"Kakashi, I'm handsome too, okay!"
"Look at my head—how it sparkles!"
Might Guy rubbed his bald scalp; under the glow of the sun, it shone with a brilliance that was almost blinding.
"Uh..." Kakashi remained silent for a moment before replying, "It is indeed... very oily. Very smooth. And very bright."
"Handsome, right?" Guy flashed a thumbs-up and bared two rows of sparkling teeth.
"Handsome, handsome, handsome!" Seeing Guy so full of confidence, Kakashi didn't have the heart to crush him, so he offered a perfunctory agreement.
Guy then grabbed Kakashi's hand. "Kakashi, why don't you shave your head too? Burn the flame of youth with me! Let's strive together!"
Kakashi scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh. "Burning youth and striving is fine, but I think I'll pass on the bald look. It's not that I don't want to shave it, Guy, it's just that I don't want to steal your spotlight."
Hearing that Kakashi was being so considerate, Guy's eyes welled up with tears of emotion. "Waaaah! Kakashi, you moved me so much! You truly are my eternal rival!"
"Hahaha, it's nothing, really!" Kakashi could only laugh awkwardly, seeing how easily Guy had been moved to tears by his excuse.
Soon after Konan arrived at the Uchiha compound, Itachi Uchiha and Jūzō Biwa slipped into Konoha unnoticed.
"Itachi-san, what's our move?" Jūzō whispered, following close behind Itachi.
"The journey was long. Let's find an inn to rest first and recharge our strength," Itachi said calmly.
Jūzō remarked with a touch of awe, "You're incredibly calm, Itachi-san. We're right in the heart of the Leaf's headquarters, walking down the street as if we own the place. This is quite a thrill."
Itachi replied coolly, "The most dangerous place is often the safest. As long as you don't act strangely, you won't draw much attention."
As they walked, Jūzō looked at the bustling shops and sighed. "This village is quite prosperous. As expected of a place founded by those two terrifying monsters, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju."
"Prosperity is inseparable from the blood shed in its shadows," Itachi said. "All of this is nourished by sacrifice."
"Is that the Hokage Rock?" Jūzō looked up in wonder. "The First, Hashirama Senju; the Second, Tobirama Senju; the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi; and the Fourth, Minato Namikaze."
Itachi glanced at the stone faces with a stoic gaze. "Let's go. Staring will only attract attention."
They found an inn, checked into two rooms, and settled in.
"Itachi-san, I never imagined a person like me would one day be soaking in a Konoha hot spring! This feels surreal," Jūzō said, closing his eyes in the steaming water. "The water is perfect. So comfortable."
Itachi sat nearby with his eyes closed, ignoring Jūzō's chatter.
The next morning, Itachi stood on a high roof near the Ninja Academy.
"Itachi-san, what are we looking for?" Jūzō asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Waiting for someone," Itachi replied simply.
"Waiting for who?" Jūzō looked around. Early in the morning, the streets were mostly empty.
"He's here."
Itachi's gaze fixed on three people walking down the street: one adult and two children.
A handsome man was carrying a little girl on his shoulders while holding a young boy's hand. They walked toward the school gates, laughing happily.
"Thank you, Raizen-sama! See you later!" Karin waved enthusiastically, her face flushed with joy.
"Bye, Uncle!" Sasuke waved back with equal energy before running into the school.
"Study hard! I'll be checking your homework tonight," Raizen called out with a smile.
Sasuke looks so happy...
Did Uncle heal your pain?
It seems you haven't taken the path I laid out for you.
Uncle, you really are...
Looking at Raizen, Itachi's heart was a whirlpool of complex emotions. He couldn't help but wonder: If Uncle had been home back then, could the fate of the clan have been changed? Would I have had to leave my beloved brother and become a rogue ninja?
Raizen suddenly felt a prickle on the back of his neck, as if someone were watching. He looked up toward the roof where Itachi stood, but saw nothing.
"Was it just my imagination?" Raizen shook his head and walked away.
After Raizen left, Itachi and Jūzō poked their heads back up from behind the roof ledge.
"Itachi-san, now that we're back in the Leaf, aren't you going to see your uncle? He seems like a good man; I doubt he'd leak the news of your return."
Seeing Raizen laugh so warmly with the children, Jūzō assumed he was a kind-hearted soul.
Itachi gave a self-deprecating smirk. "I slaughtered our entire family. With what face could I meet him? Uncle is a good man; let him live in peace. A sinner like me shouldn't disturb his quiet life. Sasuke hasn't followed the path of revenge I intended for him... it seems some things must change. Uncle is a variable I didn't account for."
"Let's go, Jūzō."
Having seen that Sasuke was safe and sound, the weight on Itachi's heart lightened. However, he wasn't leaving just yet. Some people had forgotten his warning, and they needed a reminder.
As night fell, a crow flew into Hiruzen Sarutobi's office.
Hiruzen stiffened at the sight of the bird, his expression turning grave. A figure materialized slowly from the shadows where the crow had landed.
"Lord Third, it's been a long time."
Wearing his Akatsuki robes, Itachi Uchiha stepped into the light, staring at Hiruzen with a hollow gaze.
"Itachi Uchiha... you... how can you be here?" Hiruzen gasped, before regaining his composure.
Itachi's eyes were cold. "Why am I here? That is an excellent question. Lord Third, you made a promise to me."
Hiruzen sighed heavily, realizing exactly what Itachi was referring to. "So, you know everything? How many eyes do you still have in this village to find out so quickly?"
Itachi replied icily, "Talk is useless. I am here today for an explanation."
"I won't hide it from you," Hiruzen said solemnly. "The attempt was the independent act of Danzo and the two Consultants. You should know that I would never target a child or your uncle. Danzo views the Uchiha as a clan of evil; his hatred for you runs deep. Your uncle's efforts to repopulate the clan sparked Danzo's paranoia, leading to the attack. Fortunately, because of Princess Tsukihime's arrival, I had Kakashi and Guy stationed as guards, which prevented a tragedy."
In that moment, Hiruzen chose to sell out Danzo and the others. It wasn't that he feared Itachi's threat, but he saw an opportunity. He would use Itachi's hand to "knock" his old colleagues down a peg and remind them to stay in their place.