…
Kakashi had emerged from the bedroom where Tsunade still slept soundly. Her familiar figure lay curled under crisp sheets. Quietly, Kakashi slid free from the soft mattress, careful not to disturb Anko or Kurenai, who shared the room.
Mei, the Mizukage, had departed earlier, teleported back to Kirigakure under Kakashi's escort. Her leadership had improved the Land of Water markedly.
Thanks to subtle investments in Kakashi's companies, the sea air had carried new optimism. Mei's reforms had surpassed those of any previous Mizukage, a fact that brought quiet pride to Kakashi's eyes as he walked through the morning calm.
Stepping lightly down the mansion's staircase, Kakashi entered the bright kitchen. He poured a bowl of rice topped with grilled fish, simple, satisfying, and ate quickly. Finishing, he blinked the last grain from his eye and summoned the Flying Thunder God.
In a blink, he appeared at the entrance to the Uchiha estate. Ninjas, all careful to avoid drawing attention, stepped aside. Kakashi nodded to a guard before teleporting directly into Sasuke's living room.
"Sensei!" Sasuke stood from his seat, ANBU gear black and void of ceremony. He was older now, sixteen, taller, hardened by missions.
"Sasuke!" Kakashi greeted him with a smile.
Behind Sasuke, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha managed strained expressions. Fugaku's jaw tightened; Mikoto forced a gentle smile.
"Sensei, I've led successful missions, just as you trained me." Sasuke's voice was cool. Pride and determination could be heard in every word.
"I'm proud of you," Kakashi answered quietly. "You truly are my right hand."
"One day I'll prove I deserve that." Sasuke bowed deeply.
"He has grown strong."Fugaku stood straighter.
Mikoto closed her eyes briefly.
"He's everything I hoped." Her voice wavered.
Kakashi considered Naruto's absence. Though Naruto led missions, Sasuke consistently outshone him. That imbalance gnawed at Kakashi mentally, but he masked it. And he had come to the conclusion that Naruto couldn't lead ANBU teams and be ruthless enough.
"Sasuke…" Kakashi took a breath. " Itachi, have you found him?"
"Yes. He is waiting for me at the old Uchiha ruins."Sasuke's gaze hardened.
"I know, I sent clones to contact him. He's expecting you, your final confrontation." Kakashi nodded.
"Sensei…" Sasuke closed his eyes briefly. "Thank you."
Kakashi felt Mikoto's silent plea from across the room. He averted his eyes. This was Sasuke's choice.
"He's made his decision." Fugaku cleared his throat.
"I never wanted this…"Mikoto's voice cracked.
Fugaku crossed to her and draped his arm over her shoulders.
"Mikoto," he said gently, "Itachi did what he had to. Sasuke… he must decide."
Mikoto nodded, but tears glistened in her eyes.
Kakashi crouched beside Sasuke.
"Are you ready?" he asked softly.
"Yes."Sasuke inhaled and stood tall.
"Then let's go."Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder.
With barely a word, Kakashi activated the Flying Thunder God. In a silver flash, they vanished.
Back in the Uchiha courtyard, Mikoto wiped a tear at the emptiness. Fugaku stood beside her, stoic but weak.
"He must be so sure," Mikoto murmured.
"He is strong."Fugaku squeezed her shoulder.
They watched the fading light, mother and father united in sorrow and pride.
…
The daylight filtered through sparse clouds overhead as Kakashi and Sasuke appeared at the Uchiha Clan's old estate, their arrival punctuated by a sudden, unexpected presence waiting at the front gate.
"Kisame," Sasuke whispered under his breath, tension tightening his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Kisame emerged, broad shoulders and shark-like grin unmistakable. He stepped forward, water dripping from his body despite the clear weather.
"I'm here for one of you," he said smoothly, his eyes glinting. "Not both." His voice held a seductive menace. "Kakashi?"
Kakashi folded his arms casually, a slight lift of an eyebrow the only sign of interest. "Go ahead, Sasuke. I'll handle the fish later."
Kisame's grin flashed even wider. "Fine." He lunged, Samehada humming in his grip. But Kakashi disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The only sound was the sudden choking gasp as Kisame croaked, finding a hand through his chest, Shiden buried to the hilt.
Kisame glared at his chest, clawing at the wound. "What the-" But blood surged, his knees buckling, and he collapsed face-first.
Kakashi watched, expression unreadable. He retrieved Samehada, sealing its chakra edge. With a soft jutsu, he teleported both the blade and, moments later, Kisame's body to the secret vault within his mansion.
"You… already?"Sasuke approached, eyes narrowed.
Kakashi shrugged. "He wasn't on my list today." His tone was calm, businesslike. "Let's find Itachi."
A ripple in the shadowed trees caught their attention. Both sensed it, something… unnatural.
White Zetsu and Black Zetsu emerged, watching Kakashi's retreat with silent concern. Black Zetsu's composite face contorted in shock.
"He killed-" his voice trailed, surreal in its homogeneity.
Black's glee transformed into dread.
"No… must increase power." He melted into the woods, leaving White Zetsu behind.
Kakashi and Sasuke found a quiet vantage point, a crumbled wall overlooking the old Uchiha training grounds. The air felt heavy the moment Itachi appeared, the setting sun illuminating his features.
"I thought you'd come," Itachi said softly.
Sasuke's eyes glowed Sharingan, spiraling into Mangekyō design. Itachi matched him instantly, his own Sharingan igniting.
They started with subtle genjutsu, mirror illusions shimmering around them. Trees twisted into kaleidoscopic forms; the battle began as mental combat. Then, their illusions clashed in a dazzling array of illusions, each clone, each flicker of sharingan power layering complexity.
Twenty minutes later, both broke free, breathing ragged. Sasuke surged forward with ninjutsu; Itachi followed suit, chakra colliding in explosive plumes.
Finally, Sasuke leaped onto a large rock with the Uchiha logo on it, his eyes alight. He spews large flames towards the sky."Kirin." He summoned lightning chakra, channeling the clouds overhead. Lightning struck, plummeting toward Itachi.
Itachi flicked his hand, his red-tinted Susanoo materialized, and a shield forming. The lightning died against it, triggering a massive shockwave that rattled stones. When the dust settled, Itachi knelt, blood at his lip.
Sasuke stood tall, purple-hued Susanoo armor flaring around him. Each strike hammered away at Itachi's defense. Exhaustion etched deep into Itachi's features. Blood spurted from his eyes; his chakra spent.
Itachi closed his Sharingan. "Do it," he whispered.
Sasuke's hand trembled as he raised his sword. He moved to strike, only for Kakashi to appear behind them like a silent specter. He grabbed Sasuke's arm, halting the blow.
"Remember that thing," Kakashi whispered. Sasuke's eyes shifted, a flicker of memory igniting a terrifying grin. He sheathed his sword without a word to Itachi and strode over to him, placing a hand on his bruised cheek.
"You'll live," Sasuke said quietly. The cold edge in his voice was jarring. "For one purpose."
"What…?" Itachi met his gaze, voice raspy.
"Repopulate our clan. Bring them back," Sasuke said, voice hard. "You owe them that much." His tone was savage compassion.
Itachi coughed, straining to form words. "I…don't w-" His voice broke, but Kakashi forced him upright, sealing his chakra. As he did, hideous red scars faded. Itachi shivered, teetering.
'Poor guy… first he carried the entire Uchiha clan's sins, then bent under Danzo's schemes, then spent years living as a ghost for Konoha's sake. And now? Sasuke wants to turn him into a walking fertility program.'
'Out of all the things Itachi prepared for, genjutsu mastery, Anbu missions, dying on his own terms, I'm willing to bet "stud horse" was never on the list.,
"Good," Kakashi said, dismissing those random thoughts as he brushed a strand of silver from his pupil.
"Now, head home." He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, and both vanished with a rising flash of silver chakra.
The space dissolved to reveal Obito Uchiha standing in warped distortion, Black Zetsu at his side. Their mouths hung open in silent shock as they absorbed the twin extraction.
Obito's mask hidden beneath his hood, his lips curved into a smirk.
"Losing Kisame and Itachi," he murmured. "But not a problem." His voice was eerily calm.
Black Zetsu hissed: "Kakashi… killed him." His composite face wrinkled in fear. "We must-"
Obito silenced him with a hand. "Focus. Kisame can be replaced. Itachi… is complex. But this is expected." His words were cold. "We have others."
The two stepped back into the shadows, a Bleep of a jutsu as they vanished. Black Zetsu remained behind, rooted by conflicting pride and dread.
…
Back in Konoha, Kakashi's presence flickered in the backyard. Tsunade stood munching rice crackers under a maple tree when he appeared with a blood-soaked but stable Itachi.
"Here," Kakashi said, handing her Itachi.
"Needs healing." Not even bothering to heal him himself.
"Oh my god!" Tsunade rushed forward. "Itachi Uchiha!" She quickly laid hands over deep wounds, chakra pulsing in an emerald stream. Within moments, Itachi's eyes fluttered open, color stabilized, brittle breath easing.
"Thank you," he whispered. Tsunade waved it away.
"No, thank you," she replied warmly. She knew what this kid had gone through for Konoha.
As Kakashi began to speak, Tsunade held up her hand. "Let me work." She returned to healing the elder Uchiha.
….
In Sasuke's house, desperate strength and emotion collided as Sasuke and Itachi stood within the family's sitting room. Mikoto pressed tears from her face on Sasuke's shoulder while Fugaku spoke quietly.
"Kakashi recovered him?" Fugaku asked, lips pressed. Sasuke nodded.
Itachi closed his eyes, feeling each emotional wave.
"I owe… I'm sorry." He bowed deeply.
Mikoto hugged him fiercely. "You're alive." Her voice broke. "That's all that matters."
Sasuke enveloped him in a wary embrace.
"Do what I said," he murmured. "Bringing them back… we start here." His tone was final, leaving him no choice at all.
Fugaku placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder. "We will… move forward as a family." At last, he smiled, a small, hopeful smile. Something you'd never see on his face.
Night blanketed the village. Kakashi stood alone in his tower office, staring at the moon. Tsunade's laughter drifted from the courtyard garden. Anko, Kurena, Mei, Karin, Sakura, everyone was there.
He closed his eyes. A year of silent war, business deals, secret science, political covert missions, power plays… and now, the Uchiha on the road to be restored.
He breathed deeply. Everything had happened as planned.