what if naruto was itachi brother

The morning light broke through the canopy of the forest, casting a warm glow over the clearing where Naruto had set up his training camp. He sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed in deep concentration. The Sharingan, the powerful yet cursed gift from the Uchiha clan, glowed faintly under his eyelids. Ever since his conversation with Tsunade and Sasuke, his mind had been in turmoil, trying to find peace with the power that had always felt foreign to him.

It had been days since he last activated the Sharingan. During his training sessions, he had avoided it, focusing instead on his other abilities. But today, he couldn't run from it anymore. He needed to come to terms with the legacy it represented.

Opening his eyes, Naruto felt the sharp sting of the Sharingan settle into his vision. The world around him came into hyper-focus. The trees, the grass, even the smallest movements of insects—everything slowed, became more vivid. His senses were heightened, but it was not just the physical clarity that he was seeking. He needed to understand the deeper essence of the Sharingan, how to control it and bend it to his will. It wasn't a curse, he reminded himself. It was simply a tool. A powerful tool that could help him protect the village.

His hands formed the familiar hand seals, and a moment later, Naruto summoned a shadow clone. The clone appeared in a puff of smoke, standing ready to spar.

"Let's do this," Naruto muttered, drawing on his chakra reserves. The clone nodded, mirroring his movements. They clashed with practiced speed, exchanging a flurry of blows and jutsu. The Sharingan tracked every movement, every twitch of chakra.

This time, Naruto didn't feel the urge to simply react. Instead, he observed. He didn't just see the clone's next move; he understood its intent. He understood the rhythm of the fight. It was as if the Sharingan had opened a doorway into the deeper patterns of combat. His mind, which had always been reactive and impulsive, now flowed with clarity.

As the clone made a move to attack, Naruto anticipated it. With fluid precision, he countered, his hands moving in a blur. The clone faltered, and Naruto seized the opportunity to end the fight with a quick strike to its chest. The clone poofed away, leaving Naruto standing in the clearing, his chest heaving slightly from the exertion.

He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the pulse of the Sharingan's power still lingering in his vision. It wasn't the feeling of dominance he had once feared. Instead, it felt... natural. He hadn't embraced it completely yet, but this was progress. He was learning to control the power, to make it his own.

---

### **A Visit From an Old Friend**

The sun was beginning to set when Naruto walked back to the village. He had spent hours refining his techniques and testing the limits of his new abilities. But as he passed through the gates of Konoha, he was surprised to see a familiar face waiting for him.

"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto called out, surprised to see the silver-haired shinobi standing near the village entrance.

Kakashi gave him his usual smile, though there was a hint of concern in his eye. "I thought I might find you here. I've been hearing reports that you've been pushing yourself pretty hard lately."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, sheepish. "Yeah, I've been busy. Just... trying to figure some things out."

Kakashi nodded knowingly, stepping forward. "I understand. I've been following your progress, and I have to say, you're making great strides. But remember, Naruto, power alone won't get you anywhere. You need balance. It's not just about strength—it's about knowing when to use it."

Naruto paused, feeling the weight of Kakashi's words. "I've been thinking a lot about that. About how to use this... power. The Sharingan, I mean. I don't want to end up like Itachi. I don't want to be consumed by it."

Kakashi studied him for a moment, his single visible eye narrowing thoughtfully. "Itachi was a special case. His burden was different from yours. But the Sharingan is not something to be feared, Naruto. It's a tool, and like any tool, it depends on the person wielding it. What's important is your heart, your intentions. That's what defines you. That's what will keep you from being consumed."

Naruto nodded, feeling a bit lighter. "Yeah. You're right."

Kakashi clapped him on the shoulder. "You've always had the ability to choose your own path, Naruto. Even when others tried to push you into their mold, you fought back. That's what makes you different. Don't forget that."

Naruto smiled. "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei. I won't forget."

---

### **The Calm Before the Storm**

The following week, Naruto spent his days training harder than ever, constantly refining his abilities and pushing the limits of his Sharingan. He had started to find a rhythm, a way to integrate it with his own unique style. The power of the Uchiha bloodline didn't need to control him—it could be part of him, a tool that would aid him in his goal to protect the village.

However, as his control over the Sharingan grew, so did the unsettling realization that Konoha's peace was fragile. Rumors of unrest beyond the village borders began to spread, whispers of new threats and shadowy figures moving in the dark corners of the world.

Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. Something big. He had never been one to shy away from a challenge, but the weight of the Sharingan and the legacy of the Uchiha clan was starting to feel like a harbinger of something greater than he could anticipate.

One afternoon, as he sat atop the Hokage Monument, watching the sun set over the village, he felt a familiar presence behind him. He turned to find Sasuke, standing silently, his dark eyes unreadable.

"You've been training hard," Sasuke said, his voice quiet.

Naruto gave a small grin, but it was less confident than usual. "Yeah. I've been trying to get a grip on things. Trying to understand this power... this bloodline."

Sasuke's expression softened for a moment. "It's not easy. The Uchiha bloodline has a history that you can't ignore. But it doesn't define who you are."

Naruto met his gaze. "I know. But it still feels like something's out there, something coming. I can't shake the feeling that the peace we've fought for is about to be tested again."

Sasuke was silent for a long moment, then spoke. "You're not alone in that feeling. Whatever happens, you don't have to carry the burden alone. Not this time."

Naruto smiled at his brother's words, feeling a sense of camaraderie between them that he hadn't realized he needed. Sasuke had always been distant, focused on his own path. But now, it seemed like the walls between them were starting to come down, if only a little.

"You know," Naruto said, his voice light but filled with conviction, "We've both got our own paths to walk. But we don't have to walk them alone."

Sasuke's lips curled into a small, rare smile. "I suppose that's true."

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains, Naruto felt a new sense of determination settle in his chest. The road ahead would be long and filled with challenges. But with his friends, his comrades, and the strength he had found within himself, he was ready for whatever came next.