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Konoha, Uchiha Cemetery.
Inside a wooden house lined with bookshelves, Itachi sat hunched over a desk by the window, flipping through the pages of a thick book while occasionally jotting down notes with a brush.
The cold winter sunlight streamed in through the open window, casting a pale glow across his face.
Suddenly, Kaito's figure appeared outside the window, casting a shadow over the desk.
"A clone?" Itachi set down his brush and looked up.
"Of course," Kaito chuckled, resting his hands on the windowsill. "The real me is on the moon right now."
"Is that so?"
Itachi stood, neatly organizing the scattered papers on his desk before slipping a bookmark into the unfinished book.
Once done, he walked around to the other side of the house and stepped outside, stopping beside Kaito. "In that case, the disturbance on the moon that night was your doing."
"It was the Uchiha's doing," Kaito replied with a cryptic smile. "A collective strike from generations of Uchiha, aimed at the progenitor of chakra."
"What are you trying to say?" Itachi turned and walked toward another wooden hut. "None of this concerns me."
"I've awakened and gathered the souls of every Uchiha who has ever died in history," Kaito's calm voice carried from behind him.
Itachi stopped in his tracks and glanced back.
"Those who wish to fight, I've granted them bodies capable of battle once more," Kaito continued. "As for the rest, they now have an unshakable sanctuary."
"You intend to overturn the entire world," Itachi stated with certainty.
"As expected, reading broadens the mind." Kaito tilted his head up, gazing at the pale winter sun. "If I have the power, why not try to reshape the world?"
Itachi frowned, his tone academic. "How can you be sure your changes will make the world better?"
"Why should I be sure?" Kaito's expression turned reckless. "I'm simply acting on my own desires."
Itachi opened his mouth as if to argue, then sighed. "Truly, I must be the anomaly among the Uchiha."
"Do you think I'm too reckless?" Kaito suddenly laughed. "Haven't all world-changers throughout history been the same? Why overthink it? History has its own momentum—it always moves forward."
Itachi disagreed. "I've read many of the records you brought from Ōeyama. Unlike you, both the Sage of Six Paths, founder of the ninja creed, and the First Hokage, who established the Hidden Villages, sought peace—or at least, the happiness of the majority."
"Let me correct you, Itachi," Kaito said dismissively. "While I don't particularly care about world peace, I'm not reshaping the world out of malice either."
"If you wanted to, could you achieve it? Peace, I mean," Itachi asked abruptly.
"No. Even with all my efforts, the most I could manage would be fleeting stability." Kaito shook his head. "I've pondered this before. Once I realized it was impossible, I gave up on the idea."
Itachi finally voiced the question burning in his mind. "Then what do you truly want?"
"Haven't I said?" Kaito mused. "Unlike you, Itachi, you see humanity. I see the world itself."
"The world itself?" Itachi's eyes flickered with surprise. "I understand now. You've placed yourself on the level of a god."
"No, I am human," Kaito denied firmly. "I'm acutely aware of that."
"If you're aware, then why do your eyes overlook humanity?" Itachi clearly didn't believe him.
"Don't humans exist within the world? If the world improves, so will humanity's lot," Kaito said as if it were obvious.
"We seem to be discussing different things," Itachi said, his interest in the conversation waning.
"Still, in some ways, I admire you, Itachi." Kaito stepped closer, circling him. "You have a broad mind—though before, your vision was limited."
Itachi met Kaito's gaze steadily. "Don't jest. You don't truly agree with me."
"I didn't agree with the Itachi of the past," Kaito admitted as he paced. "But you've changed. I've read your recent writings. Your ideas aren't wrong—our goals just differ."
Itachi fell silent for a moment before asking, "Then, to what extent do you plan to go?"
"That depends on how far I can go," Kaito answered flippantly.
"Why tell me all this now?" Itachi turned to face him fully.
"You're an Uchiha too," Kaito said simply.
"That's all?" Itachi nodded. "I see."
He turned and walked back into his hut, lighting a fire to prepare a meal.
"Nagato has already declared war on the Five Great Nations at the Kage Summit," Kaito said, leaning against the doorframe. "The Fourth Great Ninja War is about to begin."
"Thank you for informing me."
Itachi's hands paused briefly before resuming his task.
"By the way," Kaito added, "you've written so much lately. Have you considered publishing? I wouldn't mind helping."
"Then I'll trouble you. I'll organize my drafts soon," Itachi replied without refusal.
"No need for formalities."
Kaito smirked faintly before vanishing without a sound.
Itachi glanced at the now-empty doorway, lowered his eyes, and continued cooking.
---
Meanwhile, outside Konoha's gates, the figures of Tsunade, Kakashi, and Tokuma appeared in the distance, catching the attention of the guards on duty.
"That's… Lady Hokage!!"
Izumo Kamizuki elbowed his partner, Kotetsu Hagane, excitedly.
"Lady Hokage is back!"
"I can see that!"
Kotetsu grumbled but stood up eagerly.
"Still the two of you, Izumo, Kotetsu?"
Tsunade strode through the gates, stopping at the registration desk where the two stood.
"Lady Hokage," Izumo and Kotetsu bowed in unison. "Welcome back."
"Kakashi and Tokuma too—good work," Izumo added, waving at the two behind her.
"Hn. How's the village been in my absence?" Tsunade glanced toward the village.
"Well…"
Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged looks.
"I already have an idea of what happened," Tsunade said. "Just speak plainly."
"Don't worry, Lady Hokage," Kotetsu laughed awkwardly. "The troublemakers were dealt with. Lord Jiraiya was here to handle things."
"Whatever." Tsunade turned away. "I'll go find Jiraiya myself."
"Understood. Take care, Lady Hokage."
Izumo and Kotetsu watched her retreating back, exhaling in quiet relief.
*****
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