Chapter 41

Itachi and Kisame were returning to Konoha, it had been exactly 3 days since they had encountered Mangetsu and Suigetsu, after that they naturally went to the Land of Sound, and there was nothing interesting in their journey, they rented a great hotel and Itachi with his sharingan asked many people, and learned enough about Orochimaru's best people, even about his Genin that he had picked up and made stronger.... the price of all this is his kindness is service to Orochimaru himself, and Itachi in turn was most interested with the two Genin.

The first one is Zaku Abumi, he was an orphan when his parents died in the third great shinobi war, then a child when he grew up, when he reached the age of 4 he was no longer needed by the orphanage, so when he left his first home, he wandered the streets begging, He was given a lot of money at first because he was a child, but then when he was 7 years old, they stopped feeling sorry for him, because most people thought of themselves first, and he was looked at as a boy who still had a lot to offer, in this Shinobi world, he once stole two buns from a store, but the shopkeepers caught up with him and took back his buns, but Zaku managed to hide one, and was very happy that they didn't notice it, even cried with a little joy when he ate it, then when he continued to wander, Orochimaru stood in his way and told him that he had seen everything and he knew shinobi like him, so he offered to go with him and he would become strong, Zaku smiled and followed Orochimaru because he became like a guardian who would train him and make him stronger, and in return he would serve him well...

The second one is Kin Tsuchi, she grew up with her mother and lived very poor like Karin in the first timeline, then her mother was killed by Shinobi herbs because of the civil war, she started crying and didn't know what to do, but when she got hungry she started to learn how to cook and spent more time in the kitchen, she even started stealing when her money supply ran out, then she felt bad about the place and left it, she started wandering for a long time and when she was leaving the village she saw Orochimaru who was wearing a white kimono, he asked her what happened to her and why she was sad., he said it sarcastically but she didn't understand, she thought he was worried about her, so she just went up to him and hugged him, starting to cry and said that her mom had died and no one supported her, but Orochimaru was surprised at first and then just licked his lips with his tongue and pulled away from her hug and added that if she went with him he would replace her family and even give her good friends, she nodded and started walking with him.

While Itachi was thinking about these two, he also remembered where he had seen or heard of them before, in the first timeline when Orochimaru attacked Konoha and killed the third Hokage, he had summoned the first and second Hokage using the bodies of these two, Zaku and Kin were the vessels for Hashirama and Tobirama, he knew that Orochimaru had not yet become himself, He knew that Orochimaru had not yet become himself, when he used Izanami on Kabuto, Orochimaru could also be affected by its effects, so he helped in the fourth war, but Itachi still looked at him disappointed, he knew what he had done before the fourth shinobi war, and this time Itachi wanted to make things right, maybe he could save those two, just like Karin had done.

***

Now the protagonist and his partner were almost at the gates of Konoha, the weather was a little foggy and cloudy, when Izumo and Kotetsu saw two Shinobi in black cloaks, they were seriously shocked, and wanted to call all the ANBU Shinobi that they could, because they knew that Akatsuki was beyond them, but when they saw them closer they saw Itachi and Kisame, Izumo and Kotetsu sighed quietly, and sat back in their seats, Itachi and Kisame went into the Hokage's office to talk about the missions, Itachi told the third what he knew before the missions, that Orochimaru had bribed the Daima of Risa Country, and the Hokage closed his eyes and put his hands on the table, knowing that his theory had been confirmed, Orochimaru was preparing a plan.

-So what do you suggest Hokage, we should all spread the word and attack the Sound Countries?" began Kisame while waiting for the third to respond.

-No, I don't think we should draw attention to it yet, we need to be subtle," the Hokage said as he continued to close his eyes.

-I suppose you don't want to create a conflict of countries, because if Orochimaru isn't there, it will look like Konoha has attacked the Sound Country, and there will be a conflict of interest between the different countries," Itachi said calmly.

-Itachi, you read my mind, heh," the third replied with a smile as he opened his eyes and picked up the tobacco that was lying next to him.

-I personally doubt that he even knew it in the first timeline heheheh- -when Kisame said those words and the third realized that he knew it too, Kisame immediately continued- -thanks to this theory I can say I guessed thanks to my intuition, also astronomy which Kakashi recently told me.

-I'm glad you're aware of all this, I'm sure you were great partners in the previous time line, I think you'll do well here too," the third one said with a smile, holding out his tobacco.

-Well maybe, heheheh, what's the next mission?" answering Kisame followed by inquiring.

-I suppose a rest wouldn't be unreasonable, so our work here is done for now- Itachi answered for the third, and Kisame continued to smile at his intuition, it was as if he had spoken for the third again.

Both nodded and walked out of the Hokage's residences, and headed for their homes, exiting through the roof of the residences, and jumping from one to the other, and then split up.... 5 minutes later, team-7 entered the office, they had just completed their mission, they even said that they had met Zabuza Mamochi on their way, they even said his death, everything happened there exactly like in the first timeline, almost identical, but not with all the fragments, there were some small changes, after all if instead of Itachi they would have sent another one, maybe he would have messed up the time line, in a different direction....

Itachi's POV

Now I'm at home, resting and regaining my strength, before saying goodbye to Kisame, I noticed his sadness, he will probably miss that for him, there will be no missions in the next, since we are on vacation like me, but the main thing is that he is resting and alive, I think that's enough, now I changed my clothes and took a small shower, now my goal is to go to the laundry room and put all the dirty clothes there, I seal the clothes in a scroll and leave the house and start walking towards the laundromat. On the way I notice Kakashi discussing with Sakura and Sasuke about the Chunin exam, I found out about it by reading their lips, I was on the roof and noticed them talking near the ichiraki, both of them nodded and Kakashi was happy about their decision, and so was I, because everything is going along the right lines, but even improved...

As I continue walking along the rooftops towards the laundromat, near an alleyway I noticed Naruto talking to some little boys, one of them seemed to be the grandson of the third Hokage, but two sand shinobi came up to them and started talking about how Konohamaru was weak, weak, Konohamaru wanted to attack him, but one of them who was dressed in a black suit, all tattooed and carrying a puppet double on his back, his name was Kankuro, he grabbed Konohamaru by the collar and started laughing, a light laugh, and the other one who was next to Kankuro was Temari, I know her because I saw her in the sage ball, she was a squad leader in world war four, but now she looked like a 14 year old girl, Naruto created shadow clones and started threatening Kankura, and he just smiled in anticipation of the battle, but then I decided to intervene so that the fight that was supposed to be at the exam wouldn't start early, I jumped off the roof of the nearest building and landed between them, Naruto noticing this took out all the clones and I started:

-This kind of behavior and attacking children isn't typical for Shinobi, we don't allow fighting until the Chunin exam... - I said, looking directly at Kankuro, and he lowered Konohamaru.

-We were just playing with him, and I wasn't going to hurt him," he added with a smile and let the boy go, and I could tell by the look on his face that he was being honest, because he wasn't so bad after all.

-Kankuro, Temari, excuse yourselves, you don't know who you're talking to," said a voice from behind them, when I saw it I realized it was Gaara, who would soon become the fifth Kazekage, I had met him in this timeline when I saved the sand village from Shukaku with my mangekyo.

-Pardon me- Temari said in unison along with Kankuro.

-We apologize- Kankuro said in unison along with Temari.

-It's okay, the important thing is that you understand-" Folding my arms across my chest I added with a slight smile.

-You may not remember me, but I want you to know that I'm grateful to you, I'm already feared in the village, but if it weren't for you, I'd be hated," Gaara said in a sad tone.

-Your name is Gaara, from the sand village, I remember you well, five years ago I was in your village and saved it with my mangekyo while checking you and your pulse," he smiled when I said that I remembered him, and Kankuro and Temari were shocked to find out that I was the main hero of Konoha, and Naruto and the others listened to the conversation behind my back with a smile.

-Itachi Uchiha?" said Temari in a surprised tone, also adding, "the same one?

-Is it true that your level is so high that you were able to defeat the resurrected Second Hokage?" asked Kankuro with a smile.

-Shut up," Gaara said in a light voice as he looked at his team and continued, "I think we should get going, nice to meet you Itachi-san, good luck," he said with a smile, and I nodded and smiled back, and they went off in their own direction.

-Whoa!, Itachi-san you're so cool!", Konohamaru began.

-And so strong and smart- added Konohamaru's friend.

-Is it true that you defeated the second resurrected Hokage?" said Konohamaru's friend, who was wearing glasses.

-Heh, they like to exaggerate, and so I'm not that strong yet, and at the expense of the second Hokage was such a mission on forbidden technique, but he was resurrected not in full force - with a smile I answered everyone, they added the same, I continued - and it was Naruto showed me cloning that helped me in the battle - I said on purpose, so that they looked at Naruto as their idol, and Naruto himself, who all this time was standing aside and smiling, noticing my words immediately grasped, and added.

-Yeah," he scratched the back of his head and added a smile as he continued, "Itachi's brother showed me the basics but I perfected it by creating multiple shadow cloning, dattabayo," they all looked at Naruto and continued to listen to him while I went on to the laundry room.

As I continued walking towards the laundry room I finally reached it and put the dirty clothes there, I also wondered if I had changed their fates too much, about Gaaru being half as kind, wouldn't that change the story? but on the other hand he will still be kind at the end when he becomes Kazekage, but also in his look I saw only half kindness, but not the full picture, I'm sure Naruto will do it when he meets him near the forest, I could fix Gaara completely, but that would only interfere with the timeline, and the bond that Gaara will create with Naruto.

The end of Itachi's POV

Itachi gave his things to the laundry and went back to his house to rest after such a difficult mission, it was kind of a bright day now, but he still wanted to skip it to wake up to wake up at night, and be in the castle-kikyo, as that's what he wanted...

***

Naruto spent a few hours with his little friends, and after bragging about how strong and tough he was, he said goodbye to them and continued on his way, towards the training field he had been practicing in when he wanted to take the bells from Kakashi, he wanted to practice the cloning technique, and now he was headed there.

Naruto's POV

I have to become stronger to be the Chunin Dattabayo, Kakashi sensei told me this morning that we will soon be able to take part in the Chunin exam, it will be just the first step to becoming Hokage, if I succeed I can become not the seventh but the fifth Hokage haha, If Itachi's brother is so cool and strong that he could defeat the second Hokage and become the main hero of Konoha, I think I can do it too, in time I will control my ninetail chakra to become almost as strong as Itachi's brother, now I'm thinking about all this while going to the training field.

I got there, but I saw that I was not alone, I hid behind a tree to see who it was, I saw a girl who looked a lot like Hinata, but more beautiful, her hair was long and she had a ninja stance that was even better than Sasuke's, I decided to approach her and find out what she was doing.

-Hey!, hi my name is Naruto Uzumaki, what's your name and what do you do-" I started with a positive smile.

-You're not my type," she said indifferently, not even looking at me and continuing her training.

-I closed my eyes and frowned at her, pouting my lips as I walked back, turning away from her.

-Wait!, your bandana, you're a Genin, aren't you?" noticing my bandana she started.

-Of course!, I'm the strongest ninja in Konoha who will soon become Hokage databayo- -when I pointed my thumb at myself at the end of the sentence, she laughed lightly.

-If you are so strong, will you teach me how to throw kunai correctly? I have it badly but in taijutsu I am good, but in the rest I am very bad, especially in academy - with sadness she said, I noticed it and nodded with a smile went up to her and began.

-So be it, I'll show you the basics of throwing - I stood in front of her and took out a kunai and threw it at the target and hit it right on target, she was surprised and I started to explain to her how to do it properly.

***

After an hour, I gave her a lot of advice, although I was not good at it, but she was smart and understood me from half a word, I also realized that her name was Hanabi Hyuga, the same surname as Hinata, maybe she knows it, but I'll ask her, she was good at throwing kunai and shuriken, she was happy about it.

-You're so talented Naruto, thanks for your help without you I'd be as good as armless-" she said the phrase with a smile, it made me smile deeply as well.

-Yes please databayo, after all I am the best in my class haha, I even enjoyed teaching you myself, you are my first student so far," she laughed and I laughed with her.

-Who taught you all this, by the way?" she asked with a questioning look.

-First of all I spent academies and tried to hone my skills in this, and the second I and one trained even weekends, and the third I was once shown how to properly throw kunai, it was the main-hero of Konoha Itachi Uchiha himself.

-You know Itachi?" she asked me, surprised, and I nodded, remembering his name, and she blushed, and I realized what was going on, thanks to Itachi's advice, because I was thinking more often.

-You didn't happen to fall in love with him did you?", I asked Hanabi with a sly face.

-Fool! -Oh, of course not, I was just, uh. I just-- - when she got confused, she reminded me a lot of myself, because I stutter like that sometimes, so I decided to add.

-I also decided to ask her, "You know, in our class there was a girl like you, also from the Hyuga clan, but because she was a quiet girl she got hurt a lot and I had to protect her, her name was Hinata, do you know her?

-Of course I know, she's my older sister," she replied with her arms folded across her chest and a smile, and I was pleased with myself that my theory was true.

-Hah!, my theory was true, because you look exactly like her, only with longer hair and prettier -when I said the last sentence, I sharply covered my mouth with both hands, and Hanabi smiled that I thought she was beautiful.

-Thank you Naruto, it's the first time I've ever been called prettier than my sister." She came up to me and kissed me on the cheeks, and I blushed, then shook my head and came to my senses.

-I'm always honest, Itachi's brother gave me that advice for a reason," I smiled, looking up at the blue sky and the clear clouds.

-Naruto thanks for the training, I don't regret leaving my clan's neighborhood to train alone now that I've met you, we don't have much kunai training in our clan, I'm sure when you become Hokage you'll change that-" she replied with a confident smile.

-Now it's dusk, I think it's time for us to part ways but I'm sure we'll meet again soon Hanabi- -I said what I thought, she nodded and went off in her own direction.

The end of Naruto's POV

Hanabi walked towards her clan and thought that he was sweet and understanding and so kind, she wanted to see him again because she realized that he was a good friend, then she remembered that she had seen Naruto before, When Hanabi had followed her older sister many years ago and wanted to understand why she was so strange, when she had followed her to the forest, she had seen her watching Naruto and his hard training, but now Hanabi didn't recognize him because he was wearing a bandana, she now understood what Hinata saw in him.

***

Tomorrow will be the first test of the Chunin exam, Team 7 will have to prepare seriously, although Itachi at home knew that the exam will be successful, but still he will keep an eye on them, because of the small changes he could affect the daily life of everyone in the world, but on the other hand he changed them for the better, but still he will be present at the second exam to make sure that everything is in order, because he knew that Orochimaru will participate there, but this time he may even kill them, but Itachi will not allow it...