Akira helped Sasuke back onto his chair.
“Let’s eat.”
At Mikoto’s words, everyone picked up their bowls and chopsticks.
“I’m finished.”
Once Akira finished eating, he set down his bowl and chopsticks before trotting toward his room.
“Big Brother, wait for me!”
Sasuke abandoned his half-eaten meal and chased after him.
Itachi watched Sasuke’s retreating figure, a trace of tenderness entering his eyes.
However, once Sasuke disappeared from sight, Itachi’s gaze dimmed again.
He seemed to be struggling with a difficult choice.
Eventually, all that remained was a quiet sigh.
On one side stood the village.
On the other stood his clan.
It was extremely difficult for Itachi to choose between them.
Yet deep within his heart, he already had an answer.
“Father, Mother, I’m finished as well.”
“Itachi, wait.”
Fugaku stopped him.
“It has been a long time since we last saw each other.
Come to my study.
We should have a conversation as father and son.”
“All right.”
Itachi hesitated briefly before nodding.
After entering his room, Akira casually closed the door behind him.
Sasuke had been chasing him too quickly and ran headfirst into it.
Thud!
“Hiss!”
Sasuke sharply inhaled from the pain.
Only then did Akira open the door.
“Come in.”
“Okay!”
Sasuke happily entered.
He didn’t seem to care about Akira’s earlier teasing at all.
“Big Brother, where have you been going these past few days?
Why don’t you play with me anymore?
Mother said Father has been teaching you how to become a shinobi.
Is it fun?”
“Who is stronger now, you or our eldest brother?”
“When can I start learning?”
A seemingly endless string of questions poured from Sasuke’s mouth.
Akira curled a finger and flicked Sasuke’s forehead.
“You’re just a little kid.
Why do you have so many questions?”
Sasuke covered his forehead and protested.
“I’m already three years old!
I’m not a little kid.
Besides, you’re only three years older than me.”
Akira raised an eyebrow.
“You want to know who is stronger between Itachi and me?”
Sasuke nodded repeatedly.
“Then I’ll tell you the truth.
I’m far stronger than Itachi.
Even a hundred Itachis couldn’t compare to my little finger.
I could defeat him with a single flick.”
Akira raised his little finger.
“You’re bragging!”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Eldest Brother is the genius of the Uchiha clan.”
“Even Father is always praising him.”
“You only just started learning how to become a shinobi.”
Akira raised his hand and flicked Sasuke’s forehead again.
“It’s getting late.
Go back to your room and sleep.”
“I don’t want to.”
However, Akira had already pushed Sasuke out and locked the door.
“Sasuke, it’s time for bed.”
Mikoto’s voice sounded from nearby.
“All right, Mother.”
Only then did Sasuke reluctantly return to his room.
Elsewhere, Fugaku and Itachi sat together in the study.
“Itachi, how are things in the ANBU?
If you’re having trouble adjusting, you can leave.
You could become an ordinary shinobi or join the Uchiha Military Police Force.”
“There’s no need.”
Itachi shook his head.
“The ANBU is fine.”
Silence descended upon the study.
Fugaku stared at Itachi.
In the past, father and son had always had plenty to discuss.
But now, they seemed to be drifting farther apart.
They had become almost like strangers.
“By the way, Itachi, what do you think about the Uchiha clan’s current compound?
Akira is always telling me that our previous compound was better.
He says he misses it.
What about you?”
“I think this place is better.”
Fugaku’s brow shifted slightly.
“Don’t you miss our old home and its courtyard?”
Itachi considered the question.
“But living here is the better choice.”
Better?
Better for whom?
Had relocating the Uchiha compound truly been better for the Uchiha clan?
No.
It was only better for Konoha.
Konoha’s leadership had moved the Uchiha to a remote corner of the village, further isolating the clan from Konoha and deepening the divide between them.
It brought no benefits to the Uchiha clan whatsoever.
They hadn’t moved willingly.
Konoha’s leadership had forced them to relocate.
Knock!
Knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Mikoto pushed open the door.
“It’s getting late.
Akira and Sasuke are already asleep, so the two of you should rest as well.
Whatever you still have to discuss can wait until tomorrow.
Itachi has tomorrow off too, doesn’t he?”
“All right.”
Fugaku nodded.
“Itachi, you should go and rest.”
“Yes, Father.”
Itachi rose to his feet.
“Good night, Father.
Good night, Mother.”
“Good night.”
Fugaku watched Itachi leave.
Once Itachi’s figure had completely disappeared down the corridor, Fugaku released a deep sigh.
His expression became grim.
Itachi’s answers had confirmed one thing.
Whenever Itachi considered the relationship between the clan and the village, he placed the village first.
In other words, if the Uchiha clan ever broke with Konoha, there was a high probability that Itachi would side with the village.
Not the Uchiha.
Meanwhile, Akira sat cross-legged on the floor of his room.
“Intense emotional stimulation…”
An image appeared in his mind.
It was nighttime.
Uchiha Itachi stood beneath the moonlight, blood dripping from the kunai in his hand.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto lay before him in pools of their own blood.