One Piece: Take the Uchiha Clan to the Grand Line

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Kakashi and Guy's expressions shifted as they processed the offer.

For Kakashi, memories of his parents' deaths weighed heavily. His father's suicide during his childhood had left deep scars. The darkness of Konoha that Kakashi witnessed in his youth seemed inevitable, part of a shinobi's burden.

It had shaped his cold demeanor and belief that a true ninja should never let emotions interfere—even if it meant sacrificing comrades for the mission.

But it was Uchiha Kitaro who pulled Kakashi from that bleak mindset. Kitaro's words and actions gave him the clarity to see the truth: Kakashi's father wasn't wrong—what was wrong was the world itself.

For Guy, his connection with Kitaro was equally strong. As the son of a mocked and lowly ninja, Might Duy, Guy admired how Kitaro, even as a young Jonin, treated his father with utmost respect.

Kitaro never looked down on Duy; instead, he brought gifts of fine food and drink whenever he visited. From that point on, Guy saw Kitaro as a lifelong brother.

Both Kakashi and Guy knew how unjustly Konoha had treated Kitaro. For years, Kitaro was confined to his home, surveilled like a criminal.

Despite his heroics, he was shunned. Kakashi and Guy often visited him, as did some people who cared deeply for him. Yet, their frustration was palpable—they could do nothing against the decisions of Konoha's leadership.

When Kitaro and the Uchiha clan vanished, both of them searched tirelessly for answers but found none. Deep down, however, they knew Kitaro wasn't dead.

After some thought, Guy clenched his fists and declared, "Alright, Kitaro! Count me in!"

Guy cherished Konoha but despised its leaders for imprisoning his brother over baseless suspicions. Had it not been for his loyalty to his homeland and his role as a ninja, he might have left long ago.

Kakashi, on the other hand, was more cautious. "Kitaro, can you promise me that you and the Uchiha clan won't harm Konoha?"

Kitaro's smile faded slightly as he responded, "I can't guarantee that. The night we left, the higher-ups were already planning to take action against the Uchiha. If I hadn't taken the clan away, Konoha might not even exist right now."

Seeing the shock in Kakashi's eyes, Kitaro continued, "Don't think I'm exaggerating. I have the strength to destroy this village, but I didn't. You know why? Because I love Konoha. It's my home, and I made a promise to Minato-san."

"But if the leadership pushes us into a corner, I can only promise this: I won't harm the villagers. If Konoha changes, the new version of it will be cleaner and brighter than what we have now."

Kakashi knew Kitaro well. Despite his carefree demeanor, Kitaro had always kept his word. After a moment of reflection, Kakashi nodded. "Alright, I'm with you too!"

Kitaro's face lit up as he extended a fist. Kakashi and Guy did the same, their fists meeting in a show of camaraderie.

Kakashi and Guy had always been Kitaro's closest friends, while Shisui and Itachi were his brothers in arms. It was clear where each relationship stood.

Kakashi's well-rounded abilities made him a formidable fighter. His sharp instincts allowed him to face opponents stronger than himself on equal footing—earning him the nickname "Mr. 50-50." Whether against powerful foes or weaker ones, Kakashi always seemed to match their level.

Kitaro knew Kakashi's true potential was only held back by physical limitations. With a little help, he could surpass those limits.

As for Guy, once he mastered breathing techniques and underwent the bloodline enhancements Kitaro had planned, his strength would skyrocket. Adding Haki to the mix? He'd become a true monster on the battlefield.

At that point, if one kick couldn't take down Madara, ten kicks would. Guy would be unstoppable.

With his two best friends now on board, Kitaro's mood soared. Seeing his joy, Shisui and Itachi couldn't help but smile as well.

"Come on, let's celebrate properly this time! No interruptions! Let's find a spot, grab some drinks, and catch up. I want to hear all about how you've been this past year and a half!" Kitaro slung an arm over Kakashi and Guy's shoulders, leading them down the bustling streets of Konoha.

From the lively atmosphere, Konoha seemed like a peaceful and prosperous place. But beneath that façade, they knew how much darkness was hidden.

"Uchiha Kitaro?!"

As they searched for a barbecue joint to settle in, a familiar voice called out.

Turning, Kitaro saw two women he hadn't expected to run into.

"Anko? Kurenai? Long time no see!"

Mitarashi Anko, once Orochimaru's apprentice and Kitaro's junior, stared at him in shock. Before Orochimaru's betrayal, Anko often visited Kitaro, shamelessly freeloading meals. Eventually, she even brought Kurenai along to join her in mooching off him.

Kurenai's heart raced as she locked eyes with the man who had haunted her dreams. She couldn't believe he was standing there.

"Is it really you?!"

Anko didn't hesitate. She rushed forward and punched Kitaro in the chest. "You idiot! You vanished for a year and a half without a word! Do you have any idea how worried everyone was?!"

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