Chapter 4

The sun at the beginning of the long journey was bright, birds were flying, creating different shapes in the sky, there was even a plus sign. But the sunset was coming, clouds were gathering as it was going to rain heavily. Itachi looked pensively at the sky, he remembered this day, he also knew it was going to rain. At least in the first timeline it was. And Itachi highly doubted that changing a couple events would affect the weather. So he could put those thoughts aside.

They arrived in Konoha, and were greeted with a smile and a greeting at the gate, the sentries waving at them. And the four ANBU travelers headed straight for the Hokage's residence, followed by the Hokage's office itself. For a report. 

-The mission failed, Hokage-sama," Kakashi began, looking at the seated third Hokage, "I take responsibility, I was the one who failed.

-No Kakashi," Hayate interrupted him, adding, "I was the one who didn't catch up to that Nukenin, I didn't have enough speed. So I'm the one who failed.

Looking at them, the third smilingly gets up from his chair, walks to the window and looking out at the sunset, begins:

-Kakashi... You know why I stamped on your ANBU vest," the third began, and Kakashi looked at the third with interest, having heard it all for the first time. The Hokage smiled slightly in response to this interested look and turned to the four ANBU's and continued the story, "I only left a trace of my chakra so that my crystal ball, which I got from the mountain-myeboku, could show your actions. With my orb, I was able to assess your will of fire. To see pictures of how swiftly you defend those you call comrades.

After the third man's words, everyone felt proud that they had not abandoned their own. They even forgot about their fatigue for a while. Itachi just stood and listened, not surprised at anything, because he had survived almost everything in this world, and now he was just playing the role of an ANBU shinobi again. He was back to being who he was... The version of himself that he had been years ago, now he was thinking about what he could become if he stayed in Konoha. 

-For me personally, the mission was a success," the Third Hokage said with a smile, and continued, "and don't worry about the renegade. Without his gang, he won't do much damage to the villages or the Lands. But I'll send a group of ANBU to him again soon. In the meantime, you are free to go.

Everyone present nodded and headed for the exit. Eager to rest after their arduous journey. As the three exited, the Hokage held up the fourth one at the exit. And the fourth was Itachi, standing on the threshold.

-Itachi wait... - Itachi stopped when he heard the third man's request.

-You wanted something Hokage-sama," Itachi inquired, having already removed his ANBU mask.

-What do you think... What Kakashi told you about the story of the Sage and his partner defeating the Kaguya, is it true?" the third man asked, and then exhaled smoke from the tobacco.

-I think anything could be possible," Itachi began, also adding, "After all, it was Gamamaru himself, of the mountain-myeboku, who said it.... He's rarely wrong.

-You know... once I didn't believe those predictions and stories. But now I've become convinced that they're true.... - Itachi looked at the third man incomprehensively and was ready to listen to him further, -I even read the book of predictions from the mountain-myeboku. It said that there will be one blue-eyed boy who will change the world of Shinobi, who will memorize the names of all the tailed ones. He would play a very important role but.... - But I've also read about another hero. And he is much more interesting in the predictions. On him depended many times more. If he failed, everything would be ruined. All the exploits of all the shinobi in the world would just be a side effect. Unless the protagonist could save the world, and if the planet was destroyed, only the universe would remember the existence of this planet. Earth will simply disappear," Itachi further listened attentively and with interest, "it will only be like that if that chosen Shinobi does not correct the coming mistake of this world. He will create an improved second timeline and prevent further catastrophes. And when he reaches the point where everything went sideways. Then the second timeline will be considered officially, the first timeline....

Itachi lowered his head in thought and realized it was about him. The third man also spoke his mind:

-I think it's you, Itachi Uchiha,‖ the third said, exhaling his cigar again and looking out at the orange sunset by the window.

-Hokage-sama, where did you get that idea from?" Itachi asked a little questioningly. He didn't know where he got that idea from.

-When I looked at my crystal ball. I saw you in the river, washing your hand. And then a wormhole appeared in the river and pure blue sparks came out of it," he continued, sitting back in his chair, inhaling tobacco again, "I thought at first that you were possessed by a spirit. But as I continued to watch you through the crystal ball from the mountain-myeboku. I noticed that you became more experienced and stronger. As if with infinite will as well as infinite honor. Then I realized that you are really you, but more improved. I also discarded the speculation about the spirit," the third one said with a slight chuckle. And then when you started talking about chronology and error correction, without changes. I immediately remembered that prediction. I also realized that it's all true and you're the protagonist. So you can stop the eternal tsukuyomi, which I don't know what that is. It's a word that was written in a book.

-You're right, Hokage-sama, it's all true. I was indeed transported here, I saw for myself what the world could have become if I had not acted," Itachi was pleased that someone knew of his purpose. After all, sometimes loneliness, too heavy a burden. But he was still willing to carry it. After all, his will of fire was as strong as possible, and his honor was unshakable. It did help, but support and positivity can sometimes be like an extra strength too. Itachi continued," but I cannot tell you the details of what is to come. It could change the course of time. I only have to fix what will be at the end, the second timeline....

-You're absolutely right, it's best not to tell anyone, not even me, about what might happen. No one but you can fix the situation anyway. However, remember that you can not only change the end, but also prevent some disasters, side effects, or unnecessary deaths. In the prediction it was said that you will fix not only the world, but also the history, - the third one was silent thinking about the order of time and added, - but I'm sure you already know that you should not fix every little thing. After all, sometimes it can also find its own price.....

-I promise I'll do my best. To make this world a little better than it was... - Itachi said, then looked up from the floor and looked at the Hokage confidently.

-You always get what you want, you'll go to great lengths to keep things clean and tidy. I've rarely met anyone like you in my life. I've always said that the will of fire is a true power, beyond even ninjutsu. But there's something on another level in you. It's something greater than the will of fire... But I can't figure it out yet," the third closed his eyes and continued, "but at the same time, try not to change too much, events in time and stories. Sometimes there is a price to pay, because time can change for the better or for the worse....

-Thanks for the support, third, I'm glad someone understands. I won't let you down... - Itachi replied with a slight smile and added, "Can I go now?

-Sure, I'll take care of the paperwork. Don't worry about me, I'm not likely to change the chronology with these unnecessary papers," the third man grinned. Itachi nodded and left the office.

Standing on the rooftop of the Hokage residences, Itachi looks at the sunset, which will soon be hidden by clouds. There would be heavy rain. he also began to think about many things....

Itachi's POV

Still, the third Hokage is right, I should be careful with history. Also rewriting it, but not breaking the basic chronology. It's like cutting a bush from the roots and trying not to hurt the bush. After all, if I make a misfire, it's hard to level up later. My mistake can become global, even with side effects. I have to be careful with this, though the Sage chose me for a reason, he probably knew about the prediction, or maybe he wrote the book about Gamamaru's words. I guess I was a Senju in a previous life, since I'm so respected by the Third Hokage, and to say that my honor even surpasses Hashirama's.... I don't like to brag, so why does everyone praise me? Because I'm imperfect as a human being. The sun has set, I think I should go now.

Down to earth, I'm glad to be able to walk down the main street of Konoha in peace again. I look at the beauty of the village, the way a young couple walks with a little girl between them. It's nice to know that her parents are giving her all their love, and I pass by with a smile. I notice also in front of me two further characters, from World War IV. Shikamaru Nara and Chouji Akimichi. I recognized them from the other side of the world when I studied them in paradise. I also knew they were the children of the previous generation of Ino-Shika-Cho. And now they're just walking around... Shikamaru is walking moodily and Chouji is finishing his chips. And I walk by with a slight smile. I see a dango store in my field of vision, I naturally buy some, I haven't tasted them in a long time, and as I continue walking, I see a tea store. This is where I was with Kisame the last time I was in Konoha. Back when we had the Akatsuki black cloaks. Now I'm heading to the Uchiha Quarter, even a little sadly remembering those events that happened in the first timeline... When I reach my previous home and walk in the doorway I am greeted by Sasuke with a smile.

-Nii-san," he runs to me and hugs me, "I've missed you so much. The last time I saw you was when you kept your promise and trained me in kunai throwing. Then you cooked a lot of goodies. Also while we were sleeping, in a sleeping bag outside, you said that I would surpass you someday. But that's not true," the one who would soon be the owner of the rinnegan finished his speech.

-You're right about that, silly.... - I answered indifferently, because I knew what he would become.... So I continued, "You can only beat me if I let you.

He looked at me with questioning eyes. I thought to myself. that I knew that whatever I said to him, no matter how hard I tried to save him from himself, it wouldn't work.... Because the last time I saw him, I suspected what he would become. That's the only reason I told him I'd always love him, no matter what you become. Just to bring out the positive in him. But I realized that your goodness is only temporary, Sasuke. I know how you killed your comrades after your fight with Naruto, whom you also killed... Even without Indra's soul, your will is still weak. That you've succumbed to the curses of the Uchiha clan, and will become what you were in the first timeline.

-So you'll train me with a shuriken, nii-san," he said, looking at me with a fake smile. I responded by jabbing two fingers into his forehead and adding, "I'm sorry Sasuke.... But there won't be a next time, and don't call me nii-san again.

He took offense and ran off to his room. I even felt kind of sad, but I shouldn't build attachments. There's only one way I can save him. By killing him and sending his soul to the white star in heaven, or the red star in hell. I also know that the fate of the world depends on it, so I made my decision without thinking. For the sake of purity, order and balance...

If, in a previous life, I was from the Lightning Land, or the Wind Country, or Senju, he might have tried to kill me. Fate has definitely decided to play a trick on me. By choosing me to be his older brother in this life....

I was standing on the doorstep and thinking about all this. I was distracted by two figures approaching the house and coming towards me, and I recognized them immediately.

-How did Itachi's mission go?" the head of the Fugaku Uchiha clan asked glumly as always.

-Not like the last time," I replied briefly. He looked at me disappointedly, realizing that the mission had failed. In the first timeline everything had been successfully completed, he was happy and smiling then. Though it would have been nice if he would have supported me even if there was a mission failure. But he never understood me....

-Itachi are you hungry?"-"Come inside," replied the clan head's wife, Mikoto Uchiha, worriedly.

-No. I'm not staying home today," I said coldly, not wanting to be here. Then I pulled myself together and continued, "I have to go to the hospital in Konoha. To heal my injured left arm. It'll take longer," the so-called ancestors nodded, and I left.

On the way to the hospital, I thought to myself: I had always blamed myself before, hesitating whether I had done the right thing by exterminating my own Uchiha clan. But after the Sage's words that I had done the right thing, I changed my understanding of what was right, realizing that I had indeed done the right thing.... Saving the whole village, and especially the Uchiha clan's reputation, from them. I might not have told them about the Uchiha Clan's coup, or even persuaded Shisui to keep quiet. They would have attacked Konoha, and then after capturing Naruto and controlling Nine-Tails, Fugaku Uchiha would have become Hokage through force. After learning his nature, which is almost no different from Sasuke's, I don't even want to recognize him as my father. After all, I've realized a lot of things now. That's why I reported it to Konoha without hesitation at the time.... And even personally prevented the coup, also took responsibility, taking all the negatives only in my direction... And now I reached the hospital already stopped thinking.

I was sent to a spacious ward. I decided to take a ward near the windows to admire above the rain. After all, it helps me think and even sometimes supports me with its dark gray cloud. It's nice to listen to the lightning strike sometimes, which seems as if it's slaying my problems for me. I was sent to my room because I decided to sleep there myself. As an ANBU shinobi, I was made an exception even with a smile. I lay in my bed with my clothes on and one of the irienin comes to me dressed in Chuunin's clothes, specifically a green vest.

The end of Itachi's POV

-Itachi Uchiha is that you?" a girl with long brown hair asked in surprise. And red tattoos on her cheeks, signifying the image of fangs.

-It's me. Who are you? I think we've met before, you look familiar.... - Itachi replied as he continued to look at her questioningly.

-It's me Hana," she began with a smile.

-Hana Inuzuka, I remember," Itachi smiled back and continued, "We sat at the same desk in the academy. But you didn't have your hair in a ponytail.

-I found my image," she replied with a slight smirk, adding, "I'm not sure I'll keep it, though," she said, sitting down on the bed opposite Itachi's bed.

-Itachi said with a smile, and she said "Thank you" with the same smile, Itachi still asked, "So you decided to become an irienin? I thought you wanted to be a veterinarian just like when you told me at your desk.

-So I have two jobs now. In my spare time, I'm a veterinarian there by day and an irienin by night. I feel like I'm doing more good for the village by working here. I even see some interesting faces," the protagonist was glad she was okay, then extended his wounded hand to her.

Ta took the treatment, summoning a green glow in her hands and decided to ask a question as well:

-It's strange that we haven't met here before. It's just that I'm here quite often," Hana began, simultaneously holding Itachi's broken arm with her green chakra-filled hand.

-I've just never been hurt before. At least not to this extent, Heh... - Itachi replied in the same quiet voice.

-Why did you get hurt just now," Hana encouraged the conversation.

-Because I let myself do it. -Because I let myself do it. Suddenly I deserve it, I don't do the cleanest things in the ANBU...'' - Itachi said with a sad face. Though he said it on purpose and made it look like that, so that she wouldn't know the truth that he was maintaining the timeline. After all, someone would have to be injured on those missions.

-That's all Itachi's nonsense," Hana replied sharply. Itachi shifted his gaze to her, and she continued, -You're my childhood friend, and I know you well. I also know that you're not doing all this for nothing... It has a purpose. I never doubted you," Hana finished.

Itachi added a smile that his plan had worked. After all, he wasn't depressed, he just decided to encourage Hana to give him advice and shine. And he portrayed himself as sad and abruptly changed to positive and added "Thank you Hana your advice means a lot" and she smiled. And in return and let go of his hand.

-Your arm isn't completely healed. You'll be here for a while," she said with a positive smile, and Itachi nodded.

-I was actually going to spend the night here. After all, it's much cozier here," Itachi's modest reply made itself known. Hanu nodded.

-Hopefully we'll meet again," Itachi added "for sure" with a slight smile, left lip in response to her answering smile. Hana walked out with a smile that she had met a childhood friend.

***

It was night, and Itachi was sleeping soundly in his room. But his sleep was interrupted when someone wearing an ANBU mask entered the room. Then he took it off and was about to wake Itachi up. But Itachi always seemed to sleep with his eyes open. Abruptly opening his eyes he got up from the bed and looked at the ANBU. When he saw Kizashi, he calmed down.

-That's Itachi's reflexes. Do you ever rest at all?" began Kizashi, translating his surprised look into a smile.

-Kizashi, why are you here?" the newly awake Itachi asked a direct question.

-You know... Itachi, I have a favor to ask of you. Hokage-sama is sending us out again to search for that renegade. This time, we'll have more shinobi units, and even my wife is going too. Since she's a sensor and can determine his approximate location Nukenin," seeing Itachi's tired face, Kizashi decided to keep it short. I want you to fulfill Rank-D's assignment and look after my daughter..." he said.

-Kizashi, do you have a daughter? I thought that by family you meant your parents," Itachi replied with interest.

-Huh, I always look younger than I am," Kizashi said with his trademark smile, "Her name is Sakura and she sometimes has a weird split personality with some Inner-Sakura version. Even the Hokage himself said with a laugh that since she's so dangerous, it's the Rank-D's job to keep an eye on her. So you agree, Itachi? With your broken one, you can't come with us on the Hokage's orders. But I'm sure you can look after her.

-Don't worry, she'll be fine. I'll be there tomorrow morning," Itachi also mentally added: "Just as long as it's not home," and I'm sorry I can't come with you.

-On the contrary, it's me who should be grateful. After all, if that mission had been successfully completed, we would now be without missions for a week. If you had gone after him yourself, I'm sure you would have caught up with him after the mission was completed. But the fun's not over yet, at least not while I'm in the ANBU," he finished with a smile.

Itachi thought, "And indeed a week would be a week without missions, the first timeline didn't have them for over two weeks. I'm also sure that Kowaki the renegade fogman will be caught."

-All right then, I'm off. Good night and good luck with her tomorrow," Kizashi finished.

-Good night," Itachi said evenly, knowing Kakashi would be there. So they wouldn't be missing.

Walking out the door of the chamber, Kizashi closed the door behind him. Itachi looked out the window admiring the white moon, it seemed to be surrounded by a blue raven. Looking out over the village he noticed the castle-kikyo. Shifting his gaze upward, he continued admiring the already dark blue sky, in which many stars burned. Itachi noticed the lack of clouds. The rain had long since passed, maybe it was a good thing Kizashi had woken him up. It was because of that that he was able to see this beauty. But for now, he needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow would be another interesting day. After one last look at the castle-kikyo and the moon, Itachi fell into the world of dreams....