Chapter 7

The gates of Konoha were close at hand. The sun wasn't shining brightly as it was cloudy and hopping from tree to tree, Itachi and Shisui spotted the Konoha gate out of the corner of their eyes, descending to the path they continued on foot on the ground. Itachi was still carrying Naruto on his back.

-By the way, isn't that the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto Uzumaki?" asked Shisui, looking at him sadly. Itachi nodded in response and Shisui continued, "It's a shame that a lot of people can't see beyond their own noses and act like children, blaming him for the deaths of their loved ones on the day the Nine-Tails attacked the village. It's odd that the third gave orders not to talk about being the fourth's son. I realize it was for his own protection, but if he had told everyone, then maybe Naruto would have been accepted by at least three quarters of Konoha's population.... - Shisui continued in an angry tone, "because they think he's a stranger because of his last name, Uzumaki, and also a jinchuriki. It must be hard for him...

-Many people I've met care only about their own pride. They are willing to live not in peace, but in selfishness and greed. They're also willing to do anything to save their own skin. Some sell their family for that, or even throw dirt on the world," Itachi replied in a neutrally calm manner, adding, "They don't even realize that for the sake of one life, they ruin many others. Killing even their friends, betraying those who loved them..... or even organize revolutions.... For the sake of their egos," Itachi finished his speech as they arrived at the gates of Konoha. Itachi saw Izumo and Kotetsu behind the post for the first time. He also assumed that those bearded ones who missed Naruto and the rest of his four friends had been fired. It was even better for Izumo after all, his dream had come true, he had become a sentinel and was happy to greet those arriving in the village with a smile. Kotetsu was by his side as well, "I guess Kotetsu just can't live a happy life without his best friend, Heh..." - A thought slipped through Itachi's mind, after which he added a smile. Considering that Kakashi had already reported their mission, there was no point in rushing to the third. So they headed to Naruto's house to escort a sleepy Genin to his house.

As they passed through the gates of Konoha, they headed towards Naruto's house. The blond man with the thin mustache opens his eyes and finds that he is on Itachi's back, and then Naruto begins to say, "Itachi, is that you?".

-Wake up finally?", Itachi inquires with a slight smile. Then landing, he lowers him to the ground. Naruto immediately gets to his feet, finding his balance. Itachi continues, "You were kidnapped and we rescued you. And this is my friend, Shisui, who helped me.

-Thank you for your help! -Dattabayo!" Naruto began, while adding a wide, trademark smile, and continued, "Well... though.... I was already under the control of the dattabayo, I'm the shinobi who will become Hokage. I was just waiting for the right moment to strike," Naruto nervously tries to come up with an excuse. The Uchiha realize he's making it up. But it made them smile. Naruto finished by saying," but I fell asleep.

-You should know that a person doesn't become a Hokage without overcoming difficult paths," Shisui began with a smile.... - Sometimes pain makes people stronger, and if you learn from your own and others' mistakes, you'll slowly become a true Hokage. Who knows... Maybe those who became Hokage also lost in the beginning, but still managed to become what they are remembered for," Itachi was satisfied after Shisui's words and folded his arms on his chest, knowing that he hadn't broken the time line. On the contrary... Improved it.

-Thank you for your support!, it will only bring me closer to the title of Hokage, dattabayo," Uzumaki finished with his trademark smile. Itachi smiled in response as well. Shisui became joyful with such a positive interlocutor.

-Can you get home on your own, Naruto?" itachi asked. He nodded with a real proud smile.

Shisui and Itachi started to leave. But they noticed Naruto waving. Itachi smiled with his right lip and decided to wave too, Shisui kept his smile on and waved first. Then they noticed Iruka walk up behind Naruto, putting his hands on his shoulders. Also asking how he was doing. After that, Iruka walked him home.

***

Standing on the threshold outside the Hokage's office, Itachi and Shisui knocked. As soon as they heard "Come in," the two Uchiichi walked in. Itachi was wearing a tattered black t-shirt, Shisui had a tattered ANBU uniform as well, but mostly in training with Itachi. The Third Hokage was sitting in his chair, dressed naturally in his white Hokage uniform, white cap with "Third" written on it. He continued to smoke a tobacco cigar as Itachi and Shisui stood across from his desk, the third began:

-I see you've accomplished the mission. One that I haven't even officially assigned yet," the third one said with a little smile.

-Was happy to help the village in any way I could, sandaime-sama, replied Shisui.

-You really do look a lot like my close friend, Uchiha Kagami," said the third.

-I'm nothing like him, Hokage-sama. The only thing we have in common is the eyes he left me before he died," Itachi looked at Shisui and realized that he had an eternal-mangeke-sharingan and remembered how he said that he had used it for five minutes the first time he used it. Itachi also mentally added that Shisui's grandfather, Kagami Uchiha, who had just now been mentioned by the third one, knew that he would die before he could use his four-pronged mangekyo-sharingan. But the irienin had figured out that he was at risk of brain swelling anyway. So he entrusted his eyes to his grandson Shisui before he died. A week later, dying of brain swelling, he was glad he'd lived a long life. And that Shisui would have an eternal Mangekyo. He died happy. Thanks to this information, Itachi had more recent knowledge about Shisui.

-He died of old age, but I remember him as young as you are now. You've done a good job, Shisui, now you're free to get in shape," Shisui nodded in response to the third man's words, then disappeared into the white smoke.

The Third Hokage stood up from his chair, taking his tobacco with him, and walked towards the window. Looking up at the cloudy sky, he began:

-I see that your relationship with Sasuke is not the same as the last time," after the third man's words. Itachi lowered his head to the floor and thought about who Sasuke would become and what he was doing to him.... But he was distracted from his thoughts by the third," and I've also noticed that you've been spending more time with the little pink-haired Kunoichi. And the young jinchūriki than you do with Sasuke. I guess in your time you got to know them from a completely different perspective. And I'm sure Sasuke also turned out to be one of those Uchiichi who succumbed to his clan's curse. That's why you no longer look at him with brotherly love, as you did before.... - The third, speaking rather sentimentally, also explained how he found out about it," I found out about all of this when I left two shadow clones at the Hokage's post. I left them to finish the paperwork. In the meantime, I went home and started looking at you with my crystal ball. I also watched you keep Sakura safe, and I have to say, I found out everything I wanted to know," the Third added with a smile as he turned away from the window to Itachi and began his work.

Itachi thought about the fact that in the first timeline, they were discussing his leadership of the ANBU and how Iruka and Kakashi had saved Naruto. Although Naruto was unconscious and didn't get to see Kakashi, so he only met Iruka when he regained consciousness. Now the third, sitting back in his chair, continued:

-I think you're doing the right thing by taking care of Sakura so much. It's like she's your little sister. Heh... Just make sure she doesn't start looking at you differently and fall in love with you at the same time," the third one finished that part with a slight chuckle.

-Huh, that you are Hokage-sama. I didn't even have such a thought," Itachi replied, folding his arms across his chest. And with a slight smile, he shifted his gaze to the Hokage's desk.

-You know, I even saw her myself once. When I was walking in the park, people greeted me with a slight bow. On the way I saw two girls, one was blonde and the other had pink hair. They were sad that they had lost their daisy flowers. I realized this from their conversation and noticing the daisies out of the corner of my eye, I plucked them and gave them to them. They gave me a positive and joyful smile, which no money can buy in this world. I stroked their heads in response, then I shifted my gaze to Sakura and suddenly remembered Tsunade.... Back when she was my student. She was exactly the same. Naruto was also very similar to Minato, the yellow lightning of Konoha in appearance. But with mannerisms and temper, he's more similar to Kushina. Even Shisui is very similar to my friend, Kagami Uchiha, as you've already realized. But you Itachi... I don't think you alone can be replaced in the whole world, I even feel honored to be talking to the chosen one from the possible prophecy of time," the third one finished with a smile.

-The soul is the original creation. It happens that a person dying falls for a while on a white star, which many people consider paradise, or in a correctional place, where their negatives are erased and the soul is cleansed from the memories of the previous life. On the red star... And after reincarnations begins life anew, reincarnating in a recently born child, but without memories of the past. It even happens that in life there are very similar personalities. The Hokage was curious and put the tobacco aside, put his elbows on the table, put the fingers of both hands together and continued to listen to Itachi's speech. After all knew that he from that time line brought a lot of knowledge, and about heaven he talk with confidence. Itachi continued, "About the fourth Hokage. I'm sure if he was faster, he'd be called the Blue Lightning of Konoha, because the red star is big and sometimes seems invincible. But the yellow one is hotter and its beam is faster.... But the blue star is even faster and much hotter and more massive. At the expense of lightning, similarly. blue is much faster than yellow or red.

-Philosophical thinking," added the Third from himself with a smile, taking the tobacco in his hands, and continued, "thanks to you I have realized many things I did not know before.

-I've learned a lot myself from both times," Itachi replied, smiling with his left lip, still also folding his arms across his chest. At this time, an ANBU walks in the door and says:

-Hokage-sama, we have learned exactly that there are no traitors in Konoha, and this is indeed a man who can pass through walls. He's also wearing an orange mask," the ANBU finished. The Hokage nodded and then the ANBU clone disappeared.

Itachi remembered how he had told the third person in the first timeline that the same man in the orange mask had killed his first team when Itachi was only eight years old. Now in the second timeline, he repeated the same thing he had said then. To this, the Hokage nodded, just as he had in that timeline. Also, the third seemed to realize what this masked man needed. It was a scroll of the Uzumaki clan that when opened creates an invisible field on all sides, within a ten meter radius. Whoever opened the scroll and thought about who was in the field, he could easily paralyze any opponent... Itachi remembered that in that timeline, the Hokage had ordered it to be re-hidden, so that no one would get those scrolls. And when he realized six months later that someone in a mask was keeping up. The masked man stopped visiting Konoha, but before he left he was tracked down by Itachi. Then he began with the words, "Help me destroy the clan." And the man was only too happy to get even with the clan that had once disobeyed and even betrayed Uchiha Madara. But while Itachi was thinking, he was distracted.

-Thank you, Itachi, for such valuable information. It's good that you were able to survive running away from someone like him. And now you can be free," the third Hokage finished, smiling contentedly because of the great conversation.

-Yes, Hokage," Itachi said and started walking towards the exit of the office. The Hokage also added one last time:

-I don't know what's going to happen in the future, and I don't want to know yet. Maybe Naruto will become Hokage like his father Minato. And Sakura might really become strong like Tsunade. Or maybe Sasuke will become a vigilante because of the blood of the Uchiha clan and will follow almost the same path as Orochimaru," Itachi gave a serious look because he took the words to heart. But the third noticed it and added, "but he is still a child, try to fix him first, although I'm sure he will probably become a hero in the end. I let him be named after my father, Sasuke Sarutobi, I don't want him to ruin his life by dishonoring my father's name.... I think you get my point, good luck to you Itachi in the future," the third added a sentimental smile at the end. And added," Itachi Uchiha, now all hope is on you..... - the same thing the Sage said before opening the time wormhole. What an irony... Itachi thought.

-Okay, third, I'll do my best. I'm still working on it, but I doubt Sasuke's nature will change. If it comes to that, I'll have to do it for the sake of order. My main and original goal... - Itachi said confidently, while saying he would do anything for peace. After all, Itachi knows that for Sasuke, there is no turning back, and he will only save his name by killing him. So that he dies a hero's death. Itachi also added, "Thank you for your support and your positivity. It's something I won't forget, Heh..."

After saying that, Itachi walked out the door and headed towards the Uchiichi's house. To change and tidy up and also to sleep in a place he hadn't been in almost half his life. He jumped from rooftop to rooftop until he reached the Uchiha neighborhood. when he saw his house, he walked down to the ground and stood on the doorstep.

Itachi's POV

It was already 4:00, almost evening..... I entered the house with the words:

-I'm home," I began.

-Itachi, is that you? I was getting worried," said the wife of the Uchiha clan head, "dinner is just about ready, let's go.

Sasuke was sitting at the table, happy and talking about how cool Shisui was. It even made me smile, because I know that if Shisui had heard that, he would've gotten red in the face. The head of the Uchiha clan was also at the table, listening to his son. And a fine dinner was served on the table.... Is it really the same broth with noodles similar to ramen that I haven't eaten in so long. After that, I started to eat, and managed to drain two plates, since I hadn't eaten anything since the mission to rescue Naruto. Even when I was training with Shisui in the morning, my left arm had already healed, but even then I was starving. But I forgot about the hunger when I met Kakashi and then Iruka, who told me the bad news about Naruto's kidnapping. Then I remembered that in the first timeline I had practiced with Sasuke after lunch and showed him how to hold eight kunai between his fingers, throwing them in the air so that they hit each other as they flew and each hit the bull's-eye and the target. Sasuke was surprised as always and wanted to do it again, but his attempt was in vain, I realized that I had to recreate a second timeline, almost the same as the first, so after dinner, I approached Sasuke, though I didn't want to, but I started:

-Sasuke- - I started coldly, then adopted a fake smile, and he looked at me glumly in return, waiting for me to continue. I continued, -You wanted me to teach you how to throw a kunai, I don't think you can do it alone.

-I'm not going to train alone, I'm going to be trained by Shisui," Sasuke said glumly. I knew that Shisui really had the day off today, he was alone in the first line all day, and now this. Sasuke continued, "And he's going to show me a technique today.

-I see," I replied happily that I had found a replacement for the second timeline, and I wouldn't have to train with him, so I finished my speech with a word, "well, goodbye then.

-Next time, Nii-san," he said with a normal face.

-Don't call me that- - I answered coldly. He got curious and added, "Why!" I found a neutral answer, "When you call me that, I feel like I'm not me. Better call me Itachi Uchiha," I clarified my speech by activating the sharingan and he looked at me questioningly. I activated the mangekyo sharingan and he looked at me fearfully, then I walked away from him, towards my room.

Did I do the right thing, or was the third one right about something? Maybe I could play the role of a brother to him one last time, and he'd make it up to me. Uh, no. I'm not going to give in to that extra emotion, because I know what's at stake. In the first timeline, I let myself get sentimental because I thought it was the right thing to do. But now I know what the real meaning is. So I'm gonna make that choice. Even though I know it's positive now, it'll be a distorted red negative out of that yellow positive. I can only take the Hokage's words to heart, and as I have made my final decision, my waiting will be a bigger surprise than Black Zetsu's patient plan. On account of you Zetsu, I know everything too. You still have to play your part, everything must go exactly the way you want it to. The Fourth War, Madara is like a vessel for Kaguya. So in a way you are my ally, and then I will destroy you Black Zetsu. After all, someone has to do it for ten thousand years. Worst of all, you're a disgrace to your Zetsu color. You don't know what true will or darkness is. Heh.

I thought about all this lying on my bed. Without even noticing it was evening. Sunset was gone, swept away by the clouds. And there were only stars on a dark blue background, also my favorite color. I decided to leave the house and go to the castle-kikyo.

***

After quickly getting there, I sat down behind the porch of the castle-kikyo. I don't know why, but it felt like home to me. It had been destroyed, or rather would be destroyed, by Pein, who would decide to pay a visit to Konoha and once the whole village had exhausted him. Only to then be finished off by Naruto, who will master the Sage Mode, if you believe all of Hagoromo Ootsutsuki's stories. About the castle-kikyo, it's the highest place in Konoha, it's also a cozy place to look at the sky and the stars. I was also confidently thinking that this time, when I exterminate my clan, I would be sure that I was doing the right thing. After all, if the 10,000 year old Sage said so, it's probably true. And I believe him, because I think that he has some part of God in him, maybe God has put his yellow or blue spark in Kaguya, so that it was put into an empty shell, then became a man in which the Sage is now. And his brother Hamura, I think he's Kaguya's pure son. But Hagoromo. He could apply techniques without seals, but just by force of thought by pointing his hand at an object, could create lightning, summon wind, and control all five elements. Even dark distortions of space, like chubaku-tensei, which is almost like a black hole. Or he so could create amaterasu, which also distorts space like a black hole, but instead of a round shape, it creates a spreading fire. Which burns until the object is extinguished. There's no similar quality to Kaguya, it feels like it created itself. The way he is. And I'm sure there's a piece of the God of this galaxy in him. That would explain how he was able to merge with or control a star. which is much bigger than Earth, although he hasn't even realized it yet. And thanks to mangekyo, it allows you to distort space, but it takes a lot of power and when you're low on chakra, the technique takes some of your vision. Which eventually makes you blind, or worse, get a serious illness. I realized a lot of things, because I had experienced it all myself.... I was distracted by a silhouette downstairs. Who's that? There's a figure climbing on the castle-kikyo. When I looked closer, I recognized him as Shisui. He came up to me and started:

-Hi Itachi, what are you thinking about," Shisui began with a curious smile, wearing a plain gray t-shirt.

-Yes, about my own, - I answered, sitting and looking at the stars, -and you did not think .... Why do many people say that evil is darkness, maybe evil is light? More precisely the light distorted into negativity, the one in which there is little will and no honor. Earlier it was bright as good, then at the slightest loss of a loved one it became fierce red, like a distorted light. Or because of fear or jealousy, it reincarnates into a less bright, but more red losing kindness and softness.... Which boils with evil and vengeance, glows in its own style and against it, as always, only bright goodness of gold or white color is opposed. Sometimes there is a cross that a cure is found for evil and it becomes white and bright again. And good sometimes becomes red and fierce, although no matter how strong the explosion was not, it always leaves only traces of sparks that fade away in space ... - Shisui was very interested in listening to this, he even folded his arms on his chest. With a smile, he listened further. And I, in turn, continued to speak my thoughts, - but every disorder needs balance. Sometimes darkness like black holes, dark matter or pure space. The only things that can eliminate all the debris left behind by negativity... Also capable of destroying even the red stars themselves. After absorbing all the negativity, they release something like helium and oxygen. Which eventually become not nothing, but instead part of space and the original shape and purity of the universe. Which will probably be recreated again, but in a pure form. Sometimes remaining a shadow and taking all the negativity on themselves so that the rest of us can live in peace. That's what order is... - "I thought to myself as I destroyed the village taking all the blame. Like darkness alone against all evil. All to keep the balance in the village."

-Philosophical thinking," Shisui replied, I looked up with a slight smile. After all, this was the second person to say that to me today, perhaps it was a sign. Though I know that signs were always true.... I continued to listen to him," I had always known that your philosophy was much more advanced than mine. But I didn't realize that you also studied astronomy.

-Just a hobby," I replied with a smile.

-I trained Sasuke today. He's a slow learner, about five times slower than you, -you did everything perfectly the first time, but he must have been thinking about something, -I thought about it, I guess he remembered my mangekyo, -though the day went positively, I can see that you're busy. I'll leave you to it, have a good evening.

-Have a nice evening Shisui, thanks for listening and spending time with him, for me-. - I said honestly. Since he took this day with Sasuke on his own, I had no desire to be with him. And Shisui, as if he didn't know it himself, took the hit for me, I added a smile at the end - Heh....

He left. And I continued to think sitting on the porch of the castle-kikyo, realizing that sometimes time can pass quickly.... And that my knowledge of astronomy was gained in paradise, which was my favorite pastime. I also realized a lot of things, now I should not be like I was before, I should become stronger and more determined....

The end of Itachi's POV

Next, Itachi went home to his room, followed by going to sleep soundly.... and fell asleep peacefully.