"I don't know."
Itachi admitted. He couldn't think of any answer besides talent and bloodline.
But he knew that was definitely not the correct response.
"Hmm."
Itachi's frank admission made Minato respect him even more.
"I can see that in your heart, you still feel guilty for not protecting your companions in the previous mission," Minato said. Itachi's Sharingan had awakened during the battle with the Cloud ninja not long ago.
"Yes," Itachi replied. In that encounter, he could only protect himself.
Watching his companions fall beside him, but unable to do anything, that deep feeling of powerlessness was like a heavy hammer, constantly causing Itachi's heart to ache.
"Having such thoughts means that in your heart, you care deeply about your companions. Itachi, you really are a gentle child," Minato said softly.
He noticed that Itachi couldn't help but slowly clench his fists.
"I know you're thinking that if you were stronger then, you could have saved your companion's life." Minato's eyes flickered.
"But in truth, no matter how powerful a ninja is, there will come a moment like you experienced."
During the Third Ninja World War, Minato's strength was unmatched in the ninja world, but even so, he still failed to protect his two disciples.
And even someone as mighty as the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage, had experienced such moments of powerlessness.
This was the reality of the ninja world. Even though strength was respected, no matter how powerful one became, such pain was unavoidable.
Minato's words shocked Itachi at first, but he quickly regained his composure and considered them carefully.
"Shisui's strength, or to put it more broadly, the source of power for the truly strong ninja is definitely not talent or kekkei genkai."
"It's bonds."
Itachi's eyes widened at this, flickering slightly.
"These bonds don't only refer to family, companions, and friends around us."
"What we ninjas carry is never just an order from someone, but the will of those both living and dead."
"That is why we must live strong and make ourselves stronger, so as not to let down these bonds."
Minato raised his eyes and said slowly: "At this very moment, your eyes contain the will of your fallen companions."
Itachi was startled, and the Sharingan with its single tomoe slowly shifted.
"I understand."
The emotions in his eyes flickered, and he nodded firmly.
The Sharingan was certainly the power granted by his bloodline, but the source of this power was his family, companions, and friends.
He must carry this power and live up to these bonds.
Itachi knew in his heart that Minato had deliberately arranged for him to observe the battle to help resolve his doubts.
"In that case, I can safely entrust this task to you."
Minato smiled, then left the training ground with Shisui and Itachi.
Although secret struggles existed among the five great nations in the ninja world, no one was willing to cross certain boundaries.
War was just a means to gain benefits. If a war was launched, only losses would follow, and no one would provoke it willingly.
A peaceful atmosphere enveloped the world, but only a few people knew that this peace was merely a surface phenomenon.
In a dark corner somewhere between heaven and earth, someone was planning to subvert the world.
However, due to certain resistance, this plan could not be implemented in the short term.
One year later.
Under the night sky, a blond boy quickly crossed the streets and finally ran into a courtyard in the center of Konoha.
When he opened the door, bright lights swept away the darkness.
The boy immediately heard the sound of hurried footsteps.
A delicate figure soon appeared at the entrance.
The girl had extremely dazzling blonde hair and eyes as clear and bright as sapphires.
Her facial features were as perfect as if they had been carefully carved by a divine hand.
Her golden hair was tied into two pigtails, with slanted bangs just touching her eyebrows.
"Brother, welcome home."
Chiharu's big eyes narrowed into crescents, and her slender white hands were hidden behind her back.
"I'm back."
Naruto walked up to the girl and gently ruffled the hair of his sister who had welcomed him home.
"You had a fight with Sasuke again," Chiharu said with a smile, her expression changing slightly.
Naruto's eyes suddenly became flustered, and his hand quickly moved from Chiharu's head to cover her little mouth.
"Shh!"
He put his finger to his lips, looked around nervously, then asked in surprise:
"How did you know? I hide it very carefully."
Naruto said. To avoid letting his mother find out, he had already washed his whole body before coming home.
Chiharu, whose mouth was covered and unable to speak, looked pointedly at a certain part of Naruto's upper body.
Naruto was confused for a moment, then followed her gaze.
There were obvious marks of being scratched by a sharp weapon on the middle of his sleeve.
That was from Sasuke's kunai.
Naruto released his hand from Chiharu's mouth, then looked at her eagerly and said, "Sis, can you help your brother? If mom finds out about this..."
He choked up, his eyes suddenly filled with fear.
"Of course, no problem," Chiharu agreed immediately.
Hearing this, Naruto couldn't help but break into a happy grin, but the next moment, the girl in front of him shrugged and said, "But brother, you seem to have forgotten that mom's perception is very strong."
"Naruto."
Just before Chiharu could finish speaking, Kushina, wearing a slightly displeased expression, was already standing at the entrance.
"Mom, I was wrong."
Naruto suddenly broke out in a cold sweat and instinctively took a few steps back. His movements were so unsteady that he almost fell to the floor.
Kushina walked slowly towards Naruto. At this moment, Chiharu stepped in front of her mother and said, "Mom, the soup in your pot."
"Oh!"
Kushina suddenly exclaimed, then hurriedly ran to the kitchen.
Chiharu turned back, winked at Naruto, and said, "Brother, what are you still standing there for? Take this opportunity to find dad, otherwise I can't help you."
Naruto came to his senses, quickly stood up, glanced toward the hallway, and then hurriedly ran to the living room.
Chiharu smiled softly and walked to the door.
"My brother is really reckless."
Naruto had been in such a hurry that he hadn't even closed the door.
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