Several days had passed since the Chunin Ninja Exams ended, and the ninja squads had begun heading out on missions again. The village had returned to peace.
Especially since light snow had been falling these past few days, and the village dance troupe had suspended its activities because of the weather. It really was much quieter now.
And every now and then, Fuyou could spot the Great Elder and some old lady at the barbecue restaurant.
He had even heard... that they had gone to buy milk tea.
At their age, why were they still drinking sweet things? Weren't they afraid of getting diabetes?
Of course, what the old man and old lady wanted to eat was not something a plain, ordinary rich man like him could comment on.
Today.
He returned to the Uchiha home again.
Seeing Itachi after so long, as well as Fugaku, who seemed extremely unwilling to see him and had kept a deadpan face the entire time, made him feel considerably more at ease.
"Come, come! Have some tea! Wait! What tea should a child drink? You need milk tea! This is made with real milk—nutritious and delicious." He casually stuffed the prepared drink into Itachi's hands, then grinned at the speechless Fugaku. Fuyou sighed emotionally. "Brother! I've told you, no matter what, you can't starve a child! Look, it's only been a little while, and Itachi has gotten thinner again!"
"...Get out." Fugaku's mouth twitched. After saying that flatly, he picked up the hot tea on the table and took a light sip. "Itachi will become an outstanding ninja, unlike you... who has willingly fallen into depravity!"
"How have I fallen into depravity?"
What was wrong with making money?
Making money meant falling into depravity?
It should be known that every penny Uchiha Fuyou earned was clean money!
Fuyou sighed helplessly and said earnestly, "You can't force a child, Brother! You have to respect the child's choices!"
With that said, he ignored Fugaku, whose eyelid twitched as though he wanted to hit someone.
He was used to it.
Anyway, Fugaku would not actually hit him.
He turned to Itachi, whose cheeks really were somewhat chubby, pinched them, and revealed an uncle-like, affectionate smile. Then he rubbed his head. "Itachi, what do you want to do when you grow up?"
"Become a ninja!" There was not the slightest hesitation!
"What's so good about being a ninja? Don't become a ninja. Right now, there's an opportunity in front of you. As long as you call me... ahem." Having said it out of habit, Uchiha Fuyou caught the unfriendly look in his brother's eyes and gave an awkward laugh. Then he looked at the confused Itachi. "Call me Uncle, and whatever you want to buy, Uncle will buy it for you!"
"???" Itachi looked at Fuyou in confusion. Hadn't he always called him that?
But after hesitating for a moment, he said, "Uncle?"
"Ah!" Fuyou revealed a benevolent uncle's smile and patted his head again. Then he looked sternly at Fugaku and said earnestly, "Brother, Itachi has a tremendous talent for business. He already told me that he wants to do business with Uncle!"
"...Get out." Fugaku rolled his eyes at him.
Calling him Uncle once meant he had talent for business?
Did he really think Uchiha Fugaku was blind?
"Alright, stop talking about that." At that moment, Uchiha Mikoto walked out with a helpless smile, still wearing an apron. "Dinner is ready, Fugaku, Fuyou."
These two brothers really were... though that made sense.
Fuyou had changed quite a lot. He had once been a child who loved being a ninja so much that he studied ninjutsu day and night. Sometimes Fugaku had even taught him very seriously. Yet in the end, no one expected him to become what he was now.
Perhaps nobody had expected it!
Watching Fuyou walk cheerfully toward the dining room, she asked curiously, "Where's Suzune? Why didn't she come today?"
"Oh, her? There are some matters in the clan. They need to hold a clan meeting today." Fuyou said he was digging in, then casually placed a tiny little mountain of fatty meat into Itachi's bowl.
"Eat more!"
If he ate until he was fair, chubby, and too lazy to move, he probably would not overthink things.
Children!
Children needed to eat more!
Then, looking at Fugaku, who was eating quietly across from him, he said, "It should be about the war. No matter what, Suzune is also a member of the Hyuga Clan."
Because of the Second Hokage's policies back then, the Uchiha rarely left the village. Of course, later on... as the war became increasingly severe, Fugaku led the Uchiha Clan out to participate in the war.
It was also during that war that he awakened the Mangekyo, while a certain four-year-old brat began to become a little mentally abnormal.
Sure enough.
War was still too cruel for children. They had barely read any books, their values had not yet fully formed, and when they witnessed such immense disaster and cruelty, they began doubting life itself.
After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Will the Uchiha also participate in the war?"
As soon as the words fell.
A trace of confusion flashed through Fugaku's eyes. He did not know why Fuyou was asking, because the Uchiha Clan... aside from a few who had gone out on missions, were basically all in the Police Force.
Of course, if they could go out, that would not be bad. Perhaps if they earned merit in the war, Konoha would accept the Uchiha again.
Unfortunately.
That was probably impossible.
His face returned to its usual deadpan expression as he said flatly, "No..."
Before he could finish.
Fuyou looked at him with a face full of emotion and sighed. "If Big Brother has to go when the time comes, don't worry about home. I'll take good care of Sister-in-law and Itachi!"
"..."
It sounded reasonable enough, but why did Fugaku feel uncomfortable all over and suddenly want to beat this brat up?
Uchiha Fugaku's mouth twitched. Looking at Fuyou's sincere expression, he said irritably, "...Get out!"
"Don't worry. Fuyou's business has grown so large because I value the two words 'integrity.' I always keep my word, so I guarantee you won't have any worries behind you." Fuyou smiled at Fugaku.
And Itachi still wanted to go to the battlefield this time?
Sorry!
He should just stay home obediently and enjoy good food and drink!
As though he had remembered something, he looked at Mikoto and said, "Oh, right. I recently opened a mahjong parlor in the village. If Sister Mikoto gets bored, you can come play a few rounds. It's very interesting. Of course, Fugaku can come too." He sighed helplessly. "But with that sour face all day, you'll probably only lose money!"
Fugaku's eyelid twitched again. He calmly took a bite of food and said, "No time! The Police Force has matters to handle every day!"
"Thank you, Fuyou." Mikoto said apologetically, "Itachi is still young, and..." She glanced at Fugaku. "The household needs looking after too. How could I go out and play?"
"It's fine." Fuyou smiled as he rubbed Itachi's head. "Leave Itachi to me. I'll help take care of him."
As soon as the words fell.
Without any hesitation, Fugaku said "get out" again. His face was no longer expressionless as he raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes irritably.
If Itachi were left to this guy... he probably would never become a ninja.
Still.
He glanced at Mikoto beside him and hesitated for a moment. "Mahjong?"
"It's a form of gambling! Similar to the playing cards from last time, except this one is played by four people. It can help everyone build relationships." Uchiha Fuyou said with a smile. "Quite a few clan wives are there, and some clan heads come play a few rounds too."
Perhaps after mahjong became widespread and the war ended, he could even hold some kind of Ninja World Mahjong Cup tournament?
Whatever grudges people had... they could settle them through mahjong!
"Sister Mikoto spends all day at home doing housework, so she must be tired. Go out and play a few rounds to relax. Besides, there's no dancing lately, so I'm also planning to give that group of old men something to enjoy."
With that, he put down his bowl and chopsticks and wiped his mouth. "I'm full. There are still some matters to deal with over there, so I'll head back first."
"Get out already!" Fugaku said impatiently.
However.
The customary ending scene could not be skipped.
Fuyou affectionately took out a stack of money and stuffed it into Itachi's hands. "Here, take it! Itachi, buy whatever you want."
Then.
Ignoring Fugaku's twitching eyelid again, he left with a direct, snickering laugh.
"That kid..." Uchiha Fugaku shook his head helplessly. After hesitating for a moment, he returned to his deadpan expression and continued eating slowly. He said flatly, "Mikoto, how about you..."
"No, Itachi is still young." Mikoto shook her head and said softly, "I'll take good care of you and Itachi."
"..." Fugaku fell silent for a moment and said nothing. The corners of his lips rose slightly, vanishing in an instant. Then he looked at the stack of money in Itachi's hands and sighed helplessly.
At once.
Mikoto understood what she needed to do now. She also smiled helplessly, walked over to Itachi, and revealed a loving mother's smile. "Itachi, you're still young..."
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