Danzo and his two guards walked over the Samurai bridge carefully. Danzo knew now would be the perfect time for someone to ambush him but he wasn't powerless either. He walked with confidence as the other two narrowed their eyes at anything that moved or even looked suspicious.

Suddenly, before any could react, a kunai lodged itself in front of them causing the guards to shuffle before him defensively.

Danzo almost rolled his eyes at the two before turning around and staring dead-on at Madara Uchiha, who stood on one of the bridge pillars.

Danzo's guards quickly caught on before rushing to his front again.

"It's been a long time, Danzo" Madara greeted with no emotion "We haven't met since the Uchiha incident" 

The kunai behind them exploded but no one moved an inch. As the smoke cleared, Danzo undid his binding on his arm, revealing a large metal device.

"Foo, Torune, assist me" Danzo ordered "I'm going to break the seal on my right arm" He stated as he stared at his arm for a moment, preparing himself for the battle ahead.

"Keep him occupied" Danzo ordered before undoing a pin of the arm, one of many.

"So you're going for it, Danzo?" Madara questioned, almost amused. He could see Danzo warning his guards but it was no use. Madara could easily take them on with no effort.

They began attacking him before simply dodging their every move. It wasn't long after that he sucked the two subordinates into his teleportation before disappearing himself and appearing before Sasuke in his dimension.

"Let me out of here" Sasuke demanded.

"Don't be so hasty" Madara stated casually "He's waiting outside for you" 

With that, Madara teleported the two back to the Samurai bridge.

Sasuke stared at Danzo for a moment before activating his Sharingan.

"Sasuke Uchiha" Danzo muttered with a glare "I knew you would betray the village eventually"

Sasuke didn't answer. The Uchiha would never betray the village, not as long as his team was a part of it but he didn't need to justify himself to this man.

"Sasuke...Madara...I'll take both of your Sharingan!" Danzo announced as the bandage and metal dropped from his arm to reveal multiple Sharingan.

___

"Eh...Pervy-Sage. There's something I was hoping to get your help on" Naruto muttered as he walked with the white-haired Sannin. They had just checked up on Tsunade but there was no change. As Jiraiya had rested some more and gained his strength back a little, the two decided to walk through the village together and catch up on what all was missed.

"Hm? Strange of you to be asking for help but I'll hear you out" Jiraiya smirked.

Naruto clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes before glancing at the Sannin with a serious expression "Itachi Uchiha has been locked up since Pein's attack but...He helped the village. Even gave his life for Sasuke. There's more to his story than what I can reveal right now but I need you to trust me when I say that he's innocent. He needs to be released" The blonde explained.

Jiraiya stared at his student with an incredulous expression. He had never thought Naruto, of all people, one of the most loyal shinobi to Konoha, would vouch for a traitor such as Itachi.

"I don't see how I can help, kid. Itachi massacred his clan, he's killed over the years he's been with the Akatsuki. Those crimes need to be addressed and paid for" Jiraiya responded with a sigh.

"Hm...I suppose there's no way of you understanding without knowing the whole story" Naruto closed his eyes as he sighed.

Jiraiya stared at him, waiting for an answer he assumed the blonde would give.

Finally, Naruto opened his eyes and glanced at the Sannin "But the story isn't mine to tell." With that, Naruto changed their course.

"Oh? Where are we going?" Jiraiya questioned.

"To get the story from the source" Naruto smirked.

"To!" Sakura, who had been nearby and overheard Naruto's last remark, came over with an angry expression. Naruto paid no mind to it and instead gave her a determined expression.

"If we want Itachi to be free-"

"That's not your decision to make!" Sakura cut in with a glare.

"The others aren't here to vote on it. I'm doing what I believe is right, Ra"

"Don't I get a vote? I say no!"

Naruto sighed heavily "Look. We can argue about this all day but that won't help Itachi. Sasuke would want his brother free and his honor restored"

Sakura hesitated before glancing at Jiraiya, who had been watching them like hawks. He was at a loss of what they meant but now knew there was something serious going on that only team 7 seemed to know about.

"Naruto, Sakura." He turned to the two with an austere expression "I have vouched for team 7's actions since you first became ninja. On my shinobi honor, whatever it is you wish to tell me. I will do whatever I can to ensure team 7's protection" The Sannin finished, mainly staring at Sakura.

The pinkette sighed, glancing at Naruto. A moment of silence passed between the three as they seemed to wait for Sakura's decision. She was right, after all, she had as much of a vote as the others did and if she said no, then he wouldn't go ahead with the story.

"Alright" Sakura muttered.

Naruto nodded his thanks before taking the lead and advancing toward Konoha's interrogation cells.

"Ibiki-san" Naruto called respectfully as they entered the building.

Ibiki narrowed his eyes at the three, an unusual pairing for entering the interrogation building.

"Naruto, Sakura, Jiraiya-san" Ibiki greeted with his arms crossed.

"We need to speak with Itachi Uchiha" Naruto stated confidently.

Ibiki closed his eyes, preparing to say no when Sakura stepped forward.

"Please, it's important. We only need to speak with him. Alone" Sakura insisted.

Ibiki stared at her for a moment before sighing "Alright. I'll trust you to keep him secured. Don't make me regret this"

He directed the trio to Itachi's cell before ordering his men to move Karin to another. Naruto winced as her loud voice yelled for his help but there was nothing he could do right now. Her crimes weren't as severe but that doesn't null the fact that she'd been with Orochimaru for years.

She may be from his clan but he couldn't trust her to keep the peace without Sasuke around. Not yet.

Itachi waited patiently for the guards to leave before eyeing Naruto, wondering what he needed.

"Itachi" Naruto greeted with a nod.

Itachi simply stood from his seated position as he waited for them to begin.

"As you may know, team 7 have known about you for a long time. We helped Sasuke reunite with you and have trusted you on more than one occasion."

Itachi narrowed his eyes at the blonde's words, unsure of where he was going with this.

"That being said, our word means nothing to the elders of Konoha. The only word that could potentially get through to them is Jiraiya's"

With that, Itachi understood what Naruto wanted him to do.

"Your word... Yet I heard from the passing guard that Kakashi Hatake has been made Hokage" Itachi spoke calmly.

"Only temporary. The elders would not allow him to make these kinds of decisions without being the true Hokage." Naruto explained patiently.

"I see..." Itachi murmured. He wasn't one to seek innocence, he knew he wasn't innocent. The only reason he wanted out was to be there for Sasuke.

"In the end, your story is not mine to tell. Itachi, will you reveal the truth to Jiraiya?" Naruto finished as he eyed the Uchiha.

Itachi felt hesitant. No one was meant to know the truth, let alone Sasuke, but somehow they had found out and now Naruto wanted others to know. It was all too much for the Uchiha who had given his life for the village. He had given up any hope of happiness. He had given up his family. Would that all be in vain if he revealed the truth? Would it cause the village to fall into a pit of distrust and chaos if they knew they couldn't trust their elders?

"No"

Naruto narrowed his eyes at the answer.

"But Uchiha-san-"

"There is no story to tell." Itachi interrupted Sakura. He eyed Naruto carefully, understanding how disrespectful this might seem. After all, they had done everything in their power to help him.

"If it is a matter of trust-" Jiraiya tried coaxing but stopped himself as Itachi's eyes turned cold.

"I massacred my clan. Killed for the Akatsuki. I am a murderer. The only reason I did not assist Pein in the attack is because I wanted to protect Sasuke. That is my story"

With that, he turned his back on them and faced the wall.

Naruto clicked his tongue before leaving without a word, the other two following hesitantly after him.

As they exited the building, Naruto came to a halt.

"Naruto, whatever it is. Just tell me, kid" Jiraiya insisted. He was curious now, there was clearly something deeper going on in the village than what he knew.

"He's right, To. Ke would want us to help Itachi"

"No. It's over" Naruto muttered, more to himself than anyone, before disappearing from their sight.

Sakura sighed, wishing she could do more.

Jiraiya turned to the pinkette "Don't suppose you'd just tell me?"

Sakura glanced at the Sannin with a stern expression.

"Didn't think so..." Jirakya muttered with a sigh before nodding to the young woman and taking his leave. If they wouldn't open up to him, he couldn't help.

Sakura watched him go before glancing back at the Interrogation building. She sighed, wondering what to do now. What would happen now?

___

Sasuke bristled with rage. Was his clan's massacre all so that Danzo could obtain the Sharingan? The very thought sickened him. This man truly was evil and he would wipe his existence from this world. 

"How did you get those eyes in your right arm?" Sasuke questioned, he needed to know the reason. 

"Through various means. It would take too long to describe" Danzo simply answered but it was enough for Sasuke to come to the conclusion that Danzo had, at the very least, killed members of his clan to obtain them.

"Any explanation would upset me more" Sasuke calmed himself, he needed to focus on the upcoming fight "Forget it. I've decided to kill you" he stated with an eased breath, reassuring himself "Before that, let me ask one thing." Sasuke glared at Danzo with as much hatred as he could muster "Is it true that Itachi Uchiha eliminated my clan by order of the Elders?" He knew it was true but he needed the confirmation. 

Instead of responding, Danzo began weaving hand signs before lunging at Sasuke, who easily blocked by using his electric cage Jutsu. Kakashi had always taught him never to show the enemy his true power until necessary so he would keep his Susanoo hidden for now, especially as the mysterious masked Akatsuki member kept watch. His aura turned beyond malicious as he tightened the cage and made it smaller, zapping the elder every so often.

"Is it true?!" Sasuke exclaimed "Answer me!" 

Blood began dripping from Danzo's mouth as he grunted in pain from the lightning "I... I didn't think he was that kind of man" Danzo muttered, gaining Sasuke's attention "Damn Itachi. I see he revealed everything to you. I should have killed him but your team vouched for him, I won't make that mistake again."

Sasuke clicked his teeth "Answer me!" 

"I didn't he was the kind of man to reveal secrets" Danzo muttered.

"Does that mean, it's true?" Sasuke muttered more to himself than the man before him. His cage suddenly attracted pure lightning from the sky as it lit up the entire battlefield, all except Sasuke.

"Self-sacrifice...That's what epitomizes a shinobi. Never seeing the light of day. Toiling in the shadows. It is as it was in the past. That is what a true shinobi is." Danzo continued explaining the very reason why team 7 silently turned against the village. The meaning and sacrifice of a shinobi. It was because of elders, such as Danzo, that team 7 had created their goal of peace, wellbeing for shinobi, and the extermination of world-dominating seekers like Danzo. 

"For Itachi to reveal such secrets to you makes him a traitor to the leaf!" Danzo finished. Sasuke didn't react for a moment, trying to calm his raging emotions but thinking about the number of sacrifices Itachi had made for the leaf only for an elder to call him a traitor. It pushed the young Uchiha past a point of recognition. 

Without warning, Sasuke's lightning cage snapped shut with Danzo in between. His blood rained down as the lightning on the ground dissipated. 

"Don't say any more about Itachi" Sasuke glared hollowly. His eyes were dead but his heart hurt.

"You're right" Danzo's voice suddenly spoke from behind Sasuke, causing his eyes to open wide in surprise "Then let us proceed to a battle of the eyes." 

Danzo lunged at Sasuke again but the Uchiha quickly drew his sword and blocked Danzo's kunai. Without saying anything, Sasuke used a technique Kakashi had taught him and intricately sidestepped the Kunai hand before piercing Danzo's lungs, from the side, with his sword.

The Uchiha sighed but as he blinked, Danzo's body disappeared.  

"Your power is as formidable as your reputation has been sharing about you." his voice came again. This time, he stood on top one of the bridge pillars, seemingly relaxed.

Sasuke watched him, trying to think of a strategy. He knew he wasn't in a Genjutsu but he couldn't figure out how Danzo managed to come back to life. Or was he really dying? Was he playing tricks with him?

It all made Sasuke overthink. He began to rely on his emotions but they didn't help. All he felt was panic. He simply wanted to be done with the man but it seemed the battle wouldn't be that easy. It never was.

Sasuke sighed as he continued to think whilst attacked Danzo, trying to buy himself more time.