Chapter 24: Naruto's Persuasion, Itachi's ChoiceI don't want to be watched and controlled forever...Uchiha Itachi was sent to monitor me, but what if... I could make him waver, or even... stand on my side?At the very least, I need to buy some time to gain enough power.Naruto analyzed calmly. If he insisted on his mission and was determined to report every anomaly of mine... then we would have no choice but to "deal with" this trouble in advance.[Hehehe...]The Nine-Tailed released a low and joyful laugh, [How truly evil, brat! Weren't you calling him "big sister" so affectionately just a moment ago? How did you turn to thoughts of killing so quickly? Still... I like it! Crushing an Uchiha bug like that would be effortless!]It's a deal, then! If we can't come to an agreement and I need to take action, I'll call you.Naruto had made his decision, but on the surface, he maintained that expression of anger and questioning, staring intently at Uchiha Itachi.[I'll be ready anytime, brat.]The Nine-Tailed's voice carried a cruel excitement, [Let me see if your anti-Konoha alliance can recruit another Uchiha fool! Hahaha!]Having secured the Nine-Tailed's "support", Naruto felt a little more at ease.He looked at Uchiha Itachi, whose eyes were struggling intensely and whose favorability was fluctuating, and decided to administer another strong dose of medicine, while also casting his own "bait".He reined in some of his imposing aura and leaned back, but his gaze remained locked on Itachi, his tone becoming low and carrying a strange, seductive power:"Big Sister Itachi, I know what you're worried about. Worried about the Village, worried about the Clan, and even more worried about Sasuke's future, right?"Uchiha Itachi jerked his head up to look at Naruto, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.How could he..."You don't have to look at me like that."Naruto twitched the corner of his mouth, "Although I grew up alone, my ability to read people is no worse than anyone else's. Your concern for Sasukecan't be hidden."He paused and continued, "Do you think the current Village can really give you, and give Sasuke, the future you want? When sacrifices are needed, do you think Sasuke will become the next 'Uzumaki Naruto'?"Uchiha Itachi's breath hitched."I don't want to ask you to betray anything for me, Big Sister Itachi."Naruto's voice slowed, carrying a composure that didn't match his age, "I only hope... you can try to trust me a little. Give me some time.""I have already... communicated with the Nine-Tailed.""What?!"Uchiha Itachi exclaimed in shock, abruptly standing up and knocking over the cup beside him. Clear water spread a dark stain across his clothes, but he paid it no mind, only staring at Naruto with immense shock, turbulent waves rising in those usually calm black eyes.Jinchuriki... actively communicating with a Tailed Beast? And maybe even... reached some kind of consensus?!How is this possible?! According to records, except for the First Hokage's wife and a few special cases, the relationship between Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts is almost always one of mutual hatred and antagonism!Could it be that the abnormal power and growth rate Naruto displayed before were not simply due to a Bloodline Limit or talent, but that he had already begun to draw upon the power of the Nine-Tailed?"You should know better than I do what the power of the Nine-Tailed means."Naruto looked up at the shocked Itachi and calmly dropped an even bigger "bomb", "I will grow up very quickly, faster than anyone expects. By then, I will have the ability to change some things."His gaze became incredibly firm, flashing with the light of ambition: "I will become Hokage! Become the Hokage of Konoha! Then, I will change all these unreasonable rules, change this practice of sacrificing 'comrades' at will! I will create a Villagewhere children like Sasuke don't have to worry about being discriminated against or sacrificed because of their family or background!"Become Hokage? Change the Village? Uchiha Itachi felt the boy in front of him was simply insane!But thinking of the terrifying power of those perfect Jinchuriki in history, combined with the far-beyond-normal mental maturity and physical potential Naruto had displayed so far... this crazy goal didn't seem entirely impossible.Moreover, he mentioned Sasuke... a future where Sasuke could grow up in peace, without having to bear the original sin of the family and the suspicion of the Village...This temptation was too great for Uchiha Itachi, whose heart was shaken violently at this moment.At the same time, Naruto was doing his best in his consciousness to appease the irritable Nine-Tailed: Kurama, cooperate with me!Think about it, if we could make this Uchiha genius, Konoha's mole, turn around and provide cover for us, or even provide intelligence, wouldn't that be more interesting than just crushing him? Let him think he can use us, while in reality, he is being used by us! When we have enough power, you can deal with the Uchiha however you want![...Tch, troublesome brat.]The Nine-Tailed snorted, but did not object, [Do as you please, just don't play yourself into trouble. I'm too lazy to clean up your mess.]"I won't ask you to do anything for me right now, and I certainly won't ask you to betray the Village."Naruto looked at Itachi, whose eyes were flickering violently, and offered seemingly the most lenient terms, "I only hope you can give me some time to observe my growth and see if I am truly qualified to realize what I just said.""During this time, you can continue to fulfill your duty of 'monitoring' me and report what needs to be reported to the people who need to be reported to. But I hope that on some key matters... you can lean towards me a little. For example, help me cover up my growth rate, or... tell me some information I should have known but no one told me.""In return..."Naruto leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping lower, carrying a sincerity like that of an ally, "If I really have the ability to change Konoha in the future, I promise that the Uchiha Clan, as well as Sasuke... will get the justice and future they deserve. Instead of being like this now, being suspected, guarded against, and treated as potential 'rebels'.""I need allies, Big Sister Itachi. And the Uchiha also need a different future, don't they? At least... a future where Sasuke can grow up safe and happy."Naruto's words were like a precise key, unlocking Uchiha Itachi's disappointment with the Village, anxiety about the Clan's situation, and deep worry for his younger brother's future.He offered a seemingly win-win choice: temporary cooperation, observation, and investment. This was much easier to accept than having him betray the Village or the Clan immediately.Uchiha Itachi stood there, his chest rising and falling slightly, a battle between heaven and man raging within him.On one side was the will of fire instilled since childhood, loyalty to the Village, and the duties of the Anbu; on the other was the anxiety over the fate of the Clan, the obsession with his younger brother's safety, and the tempting yet highly risky possibility depicted in Naruto's words.
