Chapter 7: Itachi, I Want to Talk
"Itachi Uchiha, I want to talk."
Naruto got straight to the point.
Itachi was taken aback. This kid, Naruto… it felt as if he had been the one actively seeking him out. He looked at Naruto and asked, "You want to talk to me?"
Naruto nodded. "If you didn't want to talk, then why were you coming to find me?"
A frown touched Itachi's brow.
He was right. Itachi had, in fact, been coming to find Naruto. Just moments ago, he had been searching for Naruto's chakra signature, only for Naruto to turn the tables and find him first.
And how does this kid know I wanted to talk to him?
Filled with confusion, he asked, "What do you want to talk about? And how did you know I was looking for you?"
Naruto looked at Itachi—the man who had slaughtered his own clan, shouldered the hatred of the world, and infiltrated the Akatsuki, all to protect the Hidden Leaf and his younger brother, Sasuke.
His path had been unbelievably difficult.
Only after becoming Hokage himself had Naruto truly understood that in the grand scheme of political power struggles, Itachi was a sacrifice. He had truly done the best he could. Even before the final duel with his brother, he had sought Naruto out to lay the groundwork, to ensure Sasuke's safety and the protection of the Leaf.
For that reason alone, Naruto wanted to try and change his fate.
"Itachi, I admire you. Truly," Naruto said. "I won't mince words. I want to convince you to give up your duel with Sasuke and choose to live. In the future, I will help you change things."
Itachi was stunned. Naruto admired him?
Seeing the look on Itachi's face, Naruto spoke again. "I already know the truth about the Uchiha clan massacre. And I also know you came here this time to gauge my attitude towards Sasuke."
Naruto said it all so casually, but to Itachi, the words were utterly inconceivable.
In an instant, Itachi's eyes shifted, his Sharingan morphing into the Mangekyo Sharingan. He was so shocked that for a brief moment, uncertain of Naruto's position, he felt the impulse to eliminate him on the spot.
But the killing intent vanished as quickly as it came.
Naruto smiled faintly. Itachi's reaction was completely understandable. After all, anyone else would have either attacked him or fled in terror. But Itachi had mastered his emotions in a matter of seconds.
He really is a rare genius of the Leaf.
His composure regained, Itachi gave a wry smile. "Naruto, you are full of surprises. And since you already know why I'm here, I'd like to hear your answer."
Naruto looked at Itachi and answered with complete sincerity. "Sasuke is my brother for life. No matter what happens, even if he were to attack the Leaf, I would ensure his safety. And I am confident that I can make him see the error of his ways."
Itachi stared at Naruto, silent for a few seconds before asking, "You're that confident? What if Sasuke goes down a dark path and refuses to turn back, insisting on attacking the Leaf?"
"I give you my word," Naruto replied. "I, Naruto Uzumaki, swear on my life that I will bring Sasuke back to the Hidden Leaf in the near future."
Itachi smiled. He had gotten the answer he was looking for. As long as Naruto's attitude towards Sasuke was this firm, the method didn't matter. He still had Kotoamatsukami as a final measure, after all.
Seeing Itachi smile, Naruto knew that, just like in his past life, he had earned his trust. He pressed on. "So, what is your answer to my suggestion?"
Itachi thought for a few moments, then replied, "I'm sorry, Naruto. I can't accept your offer. I still have to fight Sasuke."
"Why do you have to die?!" Naruto asked, his voice full of emotion. "Why not choose to tell Sasuke the truth? You're the only family he has left in this world!"
Itachi looked at Naruto. "I am a man steeped in sin. From the moment I slaughtered the Uchiha clan with my own hands, my fate was sealed. I must die. If I don't, the stain of the Uchiha clan will exist forever. Scheming individuals could use this to stir up trouble between the great clans of the Leaf, which would threaten the village's stability."
Naruto's expression grew grim. "So, you've decided to die by your own brother's hand. On one hand, the 'mastermind' of the Uchiha massacre is brought to justice, which would make Sasuke a hero in the eyes of the Leaf. On the other hand, dying by your brother's hand gives you your own inner redemption. Isn't that right, Itachi?"
Itachi looked at Naruto as if he were looking at another version of himself.
How... he wondered. How could he possibly understand me so well?