Chapter 8: On the Road Again

Itachi awoke as usual and went through his morning routine: change clothes, make his bed, eat breakfast, brush his teeth, leave. He made sure to stop by Sasuke's room, just to make sure everything with him was okay. He was sleeping peacefully. He didn't see any sign of Fugaku or his mother as he walked out the door. He used Observe a few times to occupy himself as he walked.

Plastic bag:

Someone didn't choose paper. It's trash on the ground, there's nothing interesting about it. I doubt you could come up with anything better.

Herring bones:

Maybe a cat ate it? Or maybe it's just a ruse. Or maybe someone felled the largest tree with it. Much like other refuse, there's nothing of note about it.

Itachi made a mental note to be more mindful of what he observed in the future. Nothing else caught his eye, so all and all, it was an uneventful trip to the Hokage tower to receive his next assignment. It was a bit emptier than usual. The only person Itachi could see was Kakashi, who had been waiting for him to arrive.

"Danzo wanted to see you before our next assignment, he's waiting in his office," he said, pointing in the general direction.

"Danzo?" Itachi asked.

"He just runs a subsection of ANBU. You should feel proud, he only seeks out people he believes can succeed in his program." Kakashi explained. Itachi felt pleasantly surprised. He'd managed to distinguish himself after one real mission. He made a quick bow towards Kakashi before heading off to meet Danzo.

"Come in, I've been expecting you." A voice called from beyond the door Itachi had knocked on. Itachi obliged. Danzo was sitting behind a desk, paperwork sorted into 2 stacks.

Danzo Shimura

LVL ?

Itachi wondered just how many people in Konoha had their level hidden from him. As far as first impressions went, however, Danzo looked older than he'd anticipated. Too old, even.

"Kakashi-" Itachi began.

"Do not bother." Danzo cut him off, "and I'd advise against using real names in Anbu, Crow." Itachi nodded.

"Why did you call me here?" He asked from behind his mask.

"I read the report of yesterday's mission. Your actions have made me take an interest in you." Itachi was unsure what to think. Danzo sounded too mechanical, like he was giving a memorized speech. "I think you'd succeed in ROOT."

"Forgive me, but what is ROOT?" Itachi asked. He had never heard anything about them, except from what Kakashi had told him a few minutes ago.

"It doesn't surprise me you haven't heard of them yet," there was a hint of pride in Danzo's voice, "You just joined ANBU recently. ROOT is an organization that operates in the shadows of even ANBU."

"What is their goal?" If Itachi was going to up and join Danzo without knowing what he was trying to accomplish.

"To support Konoha from beneath, taking on the most covert missions for its safety," he answered. "I have said enough about ROOT, now I ask that you give me your response."

Title Offer: ROOT

Complete loyalty to Konoha

Increased Reputation with Danzo

?

Itachi thought about it. He had joined ANBU in order to please his father, and to prove to the village the Uchiha we're beneficial to them. To join a technically nonexistent organization would not help. It'd go against his father's wishes. He didn't think the third benefit would convince him otherwise either. But even at that he had other reasons too.

Offer Rejected

"I'm sorry," Itachi told him, "I have a mission to complete in ANBU, and I will not leave until it is done." Danzo scrutinized him.

"You are one of the select few I have picked for my organization that was not picked from childhood." There was a definite edge in his voice as he leaned forward ever so slightly. "This is a valuable offer, and I'd hate to see your talent go to waste."

"I'm sorry." Itachi put a little force into his voice and looked straight at Danzo from behind the mask. "ROOT does not fulfill my needs."

"Very well," Danzo leaned back somewhat in his chair, "please, go attend to your duties." He motioned towards the door. Itachi took it as he wanted him out.

"What did he want?" Kakashi asked as soon as Itachi left the room. Itachi got the impression he was trying to eavesdrop but couldn't. Probably Danzo's doing somehow, he seemed a bit paranoid.

"He offered me a position in ROOT." Itachi said.

"Did you accept?" Kakashi asked. It sounded more like he was asking about if he caught a murderer, and he'd gotten a bit closer to Itachi.

"No," Itachi told him, "I said it wasn't for me." Kakashi instantly relaxed.

"Good, I was hoping you wouldn't make the same mistake I did," he said.

"You've had interactions with him before?" Itachi asked.

"Yeah," Kakashi answered, but he immediately deflected the conversation away from it. "We've got a new mission, and it's a long one." He sighed as he handed off the scroll.

Mandatory Quest

Mansion Mystery

The daimyo has requested ANBU's assistance in determining who stole the family heirloom. No one has left or arrived at the mansion since the discovery. The culprit is among them.

Completion Award: 5000 EXP

Favor with the daimyo

Completion Failure: Decreased ties with the daimyo

Quest: Make Amends

It sounded like one of those mystery books from the 20 ryo bargain bin at the library. But one did not just refuse the daimyo. Itachi felt a bit bad for Sasuke, this was the longest he would not see him. He made a mental note to find a way to make it up to him upon his return.

"At least it looks like it will be an experience." Itachi offered, "it isn't every day you get to go to the daimyo's residence."

"I actually requested this type of mission to make sure you are competent in every mission," Kakashi explained. "We're still going by the book, although I have no doubt you'll perform well." Itachi knew Kakashi was smiling behind the mask.

They'd left 2 days ago, and it was the last night before they would reach their destination. Itachi and Kakashi were laying on the ground, staring up at the stars. The ground wasn't what they'd call comfortable, but it was better than sleeping in a tree.

Nothing of interest had happened this trip; no missing nin attacks, no enemies, no people. It had only been the two of them travelling. It was far more peaceful than the previous trip, or at least that's what Itachi thought. They were just drinking up the sight of the stars above them.

"Itachi, do you have any friends in the Uchiha clan?" Kakashi asked apropos of nothing.

"I would've thought you'd say something about the stars to break the silence." Itachi remarked.

"Nah," Kakashi said, "that'd be too cliche, like something out of the Icha Icha books." Itachi decided to ignore his partner's choice in literature. "Don't avoid the question," he added on.

"I do have a friend," Itachi answered, "Shisui Uchiha."

"What's he like?" Kakashi pressed for details.

"He's a disgrace to the Uchiha name." Itachi said flatly. Kakashi laughed.

"How so?" he asked.

"Well," Itachi thought for a moment, "he acts carefree and makes people laugh. Those are the two things that stick out to me."

"So he acts like a normal person? I hope his attitude spreads," Kakashi said in mock hope. "Why do you consider him a friend?"

"You ask a lot of questions." Itachi said, turning to face Kakashi. "Why?"

"I don't know." He looked at Itachi. The smile was apparent in his voice. "It's kind of fun to mess with people."

"You and Shisui would get along well." Itachi remarked. "We sparred yesterday and his last resort was giving himself breasts." The words triggered a rather violent bout of laughter from Kakashi.

"I wish my spars with Obito could've been like that." Kakashi mused after recovering.

"Obito?" Itachi asked, curious.

"Yeah, Obito…" Kakashi said. He looked back up at the stars. "He was a nuisance, always late, always trying to outdo me. He never could though."

"And?" Itachi took advantage and swapped roles with Kakashi.

"He was a friend that I didn't know I had until it was too late." Itachi wasn't sure if he wanted the conversation to continue.. "I lost him on a mission, but not before he taught me something…" he trailed off.

"Well?" Itachi asked after a minute, "You can't tell that story and not tell me what he taught you."

"Those who break the Shinobi rules are trash, but those who don't take care of their teammates are worse than trash."

"So that's why you talked to me." Itachi said.

"Yeah…" Kakashi replied. "Well, it's getting late, I think we should turn in for the night." It was clear to Itachi that he didn't want to take the conversation any further. He let it be and rolled over.

The morning came quickly. Itachi dismissed the usual message and reminded himself that today was the day they would arrive. There wasn't time to think on the past, only what lay ahead. He looked over at Kakashi.

Some of his usual exuberance was absent this morning. Itachi guessed it had to do with the conversation last night. He'd have to try and be careful not to bring it up so that Kakashi was happier.

It didn't take them that long to arrive, though Kakashi had remained silent for the rest of the trip. Itachi hoped he'd be fine. They walked up to the door of the mansion and knocked. A servant answered the door.

"Oh, you must be the ANBU members who were sent to solve our predicament. Come in." He bowed to the side, holding the door open so Kakashi and Itachi could enter.

The luxury of the decor and other things were mostly diminished for Itachi as upon entering the abode, he was greeted by a ding and a text box

Investigation! Start!

Itachi's vision shifted and fixed itself. He tried looking left and found he couldn't. A slight panic came over him, until he saw the small arrow pointing to the left. He pushed it and his view shifted to the left. He saw an identical arrow but it was pointing right. He pressed it and his view returned to what it was originally.

This was new. Itachi couldn't recall ever experiencing something like this. He found a small tab labelled "Items" which acted as a shortcut to his Inventory. At least that was more convenient. He messed around with the interface before getting interrupted by Kakashi.

"Are you okay, Itachi? You're acting a bit weird." He said.

"Yes…" Itachi had to think fast. "I was just doing some preemptive investigating."

Deception Succeeded

"All right then." Kakashi said. Itachi was glad he had his power as Kakashi hadn't sounded overly convinced.

"Right this way sirs!" The servant called. "Everyone is in here."

Kakashi followed. Itachi panicked yet again before noticing an arrow pointing in the direction the servant had left. He pushed it and joined the others.

A/N: I've been told the scene with Kakashi is bit borderline OOC. It's barely believable, and I think I may come back to change it at some point. Other than that I'm happy with this chapter. So thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed.