Itachi stared down at Minato from above, suspended in a blood-red sky by a murder of crows. Granted, there was no clear distinction between earth and sky in this dimension. The crows surrounded Itachi, but also seemed to be a part of him. In truth, it was difficult to tell where man ended and bird began. Flesh blended into black feathers like the brushstrokes of a masterful painting. His form had no defined shape. It was as though he were an apparition.
The Fourth Hokage knew better, though: this was Sharingan genjutsu.
"The service you held was quite magnificent," the boy said. "Thank you." Although Itachi spoke in a level tone, his voice was somehow loud and resonant.
"Itachi," Minato said, staring up at the distorted figure, "I never expected you to show your face in The Leaf at a time like this."
This genjutsu wasn't the hardest to break out of, but it would be troublesome to expend the necessary amount of chakra. Minato had to commend his visitor for thinking ahead: he had come up with a plan that would lower the chances of his discovery in the real world.
Itachi floated nearer to his former leader. His approach was met with a noticeable flinch. He descended to eye level and regarded Minato with visible confusion. The crows separated from Itachi, leaving behind a faded imitation of his real body.
"What are you doing here?" Minato demanded.
He resisted the urge to reach for a kunai. It wasn't that he wanted a fight. The survival response was just ingrained after so many years. Not that there was a point—physical attacks wouldn't have any effect here.
Itachi's eyes flitted to Minato's waist, registering his twitchy fingers. "I haven't come to fight you, Lord Fourth. I'd never attempt something so foolish."
"Then what's this all about?"
"I need to speak with you regarding the incident. Being back in the village is dangerous for me, so I'd rather make this quick. Bringing you into my genjutsu was my safest option. Time moves slower here."
Minato nodded. He needed answers, and like it or not, Itachi Uchiha may well have been the sole person on the planet who was able and willing to give them to him.
"Okay, I'm listening."
❖ ❖ ❖
"So, you've lost all memory of our discussion?" Itachi's eyes widened with genuine intrigue.
Minato nodded, hanging his head. "Yeah. Well, not lost per se. My memories have been tampered with. If what you're telling me is true, then I was right to order Genma, Iwashi and Raido to take Danzo in for interrogation. He should be arriving there right about now."
"Good." Itachi let out a thoughtful hum. "I didn't realize your special kunai had been replaced with a fake until it was time for...that task. Danzo must have done it when I changed out of my gear."
"Danzo…." Minato clenched his fists. "Itachi, how do I know I can really trust your story? What I remember about that rendezvous is very different from what you've told me."
Itachi held out a hand as if in invitation. "Very well. Let me show you."
His body exploded into dozens of crows. The birds dispersed, and falling feathers blotted out Minato's vision. He swept them aside, surprised to find he was back in the Uchiha District. Itachi was nowhere in sight.
"Hello?"
Minato ran through the streets, calling out for Itachi, or anyone at all. He stopped when he saw the boy standing at the edge of the path connecting the Uchiha Compound to the rest of The Leaf. Itachi was in his Anbu gear. Then the scene transitioned to another location. Itachi flickered into view in a clearing, then hid behind a tree. Minato watched a past version of himself dash onto the grass and skid to an abrupt halt. Somewhere in the distance, water splashed against rocks. Itachi stepped out from behind his hiding spot, and the two ninja began their talk.
I remember this, but wait...something's different here.
Gulping back his trepidation, Minato waited to see what else Itachi had to show him. When this was all over, either everything would make sense or nothing would.
❖ ❖ ❖
The Fourth Hokage panted, falling to his knees in his bedroom. He looked up to find Itachi leaning casually against a wall.
"Did that satisfy you?" Itachi said. "If not, then I won't resist you having me imprisoned." The boy's appearance supported this claim—his eyes had reverted to normal. They were now blacker than the hair that stopped at his neck.
Minato took a moment to rest, letting his visitor sit with the silence. Then he stood, looking Itachi in the eyes without hesitation. He tapped into the pool of chakra he'd been storing in secret. Raw power coursed through him as he went into Sage Mode.
He directed his enhanced sensory capabilities at the exiled teen. Pleased with his findings, Minato dispelled his sage chakra. He was careful not to speak above a whisper while giving Itachi his answer.
"I'm not going to detain you, Itachi. Of course I had my doubts about the visions you showed me, but the fact that you're willing to present yourself to me as your true self instead of a clone, and deactivate your Sharingan, is proof enough."
"Thank you," Itachi said, bowing in deference. "I'll remember your mercy, Lord Hokage."
The simple gesture took Minato by surprise. Even after everything that had happened, the boy still saw himself as a proud Leaf subordinate?
"I guess this means you'll have to live as a rogue ninja," Minato said, biting his lip. "Itachi, I know it doesn't mean much now, but I want you to know how sorry I am. I should have been there. I tried to be there, but Danzo stopped me. Now your life is ruined."
"We can only try our best to do what we can for the village," Itachi said. "You and I are human, so we're guilty of mistakes. Even so, we're still alive, so we can do something with the time we have left."
It was remarkable. The child's wisdom far outstripped that of some Jonin many years his senior.
"You're right." Minato adopted a wistful smile. That's why I want to give you something."
Itachi raised his head with an expectant stare.
Minato prepared the Flying Thunder God seal, then held up his palm. "One of my seals. If you have my mark on you, we can still stay in touch. It's probably best not to hold onto one of my kunai after what happened with Danzo."
"Understood."
"We'll need to hide it somewhere no one will look."
An awkward few seconds went by as Itachi fidgeted, considering where to have the mark placed. Finally, he bent forward and parted some of his hair, revealing a section of his scalp behind the rows of dark follicles.
"Here, please. No one will see it if I keep the mark here."
Minato creased his lips into a thoughtful frown. "Smart."
He decided not to waste time, and extended a hand toward the suggested spot.
Once the mark was applied, Itachi said, "I have but one request, if you'll allow me that. I know I don't deserve to ask such things-"
"Anything, Itachi. What is it?"
Itachi's expression softened for the first time in Minato's recent memory. He knelt again, shaking with emotion as he whispered, "Please watch over Sasuke."
"I'll do everything in my power."
The boy erupted into a cloud of smoke. Echoes of footsteps reached Minato's ears from beyond the door. He blinked and turned to Kushina as she stepped into the room.
"Minato," she said, "is one of your guards here? I thought I heard a voice, and I felt you entering Sage Mode. Is everything alright?"
Although it pained him to do so, Minato smiled and told her there was nothing to worry about. At least for now, he thought it best not to endanger her with the news Itachi brought him. Deep down, he was convinced this moment would stain his pride forever. He had never lied to Kushina in the entirety of their marriage.
❖ ❖ ❖
"What do you mean he escaped?" Minato balked, staring across his office desk at a contrite Genma.
Although Danzo was a veteran ninja who served under The Second Hokage, this feat was shocking even for him. After all, Minato made sure to have a sealing specialist seal off his chakra before he was escorted. Making matters worse, if what Itachi shared was true, then this news spelled grave danger for The Leaf.
"What happened?"
"I-I don't know how to describe it, sir," Genma stammered, still chewing the signature senbon that always hung from his lips. His shoulder-length brown hair drooped in a way that mimicked his shame. "Even at his age, Danzo was just so fast. Before we knew it, he'd grabbed the keys to his cuffs and slipped out of our grasp."
"He may have set some kind of escape plan up beforehand," Minato said under his breath. He glared at the papers in front of him. "He must've known I was onto him."
The report stated Danzo Shimura had broken out of the custody of the shinobi squad assigned to escort him to an aggressive interrogation session, then fled The Leaf. He couldn't have gone far yet, so Iwashi and Raido gave chase and were in the process of tracking him down on Genma's orders.
"Lord Hokage," Genma said, "what do you want me to do?"
Holding up a finger, Minato took a moment to think. Itachi's message had been quite clear: not only had his genjutsu laid out what happened during their rendezvous, but it also revealed the truth about another matter. One with far greater implications. But he couldn't afford to show fear right now. If he did, that would only cause a wave of panic to ripple throughout the chain of command, and the Uchiha Massacre had done more than enough damage in that department already.
"Genma, you handled this well. Don't blame yourself. Something tells me Danzo would've found a way out of this no matter what I threw at him. I'm concerned about what he plans to do. He's an Elder, and the knowledge he possesses about the village could easily topple us in no time."
Minato walked around the desk and paced the room. Then an idea hit him.
"Alright. I'm going to discuss this incident with The Third in private. In the meantime, Genma, select a team to back up Iwashi and Raido. I ask that you include Kakashi. His ninja hounds will be invaluable in picking up Danzo's trail. Come find me when you're ready, and I'll teleport you."
"Yes, sir!"
Minato's right hand man bowed and marched out of the office, full of purpose. Genma had his mission. Now The Hokage had one of his own to carry out.
❖ ❖ ❖
Minato came home early in the afternoon, slipped off his shoes, and searched the house for Kushina. He found her stepping out of the shower. She was wrapped in a towel with her damp red hair resting across one shoulder. She looked up in surprise.
"Minato! You're home early today."
"Yeah," Minato said, pausing to accept a quick kiss. "I've got a lot to fill you in on, but I'll let you get dressed first."
"I'll be just a minute, ya know!" she said with a smile, hurrying into the bedroom.
Later, they sat across from each other at the dinner table, going over all that he'd had to deal with that day. Kushina rested her chin on one palm, sighing as she took it all in.
"So The Third agreed?"
"Yeah. After we talked things over, I went back to the office and sent a message to Master Jiraiya. I decided to pull him off of his Madara tracking task. Right now, Danzo's our most immediate priority."
"I agree," Kushina said. "I knew something serious must have happened when Lord Hiruzen left in the middle of our barrier fortification exercise. Ever since we drafted the plans, he's been so dedicated to working with me on it."
"Yeah." Minato huffed. "Sorry about that."
"It's no problem, ya know. We got it all done for the day. I was able to teach a group of Chunin and Jonin some improved formulas!"
"That's great news!"
Minato smiled. His wife was practically glowing, full of pride about her ability to still prove useful to the village. Things may have been spiraling out of control over the past several hours, but at least one of them had a positive, productive day despite it all.
Kushina's happiness gave way to a solemn frown.
"Oh, and there's something else I wanted to talk to you about. It's probably best we have this chat before Naruto comes home. At that point we'll be too busy to give it any real thought."
Minato leaned in, eyes wide with concern. "Of course. Go ahead."
She scooted back into her chair, breaking eye contact. "It's...it's about Mikoto. Well, not really. More about Sasuke."
This was quite the surprise. Just like that, thoughts of his guilt surrounding the Uchiha Massacre were dredged up by her words. Swallowing a lump in his throat, Minato gave Kushina his undivided attention.
❖ ❖ ❖
Words tumbled out of her one after the other. It was clear that Kushina was trying to hurry and get it all out, lest she forget what she needed to say.
"Anyway, she's always been such a good friend to me, ever since we met in the academy. Even when tensions were strained between The Leaf and the Uchiha in recent years, she was always so kind. I feel like I owe it to her to do more in her memory. You know what I mean, right?"
While Minato wasn't certain where this was going, he was dying to find out. He nodded and waited with bated breath. His wife's lips parted in what felt like slow motion to deliver the message at the heart of this discussion.
❖ ❖ ❖
Kushina took slow, measured steps through the Leaf Village Hospital, checking the numbers above the doors of each room she passed. The place smelled of alcohol and sickness. Ornate wall decorations were affixed at regular intervals in a poor attempt to distract visitors from the grim prospects many patients here faced. Once, Kushina had been one of the unlucky few toeing the line between life and death. If not for Tsunade's last minute intervention, she would have joined the hundreds of patients this hospital failed to save - or even provide enough beds for prior to their deaths - following The Nine Tails' attack. Recalling those dark times, she trudged on, her palms dampening with sweat. Coming back here was far from an ideal situation, but Kushina's current goal was worth the torture.
She did her best to stay out of the way of anyone who looked busy, exchanging polite hellos with those she knew. Much to her disappointment, no one stopped to talk. In fact, she got the feeling everyone was staying out of her way on purpose. Kushina had to admit, being the Hokage's wife had its perks. She would have been grateful, if not for the fact that there was nothing to distract herself from the cloying scent of the dead, the dying, and the unwell.
Kushina's knees threatened to give out at any moment. She couldn't stop now, though. Not so close. She wove her way through the streams of staff and patients until she found the room she sought. A door near the end of the hall was open a half-inch. Sliding her hand through the doorway, she eased it open an inch more and peeked through.
Fighting back her anxiety, she called out, "Hello?"
A female voice responded. "Ah! Good afternoon, Miss Kushina. You may enter."
Kushina took another breath, steeled her resolve, and pulled the door open. When she stepped through, the first thing she saw was the colorless expression on the face of a young boy. Sasuke Uchiha sat upright in his hospital bed. A nurse was placing flowers in a vase on the table next to him. She stepped aside, letting Kushina approach.
"Oh!" Kushina said, throwing up her hands, "no, please don't mind me. You can stay."
"It's alright. I was just leaving, ma'am!" the woman explained, flashing a nervous smile. She skittered toward the exit.
Kushina's shoulders sank as she watched the woman disappear into the hallway at record speed, in much the same manner as those she waved at a few moments ago. Wiping the frown from her face, she turned back to Sasuke. Compared to his predicament, hers were trifling concerns.
"Hello, Sasuke. Do you know who I am?"
"You're Kushina Uzumaki, the Fourth Hokage's wife," his small voice said. He stared at her with eyes that looked dead apart from a faint glimmer of curiosity. "You were with him at the funeral."
His visible suffering tugged at her heartstrings. Kushina made her way to the side of the bed and sat at the edge, smiling down at the poor boy. She did all she could to keep from crying while she spoke.
"That's right. There's more, though. I was a friend of your mom's. Did you know that?"
He shook his head, looking up at her with a blank stare.
She nodded. "Mikoto and I were both very happy to be new mothers. I talked to her just after you were born. You were so cute, ya know!" Kushina poked his nose, managing to get a weak laugh out of him. She was pleased to see that at least some of his innocence remained.
Hesitating at first, she took his tiny, pudgy hand in hers. It was warm and clammy with nervous sweat. A visit from the Hokage's wife in the flesh must have been like a dream for someone so young. Kushina placed her free hand on top of his, reaching inside herself for the courage to do what she'd set out to in the first place.
"Sasuke," she said, "about what happened in the Uchiha District..."
His expression darkened. Sasuke slipped his hand out of her grasp and buried his face into his bed covers. She'd taken the conversation where neither of them wanted it to go, but there was no other choice.
"I'm so sorry," Kushina stressed, rubbing the boy's back. She shuddered every time his little body heaved. "I know how much it hurts. When I was a child, I lost my clan too."
His crying quieted to a sniffle. Loosening his grip on the covers, he looked up at her in wordless wonder. Kushina forced her bitter memories to the surface. She needed to be genuine with him. Given everything the boy had endured, he deserved that much.
"That's right," she confirmed. "I came home one evening from the academy, and my clan had been taken by surprise in an attack. Many lives were lost, and I was captured, but The Fourth saved me. He's really strong, ya know!" Kushina flexed a bicep, flashing a smile. Sasuke continued to stare in awe. She sighed, hoping she was getting through to him. "Sasuke, a wise woman from my clan once told me, when I didn't know what to do and my life was changing in ways I had no say in, that there was one way to make it through."
"How?" the boy asked in a quavering voice.
"Love. You have to fill your heart with love." She gave him a warm smile, putting a hand to her chest.
Sasuke looked down at his bed, mulling over her statement to whatever extent his young mind could understand it. Kushina decided now was as good a time as any to say what she came here to say.
"I want to ask you something. Something important."
He blinked away tears. "What is it?"
"Would you like to come live with me and my family?"
Sasuke froze. Kushina did too. Seconds passed as though they were hours. Had she posed the question too soon? She'd figured it was best to just get right to the point, but perhaps-
"Are you sure?" he asked, lip poked out. "I don't want to be a burden."
Somehow, Kushina's heart managed to shatter into even smaller pieces.
"No, please don't say that!" she blurted out.
Her maternal instincts kicked in and, before she knew it, she found herself hugging Sasuke's head against her chest in an embrace that, if his stifled grunting was any indication, was far too tight. She loosened her grip. "Oh, sorry! I just really don't want you to feel bad about accepting my offer. I've already discussed this with Minato. We'd both be so very happy to have you become a part of our family!" Kushina smiled, withdrawing from the hug so the boy could think his response over. "I mean, if that's what you want."
Sasuke gave her a pensive stare, his silence filling her with anxiety. "The Fourth...agreed?" he asked for clarification.
She nodded, giddy and terrified at the same time. "Mmhmm!"
Another moment of indecision later, Sasuke managed to crack the slightest hint of a smile, streams of tears still drying on his face. "Okay…" he nodded to himself, as if to affirm his decision. "Thank you, Miss Kushina."
❖ ❖ ❖
A week had passed since Sasuke moved into The Hokage's household. Just as Minato predicted in his initial discussion with Kushina, The Leaf Village Council, and the general public, hadn't taken well to their idea. The formal request to adopt Sasuke Uchiha became one of much debate for the following couple of weeks.
Hiruzen, in particular, seemed to feel for the lone survivor of the massacre, but could not support Minato and Kushina's decision. In a private chat with Minato, he stated that although he recognized how intervening in Sasuke's life in this way might help keep him from straying down a darker path, the political optics were "unfavorable."
It was during this chat that Minato stood behind his desk, lips pursed in thought, taking in all that his predecessor had to say. He'd thought back to that day when he and Kushina were almost taken from Naruto, who would have ended up in the same circumstance as Sasuke. Deep down, he already knew his answer. There was no way he could abandon Sasuke. Hiruzen's suggestion of stopping by every so often to check on him wouldn't suffice. How in the world could he be expected to condemn this child to solitude? An occasional visitor wouldn't do.
Sasuke needed more.
He needed something to replace the hole in his life. The indelible image of a broken and pleading Itachi, however fleeting it might have been, remained at the forefront of Minato's memory.
"Surely you must understand how this will look, Minato," The Third continued. Minato tuned back in halfway through his explanation, his mind racing, until he at last settled on a staunch refusal of the advice.
"I do, Third," Minato said, "but even so, I'll be making the preparations as soon as possible."
Hiruzen sighed and covered his face with his hands. Minato continued.
"I understand that the Uchiha are not the brightest spot in The Leaf's history. I realize that my and Kushina's adoption of Sasuke could raise red flags with other villages, as well as here at home. They may think that this was a power play orchestrated to groom a young Uchiha with weaker ties to his brethren, whom I could then mold into a loyal military asset for the village's benefit. Knowing all of this, I still don't care. I won't become the kind of Hokage who turns his back on any of his people. Sasuke is one of our own, so I'll do what I can for him."
Hiruzen nodded, a grim frown on his face. "You're absolutely certain about this?"
"I am."
Minato held The Third Hokage's gaze for several uncomfortable seconds. Seeing that he did not waver, Hiruzen gave him a dismissive gesture. "Very well. If your mind's made up, then I will support you in this."
The Leaf Elder turned and started toward the door.
"Thank you, Lord Third," Minato said. He rested against his desk, examining the paperwork awaiting his signature. "Trust me, I'll make this work."
"If anyone can, it's most certainly you," Hiruzen said before exiting the room.
In the days following their exchange, Minato fought to make the adoption happen, every bit as much for himself as for Kushina. His wife wanted to repay a debt to her friend. It was a noble move on her part, and he had a debt of his own to repay to Itachi. He'd failed the young man once already. Maybe this way, he could fulfill his promise to watch over Sasuke, albeit in a more direct way than intended.
The hunt for Danzo had run cold, as expected. He was last detected near a hot spring close to the border of The Land of Fire and The Village Hidden in The Grass. Kakashi and his dogs had lost Danzo's scent, but they suspected he'd traveled in the direction of Tenchi Bridge. The reason why he would have taken such a route was unknown, but Minato instructed two Anbu to continue searching for him around there. Maybe something would turn up.
Light from the setting sun filtered through the window as Minato and his family sat down to dinner. Sasuke awkwardly settled into his seat across from Naruto. The Hokage's son observed him with an uncertain gaze. Averting his eyes at first, Sasuke soon drummed up the courage to look up again and smile.
Minato eyed the new addition to the family across the table. It seemed Sasuke and Naruto were having trouble getting used to going from being classmates to legal siblings. Understandable, but it worried him. He hoped they would be able to warm up to each other, or at least remain civil.
"Well," Kushina said, snapping him out of his thoughts, "shall we dig in?" Her smile washed away all of his lingering worries, and he reached to pick up his pair of chopsticks.
When dinner was over, Kushina and Naruto took everyone's dishes to the kitchen. Earlier that evening, Minato had asked his wife to allow him time alone with Sasuke to try to bond with him. Of course, she'd obliged without question. That much had been simple. This was the most difficult part.
"Sasuke," Minato called out, his voice faltering, "come out here with me for a minute." The boy stopped on the way to his and Naruto's bedroom and turned to Minato with a stolid expression.
They sat on the step outside. The spacious backyard was overlooked by a night sky littered with shimmering stars. Minato dropped his hands to his knees and looked down at Sasuke, who sat in a withdrawn pose beside him. It was now or never.
"So, what's this about?" Sasuke asked in a small voice.
His eyes searched Minato's face. It was like he was looking for some hint of dishonesty or ill intent. Much like at the funeral, Minato couldn't help but be reminded of the many young ninja in the war whose innocent smiles gave way to similar expressions - right up until they either became efficient killing machines or died on the battlefield.
"Don't worry," Minato said, smiling up at the sky, "I just wanted to sit with you and talk. We're family now, after all. I would've done this earlier, but I thought it would be better to give you space while you settled in."
"O-okay." Sasuke continued to stare with suspicion.
"I won't treat you like a child, Sasuke. After what you've gone through, I don't think that's fair to you." He looked down at the boy again, doing his best to appear non-threatening and open. "I won't make you do anything you don't want to, and I'm not asking you to pretend your old life never happened. What I will do is believe in you. I promise that on my title as Hokage."
Sasuke stared open-mouthed.
"If you decide that after all this, you'd rather leave the ninja academy, I can make that happen for you. If you'd like to continue, that's fine too. Like I said before, you can always talk to me about anything. Even more so now that you're my charge."
Sasuke looked toward the dew-swept grass, his lip poked out in sadness. "Your charge?"
"Huh? What is it?" Minato patted the boy on the back, craning his neck so that they were at eye level. "I didn't mean anything bad by that, I swear."
"I told Lady Kushina at the hospital that I didn't want to be a bother," Sasuke mumbled. "I'm just extra responsibility for you."
"What? Sasuke, don't think-"
"Naruto doesn't even want me here, and he's right not to. I don't really belong." Sasuke curled his knees up against his chest.
"Did Naruto say that to you?" Minato asked, a firmness in his voice now. "If he did, I'll talk to him."
"No, but...he didn't have to. He's nice to me, but I can tell by the way he looks at me when he doesn't think I'm watching that he pities me. Just like everyone else at school does. Just like…" Sasuke gritted his teeth and glared at nothing. The same vacant stare he'd had at the funeral returned. His body may have been here, but his mind was somewhere else. Minato had a feeling he knew where.
"Listen, Sasuke." Minato waited for the boy to look at him. "Naruto's not used to having a brother. You'll have to understand that and give him time. He's a kind child. He'll come to accept you, just like Kushina and I have."
Sasuke didn't appear convinced, but he nodded and returned to staring into the distance.
Minato decided to break the silence. "No one can hurt you here. Whatever happened to you won't happen again."
This seemed to set Sasuke off. He grunted and stood up. "Of course not. I don't have a second family to slaughter!"
"Hold on," Minato said, raising a hand, "that isn't what I-"
"I never asked for any of this, you know? I accepted that I was just going to be alone."
"Sasuke-"
"I know the village doesn't want me around. Neither did my father, and neither does anyone here."
Sasuke withdrew into himself, shaking with emotion.
"If I didn't want you here, I wouldn't have allowed my wife to adopt you," Minato said matter-of-factly, "and I certainly wouldn't have fought through legal proceedings to make it happen. Sasuke, you're not to blame for any issues with The Uchiha. You're your own person, and someone who has been through a terrible loss."
He watched the boy take in his words, the anger fading from his eyes. Settling back into his seat with a catatonic expression, Sasuke whispered, "Do you know what he told me?"
"Who?" Minato asked. He knew the answer before it was uttered.
"Itachi," Sasuke forced out, quaking as he said the name. "He told me all of this was just to test the extent of his own abilities. I tried to get away, but he found me. I thought I was gonna die just like everyone else, but he called me weak. He said I wasn't even worth killing yet, and that I had the potential to unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan just like him."
Minato bit back his urge to interrupt, knowing this was a rare opportunity to get Sasuke to open up that might never happen again if he cut it off. Listening to this was difficult, given that Minato understood far more about the situation than Sasuke knew. Itachi had confided in him, and what Minato learned didn't track with what the youngest of Fugaku's boys was relaying now. There was no reason for the child to lie, which left a lingering question. Why had Itachi chosen to deceive his younger brother? If Minato's knowledge of the legacy of the Uchiha were anything to go by, then he had a pretty good guess.
"I was so scared, so angry. I was helpless. He told me if I wished to kill him for what he'd done, I should hate him, run, and cling to my wretched life."
The Hokage's gut twisted into a knot hearing the horrible things Itachi had said. All of this for the purpose of putting on a facade of insanity? What a terrible fate for either of the brothers to endure.
Sasuke swallowed hard. "He said 'One day, when you have the same eyes as I do now, come before me.' And he told me that the way he got his Mangekyou...was by killing his best friend, Shisui."
Minato's mouth went dry. Everything in him screamed to say something, anything, to counter Sasuke's belief. But should he? It was hard to say. Sasuke knowing what really happened to Shisui, or about anything related to Itachi's secrets, could put him in greater danger in the future. However, it might also ease his current pain. Which was more important?
Shisui The Teleporter's death was reported not long before The Uchiha Massacre, when Itachi was still coordinating a plan with Minato. While the official story painted Itachi as a prime suspect in the case, the genjutsu trip The Hokage went on after the funeral shed new light on things. He had watched as Shisui entrusted the future of The Leaf, and his one remaining eye's power, to Itachi. Shisui also named Danzo as the one responsible for stealing the missing eye, which provided the perfect explanation for why Minato lost his memory. It must have been the work of the deceased teen's famed jutsu, the Kotoamatsukami.
"I'm sorry you went through all of that," Minato said, patting Sasuke on the back again. "But I can at least tell you this much. Danzo Shimura is the one responsible for what happened to Shisui."
The buzzing and chattering of wildlife seemed to intensify in the stillness that followed as Sasuke processed his words. "Wait, what did you just say?"
"You heard me right. Whatever Itachi may have told you about Shisui's passing, it was a lie. The village's findings indicate Danzo is to blame."
It wasn't the whole truth, but it was something.
Sasuke stared into Minato's eyes, waiting for something unspoken. Then he gulped and broke eye contact. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Minato nodded. "I am."
"Is that why he fled the village today?"
Looking up at the sky, Minato shrugged. "Well, among other things." He let the silence linger between them for a moment more. "I just want you to know that whatever your brother's done or said to you doesn't have to define you. You can set your own course in life. Your parents wouldn't have wanted the kind of life he described for you."
He paused when he noticed Sasuke shivering next to him. Minato reached out to comfort him, but he slung an arm backward, knocking the gesture aside. "How would you know what they wanted?" Tears came to Sasuke's eyes. "How am I supposed to just forget all that?! He killed everyone - butchered them with his Mangekyou. He showed it to me in a genjutsu. I can't just forsake my family and not avenge them, can I?"
Minato sighed. "I don't have all the answers you seek, but I know one thing. You wouldn't be forsaking them by not going down such a dark path. You would be honoring their memory. Your father and I didn't always see eye to eye, but he had a noble presence, and upheld the honor of his clan in a way I always respected."
Sasuke quieted down again. Tears cascaded past his quivering lips. While Minato observed the boy, an epiphany struck him. There was a solution that might help Sasuke move past his trauma, even without him knowing the truths Itachi shared.
"Like I said before, if you still want to be a ninja, then I'll support you in that. My wife and I both will. Same goes for Naruto and whatever choices he makes. You're our son now, but you're free to make your own decisions. One thing I will do as Hokage, though, is enroll you in private therapy sessions. There are some things going on in your head that are beyond my power to help with. Things only trained professionals can handle. Of course, you're free to stop those sessions of your own free will as well, but I hope you won't."
Taking a moment to breathe, Minato leaned back with his palms pressed against the deck and looked up at the star-speckled sky. "I can help you become strong, but I'd suggest you think about whether it's really worth using that strength for evil intentions. Personally, I believe it would be exactly like what happened to your clan. And that helps no one."
Sasuke nodded, seeming to take in the advice, however minimally, which brought his foster father some level of comfort.
"Alright then!" Minato announced with a happier tone, bounding up onto his feet. "I'm going to go back inside. If you don't want to come with me just yet, lock the door when you come in." Pausing before leaving, he added, "I hope you'll think this over, Sasuke, and again, I'm sorry."
Given the volume of information he was still keeping from the boy, Minato couldn't help but feel his apology was hollow. There was nothing more he could do for Sasuke right now, so he left him alone with his thoughts.