Naruto: Blacksmith

The festival filled Konoha's streets with joy and excitement.

Elders, adults, and children mingled, savoring the festive atmosphere.

Laughter echoed everywhere as fireworks bloomed in the night sky, marking the peak of the celebration.

People gazed upward, admiring the vibrant colors and shapes illuminating the darkness, their faces adorned with smiles.

As the fireworks started to wane, the crowd continued celebrating.

Children and adults, many wearing masks, wandered the bustling streets, playing and laughing under the lights.

Kuro and Naruto blended into the crowd.

Naruto, especially animated, twirled two fire whips in his hands, creating fiery circles that captivated a group of curious children.

Kuro, however, preferred to stay on the sidelines, observing from a distance. He didn't enjoy being the center of attention.

As he watched Naruto revel in the festivities, his thoughts drifted to Itachi.

He said he would act today.

It was nighttime, the festival's peak, when people were most relaxed, and security was at its lowest.

If Itachi planned to move, there couldn't be a better moment than this.

How is he doing?

"Kuro, we're making a circle over there! Come check it out!"

Naruto's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Looking up, Kuro saw Naruto pointing toward a stall surrounded by people. The fire whip in his hand had extinguished, but his enthusiasm remained.

"Alright, let's take a look." Kuro nodded before following Naruto.

Whatever's happening, all I can do is keep living my life.

---

Unlike the lively streets, the Hokage Mansion was quiet at that hour.

Nearly all the staff and ninjas were off-duty for the festival, leaving only one or two guards on watch.

Of course, Hiruzen was still there.

As Hokage, his responsibilities didn't allow him to rest, and the growing tension between the Uchiha clan and the village only added to his burdens.

Despite the holiday, he worked overtime in his office, reviewing documents under the dim light of a lamp.

Swish

Suddenly, the lights flickered.

When they steadied, a figure appeared in the room.

It was an ANBU, clad in their characteristic attire and mask, kneeling halfway in front of the desk.

Hiruzen looked up, setting aside the documents, and furrowed his brow as he recognized the presence.

"Itachi, what brings you here at this hour?"

Though the figure wore a mask and kept their head bowed, Hiruzen recognized Itachi from his breathing and posture.

Why is he here now?

As a double agent, Itachi often handled delicate information between the Uchiha and the village. His sudden appearance at that moment could only mean something serious.

Could it be the Uchiha…?

Hiruzen couldn't help but worry as he watched Itachi.

The young man slowly lifted his head, revealing a pair of red eyes with a hexagonal pattern.

In an instant, the surroundings began to warp. Reality seemed to shift with a dreamlike quality, and everything around them became illusory.

Hiruzen remained calm, observing his surroundings as his expression grew serious.

He placed the documents back on the desk and took out his pipe.

Lighting it with ease, he took a deep puff and exhaled slowly, his aged face taking on a somber expression.

"Itachi, do you know what it means to be Hokage?"

"Betraying the village," Itachi answered without hesitation, his voice devoid of emotion.

Hiruzen studied Itachi, who remained kneeling before his desk. His clouded eyes flickered slightly as memories of Itachi's growth surfaced: his personality, character, ideals, and beliefs.

Closing his eyes, Hiruzen took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"I don't believe you will betray the village."

"It's not my intention to betray the people."

Not his intention… but if necessary, would he truly not care?

Hiruzen reflected on Itachi's response, watching him intently. Itachi didn't avert his gaze and continued speaking.

"Tsukuyomi is a technique that drags another's consciousness into a world entirely constructed by the spirit. Within that world, time and space are under my control. No matter how much time passes there, only an instant elapses outside. It cannot be countered by normal means."

"This Genjutsu… and that strange Sharingan…" Hiruzen eyed him suspiciously. "Itachi, is this…?"

"Yes. It's the Mangekyō Sharingan," Itachi said softly. "Shisui sought me out after Danzo took one of his eyes. He entrusted the remaining one to me, hoping I could resolve the conflict between the clan and the village peacefully."

"He was full of contradictions. In the end, he jumped into the river before me and took his own life."

Hiruzen's face darkened at the mention of Shisui. He lowered his gaze to the desk and sighed.

"I deeply regret Shisui's loss, but…"

"There's no need for regret," Itachi interrupted. "Though I mourn Shisui's death, since that day, my sole focus has been resolving the conflict between my clan and the village."

Although kneeling before Hiruzen, his eyes were filled with determination.

"Shisui's death awakened the same eyes in me that he had. No, I should say my eyes became even stronger. In addition to my unique ability, I also awakened the one he possessed."

Hiruzen looked at him, stunned. His aged body trembled slightly.

"Could it be…?"

"Yes, Kotoamatsukami," Itachi admitted without hesitation.

Of course!

Hiruzen's face showed slight shock.

Though he had suspected as much upon hearing Itachi mention Shisui, the confirmation made him inhale deeply.

Kotoamatsukami was an exceedingly dangerous technique, capable of manipulating anyone's will without them realizing it.

As long as that ability existed, one couldn't help but wonder if they, too, had been unknowingly manipulated.

Despite this, Hiruzen, the longest-serving Hokage, managed to control his emotions. Beyond a slight change in expression, he didn't let his face reveal much surprise.

After a long silence, he finally asked:

"Do you plan to use this ability on me?"

"I've already used it on my clan. It will be over ten years before I can use it again," Itachi replied calmly.

Hiruzen let out a deep sigh.

Itachi's words eased some of his concerns, though not completely.

If he truly used Kotoamatsukami on the Uchiha, then perhaps… perhaps the conflict between the clan and the village could be resolved peacefully.

That thought lightened the weight on Hiruzen's heart. Yet as he looked at the young man before him, he couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and pride.

Itachi, though an Uchiha, perfectly embodied the Will of Fire. Perhaps he would be the one to usher in a new era for Konoha.

Hiruzen silently wished that, one day, the head of an Uchiha would be carved into the Hokage Rock.

With that thought, he looked at Itachi with apology.

"I'm sorry. This is something I should have handled as Hokage. But in the end, it was the Uchiha who had to compromise and sacrifice their own interests."

"You don't need to apologize to me," Itachi said, shaking his head.

"The Uchiha have done nothing wrong. There's no reason for them to be treated this way. If the conflict between my clan and the village is resolved peacefully, the village must also make concessions."

________

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