Kiyosuke took Anko back to Konoha and started taking on missions. Time flew by. In a blink of an eye, Itachi was recommended to graduate early because of his outstanding performance at school, becoming a genius who graduated in one year, just like Kakashi.
One day, Kiyosuke was taking care of the child when Itachi suddenly ran over, looking at him with blood - red eyes.
"Whoa, when did you awaken your Sharingan?" Kiyosuke was taken aback. This kid awakened his Sharingan really fast. Wait, didn't I remember that his Sharingan awakened because of Obito?
Well, forget it. That guy only showed up this one time, and he rarely appeared later.
Itachi said, "My companion... was killed."
Witnessing the death of his companion, this huge shock led to the awakening of his Sharingan.
He awakened with two - tomoe Sharingan right from the start.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Kiyosuke picked up Naruto. Now Naruto had moved out of the Uchiha family and was being taken care of by Kiyosuke. In fact, it was Kiyosuke, Rin, and Kakashi taking turns. Kakashi and Kiyosuke didn't spend as much time as Rin because their missions were more demanding.
Under the care of the three of them, Naruto grew up healthy.
"Mr. Kiyosuke, the pain of losing a life can only be truly understood, no, can only be forced to realize how painful this feeling is when you actually lose someone," Itachi said.
"Is that so? The Sharingan of your clan is like this. It affects your thoughts, magnifying the pain invisibly. This pain is something you must endure to awaken the Sharingan."
"Big brother Itachi... doesn't smile anymore..."
Naruto waved his hands, saying unhappily.
He was two years old this year and had already learned to talk.
"Must... endure it? But I don't want Sasuke to go through this," Itachi didn't want his younger brother to experience that pain, the pain of witnessing the death of someone close to him. He definitely didn't want him to go through it.
Kiyosuke said helplessly, "I'm afraid it's not possible. Sasuke will definitely experience more pain in the future."
"What do you mean?" Itachi was startled.
Holding Naruto, Kiyosuke said, "The fates of these two kids are extraordinary. They will be entangled with each other in this life. They will influence the entire ninja world. Naruto is the child of destiny, and Sasuke is not far behind."
"Child of destiny... influencing the ninja world?!"
My little brother is only two years old, and his future is actually...
Clenching his fists, Itachi asked reluctantly, "Isn't there any other way? A way to let Sasuke grow up safely and happily?"
"What are you talking about? Sasuke will become a ninja, right? As the second young master of the Uchiha clan, how could he not be a ninja? Would your father agree? And Sasuke himself wouldn't either. As a ninja, one should have such an awareness. A life of happiness is impossible, but there is a way to make it less painful."
Upon hearing this, Itachi became interested and asked, "What way?"
"Here!"
Kiyosuke held Naruto up in front of Itachi. Naruto smiled happily, clapping his chubby hands together and kicking his legs.
"The way is him."
"As the child of destiny, Naruto will be entangled with Sasuke throughout his life. If they turn against each other, only one of them will survive in the end. If they are close friends, they will join hands to create a new situation. That's why I let Naruto be raised in your family from the beginning. Alas, if either of them was a girl, it wouldn't be so troublesome," Kiyosuke said.
He started to persuade the brother - loving Itachi. "Now, let their relationship develop naturally. If they grow up together without any problems, Sasuke's fate will be much better."
Well, he probably won't get beaten up so much!
"But, Mr. Kiyosuke, how do you peek into fate?" This was what Itachi couldn't understand the most.
"Ah, this. Of course, it's the White Snake Sage. Ryuchi Cave, Shikkotsu Forest, and Mount Myoboku are the three holy places. I've trained in the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave. The Toad Sage and the White Snake Sage both have the ability to peek into fate. So I learned about some future trends from the White Snake Sage."
Push everything to the White Snake Sage. This is the best choice for making up stories. Anyway, except for Orochimaru, no one can go to Ryuchi Cave, and Orochimaru rarely goes there and doesn't meet the White Snake Sage on a regular basis. So Kiyosuke wasn't afraid that his lie would be exposed at all.
"Sages... can peek into fate?"
"Just part of it, not all. So, don't let Sasuke go astray. With a genius brother like you, I'm sure he'll be under a lot of pressure."
"Hmm?"
"You're so talented. You graduated at six, became a chunin at seven, and now you've awakened the Sharingan. It's hard not to be compared. You're the 'child of someone else's family' that parents always talk about. Think about your father's personality. He'll definitely compare you with Sasuke."
And Sasuke would be an arrogant person in the future. With such high - strung pride, his personality could easily become distorted over time.
"I understand," Itachi nodded, feeling helpless. "Father's personality might..."
"Never mind. These are all small things. As long as we ensure the friendship between the two children, right, Naruto!"
"Hehe!"
Naruto had no idea what the two adults were talking about, but he was smiling happily.
"Grandma said that children are the treasures of the world. It's our adults' responsibility to let the next generation grow up healthily. Itachi, you're still a child. Don't think about these things. Come on, let's go eat ramen. My treat."
Itachi was too precocious. Talking to him felt like sitting in front of an adult, not a child.
"Ah, thank you." Actually, he wanted to eat three - colored dango more.
"Ah, it's Kiyosuke and Naruto. Welcome, welcome," Teuchi - san, as always, greeted them with his squinted eyes and a smiling face.
"Uncle, one miso ramen. What do you want to eat, Itachi?"
"Tonkotsu, please."
"Noodles! Ramen!"
Kiyosuke often brought Naruto here to eat ramen, making Naruto develop a deep - rooted love for ramen at a young age.
"Hahaha! Naruto still loves ramen so much. Alright! Today, uncle will make you a special children's version!"
Teuchi - san started working.
"I remember you like sweets, right?"
"Yeah."
"The three - colored dango is often sold out as soon as the store opens. Next time, use your shadow clone. Let him help you buy it."
The store in the village had good business. Kiyosuke had eaten there, and the taste was good.
Itachi covered his face. "I've tried. He'll steal and eat them."
"..."
Good grief, even your shadow clone likes sweets so much!
"You can learn to make it yourself," Kiyosuke said earnestly. Since it's not often available, it's better to make it yourself.
"That's actually a good idea," Itachi nodded, thinking it was feasible.
"Here, two bowls of ramen for you!"
Two big bowls of ramen were placed in front of them. Naruto looked at the ramen, his eyes shining.
He sat at the table, stretching out his hands, eager to eat.
"I'll feed you after I finish eating," Kiyosuke said. Under Naruto's reluctant gaze, he started eating the ramen.