Chapter 33

Itachi's POV

We've already reached the border of Konoha, it's late at night..... I was able to help Izumo and Kotetsu defeat the sound four, but I used the power of the hiraishin, they were the perfect training, I didn't even use my kekkei genkai, I only used it on the red-haired girl called Tayuya, When Kabuto resurrected me with his edo tensei technique in the first timeline, but I broke the connection with him and tracked him down to meet Sasuke, Kabuto used her power during the fight, I had to break her genjutsu by mutual gaze with Sasuke, he helped with my paralysis genjutsu and I helped with his, but this time I strengthened my chakra volume during these 3 years of training in taijutsu, and I was able to break the paralysis genjutsu on my own, I guess I've become too strong during these years of training, even lightning doesn't affect me now, it even recharges me, maybe this way I can awaken the lightning element... and when I meet Kabuto in the second timeline, I'm sure I'll be able to handle him alone, in the first timeline I was a resurrected edo-tensei, and I tried not to kill Kabuto during the fight, because I needed him to cancel the edo-tensei, But I was too vigilant to notice how much stronger he became with Orochimaru's cell transplant and dragon sage mode, but this time I'll fight him in that cave at full strength, because I'll be stronger than I was, and I'll defeat him, and I'm sure Sasuke won't help me this time... I was wounded many times during the fight with Kabuto, because I protected Sasuke, took care of him, because I thought that he is the chosen descendant of Indra, according to Tobi, and even said that if he becomes what he wants, and destroy the Konoha, I will still understand him, and these words I specifically told him to correct, but he did not correct and after the defeat in front of Naruto, now this time I will not lie to him and on the contrary will tell him everything honestly, that the Konoha is more important than him, and also will be forever....

While I was thinking about Tayuya's flute genjutsu and Kabuto and Sasuke, my thoughts were distracted by the fact that I had reached the hokage's office with Izumo and Kotetsu, entering the office I noticed the third one happy with himself because he knew that the mission was accomplished, and I'm sure that he was happy to see Iruka supporting Naruto, I'm sure that the third one had his own story to tell while I was busy with mine.

-Task accomplished," Izumo began standing alongside Kotetsu.

-Well done, - replied the third with a smile, -I was watching you personally by the way, even though you showed them a glimpse of what the will of fire means, but why did you let yourself be beaten when they awakened the second level of the seal?, - asked the third.

-That was our plan with Izuma, after they destroyed our clones, we thought that if we attacked them they might try to kill us, and if we gave in they'd mock us, and luckily that was enough to wait for the blue lightning," Kotetsu finished, turning his gaze to Itachi.

-Huh, I was just doing what I had to do, doing my job and protecting my partners," I replied with a slight smile, then adjusted my cloak at the neck area, made a normal appearance again and added, "And how are you doing with the traitor of Konoha? Did you find him?

-It was Mizuki, and strangely enough only Iruka found him, and Naruto was able to defeat him, he created more than 50 clones, and defeated Mizuki, and Iruka in turn returned the scroll of the second hokage to the other chunins - having finished his speech, the third inhaled tobacco again.

-I didn't know he'd master them at all? I was beginning to think he didn't know ninjutsu- Izumo said his opinion.

-We studied him, he was talented in the beginning, in throwing kunai and shuriken as early as 8 years old, I have no idea who taught him, also he became good at learning the elements of water and wind seals, he was a striker, but clones were always a problem for him I also thought he was not proficient with ninjutsu - Kotetsu finished his speech confirming Izumo's words.

-I'm sure this is the beginning of its journey, a wonderful destiny awaits it, I will try to take care of it, the village and its inhabitants- I replied confidently.

-You know, there was a rumor in the Anbu about your saying, don't try to achieve everything by yourself, because as long as we are human, we are like sparks that should stick together," Izumo said with a smile, and added, "Your philosophy is known to everyone in Konoha.

-That's why you should take your own advice-" Kotetsu backed him up with a smile.

-When I put the seal on Izumo's vest and looked through the orb at you, for a moment I saw the other hokage, but unlike him you were glowing with dark blue lightning, you are incredibly stronger than you were-" he said what he wanted he smiled slightly, holding the tobacco in his left lip, inhaling it he continued - but Izumo is right, you shouldn't try to achieve everything alone, those who have a strong fire will help you achieve your goal, giving their lives to save the world while helping you... - later he tossed the tobacco aside and added - and now you can be free and I will finish with these papers on the construction of the residences because soon there will be renovations.

I nodded and walked out of the residences with Izumo and Kotetsu, they nodded to each other with a smile, they went their separate ways and talked about how they missed their watch post or something like that, and I thought that the third one was right, because really in the fourth world war, I can't fight alone, but I would have a big chance to win, only if I had enough chakra to create 10,000 clones, 9,000 of them to fight and the other 1,000 clones to collect natural chakra, but that's not possible for any shinobi, legend has it that much chakra would be available if one were to look into the blue eyes of an elder god, to have a dark blue iris that glows with a slightly dark energy, it is even much stronger than the devil's gaze, which has a color with a red iris for the eye, because blue eyes give not only unlimited power, but also infinite will, such a level that can survive anything, any torture, any long period of time, patience loneliness and everything, and this is the power of the level of God, which can not be broken by anything, I know I won't have that kind of power in this life, I doubt I'll get a higher power other than eternal-mangekyo, but at least that's a good option too, I thought about it, I took off my black cloak, put down the scroll, and now I only had my black T-shirt with the blue uchiha crest, still a gift from Hana, and in my neck when I opened the pendant I saw that little girl Sakura, she's so cute... but now she has long hair, and she's an honors student, and she's changed her appearance to become more attractive to many people, I think she'll have a great life if only I can change the past and the future....

Now I was walking in my black t-shirt and I decided to go home, it was late at night, I even put my Hiraishin seal marker there so I wouldn't have to walk for a long time, moving from a very long distance has a big risk, because after traveling such a distance the body will feel the speed of light burning its skin and it will become something like a teleportation technique that only the third raikage could use, he used it well because he had an unusual skin structure, over time he improved it and it became like stone, but

***

I woke up and noticed that it was 14:00, I decided to get out of bed slowly and headed towards the dango diner, I was already on my way, I took out my black wallet from my pouch, as I approached the shop I wanted to approach the seller, but I was beaten by a guy, he had shaggy dark-blond spiky hair and a chunin outfit, I looked at him and recognized something familiar as if I had seen him before, when he gave the money to the seller he added with a smile:

-Two dango, one for me and one for my friend- -after the last sentence he looked at me with a smile, and continued- -long time no see Itachi-sama- -after he said that phrase with a laugh I immediately remembered who he was.

When I was 7 years old, I was still in academy and there was someone who wanted to compete with me in kunai throwing and 1 on 1, his name was Kamano-saisu, he was stubborn, he wanted to be the first in everything and he always lost to me, one day when I was walking in the hallway, I saw a high school student chasing after him and his three friends when they took cover behind my back, This high school bully wanted to attack me too, but I folded my seals to show him honor, but he thought I was showing off and wanted to hit him, so I intercepted his arm and threw him to the ground, and he was taken to the irienin, later Kamano and his friends started praising me, and they started calling me Itachi-sama for fun, I decided to use a plan, when one of them grabbed me and the other one hit me they all calmed down, but then when I vanished they were surprised that they only hit a clone, the teacher noticed this and decided to inform the third hokage personally, and I graduated early from the 7 year old academies, and was even given a team, and I got to say goodbye to Kamano and his friends, shaking hands with them all before entering the alumni office to get a sensei for my team, and I worked with the team for a year, which was a long time, until they were killed by Tobi...

Now Kamano is standing in front of me, glad to see a familiar face again, and the fact that there was a "Meeting with a childhood friend", as soon as the salesman gave us two dangos, I took them in both hands and gave one stick to Kamano and started:

-Good to see you Kamano, and don't call me that, I never liked the suffix sama-" he began with a smile, finishing similarly as well.

-So you remembered me after all," he smiled at the thought that I remembered him, and continued, "You know, it's kind of nice weather, why don't we go for a walk?

-All right," I replied with a nod,

And he understood my philosophy and we started walking down the main street of Konoha while eating his dango, and then I decided to start:

-You have a chunin uniform, when did you get to be one?", I questioned, finishing the first dango ball.

-I became a chunin a few years ago, my former team are still genin, because they didn't pass the third stage of their chunin exams," he said smiling and boastful, and then I saw that determined Kamano from the academy again, and he continued, "there was a time when the five of us used to go out, and four of us called you Itachi-sama, my team had two of them who also called you Itachi-sama, and our third friend decided to fail the exam because he wanted to stay for a second year, because he liked the academy, what a fool - he smiled a little and it made me smile a little, then I added.

-What happened to the two that are on your team? -I asked a question looking at him.

-After I became a chunin, I decided to separate from the group and joined the chunin squad for Rank-C or Rank-B missions," he replied, and after finishing his dango, he threw the rest of the stick in the trash, as I did, and decided to continue - and the one who stayed for a second year graduated from the academy, becoming a genin, he joined those two, and now they are a trio of teams again.

-Glad for them, I'm sure they'll try to be like you soon, though given how hard you try to be strong it's unlikely Heh..... - I told him honestly, giving him a small smile.

Now we began to walk down the street of hot springs, this is where the training between Ebisu and Naruto would take place, and a minute later, Naruto would meet Jiraiya himself here, I learned about all of this, and many moments of Naruto's life, back in paradise, when I was in paradise it was a place like a konoha, though no one realized that only the sage and team-7 had died, and Nagato who had a rinnegan to see through knew that this was paradise, my thoughts were distracted by Kamano:

-I think you're right, with their efforts they won't become stronger than me, but I'm more interested in the fact how much stronger you've become? - he turned his gaze to me and added - the last time I saw you in the academy, I remember how you said goodbye to me and those three genin, and the next thing I saw from the window, as you were leaving the academy, your team looked back for a moment - said a little sad that I did not stay in the academy with them for many more years, and added with a smile - then every time I asked about your life, they said that your team died and you survived, I wasn't surprised, but what's even more interesting is that when you were 9 years old, you passed the chunin exam alone and you were able to beat everyone, that's interesting, but when you joined the Anbu when you were 10 years old, you were able to surprise everyone with your kunai throwing,

I didn't believe it at all, you're full of surprises.

-But it still wasn't enough... If I want to save the world and Konoha, I need to train even more, but the title of chief-hero of Konoha only gives me extra glory that distracts me....  - I said my thoughts to my friend in a casual tone.

-So you are the main hero!?!, -when he said it with surprise, I regretted that I even mentioned this word, and continued listening to his dialog -I'm sorry that your clan was like this, but to this feat no one would dare, even anbu would completely shut off emotions, but you were able to save the village killing everyone in your clan, while controlling emotions, it takes a very strong will, -he finished looking at me proudly.

-Probably... - answered smiling softly, -without a strong will, the fire can go out in you, that's why many people hold on to each other, not to be extinguished when leaving the fire, -Kamano apparently missed my philosophy and continued to listen with interest -but I feel myself not as light, but rather as darkness.... the one that creates peace and order from the shadows, maintaining the golden positive light of good, and at the same time taking on the negative distorted color of evil.

-I missed your philosophies," he said with a smile and added, "You know, at first they even annoyed me, but then I realized they make sense.

-It's good for self-improvement, and seeing the world in a more global way, Heh.... - I answered honestly.

We started talking about many things in our class, even about Hana, he said that she became a chunin before anyone else, and went to the hospital after her team died, and Kamano met her when he was injured in the chunin exam, but still passed it, although he still had wounds, so Hana congratulated him for becoming the second chunin in the class after her, and then I said that I saw her too, during those four years, I had been to the hospital from time to time to check my blood pressure from the medications I was taking to make sure I wasn't getting side effects from the amaterasu art, then as evening approached I felt the wind hit my face and as I walked down the main street of Konoha I noticed the sun was setting and Kamano pointed towards the top of the hokage residence, I nodded and we went up there.

-You know, it's a great view, especially at sunset, but I don't get out here much," Kamano said, gripping the roof bars of the hokage building as well as I did.

-I remember standing here four years ago, I had a great day with Izumi, and in the evening I already had to exterminate my entire clan-" I looked down from the roof with sadness.

-Hana, once told me at the hospital that Izumi committed suicide in this one, yet she was afraid at the thought of her dying alone, strange- -Kamano said his opinion while looking at the sunset.

-I killed her... - After my words, he looked at me with surprise, he continued to listen to me - while I was slaying my clan, she stood on the shadow, when I threw my kunai there, I realized that I had killed her, and when I took her in my arms, her last words were about love for me, and then I closed her eyes and she didn't open them....

-You know, it's a shame there's no way to turn back time," I smirked a little at his words, because I had traveled back in time and seen her die for the second time.... Kamano also added - but at least we have to live in the present, we are humans, not Gods to control time, and we will meet our loved ones only in paradise, or in the next life, and in general it was an interesting story then, you should write a book about it, huh - Kamano was completely right, I was even glad that he began to read the right books, and knows what reincarnation is....

I continued to hold on to the bars and turned my gaze to the sun that was about to set, and Kamano took his hands off the bars and folded them across his chest and began with a smile:

-You know, I have some interesting news, if you're interested-" I shifted my gaze to him after he said that.

-What is it, and does it have to do with the village?" I decided to ask since I was really interested.

-Not really, this morning I met two perverted boys, one was a blond blond haired boy and the other was the grandson of the third hokage, I caught them peeping at the girls in the hot springs, they looked at me and started making excuses, and when I said I didn't believe them, and the blond one made an angry face and said to me, "I'm not a pervert dattabayo!"Haha, I could barely contain my laughter, and the interesting news is that his word "Dattabayo" never left my head - he started to smile, and I realized that he meant Naruto, even though I didn't know who he was, but even after learning that he was a jinchuriki, he wasn't like everyone else, and didn't hold a grudge against the boy who, even more so, cheered him up.

-That's very interesting news, though I doubt you'd be comfortable with that expression of his-" I replied with a slight smile.

-I don't think so, now it's my word dattabayo!, hah, -he smiled completely, closing his eyes, and suddenly he noticed that the sun has already strongly set, transferring there a look he added -well I think I should go, cool spent the day, and in general good luck to you main-hero still meet - positively he finished, extending his hand I naturally shook adding.

-Probably I'll see you again soon, and take care of yourself, also good luck, Heh... - He nodded and folded his seals and vanished in a puff of smoke, because he always liked to leave spectacularly, it was his main habit.

I was left alone, and took up the rods again, and saw the orange sunset, which would soon become already dark blue, and change the cloudy picture, to a starry background, while I held the rods I wondered what kind of life I could have with Izumi, suddenly I would be happy with her, and if we had children, I would probably feel inspired to have sweet children waiting for me, who want to hold me with their little fingers, and a beloved wife who thinks of me all the time, and will love me until the day I die...

While I was thinking about it, I looked up, and saw the sunset had fully set, and the stars were visible, and the dark blue background, and then I thought that even if Izumi were alive, it still wouldn't be my way, because I am, as Gamamaru had predicted, the chosen one who will travel through time and save the world, for that I don't have to feel like a human being, or half a love, now people look at me as the main hero and hope, or as the one with the maximum will... And if I will be like everyone else, then people will look at me as a person who is not different from them, but in order to become a real me, I have to believe in myself, remember the real me, because first of all who I need to convince in this truth, so it is myself, then I will save the world from Sasuke, and the meaning of life is different, each of them like a rainbow, and I am very tired of such people who say, "if you do not love, then what is the meaning of life?", those who say this, they have not seen other colors, because from the diffraction of the rainbow, there are other colors, and emotions like colors, and everyone chooses their own goal and the meaning of life that suits them, but although I do not deny that love is one of the strongest emotions, and bright colors, but this is still not my way, if I tell anyone about it, someone is bound to think that I think childishly, but I know what is a strong heart attachment, and passion ... but all those who are in Konoha or in the world they can follow this path, but I have my own path and in a way it is also a lonely one, like in the first timeline when I was in Akatsuki, but I also know that my friends will help me, but I will finish the path alone like I started....

The end of Itachi's POV

Finishing his thought Itachi noticed how the wind became stronger, it was as if it was making him comfortable, comforting him, and supporting his every thought, following this he smiled as he continued to gaze over the stars in the roof of the residence-hokage...