Seeing the village of Konohagakure nearly completely leveled into an unrecognizable crater, Itachi can’t help but feel partially guilty.
He’s failed so many times in his life to prevent tragedy, and now– not even the info he willingly gave up on Akatsuki was enough to prevent this.
The district, bare and empty as it was, lays flattened, the last reminder of the Uchiha gone. But not all is lost. Sasuke is safe, and alive, even if it took the use of Susano’o, even if he couldn’t prevent a wound outright. His blood runs hot, chest heaving painfully as he runs Sasuke and anyone else he can collect along the way into the evacuation tunnels.
“Let me fight, Nii-san.” Sasuke begs, hands held onto Itachi’s arms. Foolish little brother– even with a broken leg he wishes to push.
But he won’t allow him. Nor himself. This is too much for them.
Personal grudges are often forgotten in these times. Children and adults alike stick close to the Uchiha brothers, trusting in their strength should the Akatsuki corner them there.
Eventually, he has to let Sasuke go.
His stamina isn’t perfect. He knows there’s a chance he will die. But he’s spent too long simply hiding and running away, of being afraid of the bloodshed. He refuses to contribute to it willingly.
In the end, his chest is burning, and Itachi tastes blood in the back of his throat. Vision blurred, and red, Itachi is victorious, managing to seal one away one single Pein body inside of his Susano’o.
The slug attached to his shoulder is the only thing keeping him from passing out right away. There is a fight away somewhere else, Itachi barely keeping tabs on the flicker of chakra signatures.
When they sweep over the village, like a fire finding the oxygen it sorely needed, Itachi takes in a deep breath.
The strength he has left is used to pull himself to his feet.
He didn’t see Iruka in the tunnels.
UchihaSavior 