While Shisui was secretly busy with his operations, Itachi was at the training ground, sparring with Sasuke.
Looking at his younger brother charging at him with all his might, Itachi absent-mindedly blocked the attacks and sighed quietly in his heart.
Since Shisui's "death," he had replaced him as the bridge between the clan and the village.
It sounded important.
In reality?
It just meant both sides kept using him… and fearing him… at the same time.
He belonged nowhere.
In the village, he couldn't trust Danzō, the Hokage, or even his former captain Kakashi.
Within the clan, he couldn't fully trust the clansmen, his father, or even his mother.
The only person he could trust was Sasuke.
Unfortunately… Sasuke was eight.
Not exactly political-advice material.
The only comfort was hearing Sasuke excitedly shout, "Brother!" every day like the world hadn't gone to hell yet.
Another attack came.
Itachi casually tilted his head, dodging the kunai Sasuke threw. He picked up a small stone and flicked it forward—
Bang.
It hit a Shadow Clone.
Itachi raised an eyebrow.
"At this age, he already learned Shadow Clone… not bad."
Before he could finish thinking, Sasuke's real body rushed in from behind.
Itachi smoothly stepped aside and, with one clean motion, pinned Sasuke to the ground.
It wasn't that Sasuke was weak.
It was just that Itachi was ridiculously strong.
At Sasuke's age, Itachi had already become a genin and had blood on his hands.
Real blood.
Meanwhile, Sasuke still hesitated even when throwing punches.
He had never killed anyone.
That softness…
That hesitation…
Instead of disappointing Itachi, it strengthened his resolve.
Good.
Sasuke shouldn't have to walk his path.
He would protect that innocence.
Because just last night, Danzō had come to him.
Like a ghost crawling out of the shadows.
The man gave him two choices:
Watch the Uchiha and the village destroy each other…
Or slaughter the Uchiha himself to "preserve peace."
And in exchange—
Sasuke lives.
Safe.
Unharmed.
What a generous bastard.
The same choice Shisui once faced… now placed right in front of him.
Half a year later.
Like fate mocking him.
Either way, he would betray someone.
There was no "correct" answer.
Only different flavors of pain.
Sasuke suddenly broke free from Itachi's thoughts and formed hand seals.
"Fire Style—!"
But then he noticed Itachi spacing out again.
He stopped and puffed his cheeks angrily.
"Brother! Are you thinking about missions again? You promised today was my day!"
Itachi snapped back to reality and smiled softly.
"Sorry."
They continued training until Sasuke was panting like he'd just run ten laps around Konoha.
Finally, they sat under a big tree to rest.
Sasuke pulled out a bottle of ice water from a wooden box and handed it over.
"Brother… you said before that I'm strong enough to graduate early. I'm almost chūnin level now, right?"
Itachi glanced at him. "Maybe."
"I want to graduate soon. Then take the Chūnin Exams. Then become a chūnin!"
Itachi asked gently, "Why do you want to become a chūnin so badly?"
Sasuke answered instantly:
"Because Naruto can beat me easily. He's definitely chūnin level already. If I don't catch up, how am I supposed to surpass him?!"
Itachi couldn't help smiling.
So it was a rivalry thing.
Cute.
"It's easy to become a chūnin," Itachi said slowly, "but winning the Chūnin Exams… you'll probably need jōnin-level strength."
He remembered his own exam.
It wasn't an exam.
It was basically legalized beating-the-hell-out-of-everyone day.
"Why?" Sasuke frowned.
Instead of explaining, Itachi changed the topic smoothly.
"You mention Naruto a lot lately. You two close?"
Sasuke looked annoyed.
"Not really. He visited once… then stopped coming."
"It's not your fault," Itachi said softly. "The relationship between the clan and the village is tense. Naruto's identity is… sensitive."
"What identity? He's just the demon fox brat, right? With so many jōnin in the clan, are we scared of one fox?"
Itachi sighed.
"That's classified. I can't tell you. Even Naruto himself probably doesn't know."
That just made Sasuke more curious.
"Why keep it secret?!"
Seeing Sasuke grinding his teeth like an angry puppy, Itachi felt both amused and helpless.
"Change your wish. This one really can't be granted."
"Hmph… fine. Then come home for dinner tonight. The family hasn't eaten together in forever."
Itachi froze for a second.
"…Okay."
Yeah.
It had been a long time.
Maybe tonight… he would talk to his father one last time.
Try to stop the coup.
Because honestly?
A rebellion against the entire village?
That wasn't courage.
That was suicide with extra steps.
After night fell, the two brothers walked home hand in hand.
Itachi had told Sasuke more than once it was childish.
Sasuke ignored him every time.
Still holding tight.
Like a four-year-old.
Even though he was already eight.
In wartime, kids this age were already sent to the battlefield.
But…
Itachi didn't let go.
Because this warmth—
This small, stupid, ordinary happiness—
Was exactly what he was fighting to protect.
He could give up anything for this.
Anything.
Halfway home, Itachi suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Like someone was watching him.
He turned sharply.
Nothing.
The feeling vanished.
He frowned.
It couldn't be Izumi. She'd just run straight over if she wanted to see him.
Danzō's Root couldn't infiltrate the Uchiha compound.
Which left only one possibility.
The masked man.
A man with Mangekyō Sharingan… and space-time abilities.
A lunatic.
Someone tied to the Nine-Tails incident and the Fourth Hokage's death.
Dangerous as hell.
Yet…
For a brief moment…
The gaze had felt strangely familiar.
When they returned home, Mikoto looked surprised to see Itachi.
Her eyes were complicated, but her voice was gentle.
"Itachi… eating at home tonight?"
He nodded.
"Yeah. I'm free today."
She smiled warmly.
"That's good. We're family. Don't bring work home… think about Sasuke too."
In the living room, Fugaku sat silently.
He only glanced at Itachi.
But that single look said everything.
Itachi returned the gaze.
Yeah.
They needed to talk.
And judging from the situation…
It might be their last conversation.
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