From Earth to Infinity: A Second Chance

3rd person POV

"Hey," I said softly, giving them both a reassuring smile. "How are you feeling, Sasuke?"

He took a deep breath, a mix of relief and uncertainty washing over him. "Better. I… I didn't expect to feel this way. It's just… a lot to take in."

Fugaku nodded, his expression proud yet contemplative. "I know it's overwhelming, son. But we'll figure this out together. You have your friends, and you have me. You're not alone in this."

I felt a warmth spreading through me at his words. It was true. Sasuke had always felt isolated, but now he had a chance to reshape his future, not just for himself, but for the Uchiha clan as a whole.

Sasuke's voice trembled with a mix of pain and anger as he confronted his father. "Father, why did you leave me alone for all these years? I thought you were dead. Mom was dead, and all my clan… Itachi killed them all. I even thought about taking revenge on him, but now you're saying that all my efforts are in vain."

Fugaku's expression shifted to one of deep sorrow as he listened to Sasuke's words. "I'm sorry for leaving you to carry such a heavy burden," he replied, his voice steady but filled with regret. "You may not know this, but the village elders and the Hokage had already considered eliminating us to protect their own interests. I made that decision to keep you safe."

Sasuke clenched his fists, his emotions swirling. "Safe? By abandoning me? By letting me think I was alone in this world?"

"Hey, when were you ever alone?" I interjected, my voice firm but gentle. "You had me, your mom, and the others from the academy. Don't ever think that you're alone in this."

Sasuke glanced at me, his expression shifting slightly, but the pain was still evident in his eyes.

"And don't get angry at your father," I continued, standing my ground. "I was the one who suggested he leave you. I thought it was for the best, but I see now how wrong I was."

Fugaku looked at me in surprise, clearly taken aback by my admission. "Naruto—"

"No, let me finish," I interrupted, feeling the need to express my thoughts. "I thought I was helping by keeping you safe from the truth, but I was just pushing you into isolation. You were never meant to bear this burden alone. We're a team, and I should have been there for you."

"Sasuke, what you didn't know is just how stubborn the village elders are," I continued, keeping my tone steady. "Those old geezers made every effort to eliminate the Uchiha from the world. They were scared of your clan's power and influence, and they were willing to do anything to keep it under control."

Sasuke's expression hardened, anger flashing in his eyes. "So, they were plotting against us all along?"

"Exactly," I replied, nodding. "I knew that no matter what happened, Itachi would be the one to carry out the orders. Shisui? He was different. He loved the village and his clan both, and he would never betray that trust. But Itachi... he loved the village more than his own family, more than his own clan. That was his choice, and it was a heavy burden to bear."

"But he couldn't bring himself to kill two people he loved more than his village," I reiterated.

Sasuke looked at me, confusion swirling in his eyes. "Was it Mom and Dad?"

I shook my head. "No, it was you and Izumi. He couldn't bear the thought of killing either of you. The village elders could spare you, but they wouldn't let Izumi live because she was already a strong jōnin. That's why Itachi took that drastic decision. He believed that your innocence could protect you, unlike Izumi's strength, which made her a target."

Sasuke furrowed his brow. "So, he asked outsiders to kill her?"

"Exactly. He thought it was the only way to protect you both. But he made sure that the village elders knew that you were off-limits. He warned them that if anything happened to you, he would expose every secret he had about Konoha to the other villages. It was a gamble to ensure your safety."

Sasuke clenched his fists, anger and pain surfacing in his expression. "I can't believe he went through all of that. He sacrificed everything, even his own happiness, just to keep me safe."

"Your brother loved you more than you can imagine. He was willing to bear the weight of the village's darkness to shield you from it. Itachi knew that pain would shape you into a stronger person. He wanted you to be prepared for the harsh realities of our world," I said, hoping to impart some understanding.

"And I never even knew," Sasuke whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I only saw him as the villain who destroyed our family."

"That was the role he chose to play to protect you. Itachi made himself the enemy so that you could have a chance at life. He knew that vengeance would drive you, but he also hoped you could break the cycle of hatred and find your own path," I explained.