hey, didn't your last contact die?
Itachi: Yeah… and he died completely at my hands.
Naruto: …
Itachi: Fine. You're not letting me go back to Konoha. What's your goal here?
Naruto: You're gonna be the boss of Akatsuki!
Itachi: …Is there something wrong with this mission?!
Naruto: What's wrong with you? After six years total, most guys in your position would be demanding to be the boss. How are you still just a regular member?
Itachi: …
Note: Let's not forget, Itachi was the one who sealed both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura with his Sword of Totsuka…