Uchiha Izumi was wrapped in happiness...
Elsewhere.
The Uchiha Clan compound.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home, big brother."
A pair of tiny hands wrapped around Itachi's back as he took off his shoes.
It was Sasuke.
Early that morning.
Itachi had gone out to help his mother buy groceries.
By the time he returned, Sasuke had already gotten up.
Sasuke, Second Pillar.
He was Itachi's younger brother, and he was four years old this year.
Four years ago, during the Nine-Tails' Rampage, he had still been a tiny baby who needed to be held.
In the blink of an eye, his little brother had grown up.
The four-year-old seemed to love chatting with his big brother.
"Sasuke has been waiting for you to come back ever since you left, Itachi..."
His beautiful and gentle mother leaned out.
Wearing an apron, she was preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
Hearing his mother's words, Itachi felt both ashamed and relieved.
He was relieved that... his little brother was close to him.
He was ashamed because...
He was so busy with training and missions that he rarely had time to consider his little brother's feelings.
Suddenly.
The sliding door to the living room opened.
It was his stern-faced father, Uchiha Fugaku.
"Itachi, several members of the High Command came by just now and spoke to me about you..."
The High Command?
Uchiha Itachi immediately pictured the faces of Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
"The High Command has placed great hopes in you..."
Uchiha Fugaku said with a grave expression.
Or rather.
He had always worn such a stern expression.
It was because Itachi had been raised under strict discipline.
Since he had become old enough to understand things, Itachi could not remember how many times he had called him "Dad."
How long had