Chapter 5

When the protagonist woke up in a comfortable and spacious room, the sun was already shining its rays. Which also warmed his body. When the first ray touched the sleeping genius, Itachi immediately woke up and opened his eyes. Also immediately remembering Kizashi's errand.... So Itachi took off the ANBU armor in the ward, leaving only a black T-shirt with the Uchiha crest on it and other clothes like sandals and pants. Itachi walked out the window and went to Kizashi's house, he also knew where he lived.

***

Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, he passed the gates of Konoha and managed to catch a glimpse of Kizashi himself with his wife. Besides them, Kakashi, Hayate, and several squads were there. Itachi also spotted Izumo and Kotetsu, or rather their more inexperienced versions, since they were still too inexperienced to be sentries.... Itachi came down to see his comrades off and wish them luck. 

-Our savior who saved us more than once is back?" said Kakashi with a smile trying to make a joke, "You decided to come with us after all? The Hokage told us you'd be out of commission for a couple days. I know your injury is not a problem for you, but it's not worth the risk.

-My hand isn't completely healed, but at least I can move my fingers," Itachi said, looking at his palm and then looking back at them, "I'm just here to wish you good luck.

-We won't need her. I'm here," the shinobi with the long, shaggy black hair replied snidely.

-Kotetsu," said a shinobi with long brown hair, part of it covering his right eye, "you're the only thing missing from your jokes. I can't wait to finish this mission and go home. Personally, I'd like to be a Konoha sentinel, greeting travelers after missions instead of being them," Izumo finished dreamily. But Itachi knew that would happen soon enough.

-I see... - I want to be an examiner, so I can watch others fight. I want to be an examiner, so I can watch others fight, and know that I'm not the one participating. Also to determine the winners. It would also allow me to spend more time with Yugao," Hayate looked dreamily at the serene blue sky.

Many looked at him with joy. However, Kakashi and Itachi were busy with their own thoughts. Kakashi was thinking about his former team that he would no longer be able to be with. He missed Rin and Obito very much. Itachi on the other hand was thinking back to his encounters with Kakashi in the first timeline. He knew his history and realized that all of Hatake's cheerfulness was entirely played up. 

-All right, this conversation's over, we gotta go. Let's move out... - everyone nodded to Kakashi's order.

-Itachi-kun, take care of my favorite little girl," Mebuku said, Itachi nodded with a slight smile in return.

-And take care of yourself, too. You don't know what it's like, Inner-Sakura," Kizashi warned jokingly.

They all left the gate, Itachi staring at the departing group of Jonin and ANBU for a while. Soon, he too continued on his way to Kizashi Haruno's house, where his Rank-D assignment awaited him. Upon learning that the house he needed was across the street from a candy store, Itachi was even a little relieved. Itachi was a little happy to find out that the house was across the street from a pastry shop.

Itachi's POV

I'm getting there. There's the door. If I'm not mistaken, keys are usually kept under the rug. All I have to do is dispel the common mirage technique to see the key.

-Kai," I said as the mirage dissipated and the key was visible, and I pulled out the key. I opened the door immediately.

When I entered, I looked around. The house was cozy, and the hallway was even spacious. Suddenly I noticed two shurikens flying at me. I wanted to catch them, but realizing that they were paper with a smile, I let myself be wounded. It felt like being hit by a dandelion, which made me smile. A pink-haired girl of about seven years old came out from the next room where the shurikens were thrown from. She was wearing a pink blouse. I recognized her immediately, she was the Sakura who would be one of the strongest Shinobi of the Fourth World War. She would also be a member of Team-7, and in doing so, she would become the strongest Irenin of Konoha. I studied her well in the first timeline when I was still in Akatsuki. She was on the same team as Sasuke and Naruto Uzumaki, who is a Nine-tailed.

Now she smilingly steps out of the doorway, adopting a cute ninja fighting stance, and begins:

-I'm Sakura, the strongest in Konoha and no one would dare to hurt me,‖ she says sweetly introducing herself with a smile.

-Hello, and my name is Itachi. I'm here to look after you," I replied to her greeting with a smile. That's strange. I thought she was being modest. Her other open Inner Versions manner is almost as good as Naruto's.

-I don't need a babysitter. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself," she said with a resentful tone. But suddenly, her stomach started rumbling, and Sakura gave me a sad look. I knew what was wrong.

-Are you hungry?" I replied with a smile and interest. And she nods with sad green eyes, continuing to smile I continued - let's go, I'll make something to eat - she nodded and obediently followed me into the kitchen.

She sat down at the chair, impatiently fidgeting with the wait for food, she couldn't sit still. I gave her some peach juice and also realized that before it was evening, it would be better to make something quick. So I pulled out my bag of canned ramen, which I had bought on the way in and kept for myself at the beginning. Then quickly but carefully poured boiling water, closed the lid, also thought about the book that I had previously read in paradise, about "Brother and Sister". How their parents died and the 15 year old brother takes care of his 5 year old little sister on his own. He walks her to the academies himself, he also buys her clothes himself, sometimes when she is sad in the cold winter, he wraps her with a warm jacket covering her neck. While hugging saying "I won't leave you sis..." I thought for 3 minutes and the intruder of my thoughts was exactly little pink-haired Sakura:

-When it's ready," she began, looking at me with wide emerald eyes.

-Already," I smiled, handing her the hot ramen. It tasted almost as good as even the ichiraku ramen.

Then I sat across from her so she wouldn't feel alone. I also started a conversation:

-By the way Sakura... - I began with a slight smile. She looked at me and listened, and I continued, "Are you going to the ninja academy yet?

-I've recently started," she said as she continued eating her lunch, "and I really liked the academy, my best friend Ino is there, I want to be friends with her. I met Ino when she threw an allergic flower at the three girls who called me big-headed," she became a little sad and continued with anger, "and I don't like Naruto the most at the academy, he annoys me.

The whole conversation made me smile, especially in this weather. Later when she was done eating, I cleared the table and washed the glass. Also throwing away the leftover ramen in the bag, it was in the wrapper. And she didn't want to finish it, so I understood her and threw it away. Then when lunch was over, I had to go grocery shopping for dinner, with the money the third one gave me after completing the previous missions. I had plenty of money, that's because I'm frugal. It's about 4:00 in the afternoon and the weather is so interesting, the birds are making noise like they're calling.... The sky is as blue as it was yesterday. I can't leave her alone in the apartment when the weather is so nice outside.

-Sakura I'm going grocery shopping now, do you want to come with me?", I said in a calm voice. And she just jumped on the spot in response, and then she changed her look to a serious face and added:

-Okay, but under one condition," I started to listen to her, she continued, "that you buy me chocolate ice cream," I smiled softly with my left lip and nodded.

***

We were walking down the main street of Konoha. It was warm even though the sun was setting. So there was no point in Sakura dressing warmer. When we passed an ice cream shop, she took my hand and tugged. I turned my attention to her and watched as she pointed her finger at the ice cream shop. I nodded with a smile and walked over:

-Two chocolate ice creams," I said to the vendor and the vendor served us well adding a smile to me and Sakura.

-Thank you Itachi-san,‖ I heard her voice again and turned my attention back to her. Had she really started calling me by suffix. I began to see that humble Sakura again. But she hadn't learned to keep her Inner version in her thoughts yet, so that side sometimes takes over and controls her body. My thoughts were distracted by the way she licked the chocolate ball in the cone saying," Thank you this is my favorite ice cream.

-You're welcome," I added as I continued to smile and grabbed her hand so she wouldn't get lost. 

As we continued on our way to get groceries, a blond-haired boy with three whiskers on both cheeks came running toward us from the front. I recognized him immediately. It was Naruto.

-Hi Sakura-chan," he said to her with a smile. And Sakura pouted her lips in response and looked away.

-Naruto-kun," I said, looking at him like a hero with a slight smile. He looked surprised in return, I guessed that it was the first time he'd seen it in a long time that someone wasn't looking at him like an outcast....

-Hello?" he raised his right eyebrow in curiosity. And looking at me, he added, "Who are you? I don't think we've met.

-My name is Itachi. I know you because I heard about you from the Third Hokage," I knew that after the Fourth Hokage had a son, he died with his wife. And Naruto was orphaned and grew up in an orphanage for children... He was there until he was four years old, when the third found him a comfortable home. Even came to visit him from time to time to give him money. And sometimes just to give life advice and spend time with the heir to Konoha's yellow lightning, Minato Namikaze.... Or the Fourth Hokage.

-Ha! -Yes, that's right. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. And I think he probably also told you that I'll be Hokage one day. You'll see, dattabayo!" he said with a thumbs-up and his trademark smile.

-I don't doubt it, Heh... - I continued to look at him as if he would soon become the hero of the Fourth Great Shinobi War..... Afterward, I even gave him my recently bought chocolate ice cream. Sakura looked at us and ate the ice cream while smiling and then tugged on my arm and said:

-It's getting dark, Itachi-san. It's the end of the sunset," Sakura said, looking up at me with emerald eyes.

-We should go, take care of yourself Naruto-kun," I said as I looked at Naruto, remembering the groceries. Naruto nodded positively and went on his way, waving goodbye, even Sakura smiled as I did. Heh...

We walked down the main street. I went through three vendors on the way, buying all the groceries I needed. I walked by a flower shop, and a small blonde woman came out of it and waved at Sakura as she started to walk over.

-Hey!, friend hi," said the blonde woman dressed in purple.

-Hi Ino," she replied happily, turning her gaze to me Sakura continued, "Itachi-san can we stay a little longer, I want to talk to my friend.

-Of course," I replied positively, stepping in front of the building on the other side of the road. I started sealing all the food in the scroll I'd taken out of my left pocket. Then I stood looking at Sakura, my mind went back to her version of the first timeline.

Sasuke... in the first timeline you killed her... How could you stoop so low, I told you back then. That you shouldn't judge people on first impressions. But you didn't listen to me then, and you won't listen to me now...

Someone behind me put their hands on my shoulder, and started:

-Still thinking about how to improve Itachi's world?" I turned around and saw something I hadn't seen in a long time. The smiling Shisui himself, especially in his ANBU uniform. I'm so happy to see him and smile back.

-Shisui," I started with a smile and continued, "It's been a while. It's a shame the world isn't getting any better.

-Patience is the key and even the cure to everything. And it was you who told me that," he answered confidently, then shifted his gaze to Sakura and said, "Itachi who is this girl and why are you walking with her.

-Kizashi's request to look after his daughter," my answer pleased him, I also added, "She has her Inner side, so it already counts as a rank-D mission, Heh....

-So you're babysitting. Itachi and Inner Sakura's babysitter, that sounds fun," Shisui joked a little.

-Why are you so cheerful today?", I inquired with a slight smile.

I was able to single-handedly stop five Nukenin from the hidden fog. They were trying to sneak into our village, and even Hokage-sama praised me. I'm sure even Danzo-sama himself would smile at my success.

-I doubt it... Danzo is the one who created the root of the ANBU, those who have no emotions and who fight each other at the end, the final trials. And he will smile and show emotion, revealing his soul, only if you use your koto-amatsukami on him," I finished my speech with sarcasm.

Danzo is the one who steals his eye. Should I change these events after all? I haven't decided yet. I mean, it might not affect the outcome, but it would be a little side effect. Or will it change a lot of things? I'll have to think about it. It doesn't matter right now. By the way, where's Sakura and her friend?

-Shisui you didn't see where they went," he nods that he didn't, and adds:

-I don't know, maybe we went to the store," he said tiredly, "All right, Itachi, good talk. And good luck finding your friend," I nodded back. I say goodbye to my friend and he leaves....

I go to the flower store, I see only Ino and wondered, approaching her:

-Hello, you're Ino, aren't you? -and she was shy, I realized this and added a kind tinny smile, -have you seen Sakura?, it's almost night.

-We, we- - she said nervously.

-Don't be afraid Ino... just tell it like it was and be direct," I asked, still smiling.

-We started chatting, then walked back into the flower shop. We went to the other exit of the building, and our friends and girlfriends from the academies came up to us. They started making jokes about her forehead. She then ran away crying," she also added, "and I told them they were stupid. They said it was a joke. But I retaliated with anger and walked back into the store.

-That's all I wanted to know, thanks Ino. Do you have any idea where she might have gone?" I finished smiling to focus on the search.

-She has an interesting place and a favorite spot. It's a park bench near the Konoha exit," I nodded and added, "Thank you," then got out of the back.

***

I quickly made my way to my seat. I still found Sakura sitting on a bench crying. As I got closer to her, she calmed down when she saw me, not a stranger.

-There you are Sakura. I finally found you... - I sat down next to her on the bench, and continued, -What happened? Why did you leave me?" I asked with a comforting smile.

-They always call me that. Even in jest, big-headed- - she said, rubbing her green eyes with her little fists.

-You know, I know what you mean. I've had it too, among my so-called friends. When I was your age, I was good at shuriken and taijutsu in the academy. But then when you're teased and you wonder why? You start to realize one thing," she started to look at me with surprise and waited for what? And I noticed her curiosity and replied, "It's all because of envy.... The fact that you have such a forehead means that you will be a very strong Shinobi. And even a beautiful Kunoichi. But I'm sure they already know that, that's why they're jealous of you," I said with a smile, and she laughed in response.

-Thank you for understanding Itachi-san. And I'm sorry for running away and leaving you with your friend," she said with sad eyes.

-Forget it. - I tell her honestly, as I'm always honest. I also continued, "By the way, it's nighttime, aren't you cold?" she nods quietly. I take out my scroll from my right pocket, I open it and there appears a jacket, a dark blue vest. I put it on her, then when she gets up from the bench, I stand up and continued, -You know, the fact that you have such a forehead, there is another plus.

-And which one?" the pink-haired girl raised one eyebrow questioningly.

-So I can do this," I poked her with two fingers up to her forehead, and she pouted her lips in response. She folded her arms across her chest and looked away.

As I've been thinking about this, I think I've begun to understand why Kizashi is always so cheerful. The answer is simple, it's because he has a little girl who is always ready to give him positivity. She's always cheering him up and her pink hair and cheeks can make anyone smile, even Madara.

-Why don't we go home?", I said, stroking her pink hair, and she nodded, dressed in my vest and wrapped herself in it with a smile and a childish laugh.

When I reached home after a long day, I started cooking dinner. I also took out the food I'd bought from the scroll and started cooking fried fish in flour and oil. It's the most popular food in Konoha. I allowed the thought with a smile as I continued cooking. Sakura kept throwing her paper shuriken to kill time and also said, "I'm the strongest Kunoichi."

***

Half an hour later, the food was ready. I sped up the cooking of dinner with my light cathon. The secret to my style Heh.... All that was left was to invite Sakura over for dinner.

-Sakura's food is ready, -she came running quickly. I noticed a scratch on her arm, in the palm of her hand, from the paper shuriken. I pulled out a scroll of band-aids, the size of a small band-aid, with a plus sign and red in color.

-Whoa... She's beautiful," Sakura said her opinion, "You're so cool Itachi-san. I want to be like you too.

-I'm sure you'll be a good Irenin. She looked thoughtful and added, "Good idea, Itachi-san, I might become an Irianin," and I smiled and dinner began.

***

Dinner was over. I put the little pink-haired Kunoichi to bed in her room. Covering her with a warm blanket, I then went to the roof of the house and looked up at the clear space sky with no clouds. Activating my mangekyo sharingan I looked up at the moon and thought:

During the final fight, I'll have to use mangekyo sharingan a lot. It's better if I try to use it rarely until then, otherwise I might go blind before reaching the finals. Still, it was a great day. I thought Sasuke was a big trouble, but it turned out to be even harder to deal with and yet even cuter Heh. Also when Sasuke was still in his mother's belly. I was wondering what would happen if he had a little sister. Wouldn't that be better? But instead, I let the thought of having a brother come true. Unfortunately, it came true. Although if the so-called little brother was like Naruto. That would be great, heh...

Having finished thinking, I came down from the roof. I entered the house and also went to sleep on the sofa in the living room. Then I fell asleep in a flash.....

The end of Itachi's POV