"...So, I became Itachi's teacher."
Watching the confusion on Kushina's face gradually fade as he spoke, Chiba finished with that final sentence.
"Is that so?"
After hearing those final words, Kushina, whose confusion had already dissipated, suddenly frowned again and asked with a doubtful expression.
Uh...
Had I become so unconvincing whenever I spoke now?
Chiba's heart was filled with bitterness.
Although he had not known how to explain it at first, it was not because he truly did not know what to say. Rather, there were too many causes and consequences involved in taking Itachi under his wing, and he had not known where to begin. Still, he had quickly begun recounting it to Kushina.
He had only given a rough explanation: he had gone to the Uchiha residence to discuss the expansion plan, and after they had reached an agreement, Uchiha Fugaku had suddenly brought up the fact that his son lacked a teacher. Chiba had not refused and had accepted him directly.
Of course, because Itachi was standing beside him, Chiba had phrased it very tactfully. He had even added things like "I have a special connection with Itachi," lest he hurt the boy's tender feelings.
For some reason, Chiba simply could not bring himself to tell Kushina about Hirohiko yet. Consciously or unconsciously, he avoided that subject.
"Yes... Teacher Kushina, you have to believe me."
After that bitter thought flashed through his mind, Chiba looked at Kushina and spoke with an especially sincere expression.
"Really?"
Seeing his expression, Kushina asked again doubtfully.
"Really!"
Chiba answered with great seriousness.
"What did you discuss with Fugaku, then?"
Hearing that, Kushina asked, half-convinced and half-skeptical.
"That... I can't say."
At those words, Chiba's brow twitched slightly, and he hurriedly replied.
Instinctively, he wanted to hide the matter of Hirohiko