Itachi and Fugaku found themselves in a solemn meeting hall, perched high above the Uchiha compound. The air was heavy with the weight of their unspoken thoughts, a silent storm brewing between father and son.
"What is it, Itachi?" Fugaku's voice was low, his gaze unwavering. "Why did you ask me to step outside?"
"This is about the coup d'état," Itachi stated, his voice firm. "I want you to stop it before it's too late."
Fugaku's face hardened. "Too late, huh?"
Itachi nodded, his resolve unwavering. 'One last chance. I don't want to use these on you.' A faint crimson light flickered in his eyes, a warning sign of the power he held.
"Why are you so loyal to a village that would betray you the moment you cease to be of use?" Fugaku's voice was laced with bitterness. "Even after all that's happened, you still bow to the Hokage."
Itachi removed his Leaf forehead protector, holding it in his hand. "Ever since I got this headband," he began, his voice steady, "I made a vow to protect the village, even if it costs me my life."
Fugaku frowned, his disappointment evident. "Is that it? Your forehead protector? That's what keeps you so loyal to the village? But what about your blood? Your family and clan, we should've been your priority, we-"
"It isn't about that vow," Itachi interrupted, his voice cutting through the air.
'That's right, ever since that day...' Itachi's mind flashed back to the horrors of war, the senseless violence and bloodshed that had scarred his childhood.
"I just want a peaceful resolution to all of this," he continued, his gaze meeting his father's. "The coup d'état is a suicide mission, and we both know it. Even if I join, the Leaf's defenses will overwhelm the clan, and in turn, we will lose this battle and ultimately lose our lives."
Itachi's voice grew more urgent. "It's true that we may get far; maybe I'll even go so far as to say we might win. But what then? You become Hokage and rule over a weakened village? Seeing the village weakened after that battle, there's no stopping the other great nations from conquering Konoha. It will all be for nothing. We would die for nothing. Mother... You... Sasuke. All of us will die for nothing."
His voice softened as he offered a glimmer of hope. "But if the clan hears the leader propose another idea... A better idea... This plan might work. But I need your help."
When Itachi met Fugaku's eyes, he saw the same hardened gaze he had expected. It was a confirmation - nothing had changed, and he had no choice but to proceed with his plan.
"I'm sorry. I never wanted it to come to this," Itachi spoke softly, his voice heavy with regret.
Understanding dawned in Fugaku's eyes, replacing the simmering rage. Looking at his son, he noticed a four-pointed pinwheel spinning in Itachi's eyes, tears tracing a path down his cheeks. It was a sight no one, not even Itachi himself, had ever witnessed before.
"Shisui gave me his eyes before he passed away so I could protect Arashi," Itachi explained, his voice thick with emotion. "He didn't want his sacrifice to be in vain. This genjutsu is already in effect; you'll now strive to bring the clan into line."
Fugaku's resolve wavered. "I'll reconsider the coup d'état and see what I can do to unite the clan," he conceded, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned and walked away, leaving Itachi alone in the meeting hall.
Itachi's eyes reverted to their normal state, the Mangekyou Sharingan receding. 'I wish I hadn't been forced to do that,' he thought, a wave of guilt washing over him. 'But the plan isn't complete yet.'
With a flicker, he vanished, leaving the empty hall behind.
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The following day, Arashi rose early, his mind set on honing his kenjutsu skills. He retrieved a katana and made his way towards the Uchiha training grounds. As he walked, he overheard a conversation between two genin, their hushed voices carrying whispers about Shisui.
One of the genin, older than Arashi with medium-length hair falling into his face, spoke in a hushed tone. "What a shame Shisui had to die like that. You know, people say his life went downhill as soon as he met his brother."
"He had a brother?" the other one asked, curiosity lacing his voice.
"Has a brother, and that's him over there. But don't look; he has the Rinnegan," the first warned.
"That's his brother?" The second genin scoffed.
"Yeah, I heard someone say he killed Shisui himself."
"Shh! He'll hear you," the first genin cautioned.
Arashi's blood boiled at their words. 'How dare they say I killed Shisui-Nii-san,' he seethed inwardly.
"I don't care if he hears me. Watch this," the older genin boasted, picking up a pebble and hurling it towards Arashi.
Arashi spun around, catching the pebble effortlessly. He stabbed his katana into the ground, leaving it standing upright. "None of you have any right to talk about my brother!" he declared, his voice laced with fury. He infused the pebble with chakra and hurled it back at the older genin, striking his forehead protector with enough force to knock him backward.
"Kazuya!" the other genin cried out, seeing his friend fall.
"I'm fine, leave me alone," Kazuya muttered, rubbing his head. When he saw the blood on his hand, his fists clenched. "I'm going to take you to your brother, you little brat!"
In a blur of motion, Arashi appeared behind Kazuya, delivering a swift kick to his leg that sent him sprawling. The other genin lunged at Arashi, only to be caught in a mesmerizing genjutsu, his movements halting abruptly.
Kazuya attempted to grab Arashi's arm and pull him closer, but Arashi deftly broke free, leaping back with agility.
"Hey, what are you kids doing?" a concerned adult shouted, witnessing the commotion.
Arashi's Rinnegan flared, meeting the man's gaze. The man shivered, his body freezing in place under the overwhelming power of the dojutsu.
"This fight's not finished!" Kazuya declared, his three-tomoe Sharingan activating. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a kunai, his stance shifting into a combat-ready position.
"You have no right talking about Shisui-Nii-san!" Arashi retorted, his voice laced with fury. With a swift movement, he swapped places with Kazuya's unconscious friend, appearing behind the unsuspecting genin.
"Arashi, stop!"
Itachi's voice cut through the tension just as Arashi's hand was about to strike Kazuya's head. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his tone stern.
"These guys said I killed Shisui-Nii-san," Arashi explained, his anger still simmering. "But I didn't! They even attacked me and threw a rock at my face."
"This idiot started a fight with us," Kazuya retorted, glaring at Arashi.
Arashi turned to Itachi, his expression pleading for understanding. "Let's go."
"Hmph..." Itachi retrieved Arashi's katana from the ground and nodded.
With a final, disdainful glance at Kazuya, Arashi walked away alongside Itachi, leaving the stunned genin and the frozen bystander behind.
As they headed towards the Uchiha training grounds, Itachi's curiosity piqued. "So? What's all the big fuss about?"
Arashi's frustration bubbled over. "Didn't you hear me? They asked for it! They talked like they knew Shisui-Nii-san and wanted to spread rumors that I killed my brother! I should've broken his jaw. I would've if you hadn't stopped me."
Itachi looked at him intently. "You need to learn how to let things go, Arashi. Don't act rashly when someone talks about someone you care about."
Arashi lowered his head, his anger simmering. "That's not fair. Why shouldn't they get punished for saying stuff like that? They're the ones who started it."
Itachi smiled gently, poking Arashi's forehead with two fingers. "Losing your temper so quickly will do you no good. I'm only lecturing you because I know you can be better."
He walked ahead, his tone turning thoughtful. "I don't want to favor either of you, but if Sasuke sees me pampering you, he'll think I am. I invited him to train with us, but he refused. He says he'll do better on his own."
'Sasuke... Come to think of it, Sasuke has been acting differently lately. I hope it's not because of me,' Arashi pondered, a flicker of concern crossing his face.
"Oh well, I won't force him to train with us," Itachi continued. "Besides, this will make things easier. I wanted to focus our training on something specific."
"What do you want to focus on? Am I learning a new jutsu?" Arashi's curiosity was piqued.
Itachi shook his head. "Your Rinnegan. You've never turned it off after awakening it, right?"
"Yeah, I can't do it," Arashi admitted. "Shisui-Nii-san tried teaching me how to turn off a Dojutsu, but it won't work. It's like I get close, and then it strains my eyes."
"I understand," Itachi said reassuringly. "But that's what I'm here for. I'm going to teach you how to turn off your Rinnegan."
Arashi's face lit up with a grateful smile. He nodded eagerly, ready to embrace the next step in his journey.