A new arrival and it's about Itachi God. So, do give it a go.
And, If you're enjoying the story, please consider giving it a power stone!
Your support helps the book grow and lets me know you're excited for the next chapter.
Thank you for readingđ
***
"What happens after gaining power?"
Minato Namikaze lowered his eyes, his expression solemn.
However, he had already sensed the masked man's ambition from his conversation with Itachi Uchiha and his encounter with him two years prior.
Gathering the most dangerous S-rank rebels from various nations to establish the Akatsuki organization and using the Sharingan to control the Fourth Mizukageâthese combined conditions were sufficient to threaten the entire ninja world.
Therefore, he did not believe that the enemy's ultimate goal was mere world conquest.
As far as Minato knew, Uchiha Madara's departure from Konoha was not for such a frivolous reason.
"I don't know the final details of that person's plan," Itachi's eyes flickered.
He had never gained access to the true core intelligence of Akatsuki in his previous life.
He speculated that even Pain, the leader, had been deceived by the masked man.
No one knew the masked man's ultimate goal in manipulating Akatsuki and gathering the Tailed Beasts.
But there was no doubt that his goal would endanger the peace of the entire ninja world.
At this point, Itachi had told the Fourth Hokage all the information he could.
Minato pondered for a moment, his tense expression gradually relaxing.
"Then let's work together to stop the enemy's plan," Minato chuckled.
From Itachi's account, it seemed the masked man would need a considerable amount of time to achieve his ultimate goal.
With this understanding, he had a vague idea of why the masked man had unleashed the Nine-Tails and attacked Konoha.
Firstly, it was to inflict a crushing blow on Konoha, preventing the Five Great Ninja Nations from paying attention to their actions for a short period.
Secondly, the masked man wanted to seize this opportunity to eliminate Minato.
Clearly, he was deeply wary of him.
While Minato wasn't one to be arrogant, after the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha's Yellow Flash was the most powerful ninja of the Five Great Ninja Nations.
The masked man likely believed that Minato's survival would pose a significant threat to his plans.
This was also Itachi's conclusion, a key reason why he risked changing the fate of the Fourth Hokage.
Itachi nodded.
He had to admit, Minato truly possessed a kind of endearing charm.
He was like the sun, bringing warmth to one's heart.
This quality was also passed down to Naruto Uzumaki, which is why, despite such a tragic childhood, he still managed to strive to become a true Konoha ninja, gradually gaining everyone's recognition.
As a brother, Itachi knew that even Sasuke Uchiha, who in his previous life was obsessed with revenge against him, considered Naruto his only friend.
"Rest well. We can discuss these matters later."
Minato formed hand seals, and the barrier enveloping the entire room slowly dissipated.
"Pang!"
The barrier dissipated, and Minato's shadow clone before him also vanished with a "pop."
Itachi walked to the window, looked out at Konoha, which was destined to be a restless night, and sighed softly.
...
The night faded, and the first rays of dawn filtered through the window onto the floor of the hospital bed.
Itachi, sitting cross-legged on the bed, slowly opened his eyes, leaped forward, and grasped the bedrail with both hands.
He flipped over, spun around, and landed smoothly on the ground.
After nearly ten hours of rest, his body had fully adapted.
Feeling the awkwardness of his movements, Itachi stared forward, then took a step back with his right leg, slightly hunched his body, and threw a straight punch forward.
Itachi began by practicing some basic physical exercises, which didn't require much effort but quickly restored control of his body.
Beside the bed, the boy's movements shifted continuously, employing every joint in his bodyâhands, arms, elbows, head, legs.
As he moved, Itachi's speed quickened, the strength he had developed gradually unleashing.
A faint sound echoed from the swings of his fists and palms.
This continued for about half an hour before Itachi finally stopped.
A feeling of exhilaration and clarity washed over him, his cheeks flushing slightly from the exercise.
Sweat slightly dampened Itachi's black bangs.
If it weren't for the two faint lines of nasolabial folds already forming on his face, his delicate features would have resembled a cute, short-haired girl.
With a look of satisfaction, he glanced outside at the brightening sky.
"It's still early. Mom won't be back for a while."
Thinking this, Itachi pushed open the window and leaped out.
Swish!
The village was still deserted at this hour, and Itachi swiftly leaped over rooftops, soon arriving at a lake in Konoha Village.
He stood on a wooden bridge, clasped his hands together, and quickly formed hand seals.
Itachi's palms seemed to vanish like afterimages.
He formed a hand seal, clenched his palms, raised his index fingers together, and placed them in front of his mouth.
He took a deep breath, his cheeks puffing out.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Boom!"
A torrent of flame erupted from his mouth, rapidly expanding above the lake's surface, forming a massive fireball several meters in diameter.
The intense heat gradually caused the water to boil.
Itachi immediately retracted the flames, and the flames quickly dissipated, though a large amount of steam still rose from the lake.
Two years ago, when he was in a coma, Itachi's chakra wasn't strong enough to unleash a Fire Style jutsu of this magnitude.
But after two years of growth, and with Tsunade's drug treatment, Itachi could use the Great Fireball with ease.
Itachi had just finished unleashing the jutsu when he was acutely aware of hurried footsteps coming from the shore behind him.
He turned and saw a figure sprinting past.
"Izumi?"
Though the figure was running fast, Itachi recognized it instantly as Izumi Uchiha.
At this moment, Izumi glanced over, but upon seeing that it was Itachi standing on the wooden bridge by the lake, she turned and rushed toward him.
In a few flashes, she was in front of Itachi.
"Why are you here?" Izumi asked, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from her face.
She stared at Itachi, her brow furrowed slightly. Itachi, in his usual way, smiled.
"I couldn't sleep, so I came out to get some exercise."
Izumi stared into Itachi's eyes, pouting.
"No, Tsunade-sama said you need to stay under observation for a few days."
"I know. I'll be back soon."
Itachi nodded, his eyes darting over Izumi, who was strapped to a few weights.
"What are you doing?"
His brows raised slightly.
It was still early before the ninja academy opened, and judging by Izumi's movements, she was already accustomed to this kind of training.
This meant that this was now her regular training.
Although she had practiced diligently before, she had never been this strenuous.
Izumi paused, her expression suddenly becoming serious as she met Itachi's gaze.
Her voice became firm.
"I want to become stronger as soon as possible. I don't want the situation two years ago to happen again. I don't want you, Itachi, to face danger alone again!"
...
"I know Itachi suffered such a serious injury protecting the village and everyone else, so I want to stand with you next time, and we'll endure this together!"
Izumi Uchiha stared intently into Itachi Uchiha's eyes, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"Izumi, youâŠ"
Feeling the girl's sincerity, Itachi was deeply moved.
Because Izumi had said she wouldn't leave him alone again, Itachi lowered his eyes, as if to hide the emotions welling up.
"Thank you," he whispered softly.
Izumi shook her head, stepped forward, and took Itachi's hand, saying, "Come back to the hospital with me. Don't stay out here."
Feeling the girl's grip tighten with nervousness, Itachi felt a sense of helplessness.
In his previous life, Itachi had been able to face this calmly because he had shut down his feelings and locked them away.
But now, despite his maturity, he couldn't control his emotions perfectly, facing something he had never experienced before.
Moreover, he didn't treat seven-year-old Izumi as a little girl, but rather as someone his own age.
He didn't break free from her hand and followed her back to Konoha Hospital.
"It's almost time. I should go back and pack up. See you tonight."
After sending Itachi to the ward, Izumi, not knowing what to say next, fled.
After she left, Itachi paused for a moment, then a gentle smile crossed his face.
Orochimaru's defection once again stirred up a stir in the once quiet and peaceful ninja world.
After all, the Sannin's reputation was too renowned.
For the other four ninja nations, Orochimaru's defection was a boon, as Konoha, which had grown in strength since the Third Shinobi World War, suffered another significant weakening.
However, in today's Konoha, Orochimaru's strength was certainly a pillar of support, but not indispensable.
Two years ago, after the masked man's attack, Tsunade had surprisingly overcome her years-long fear of blood.
Although, given Tsunade's personality, she probably wouldn't stay in the village after Itachi's condition improved.
However, Tsunade, having overcome her psychological barriers, was undoubtedly a formidable force.
A few days later, after Tsunade's reexamination confirmed he was fine, Itachi, who had spent two years in Konoha Hospital, was finally released.
Tonight, to celebrate Itachi's release, Mikoto Uchiha hosted a banquet at her home, inviting Minato Namikaze's family and Tsunade.
In the main hall of the Uchiha residence, Kushina Uzumaki and Tsunade, accompanied by Naruto Uzumaki, had already arrived, while Minato and Fugaku Uchiha arrived only after nightfall.
As Hokage, Minato now frequently met with Fugaku and the heads of other major village clans, a clear demonstration of his determination to change the village's decades-old pattern.
While the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, supported him, the other high-ranking officials were opposed. However, the Minato of today was no longer the passive Hokage he had been two years prior.
Over the past two years, the ANBU directly under Minato's command had grown in strength, and within them, two individuals had rapidly risen in rank: Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha.
These two ninjas were rare geniuses in Konoha's history, and even within the ninja world, they were gradually gaining a reputation.
Kakashi, in particular, had earned the title of "Copy Ninja" in various countries after numerous missions.
Although not a member of the Uchiha clan, Kakashi, through his natural talent, mastered the power of the Sharingan, quickly surpassing most of the clan in his control.
Shisui, on the other hand, was also gradually showing his prowess, having become the youngest ANBU captain in history a year ago.
They were now Minato's right-hand men.
The dining table was filled with Mikoto's exquisite dishes.
Tsunade, holding a sake flask, began pouring herself a glass.
She downed another full glass, glanced at Itachi, then at Minato, saying, "I've fulfilled my promise to you. I'll leave the village tomorrow with Shizune."
"You don't have to leave so hastily?"
Minato said, knowing this would be the outcome but not expecting Tsunade to act so quickly.
Tsunade looked at him and Fugaku, poured herself another glass of wine, and said, "I'm not like you. I've been in the village for the past two years, and those old-fashioned people really annoyed me."
"I have to leave as soon as possible. I don't want to see them again."
She didn't like the high-ranking officials of Konoha very much, not to mention that Tsunade didn't like being restricted.
In this village, the people who were worthy of her nostalgia were already gone.
Minato smiled bitterly and frowned. "But if you leave too, the formerâŠ"
The three Sannin of Konoha are all disciples of the Third Hokage.
They can be said to be the pride of his life.
Jiraiya has been traveling all year round, and Orochimaru's defection dealt a huge blow to the Third Hokage.
"Don't worry, that old man is not that fragile."
Tsunade emptied her glass again and said, "Besides, Orochimaru should have known all along that he would go this far."
She smiled at Minato again, adding, "Besides, he entrusted the village's future to you. As long as you're here, there shouldn't be any problems."
The Third Hokage had chosen Minato over his most prized disciple, Orochimaru, to succeed him as Hokage.
Minato was Jiraiya's disciple, the Third Hokage's grand-disciple, and the one he had chosen to carry the village's future.
"But if anything happens to the village, just let me know, and I'll be back as soon as possible," Tsunade said.
The five great ninja nations each had their own unique means of communication.
"Then I wish you a safe journey," Minato nodded.
"Tsunade-sama, before you leave, please accept my gratitude once again."
Itachi stood up from his seat and bowed to Tsunade.
Without her and Minato, Itachi's life would have been in jeopardy.
"You're such a nagging kid."
Tsunade casually swung her hand, picked up the wine flask, and headed for the door.
"I'm leaving. See you later!"
Swish!
She darted out and instantly disappeared into the Uchiha courtyard.
"Tsunade-sama's style of doing things is truly enviable," Kushina sighed with envy.
She had been brought to Konoha to become a Jinchƫriki at a very young age, so she was destined not to be able to enter and leave the village as she pleased.
Moreover, she was now a mother, making it even more difficult for her to move freely.
However, Kushina's face was also filled with happiness, because by her side were the people who loved her the most.
Minato extended his palm and placed it on the back of Kushina's hand, looking at Itachi, and said, "By the way, Itachi, after you have fully recovered, you should return to the ninja academy to attend classes."
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)