"Jin?! What are you doing back here?"
Hearing the voice, Itachi turned toward the person at the door.
A shrill cry tore through the night.
It made everyone's eardrums ache.
But few people in the Uchiha District heard it.
"Why shouldn't I come back? This is my home."
Jin casually pulled the door open and walked inside.
As for the clansmen outside?
Let them enjoy themselves a little longer.
Tsukuyomi's effects lasted seventy-two hours.
Even one of Konoha's famous technicians had to lie obediently in the hospital for a week after getting caught in it.
The clansmen would probably fare even worse.
Then he plopped down in front of Fugaku, picked up the freshly poured tea, and downed it in one gulp.
"Blech."
He smacked his lips, spat out a tea leaf, and said with disgust,
"Phew, Old Fugaku, your tea-making skills have gotten worse. You didn't even steep it properly!"
Fugaku: ...
Itachi: ...
The corners of their mouths twitched.
That was definitely something Jin would do.
The thick, sorrowful atmosphere of a father and son about to fight to the death vanished in an instant.
Fugaku furrowed his brows, glanced at Itachi, then urged, "Jin, go back to your room for now. Whatever happens tonight, don't come out."
"Right, Jin. Could you go back for now? Tomorrow, I'll tell you everything you want to know."
Itachi also reined in his killing intent and spoke in a low voice.
But his hand tightened ever so slightly around his sword.
He didn't know when it had started, but every time he saw Jin acting so fearlessly, he got a prickling sensation on his scalp.
"No... that's not right!"
"I'm the older brother!"
He took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and snapped, "Jin! Go back to your room, or else—"