Naruto: A Ninja's Life [Itachi-Focused]

"...This made me realize that a ninja's life, though it may have its share of warmth and justice, is ultimately a life spent fighting alone. Admitting to loneliness doesn't mean denying companionship, but at those crucial moments, you have to make decisions by yourself. Along the way, you must trust your instincts, yet keep questioning them; you need the courage to carry on, while also having the courage to stop at any time... If you can do all of the above and stick with it, then this is what I have to say: 'If you're lucky, you'll succeed.'" "But I don't think I can let them win... Just because my life has been plagued by too many worthless people doesn't mean I have to become just as 'rotten' from now on. Or, to put it more precisely, become as 'low' as they are." "Her defining trait is consistency. She never gives her opponents a chance to show off." A person can never truly betray their origins. And yet this is a story about how someone truly betrays their origins and circumstances, and finds a way to grow into the person they want to be. Plot-focused, with a pairing. It's Itachi, stated upfront to help readers decide. "A Ninja's Life" could refer to the lives of many ninjas, but the main story follows the female lead.