"Haruto, please meet me."
In the scroll, there was only this simple yet intense message.
"..."
"Is that it?"
Haruto felt speechless. It seemed Uchiha Itachi didn't quite understand the basics of arranging a meeting! Normally, a proper invitation would include the time, place, and person to meet. Here, he only found a message—no location or time. Was he supposed to run into Itachi by coincidence on the street?
With a sigh, Haruto closed the scroll, dismissing it. For him, there were more pressing matters. Rising to his feet, he strolled toward the opposite street.
Suddenly, a crow's caw echoed above him. The crow circled persistently over his head, refusing to leave. In the ninja world, a crow meant only one person: Uchiha Itachi. Noticing that Haruto had acknowledged it, the crow ceased its circling and flew toward the mountain behind the village.
Haruto knew immediately this was Itachi's way of leading him. Taking a step forward, he slowly followed. He had wanted to meet Uchiha Itachi for a long time…
---
In a secluded grove on the back mountain, Uchiha Itachi's form appeared amidst the trees as the crow vanished.
"What do you want from me, Itachi?" Haruto asked, his face emotionless.
At his words, a flicker of surprise passed through Itachi's eyes. "You... don't hate me?"
Itachi had anticipated that Haruto might attack on sight, given that he had been directly involved in the Uchiha massacre.
"Hate isn't the point," Haruto replied. "I'm here only to understand where you stand. Is it with the village or with Uchiha?"
Itachi's pupils constricted; he sensed Haruto knew much more than he had expected.
"Haruto, I don't understand. My only focus is testing my own strength. As for the village or family, they don't concern me..."
With a sigh, Haruto waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, keep avoiding the truth if you want. But I've already defeated Danzo, so don't think you can keep secrets from me."
Silence fell. After a while, Itachi replied, "You continue to surprise me, Haruto. Your power, your recent actions, and now, these words..."
Seeing Itachi hesitate, Haruto decided to be direct. "My goal is to protect both Uchiha and the village—even beyond that, the entire ninja world. That's what I'm working toward now. As for your brother Sasuke, he's doing well, so you don't need to worry."
"!"
How did he know about Sasuke? Itachi's eyes grew troubled, realizing that Haruto seemed to know more than he had ever shared.
"I am Uchiha Itachi of Konoha," Itachi finally responded, his voice steady. "My loyalty is to Konoha. That is my position."
"So, are you saying you'll sacrifice the family for the village?"
"If it's for the good of the village, sacrifices are necessary..."
Haruto couldn't help but let out a small, bitter laugh. Itachi embodied the Will of Fire so perfectly—sacrificing himself to keep others safe. He didn't just talk about it; he lived it.
"To be honest, Itachi, I owe you some thanks," Haruto said quietly. "Without your actions, I might never have awakened this power."
Haruto chose not to reveal the true nature of his abilities but instead provided a plausible story. "The night of the massacre, something stirred in my mind, sparking an awakening. I gained eyes similar to yours, and through these eyes, I've seen much…"
He continued, "Do you know why I know so much? Or how I defeated Danzo?"
Itachi was silent, attentive.
"My Mangekyou Sharingan has the power to 'see everything'… to reveal hidden truths. Neither the sky nor the people below it can conceal anything from my gaze."
In Haruto's eyes, the unique shape of the Mangekyou Sharingan appeared.
"To see everything?" Itachi murmured, understanding dawning in his eyes. He could no longer doubt Haruto's insight. How else could Haruto know so much?
Unbeknownst to Itachi, Haruto's knowledge came not from any special vision but from watching the events of this world unfold in his past life.
"Itachi, come with me. I'll give you a chance to atone for your past actions. It's not too late to change the path you're on; it's not the only way to protect Sasuke."
"And what would you have me do, Haruto? Overthrow the Hokage?"
"Yes," Haruto replied without hesitation. "Three generations of leadership have only yielded a policy of sacrifice, demanding that everyone, even himself, is devoted to the greater good. While that might be effective governance, I believe in a different vision. We should protect those who are ours. And if anyone harms us, they must face justice."
Haruto surprised himself as he spoke. These words sounded oddly familiar, echoing the ideals of Naruto and Boruto. Was he following in their footsteps, despite himself?
Yet, he had one more thing to say.
"And those who harm us must face the truth publicly, to carry their infamy forever."
At this, Itachi smirked bitterly. "Then I guess that fate awaits me, too. After all, I carry the burden of what I've done to Uchiha."
Haruto chuckled. "That's why I'm giving you a chance to atone. When you've done enough, you can pass on your eyes to Sasuke and then find peace, leaving behind your sins."
Looking down at the ground where he had once played as a child, Itachi fell silent. After a long pause, he spoke. "What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing directly," Haruto answered. "Just continue to protect Konoha, but focus that protection on Uchiha as well. By the way, in your organization, is there someone named Konan?"
Itachi nodded, not surprised by the question. He assumed Haruto's Sharingan had shown him this knowledge.
"Yes, Konan is part of our group. Why do you ask?"
"One day, if possible, help me meet her. I don't know her personally, but I'd like to… see her. It won't be a problem for you, I promise."
Itachi looked curious but accepted Haruto's request. With that, they exchanged a final nod, a mutual understanding forming between them. They both carried the weight of the Uchiha name, yet each of their paths was unique. Haruto would shape his vision of the future, and Itachi, silently, would keep his promise—to watch over his brother and his village in the shadows.
---
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