A Warrior's Path 84 Chapter 84. Leaf Shinobi Itachi Uchiha

Itachi stood dazed. His eyes misted, he couldn't believe his eyes. It was this man's death that lead to him awakening his eyes, this was his best friend.

s.h.i.+sui Uchiha!

Itachi stammered " Ho... How? I saw you die."

s.h.i.+sui sighed, his eyes contained guilt as he said " Ryu saved me. It's been hard on you Itachi. To bear this huge burden all by yourself but.....

It time to come home."

s.h.i.+sui's last words shocked Sasuke, he yelled " Who are you? Why the f**k are you speaking to him like he is a sage? He killed his own family and clansmen, he is nothing but a murderer!!! "

Ryu spoke with a serious tone " Calm down Sasuke, everything is not what it seems. This is s.h.i.+sui Uchiha. The strongest Genjutsu user ever born in Uchiha clan and your brothers best friend.

Also your brother is not a murderer, he did what had to be done to protect the village and... you. "

Sasuke had immense trust in Ryu, he didn't lash out like before and listened.

Ryu continued " Your clan were the primary suspect for the Kyuubi attack years ago. As time pa.s.sed, villagers came to hate and scorn your clan. Your father and the others couldn't stomach this insult. They felt it was time to show the whole village their strength as Uchihas.

They were preparing for coupé. Your father as the clan leader made the decision to rebel against the village.

Do you understand the implications of his decision. If a major clan like the Uchiha's rebel, then the entire village will fall to an all time low in strength. When that happens other villages will absolutely take advantage of it.

Tell me Sasuke, how many would die because of your clans ambition?? How many innocents will die due to your clans arrogance?? "

Sasuke was dazed hearing Ryu, never in his wildest dreams imagined that his father and clan to have such thoughts.

s.h.i.+sui spoke this time " To stop all of this, there was only one way...

Ma.s.sacre.

Your brother took it upon himself to remove our entire clansmen. Do you understand how much it pained him to kill his own parents!? Fugaku is a headstrong man, once he makes a decision he will act on it but he would never harm his own children. He accepted Itachi's decision. It tore Itachi to kill them, still he had to do it, for the village and... to keep you safe.

His only condition in helping the village kill off the entire Uchiha clan was for you to be safe. He truly loves you Sasuke, as an elder brother he wished the best for you. He made you hate him so that one day he could die by your hands. That's his way to atone for what he did."

Sasuke was on his knees, he looked at his brother..... frozen ' All these years, I hated him!! I wanted to kill him for dad and mom but now... what should I do? '

Ryu interrupted " Sasuke, your brother is not a murderer. He is a Leaf s.h.i.+n.o.bi. He performed his duty to protect you and his village. In my eyes he is a Hero.

People often say that they can sacrifice anything for their loved ones but only a few have the guts to step up when the occasion arises.

As to whether you should hate him or not. That's your decision. But there will be people who will protect him, if you want to kill him you have get through them first. "

s.h.i.+sui said to Itachi " Come home Itachi. Don't worry about anything else, we already made preparations. "

Ryu said " Itachi, everything back home should be settled. Sometimes a few rumours here and there can get the job done. So, come home."

Itachi shook his head " My sins are too heavy, I can't return."

He looked towards Sasuke and said "Sasuke when I die... please take my eyes."

Sasuke couldn't utter a word. His entire reason for living crumbled, it was his hatred for this man that kept him going. Now he doesn't know if he should hate him or not.

Ryu spoke " Sasuke, your brother doesn't have long to live. That's also the reason he wants you to kill him. Rather than a meaningless death, he would be glad to die by your hand."

Sasuke cried, he now understood everything. His brother never left, he was always watching over him.

Itachi revealed a gentle smile " Sasuke... I am sorry. "

He took out a kunai and stabbed his heart. Sasuke panicked, he was too far away to stop him. The kunai pierced his heart but nothing happened. No blood spattered, Itachi was fine.

s.h.i.+sui spoke with anger " Do you really think you can kill yourself when in front of me!!?? "

s.h.i.+sui used genjutsu from the beginning to take control of Itachi's body, he knew Itachi far too well.

Ryu shook his head " Itachi, your life isn't just yours. "

Saying that he looked back towards the other figure clad in black. Slowly the black cloak slid down revealing a beautiful women. She had a perfect stature. Her black hair danced along the winds rhythm, her mesmerizing black eyes could capture any man's soul.

This women didn't speak, she was crying as she looked at Itachi. Slowly she walked forward, her slow movement took a turn to became fast as she rushed to Itachi and hugged him.

" IDIOT!!! "

Itachi was overwhelmed, his eyes became gentle " Sorry..."

This was none other than....

Izumi Uchiha!!!

s.h.i.+sui's thought wandered to that fateful night.

Obito continued his slaughter inside Uchiha police building. Izumi attacked him but everything went through his body like he didn't exist. She tried to escape but Obito bound her with Chains.

Just as he was about to kill her, an eye that glowed bright red appeared in his sight. It was so beautiful with a slight evil feeling to it. This red eye was shaped like a Four corner pin wheel with a magatama in each corner.

" Mangekyo Sharingan : Mirror Reality "

This was s.h.i.+sui. He knew from Ryu about Izumi and wanted to save her. s.h.i.+sui put Obito in an illusion. It would seem to Obito that he killed Izumi but in reality, who he killed was just a rogue ninja.

s.h.i.+sui got back his focus. He watched as Izumi scolded and started to lightly hit Itachi, of course it didn't hurt him but the he didn't dodge.

Izumi " Humph, you are coming back!! And I don't care for your decision!! "

She gave her final verdict. Sasuke had complex emotions when he looked at Itachi. Ryu patted his shoulder.

" Take some time to sort out your feelings. Sasuke.... he is your brother and he will always love you. Never forget that. "

Sasuke didn't reply. He turned back and walked.

Izumi saw Sasuke leaving, she was about to call him back when s.h.i.+sui stopped her " Let him be. He need time."

Itachi was confused about one thing " Where was she all this time? I would have known if she was inside the village."

s.h.i.+sui smiled mysteriously " Oooh, she was inside the village alright. Just that we had changed her appearance and Chakra signature completely, even you were to stand before her you would never recognize her."

Ryu used the same pill he used on s.h.i.+sui to hide Izumi. Ryu and s.h.i.+sui would always check in on her to see whether Izumi was doing fine or not.