Naruto: I Am Itachi Uchiha!

"I'll show you one more time, so pay attention. This time, don't mess it up."

Itachi Uchiha's hands moved deftly as he formed the seals, deliberately slowing his pace for instruction. He inhaled deeply, puffing out his chest, and brought his fingers to his mouth. With practiced precision, chakra surged through him.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

A massive fireball erupted from Itachi's mouth, its blazing heat lighting up the water's surface. Though not an advanced technique, the jutsu was still dangerous—enough to cause severe damage if it made contact.

As expected, Izumi Uchiha failed yet again. Itachi sighed, rubbing his temples in exasperation. Teaching someone this dense felt like an insult to his genius.

"Honestly, even a pig would've learned by now," he muttered.

From the side, Kakashi Hatake, who had been observing lazily, spoke up. "You're rushing. She doesn't have enough chakra control yet. Before she can perform the jutsu properly, she needs to master condensing her chakra. Without that, the flames will either fizzle out immediately or scatter uncontrollably."

Itachi pinched his chin thoughtfully. "You're right. I was too impatient." He yawned, stretching his arms. "I just wanted to finish teaching her quickly so I could go home and get some sleep."

The orange hues of the sunset painted the sky as Itachi stood up and gazed at the horizon. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax. Despite his frustration, he couldn't help but feel a sense of trust in Izumi. At least she was trying.

---

"Hey, Kakashi! Can you teach me how to use Lightning Release?" Itachi asked, breaking the silence.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Lightning Release? What chakra natures have you mastered so far?"

"Fire and Wind," Itachi replied confidently. "Not only can I use them, but I've also mastered their chakra transformation. I think I'm ready for something new."

Kakashi couldn't help but feel impressed. Mastery over two chakra natures, especially at Itachi's age, was no small feat. "You really are a prodigy, huh? Still, learning Lightning Release without a natural affinity for it will be tough."

As he spoke, Kakashi formed a small sphere of crackling lightning in his palm. The forest filled with the sharp sound of electricity, and Itachi's eyes gleamed with interest.

"Difficult or not, I'll learn it," Itachi declared, his voice steady with determination.

Kakashi sighed, his trademark lazy demeanor on full display. "Fine, fine. Stop by my place when I'm free, and I'll teach you."

Itachi grinned, his rare enthusiasm shining through. "Thanks, Kakashi! While we're at it, can you teach me your Chidori and Lightning Blade techniques too?"

Kakashi smirked behind his mask, amused by Itachi's directness. He reached out to ruffle the young Uchiha's hair. "You're a handful, aren't you? Alright, I'll show you. But whether you can learn them or not is up to you."

Itachi scoffed, his pride as an Uchiha evident. "Do you really think there's something an Uchiha can't master?"

Kakashi chuckled, his gaze briefly lingering on the Sharingan hidden beneath his headband. Memories stirred within him—memories of the friend who had entrusted him with that eye. "You're something else, kid," he murmured under his breath.

---

Later, the trio sat down to eat by the riverbank, a bucket of freshly caught fish sizzling over an open flame. Izumi took delicate bites, savoring the meal, while Itachi devoured his portion with alarming speed.

"You're such a drama queen," Kakashi said, shaking his head as Itachi reached for more food. "Are all Uchiha this extra, or is it just you?"

Itachi smirked, picking up another piece of fish. "Hmph! This is nothing. I'm the strongest Uchiha in the world!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. The strongest Uchiha in the world, who can't even cook his own fish."

Izumi couldn't help but giggle at their banter, the sound light and cheerful. For a brief moment, their camaraderie felt like a respite from the darker shadows looming over the Uchiha clan.

---

Unbeknownst to them, a figure watched from the shadows, his gaze fixed on Kakashi. His thoughts wandered as he observed the silver-haired ninja's interactions with Itachi.

"Hatake Kakashi... The son of Konoha's White Fang. Itachi might actually learn something from him," Uchiha Fugaku thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he disappeared into the darkness.

Back at the Uchiha household, Mikoto set the dinner table while Fugaku ate silently. "Itachi and Izumi won't be home tonight," he informed her.

Mikoto sighed, sitting beside him. "You know, Fugaku, you should spend more time with Sasuke too. He needs his father's attention as much as Itachi does."

Fugaku waved her off dismissively. "I know, I know," he said, though his mind lingered on the day's events. Sasuke could wait—Itachi's growth was far more intriguing.

---

As the night deepened, laughter echoed in the forest. For a moment, amidst the warmth of shared meals and lighthearted teasing, the weight of their responsibilities seemed far away.

But in the world of shinobi, such moments were fleeting, like embers in the wind.

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