The Birth of the Left-Behind Child Itachi

A few days had passed since the Chunin Exams concluded, and the various ninja teams had begun their missions, bringing a sense of calm back to the village.

Especially with the light snow falling these past few days, the village's dance troupe had also been canceled due to the weather, making it noticeably quieter.

Moreover, Fuyou could occasionally spot the Great Elder and a certain old woman at the barbecue restaurant.

He had even heard... that they had bought milk tea from the milk tea shop...

He's an old man, why is he still drinking sweet things? Isn't he afraid of getting diabetes?

Of course, he, a simply wealthy man, couldn't say much about what the old man and old woman wanted to eat.

Today.

He was back at the Uchiha residence.

Seeing Itachi and Fugaku, who looked like he really didn't want him there and had a perpetually sullen expression, Fuyou felt a sense of relief.

"Come, come! Have some tea! Wait! What is a child drinking tea for? You should drink milk tea! This is made with real milk, it's nutritious and delicious." Fuyou casually handed the prepared item to Itachi, then looked at the speechless Fugaku with a chuckle, sighing with emotion, "Brother! I've told you, you can't starve a child for anything! Look, he's gotten so thin again in just this short time!"

"...Get lost!" Fugaku's mouth twitched, and he said faintly before picking up the hot tea on the table and taking a sip. "Itachi will become an excellent ninja, unlike you... who has fallen into degeneracy!"

"How have I fallen into degeneracy?"

What's wrong with making money?

Is making money considered degeneracy?

He should know that Fuyou Uchiha earned his money cleanly!

Fuyou sighed helplessly and said earnestly, "You can't force a child, brother! You have to respect his choices!"

He said this without paying attention to Fugaku, whose eyelids twitched as if he wanted to lash out.

He was used to it.

After all, Fugaku wouldn't actually hit him.

Turning his head, he looked at Itachi, whose face was indeed a little chubby, pinched his cheeks, and with a friendly smile like an uncle, ruffled his hair. "Itachi, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"A ninja!" He said that without hesitation.

"What's so great about being a ninja? Don't be a ninja. There's an opportunity right in front of you. As long as you call me... cough." Fuyou, accustomed to saying it, saw his older brother's displeased gaze, chuckled awkwardly, and then looked at the confused Itachi. "Call me 'Uncle,' and I'll buy you whatever you want!"

"???" Itachi looked at Fuyou in confusion. Didn't he always call him that?

But after a moment of hesitation, he said, "Uncle?"

"Ah!" Fuyou showed a benevolent uncle's smile and patted his head. Then, he looked seriously at Fugaku and said earnestly, "Brother, Itachi has great business talent. He's already told me that he wants to do business with his uncle!"

"...Get lost!" Fugaku shot him a disdainful look.

Just because he called him 'Uncle' now meant he had business talent?

Did he really think Uchiha Fugaku was blind?

"Alright, let's not talk about other things." Mikoto Uchiha said with a helpless smile, coming out wearing an apron. "Dinner is ready. Fugaku, Fuyou."

These two brothers are really... it's true.

Fuyou had changed quite a bit. He used to love being a ninja so much, studying ninjutsu day and night without rest, and sometimes Fugaku would teach him very seriously. In the end, he never expected him to become like this.

Perhaps no one expected it!

Looking at Fuyou, who was happily walking towards the dining room, Mikoto asked with a hint of confusion, "Where's Rin? Why isn't she here today?"

"Oh, her~ There are some clan matters today, so a clan meeting is required," Fuyou said, "I'm starting to eat," and casually put a bit of fatty meat onto Itachi's plate.

"Eat more!"

If he got plump and didn't want to move, he probably wouldn't overthink things.

Children!

They just need to eat more!

Then, looking at Fugaku, who was eating quietly opposite him, he said, "It's probably about the war. No matter what, Rin is a member of the Hyuga Clan."

The Uchiha rarely left the village due to the Second Hokage's policies at the time. Of course, as the war became more severe later on, Fugaku led the Uchiha clan out to participate in the war.

It was during this war that he awakened his Mangekyo, and at the same time, a certain four-year-old kid's mind started to become a bit abnormal.

Indeed.

War was too cruel for children. They hadn't even read many books, and their views of the world weren't fully formed. Seeing such disaster and cruelty made them question life.

He hesitated for a moment, "Will the Uchiha also participate in the war?"

As soon as he asked.

A flicker of confusion crossed Fugaku's eyes. He didn't understand why Fuyou was asking this. After all, the Uchiha clan... except for a few on missions, were basically in the police force.

Of course, if they could go out, it wouldn't be bad. Perhaps by making contributions in the war, Konoha would accept the Uchiha again.

Unfortunately.

It was probably impossible.

He returned to his usual expressionless face and said faintly, "No..."

Before the words could be spoken, Fuyou looked at him with a sigh, full of emotion. "If Big Brother has to go too, don't worry about the family. I'll take good care of sister-in-law and Itachi!"

"..."

While it sounded plausible, Fugaku felt an unsettling discomfort all over, as if he wanted to punch the brat.

Uchiha Fugaku's mouth twitched. Seeing Fuyou looking at him with genuine sincerity, he said irritably, "...Get lost!"

"Don't worry, Fuyou's business has expanded so much commercially, and it all comes down to integrity. I always keep my word, and I guarantee you won't have any worries." Fuyou said with a slight smile, looking at Fugaku.

Itachi wants to go to the battlefield again this time?

Sorry!

You'll be staying home, eating well and living comfortably!

As if remembering something else, he looked at Mikoto. "Oh, right. I recently opened a mahjong parlor in the village. If you're bored, Sister Mikoto, you can come play a few rounds. It's very fun. Of course, Fugaku, you can too." He sighed helplessly, "But with that scowl you always wear, you'll probably just lose money!"

Fugaku's eyelids twitched. He calmly took a bite of his food and said, "No time! The guard force has matters to handle every day!"

"Thank you, Fuyou," Mikoto said apologetically. "Itachi is still young, and..." She glanced at Fugaku, "The family needs taking care of. How can I go out and play?"

"It's alright," Fuyou said, patting Itachi's head with a smile. "Leave Itachi to me. I'll help take care of him for you."

With that said.

Without any hesitation, Fugaku uttered another "Get lost!" His usual stoic expression vanished, his eyebrows shot up, and he rolled his eyes irritably.

If I leave him to this guy... Itachi will probably never become a shinobi.

However.

He glanced at Mikoto beside him, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Mahjong?"

"It's a form of gambling! Similar to the poker cards last time, but this time it's for four people, and it can help everyone bond." Uchiha Fuyou said with a smile. "Many of the clan's wives are there, and some clan leaders will also come to play a few rounds."

Perhaps after some time, as mahjong becomes more popular, when the war ends, he could even organize a Ninja World Mahjong Cup competition?

Whatever grudges there are... settle them with mahjong!

"Sister Mikoto must be tired of staying home and doing housework all day. It'd be good to go out and play a couple of rounds to relax. Plus, since there's no dancing lately, I'm also preparing to find some fun for those old folks."

Speaking of which, he put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said, "I'm done eating. I have some other matters to attend to over there, so I'll be heading back now."

"Get lost quickly!" Fugaku said impatiently.

However.

The essential part of the daily routine cannot be missed.

Fuyou lovingly took out a stack of money and stuffed it into Itachi's hand. "Here, take this! Itachi, buy whatever you want."

Then.

Ignoring Fugaku, whose eyelids were twitching again, he chuckled and left.

"This kid..." Uchiha Fugaku shook his head helplessly. He hesitated for a moment, then his stoic expression returned, and he slowly continued eating, saying indifferently, "Mikoto, why don't 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, saying nothing. The corner of his mouth curved up in a fleeting smile, and then, looking at the stack of money in Itachi's hand, he let out a helpless sigh.

At that moment.

Mikoto understood what she needed to do. She also smiled helplessly, walked up to Itachi, and with a motherly smile, said, "Itachi, you're still young..."

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