"So, Riku," he continued, crossing his arms. "What do you want from me?"
I stared at him for a few seconds, trying to figure out if he was angry that I had come looking for him and was hiding it, or if he was really calm. Finally, I decided it was best to take a friendlier approach.
"Ah! So you knew I was looking for you. You could've contacted me earlier — it would've saved me from walking around all day!"
I said with a laugh, trying to hide my tension.
Itachi smiled amiably, but something told me I'd better keep my guard up around him. Then he continued.
"I wanted to make sure you were truly interested in seeing me. But you haven't answered my question — what do you want from me?" Itachi said, with that cold, distant tone he naturally carries in his voice.
The tension in the air became almost tangible, and perhaps it would be best if I answered his question honestly — otherwise, I might be in trouble.
"I... well, I was curious why you spoke to me yesterday. Surely it wasn't just to ask what I'd do after graduating from the academy."
Itachi tilted his head slightly, as if pondering my answer. The silence between us seemed to stretch forever, and I wondered if he was testing me.
"Curiosity can be dangerous, Riku," he said at last.
"Maybe," I replied, folding my arms. "But I'm not going to ignore it when someone like you suddenly shows interest in me. You said I was... promising, and told me to keep growing. What did you mean by that?"
Itachi remained silent, watching me with that piercing gaze. Finally, he took a deep breath.
"You're a Senju," he said, his voice heavy. "That alone draws attention. But what truly makes you special isn't your name — it's what you can do. Your Mokuton."
I froze for a moment. How does he know that?
"How do you know that?" I asked, my voice curious.
A blurry and confused memory tried to form in my mind. I had used Mokuton before — last year, while walking through Senju Park, I awakened it while trying to protect myself from a falling tree.
Instinctively, I'd created roots that latched onto the tree, keeping it from crushing me. I'd never managed to use Mokuton like that again. Not until yesterday.
Itachi took a small step forward, his presence overwhelming despite his calmness.
"I saw it. In the forest, while I was training," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Your control is basic, but the potential is clear. Mokuton is rare — and dangerous. If it's discovered before you're ready, it could draw enemies you're not prepared to face."
I clenched my fists. It was obvious he was right; there were dangerous ninjas after this ability. But hearing it from him made the weight of Mokuton even heavier.
"Then what do you suggest I do?" I asked, trying to hide my frustration.
"Learn to control it," Itachi answered without hesitation. "Master it so completely that no one can take it from you. And most importantly — learn to hide in plain sight."
"Hide?" I echoed, confused.
Itachi took a few steps back, arms still crossed.
"Mokuton isn't just a powerful ability," he explained. "It's a symbol of Konoha. If the right people find out what you possess, you'll become a target — not just to enemies outside the village, but to those who should be your allies."
Danzō. Orochimaru. The names came to mind effortlessly. I knew they were exactly the kind of people Itachi had been hinting at.
"So you're telling me to hide and wait for the right moment?" I asked with an incredulous smile.
"I'm not going to stop using my abilities, especially if I or someone I care about needs them."
He stared at me for a moment, as if deciding what to say.
"Protection is a choice," he said finally. "But it's one that comes with sacrifice.
Don't underestimate the weight of what you're promising yourself, Riku. One day, you'll have to decide what you're willing to sacrifice — and who."
"Have you ever had to make that choice?" I asked, remembering the actions he intended to take.
Itachi looked away for the first time, and something in his expression changed. There was sadness there, but also an acceptance that I couldn't quite grasp.
"Some truths..." he said softly, "aren't easy to bear. And others, you'll never be ready to hear."
He started to walk away, but before he got too far, he stopped and turned slightly toward me.
"Train, Riku. And remember: you're a Senju. Don't let anyone take that from you."
With those words, he disappeared into the trees, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a weight that felt heavier than before.
The silence returned, but I couldn't move. Itachi's words continued to echo in my mind.
"Sacrifices. Choices. Truths." Everything felt distant and yet so close.
I took a deep breath and looked at my hands. It was true that my Mokuton was still weak, but I knew that if I kept training and developing my skills, it would soon be strong enough for me to face these problems.
"I won't hide," I muttered to myself. "I'll show them everything I can do."
The system appeared again in front of me, pulling me out of my whirlwind of thoughts.
*
[Updated Mission: Find out more about Itachi Uchiha]
(Progress: 25%)
*
"Train, Riku," I echoed Itachi's words.
"You may be strong, but I'm not going to fall behind, okay?"
I smiled as I walked toward the place where I had used Mokuton for the first time. It was time to close the power gap.