Inside the training ground, the whistling of shuriken mingled with Sasuke’s excited cheers.
A peaceful smile appeared on Itachi’s face.
It seemed that only in moments like this could he stop thinking about the conflict between the village and the clan.
He didn’t need to consider matters of life and death or worry about the disaster that might erupt in the future.
He could simply enjoy the time he spent with his two younger brothers.
Seeing Itachi like this, Akira’s expression softened slightly.
However, that didn’t mean he had accepted Itachi.
Akira knew that the moment Itachi left this training ground, he would return to being someone who placed the village’s greater good above everything else.
Time gradually passed.
The sky darkened.
Akira finally stopped.
“Let’s end here.”
Itachi lowered the shuriken in his hand, looking somewhat reluctant for their time together to end.
“Let’s eat out tonight.”
“Your treat.”
Akira looked at Itachi.
“Come to think of it, you graduated years ago, yet you’ve never given Sasuke or me a proper gift.
I don’t particularly care, but this little guy has been looking forward to one.”
“I’m sorry… That was my fault.”
Itachi’s expression became awkward.
“Let’s get something to eat first.”
Akira patted Sasuke on the shoulder.
“Come on, Sasuke.”
“Big Brother, I want tomatoes.”
“Why would we eat something as cheap as tomatoes?
Are you trying to save money for the person behind us?”
“Then what are we eating?”
“A feast, obviously.
At the very least, we should have barbecue.
If we want something truly good, then we should eat seafood.”
The Land of Fire bordered the sea, but Konoha was located far from the coast.
As a result, seafood was extremely expensive within the village.
“Then we’ll have seafood.
It’s my treat.”
Itachi caught up with them.
First, Akira’s words had genuinely made him feel guilty.
He had graduated many years ago, completed numerous missions, and earned a considerable amount of money from them.
Yet he truly had never given either Akira or Sasuke a proper gift.
Seafood might have been expensive in Konoha, but Itachi could still afford it.
Second, Itachi didn’t like barbecue.
The three brothers left the Uchiha compound and headed toward the commercial district near the village center.
It was the most prosperous area in Konoha.
The Uchiha clan’s former compound had been only a few minutes away.
Back then, it had been extremely convenient for Itachi to visit this area.
The relationship between the Uchiha clan and the villagers had also been much closer.
Now, however, the Uchiha had been driven to the outskirts of Konoha, far away from the village center.
They had become isolated from both the village and its people.
“Are those the clan head’s three sons?
They seem very close.”
“That must be Itachi, the genius of our Uchiha clan.
He’ll undoubtedly become famous throughout the shinobi world.”
“Unless something unexpected happens, Akira should enter the Ninja Academy this year.
I hope he’s a genius like Itachi.
If he is, our clan will become even stronger over the next decade.”
“Hopefully.
But even if Akira isn’t as talented as Itachi, he certainly won’t be ordinary.
He’s the clan head’s son, after all.”
Sasuke immediately became unhappy upon hearing this.
“What about me?”
“Why didn’t you mention me?”
The Uchiha clansmen exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
“Of course we haven’t forgotten you, Sasuke.”
“Grow up quickly, little Sasuke.
We’re hoping you’ll become an even greater genius than both your older brothers.”
Sasuke raised his chin proudly.
“I will.”
Itachi affectionately rubbed Sasuke’s head.
Akira glanced at him.
In terms of natural talent, Sasuke wouldn’t surpass Itachi.
However, Sasuke possessed something extremely special—the power of Indra’s reincarnation.
Akira wasn’t sure whether that could be considered a form of talent.
Itachi spent a small fortune on dinner.
Akira deliberately ordered the most expensive dishes, while Sasuke refused nothing placed before him.
By the end of the meal, Sasuke’s stomach had swollen into a round ball.
Even walking became difficult for him.
“Are you full?”
“Would you like anything else?”
Itachi wasn’t concerned about his wallet.
No one knew when the conflict between the village and the clan would finally erupt.
Before that happened, Itachi wanted to fulfill as many of his brothers’ wishes as possible—at least the reasonable ones.
“No.”
Akira shook his head.
The three fell silent.
Suddenly, Akira stopped walking.
“What’s wrong?”
“I want some dango.
Go buy some for me.”
Itachi nodded.
He entered the shop and soon returned with the dango.
Akira tasted only one before handing the rest back to Itachi.
“The dango doesn’t taste very good today.
I don’t want any more.
You should finish the rest so it doesn’t go to waste.”
“Sasuke, let’s go.”
Akira took Sasuke and walked ahead.
Itachi’s pupils contracted slightly.
As he watched Akira’s retreating figure, he understood that Akira hadn’t asked for the dango because he wanted it.
He had bought it for Itachi.
“Akira… thank you.”
For some reason, Itachi felt his eyes becoming slightly wet.