[ Itachi absolutely does not want or deserve this pedestal, please take it away. ]

Do you truly believe me so easily taken advantage of? [ because, like. damn. that is a bit insulting. ... which, admittedly, is probably how sasuke might feel about how itachi treated him. hm. ] I believed in Konoha's ideals. To that end... yes, I did act to the benefit of the village. But you're wrong. I wasn't the kind of person who had what it took to be Hokage. Those who are acknowledged by the village are the ones to become its leader. Do you understand why that is?

[ lecture lecture ]