The rain had stopped.
Near the border of Amegakure, in a moss-covered clearing surrounded by steep rocky ridges, Itachi Uchiha stood quietly beneath a jagged overhang. His cloak barely fluttered in the breeze, red clouds vivid against the black fabric. His gaze was distant, unreadable. He didn't blink much. He rarely did.
Beside him, Kisame Hoshigaki let out a lazy yawn, resting his massive sword Samehada on the ground.
"Well, this place is peaceful," Kisame said, rolling his shoulder. "No patrols. No bugs crawling up our noses. Might as well call it a holiday."
Itachi said nothing.
Kisame scratched at his chin thoughtfully. "You ever wonder what we'd be doing if we weren't chasing tailed beasts?"
"...hn."
Kisame grinned. "Thought so."
The two of them stood in companionable silence, broken only by the sound of shifting leaves.
Suddenly—
Both Akatsuki members straightened.
It was faint — but definite.
Chakra. Moving fast.
A single source.
Kisame tilted his head, instantly alert. "You feel that?"
Itachi's crimson Sharingan flared open. "Yes."
Kisame narrowed his eyes toward the southeast ridge. "Too big for a scout. Not wild enough for a beast. A shinobi?"
Itachi's voice was calm. "Let's see."
---
Meanwhile – Naruto, He was getting closer. Naruto leapt through the dense undergrowth, every muscle in his young body coiled and focused. His sensory skills, still new but sharpened by past life experience, flared with alertness.
One chakra signature pulsed like cool steel — disciplined, quiet, sharp. Itachi.
The other burned hot and wild — unrestrained and massive. That had to be Kisame.
His breath caught for a moment. He remembered that day... the last time he'd spoken with Itachi before the war. That haunted look in the Uchiha's eyes. The truth behind the mask. The pain hidden behind his crimes.
Naruto's heart pounded. This time... I won't be a step behind. I won't wait to find the truth. He pushed forward, branches slapping past him, the chakra growing stronger with each leap.
---
Meanwhile – Konoha
The entire village was in a low simmer of tension.
Shinobi moved across rooftops, into forests, through alleyways and over rivers. Every squad was dispatched. Civilian patrols were questioned. Tracks were followed. None found.
In the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared grimly out the window.
Where are you, Naruto?
Behind him, Kakashi Hatake knelt, one hand pressed to the ground. Around him, a puff of smoke, and six small ninken appeared, tails wagging and ears perked.
"Pakkun," Kakashi said quietly. "Track Naruto. Use anything you can. We don't have time." He gave a shirt of Naruto he got from his apartment.
The small pug get close and sniff. "Got it. This'll take all six of us — but if he's out there, we'll find him."
Kakashi stood, adjusting his hitai-ate. "I'll follow the dogs. The others will cover the south border."
Hiruzen gave a solemn nod. "Do what you must."
As Kakashi vanished in a flicker, Hiruzen turned back to the rain-damp glass.
Please… come back safe.
---
Back at the Border – The Encounter
Kisame shifted, Samehada twitching as chakra approached fast.
Then, from the shadows of the treeline, a single figure emerged — small, hood drawn up, but unmistakable in posture and presence.
"…Is that a kid?" Kisame muttered, squinting.
Itachi narrowed his eyes. The figure stepped into clearer view, pulling back his hood.
Blond hair. Blue eyes.
A faint scar across each cheek like whiskers.
"…Uzumaki Naruto," Itachi said.
Kisame blinked. "You're kidding. A kid? What's he doing out here, alone?"
Naruto stopped a short distance away, breathing only slightly hard from the run. He looked at the two dangerous S-rank shinobi with a calm that didn't belong to an eleven-year-old.
"Itachi," he said plainly. "I want to talk."
Kisame raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think we won't cut you down right now, brat?" The heck is this kid? And the way he says Itachi's name like he knows him.
Naruto met his eyes. "Because I know who you are. What you're really doing. And because I'm not here to fight."
Itachi's gaze sharpened. "You know…?" He can't possibly mean what he thinks?
Naruto took one more step forward. "Let me join you. I have information. Skills. And a goal."
A beat of silence.
Then — Kisame's grin stretched ear to ear. "Well, this just got interesting."
Itachi said nothing, but his eyes never left Naruto's.
Neither of them noticed the faint shimmer in the treetops.
One of Naruto's clones — perched silently, keeping watch.
Just in case.
———
The rain had started again — a soft drizzle that coated the rooftops of the small outpost town just along the Rain Country border.
Inside a modest, dimly lit noodle shop, three figures sat silently in the farthest booth.
It was an odd sight.
Two men cloaked in black and red — feared names whispered in bingo books across the continent — sitting across from a blond-haired boy, barely a teenager.
Itachi Uchiha sat with perfect posture, his cloak folded just enough for his hands to rest on the table. His face was as calm and unreadable as ever.
Beside him, Kisame Hoshigaki hunched over, Samehada resting against the wall, one eye always on the door — the other fixed on the strange little guest.
Naruto Uzumaki, hood off, damp hair falling over his eyes, sat with quiet focus. He wasn't twitchy. He wasn't yelling. He didn't even try to crack a smile.
He just watched them.
A steaming bowl was placed in front of him — courtesy of Itachi, who had ordered three identical meals.
Naruto blinked at the warmth of it and gave a small, respectful nod.
"...Thanks. I haven't eaten since yesterday"
Kisame let out a whistle. "Running from something, kid? Or just living rough?"
Naruto took a small bite before answering. "I'm not being chased, if that's what you mean. I left… on purpose."
Kisame arched a blue-gray eyebrow. "You left Konoha. Voluntarily. At your age?"
"Hn," Itachi said softly. He, too, was watching. But not with suspicion — with analysis. He studied the boy's movements, tone, even his chakra flow.
It felt… different.
Not wild and scattered like the Naruto from the reports. Not clumsy. Controlled.
Naruto set down his chopsticks. "I've had enough of pretending. I've seen what happens when I stay there. What I become. What they make me into."
Kisame chuckled. "Oh? Tired of what?"
Naruto looked him in the eye. "A weapon. Their Jinchūriki."
That silenced the table for a moment.
Itachi's fingers tapped once on the table — barely audible.
"You've changed," he said quietly, finally speaking.
Naruto met his gaze. "I remember our last conversation. The one before you died."
Itachi's rise an eyebrow. Before he died?
Kisame is confused what was this kid talking about?
Naruto leaned forward. "I know the truth, Itachi. About the Uchiha. About you."
Kisame shifted slightly, watching the tension grow between them. Ohh, was this some juicy gossip?
"I'm not here to fight you," Naruto continued. "I'm here because I'm not going back to the village. I don't plan to be their pawn anymore."
He paused, then said the words clearly — firmly. "I want to join Akatsuki."
Kisame blink. "Heh! That's a new one. First time a kid that age asks to join the most wanted organization in the world. What's next? You gonna take down your own village too?"
Naruto didn't laugh. "If it means changing the world, I'll do what I have to."
Kisame stare. "You're either nuts… or serious."
Itachi was silent, his eyes deep pools of thought. "Why?"
Naruto looked at him directly. "Because you've already lost faith in the world. Like I have. But you haven't stopped fighting."
The rain outside grew heavier.
Itachi stared at the boy in front of him. Eleven years old. Alone. Now, he's a Rogue. And somehow, carrying knowledge he should never have.
After a long moment, Itachi spoke again.
"…You'll be tested."
Naruto nodded.
"I expect nothing less."