An Itachi Fanfiction [EDITING]

The Five Kage's Decision

The war was coming.

No matter how much paperwork we signed, how many meetings we held, or how many strategies we discussed, nothing could change that simple fact.

Not long after the incident with Seiichi and Kabuto, another meeting of the Five Kage was called. As commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces, I was required to attend.

The Hidden Cloud had generously offered to serve as headquarters for the alliance, so that was where we gathered.

I sat quietly beside Aunty Tsunade as the discussion turned toward the war's most important targets.

"The question remains," the Tsuchikage said. "Where will we hide the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?"

Aunty Tsunade frowned immediately.

"Hide them?" she repeated. "Naruto and Bee are incredibly powerful. They could turn the tide of this war."

I stayed silent.

At least until everyone looked at me.

The Tsuchikage folded his arms.

"That was my first thought as well. But our enemy's goal is to capture them. If they fall into Akatsuki hands, everything is over."

"Naruto isn't helpless," Tsunade argued.

"No," Gaara said calmly from across the table. "But Naruto takes risks. Especially when people he cares about are involved."

The room fell quiet.

Gaara's eyes briefly met mine.

He wasn't wrong.

Naruto would throw himself into danger without hesitation if it meant saving someone.

Tsunade turned toward me.

"And you?"

I took a slow breath.

"At first, I disagreed."

That surprised several people.

"But this isn't about what I want."

I folded my hands together.

"It's about what gives us the best chance of winning."

The words felt bitter.

"Naruto is powerful. Stronger than almost anyone realizes. But he still doesn't have complete control over the Nine-Tails."

I glanced around the room.

"If he loses control during a battle of this scale, the consequences could be catastrophic."

Tsunade's expression softened.

I could tell she hated hearing it.

So did I.

But that didn't make it less true.

"Our job is to protect him," I finished quietly. "Even if he hates us for it."

After that, the decision was unanimous.

Naruto and Killer Bee would be hidden away.

For their protection.

And for the world's.

⸻

Hours later, I stood alone beside a window overlooking the village below.

The meeting was over.

The decisions had been made.

Yet somehow I felt worse.