“We’ll become friends.” (PS: With Benefits?) Those words sounded less like Itachi speaking to Fugaku… And more like he was trying to convince himself.
Or perhaps…
It was the Uchiha clan speaking to Konoha itself.
Trying to prove that they were not impossible to approach.
That they were not monsters separated from everyone else.
Fugaku looked at his son quietly for a few seconds before giving a slow nod.
“…Good.” A faint trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
“I believe you.” Itachi’s expression brightened slightly.
Then he immediately picked up the bowls and chopsticks and ran toward the kitchen to help Mikoto.
Fugaku watched his son’s back silently.
“…Yujiro.” He repeated the name quietly in his mind.
Then he stood up and walked outside.
…
Inside the kitchen, Mikoto smiled helplessly.
“Itachi, you should go rest.
I can handle this.” “No.” Itachi shook his head seriously.
“Mother is pregnant now.” “I can help with things like washing dishes.” Mikoto gently touched her stomach, her smile warm and soft.
“It’s alright, Itachi.” “I’m not at the point where I can’t even wash dishes yet.” Itachi smiled faintly but still continued helping her.
Seeing this, Mikoto’s eyes softened even more.
Then suddenly “Itachi.” “Hm?” “Do you want a little brother or a little sister?” Mikoto looked down at her stomach lovingly while asking the question.
“A little brother.” Itachi answered instantly without hesitation.
Mikoto could not help laughing softly.
“And what if it’s a little sister?” “No way.” Itachi immediately frowned with complete seriousness.
“It has to be a little brother.” “What if it really is a girl?” “Impossible.” Itachi crossed his arms stubbornly.
“It’s definitely a little brother.” Looking at her son acting so serious over something so childish, Mikoto finally burst into laughter.
…
After dinner, Yujiro headed back toward the mountains behind Konoha.
Then he resumed training.
With his current physical condition, aside from sleeping, he could continue training almost endlessly.
Swing.
Slash.
Sheathe.
Again.
Again.
An hour later…
Ding!
Congratulations to the Host for breaking through the physical limit!
Limiter Level 1 progress +0.2%!
Current Progress: 0.8%!
Yujiro continued pushing himself without stopping.
Two more hours passed.
His body once again reached its limit.
Ding!
Congratulations to the Host for breaking through the physical limit!
Limiter Level 1 progress +0.2%!
Current Progress: 1.0%!
Yujiro could clearly feel the changes happening inside his body.
Every time he crossed his limit, his strength increased slightly again.
Looking up, he noticed the moon had already risen high into the sky.
Yujiro rested the black blade against his shoulder and slowly started walking home.
Five extreme training cycles a day was his current limit.
Any more than that and he would risk damaging his body.
At that moment The sound of a blade cutting through the air reached his ears.
Yujiro paused slightly.
This late, and someone was still training?
Curious, he walked a little closer.
Soon, he spotted a figure beneath the moonlight.
Purple hair swayed gently in the night breeze.
Sweat covered the girl’s face, yet the sword in her hand never stopped moving.
Uzuki Yugao.
Yujiro recognized her immediately.
The inheritor of Konoha-style kenjutsu.
Under the moonlight, the purple-haired girl looked unexpectedly beautiful.
Still Yujiro was not interested.
Right now was not the time to think about romance.
This world was dangerous everywhere.
If he wanted to survive in this cannibalistic shinobi world, strength came first.
Always.
Thinking that, Yujiro turned around, preparing to leave quietly.
“Who’s there?!” A sharp voice suddenly rang out.
At the same instant, a cold flash sliced toward him from the side.
Yujiro casually tilted his body and avoided Yugao’s sword without effort.
The two quickly widened the distance between each other.
Yujiro looked at the purple-haired girl in front of him with an oddly calm expression.
“…Are you retarded?” Yugao froze.
“What?” “I said…” Yujiro looked genuinely confused.
“If you’re not retarded, why are you suddenly attacking me?” “You were the one sneaking around first!” Yugao snapped angrily.
Yujiro sighed.
“I wasn’t spying on you.” Then he glanced at her once.
“…Besides, there’s nothing for me to spy on.” Yugao’s face instantly stiffened.
At her current age, she was only eight or nine years old at most.
Completely undeveloped.
Yujiro’s words sounded less insulting and more like brutal honesty.
“Anyway.” Yujiro waved his hand lazily.
“You can keep training.
I’m leaving.” After speaking, he turned around and started walking away calmly.
“Wait!” Yugao suddenly called out.
Yujiro stopped slightly.
“You practice swordsmanship too, right?” “Yeah.” Yujiro answered casually.
Swordsmanship was only one of his combat methods.
But it was also the one most suited for killing.
And according to the Limiter’s future potential— Once he reached the late second stage or early third stage, he would even be able to naturally develop techniques unique to himself.
Weapons would become extensions of his will.
That was why Yujiro chose the sword.
One day…
Combined with the Limiter, his blade might truly split the World itself.
“Then fight me!” Yugao raised her wooden sword proudly, fighting spirit burning in her eyes.
“Let’s spar!” Yujiro looked at her once.
“…Not interested.” He continued walking without stopping.
Konoha-style kenjutsu was not bad.
But compared to what Yujiro envisioned for himself— The gap was still far too large.
This was not arrogance.
It was confidence born from strength.
Yugao stared blankly for a second.
Then her face turned red with anger.
Rejected?!
She stomped her foot furiously.
“I’ll remember this, you jerk!” Yujiro did not even bother turning around.
…
The next morning.
Yujiro finished his morning training early.
Autumn had gradually arrived.
The scorching heat of summer had faded away, replaced by cool air and gentle sunlight.
Yujiro liked this weather very much.
The sunlight was warm.
The breeze was soft.
Perfect weather for training.
Even after unlocking the first stage of the Limiter, Yujiro knew that his current strength was only enough to barely protect himself.
If he wanted true power— He had to reach the second stage.
With that thought, Yujiro headed toward the mountains behind Konoha once again.
But the moment he arrived— He paused slightly.
Someone was already waiting there.
Uchiha Itachi.
Honestly, Yujiro was a little surprised.
Shouldn’t this kid be the quiet, distant type that stayed away from people?
Still, Yujiro was too lazy to ask.
“Come on.” Two simple words.
And the morning’s training officially began.
This time, however— Itachi carried a short sword in his hand.
Yujiro raised an eyebrow slightly.
“…Looks like you’re finally serious today.” Yesterday, barehanded Itachi had not even been able to pressure him properly.
Itachi tightened his grip on the sword.
His eyes became unusually firm.
“Yujiro.” “This time…” A rare fighting spirit appeared in his voice.
“I’ll make you draw your sword.” Yujiro glanced at him calmly.
Then the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
“Alright.” “Then I’ll get a little more serious too.” The black blade rested lazily on his shoulder.
His coat fluttered lightly in the breeze.
Calm expression.
Carefree posture.
Absolute confidence.
This was Yujiro.
Itachi lowered his body slightly.
Then…
He rushed forward instantly with his blade in hand.
Yujiro… This time…
I’ll make you acknowledge me.
Comment it and let me know.