Witnessing Itachi's Eyes

Naruto was actually born in October, making him slightly younger than Sasuke.

"Sasuke, aren't we both going to the Ninja Academy?" Naruto pulled Sasuke back again. "Don't get worked up, just listen to me explain the logic."

Sasuke stared at Naruto's hand, ready to shove him away the moment he made another outrageous move. "Go ahead, why should I call you big brother?"

Naruto started with an "ah": "Sasuke, Itachi graduated from the Ninja Academy early. He is a genuine genius ninja of Konoha. There's no telling how many people want to challenge him. Now that you've entered the academy, won't they focus their attention on you? Are you really willing to be challenged every single day and have no time to practice ninjutsu?"

"You certainly wouldn't want that. Besides, the ones challenging you will definitely be upperclassmen. If you lose even once, wouldn't Itachi's reputation be tarnished? Everyone would say Itachi's younger brother is nothing special, and that his reputation as a genius must be a lie. Would you feel happy about that?"

"Of course you wouldn't. So, if you acknowledge me as your big brother, whenever someone dares to challenge you, you can just look them in the face and say, 'If you want to challenge me, you must first get the approval of my big brother, Naruto.' Tell them to come find me, and I'll handle such troublesome matters for you. Tell me, don't I deserve to be called big brother for that?"

Sasuke was just about to retort.

Naruto shouted loudly: "Of course I do! Uncle Fugaku, I accept Sasuke's request. From today on, I will be sworn brothers with Sasuke, and I will absolutely be a very competent big brother by his side."

Sasuke raised his hand, wanting to tell Fugaku Uchiha no.

But at that moment, Fugaku Uchiha had been so swayed by the benefits promised by Minato Namikaze that he was nearly ready to call Minato his own big brother. Hearing Naruto's words, he agreed on Sasuke's behalf first.

"Sasuke, Naruto will surely be a good big brother to you. Dad has agreed for you."

Fugaku Uchiha thought to himself that from this day forward, the Uchiha Clan and the Fourth Hokage would be much closer.

Sasuke glared at Naruto, I will absolutely never acknowledge this.

"Dinner is ready." Kushina and Mikoto walked out together, and the fragrant meal was set on the table.

Naruto trotted over, helping Kushina serve the dishes, acting quite diligent. "I'll do it, let me do it all."

Mikoto praised him: "Naruto is truly wonderful."

Kushina smiled like a blooming flower: "He's a little rascal; he never likes to move when he's at home."

Usually, in order to break through his physical limits, Naruto would train with Lee. If Naruto did one thousand push-ups, Lee would do two thousand. If the two of them didn't collapse from exhaustion, they would never stop.

That was why, when Naruto returned home, he generally didn't want to move at all.

The meal was filled with harmony and joy.

Sasuke had gained a big brother.

Naruto's casual mischief had linked the Uchiha Clan and Minato Namikaze together without any awkwardness.

The bond between children is pure.

The wine brought by Minato Namikaze allowed Kushina and Mikoto to drink to their hearts' content, leaving the two men to carefully look after the intoxicated women.

"Sasuke, see you at school." Naruto stood at the doorway.

Sasuke turned his head away, pouting: "No, you won't."

Two days later.

Light rain.

At the gates of Konoha.

Kakashi and Itachi appeared; they had just completed a mission.

"Guy didn't even say a word before running back," Kakashi said. "Itachi, are you heading home?"

Itachi wiped his eyes: "Senior Kakashi, Senior Guy's concern for his disciples is understandable. I plan to go see Shisui; I have a feeling something has happened."

With that, the two parted ways in different directions.

At Shisui's house!

Naruto was there.

Naruto pestered Shisui, saying: "Big Brother Shisui, I clearly know the hand seals for the Body Flicker Technique, but I can never succeed."

Shisui patiently held Naruto's hands: "Start with the basic Clone Technique first."

Naruto quieted down, mimicking Shisui's hand seals. He could feel the gathering and release of chakra within his body, but the Clone Technique still failed.

Shisui's Sharingan was blind, so he couldn't pinpoint the problem for Naruto at that moment.

"Perhaps it has to do with your chakra control," Shisui offered a theory. "Disordered chakra flow is preventing the Clone Technique from succeeding."

Naruto's expression was stubborn: "I don't believe I can't learn it."

"Hey!" By the windowsill, Itachi landed gracefully.

He was like a light, nimble crow.

The moment Shisui heard the sound, he knew it was Itachi Uchiha; the two of them were far too familiar with each other.

Naruto stopped his practice and looked over curiously.

Itachi Uchiha, the genius ninja of the Uchiha Clan in Konoha, who graduated from the Ninja Academy in just one year. He awakened his Sharingan at age eight after witnessing the death of a teammate and was currently a core member of the Anbu.

"Come in." After reporting the Kotoamatsukami incident to the Third Hokage, Shisui rarely left his home; after all, the inconvenience caused by his blindness would only lead to embarrassment in public.

Itachi and Shisui were both teacher and friend to one another.

"What happened to your eyes?" Itachi sat before Shisui, reaching out to examine them.

Shisui instinctively leaned his head back: "It's nothing. Let me introduce you to a new little friend, Naruto."

Naruto muttered from the side, "Shisui's eyes were ruined by that old man Danzo. He's blind now and will never be able to see this colorful Ninja World again."

Itachi stood frozen, as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

The brainwashing Danzo had subjected Itachi to within the Anbu had been somewhat effective; Itachi believed that a ninja was one who endured humiliation to achieve their goals. Thus, even though Danzo's methods were sinister, Itachi believed his actions served to protect Konoha, and he had yet to see Danzo's true face.

"Is it true?" Itachi reached out in disbelief, tearing away the bandages covering Shisui's eyes. "Why did this happen?"

Itachi clearly saw Shisui's eyes, now completely devoid of light.

Itachi trembled with heartache, no longer able to feel the warmth of Shisui's gaze.

"I will make Danzo fall into that same endless darkness." Itachi had always been calm and wise, but his mind was now consumed by hatred.

Naruto nimbly rolled to the left. "Shisui, we've got a big problem. Itachi couldn't control the power that just manifested from his Mangekyō Sharingan; a black flame ignited on the windowsill and is burning quite thoroughly."

A genius is truly a genius.

With just a little stimulation, he could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, while I can't even master a simple Clone Technique.

Naruto thought, feeling distressed.

Shisui grabbed Itachi. "Itachi, don't be impulsive. Although I have lost my sight, I have achieved my goal. The Uchiha Clan now has a bright future. I have fulfilled my ninja way, and Danzo's schemes have failed. He will receive the punishment he deserves."

Itachi closed his eyes, suppressing the power within them. "You're right! He will eventually belong to the past."

Before long, the black flames of Amaterasu reduced all the furniture in Shisui's home to ash before finally fading away.

Naruto felt a lingering fear; if that had landed on him just now, would he have been reduced to ash as well?