Chicken Breast Juice of Love

"I've seen enough of your strength for now. Let's call it a day for the sparring and take a break."

Dan patted Uchiha Itachi on the shoulder and walked toward the inside of the gym.

"Here, take this."

Samui handed Uchiha Itachi an ice pack, gesturing for him to press it against his jaw.

"Thank you."

Uchiha Itachi held the ice pack with his hand. Although his cheek throbbed with pain, he was more preoccupied with that punch his Uncle had landed earlier.

Why had he fallen for a Genjutsu?

His Uncle clearly hadn't activated his Sharingan, nor had they made eye contact, yet he had been plunged into an illusion. It was simply inconceivable.

Could it be that Dan could cast Genjutsu through his fists?

Was that even possible?

Uchiha Itachi furrowed his brows, completely unable to solve the puzzle.

Just as he was deep in thought.

"Rest time is over. Let's start training."

Dan walked over carrying a pair of dumbbells and said to his Nephew, "From today on, you'll be training six days a week. We'll cycle through chest, back, arms, shoulders, and legs. No slacking off."

With a thud, Dan dropped the dumbbells in front of Uchiha Itachi and gave an order to Samui: "You'll be Uchiha Itachi's coach. Guide his form."

"Yes, Gym Director."

Samui replied. Having followed Dan and worked from dawn till dusk for three years, she was practically a professional fitness coach by now.

And so.

Under Samui's guidance, Uchiha Itachi officially began his fitness journey.

Dan stood to the side, eating a steak with great relish, occasionally offering a word or two of advice.

Soon, two hours had passed.

"Hah... hah..."

Uchiha Itachi lay flat on his back on the floor, his face flushed red and drenched in sweat, his chest heaving as he gasped for air.

Fitness training was much harder and more exhausting than he had imagined.

During the workout just now.

Samui had forbidden Uchiha Itachi from using Chakra, forcing him to rely solely on the strength of his physical body. She not only demanded he perform every movement with perfect form but also kept increasing the weight.

Until he reached his absolute limit.

After all that torment, Uchiha Itachi's pectoral muscles and arms were aching intensely, accompanied by a sharp, tearing sensation.

He had hit the target.

However, the "torture" for Uchiha Itachi was not yet over.

Dan took a large piece of fresh chicken breast from the Refrigerator and tossed it directly into the Juicer. After a quick blend, it turned into a brown, viscous liquid.

At least a liter of it.

Under Uchiha Itachi's suspicious and slightly panicked gaze, Dan handed the large glass of Chicken Feces Smell-infused chicken breast juice to his Nephew.

"You're at an age where you're still growing, so you need to replenish your nutrients, especially protein. Since you lost a tooth and can't chew solid food, this cup of chicken breast juice is clean and hygienic. Drink up."

Dan flashed a smile.

This thick cup of chicken breast juice represented an Uncle's love for his Nephew.

"..."

Uchiha Itachi looked troubled, but he still took it with both hands, raised it, closed his eyes, and downed it in one go.

This stuff had a distinct Chicken Feces Smell.

Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but put on a "Mask" of agony. His stomach spasmed, and he looked like he was about to gag it all back up.

"Don't throw it up, or it'll be a waste."

Dan pressed down on his Nephew's shoulder and advised him earnestly, "You'll drink a cup of this every day from now on to strengthen your body. My poor Nephew, only 11 years old and already working high-intensity shifts in the Anbu. It would be a shame if you wore yourself out and died young."

As far as Dan knew.

The Uchiha Itachi from the Original Work seemed to have died from a lung disease caused by overwork, coughing himself to death.

And Dan was 24; he hadn't even caught a cold or a fever since he was a child. The most direct reason was that he was incredibly strong.

Therefore, Uchiha Itachi putting on some muscle would be good for his health.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Regarding Dan's concern, Uchiha Itachi squeezed out a smile. Although it looked a bit awkward, it was the first time he had smiled since arriving here.

"Go take a shower and change your clothes. Don't catch a cold."

Dan pulled his Nephew up from the floor.

Ten minutes later.

Uchiha Itachi pushed open the bathroom door and walked out, wearing a white T-shirt with a Cartoon Pattern and a pair of black shorts.

It was a bit big.

"This is the shirt the Gym Director wore when he was three; there wasn't anything smaller, so you'll have to make do."

Samui covered her mouth as she spoke, holding back a giggle while struggling to maintain her persona as an Iceberg Beauty.

Uchiha Itachi: "..."

No wonder the style was so childish.

Just then.

With a loud clatter, the door to the gym was pushed open, and two ninjas wearing Masks walked in.

"Uchiha Itachi, come with us." The two arrived in front of Uchiha Itachi and spoke in emotionless voices, sounding like Robots.

Uchiha Itachi's pupils constricted as he recognized them as Root Ninjas. He nodded silently, then bowed to Uchiha Dan and Samui:

"Uncle, Senior Samui, I'll be heading back now."

"Wait."

Uchiha Dan reached out a large hand to stop Uchiha Itachi and asked, "Are they your colleagues from the Anbu? I recall your colleague being a white-haired guy, I think his name is Kakashi?"

Upon hearing this, both Root Ninjas stepped forward and warned Uchiha Dan in cold voices:

"Uchiha Dan, we advise you not to meddle in other people's business."

"You know me?"

Uchiha Dan was somewhat surprised, then replied naturally, "As his uncle, what is wrong with me caring about my Nephew?"

As he said this, he placed his large hand on Uchiha Itachi's head.

Uchiha Itachi's body stiffened; the words he had intended to use to explain things to his uncle were swallowed back down.

The two Root Ninjas exchanged a glance and ultimately decided not to force the issue, seemingly aware that this man was difficult to deal with.

One of them finally stated their purpose:

"We are under orders to take Uchiha Itachi to see the Hokage Assistant, Lord Danzo."

As expected.

Uchiha Dan knew they weren't from the Anbu, but rather from the Root.

The Root was subordinate to the Anbu, nominally a training department, but in reality, it was not under the control of the Third Hokage and only pledged loyalty to Lord Danzo.

Regarding the affairs of his Nephew, Uchiha Itachi.

Uchiha Dan had been too lazy to care in the past, but now that he had decided to intervene, he would see it through to the end; he would not allow Lord Danzo to harm his Nephew any further.

Therefore.

He pressed down on Uchiha Itachi's head and spoke to the two Root Ninjas without hesitation:

"Uchiha Itachi is my older sister's son, so for all intents and purposes, he is my own son. As his guardian, I am worried about him going out alone so late, so I am going with him."

"Impossible!" The two refused flatly.

"What, is there something shameful you're hiding? If so, I have even more reason to go. If you don't agree to my request, then get lost."

Uchiha Dan said expressionlessly; his tone was plain, yet it carried an unprovoked authority.

"Dan, don't be ungrateful!"

The two Root Ninjas could no longer stand it and immediately prepared to attack.

Just as the tension reached its breaking point.

"Mr. Dan, Lord Danzo has given orders for you and Uchiha Itachi to come for a talk." A voice came from the doorway.

Uchiha Dan looked toward the source of the sound.

The speaker was a man wearing a Black Cloak, Black Sunglasses, and a Purple Mark on Right Cheek.

Aburame Ryoma.

This man was Lord Danzo's Confidant and had once served as a bodyguard for Lord Danzo alongside Orochimaru. After Orochimaru defected, Aburame Ryoma became the First General under Lord Danzo.

Hearing Aburame Ryoma's words, the two Root Ninjas immediately withdrew their hostility toward Uchiha Dan and retreated to the side obediently.

"Then let's go."

Uchiha Dan was very straightforward; he put his arm around Uchiha Itachi's shoulder and walked out the door.

In the dark Alley.

Aburame Ryoma walked in the lead with his hands in his pockets.

Uchiha Dan and Uchiha Itachi followed behind him, while the two Root Ninjas flanked them on the left and right, subtly surrounding the Uncle and Nephew...

Happy New Year to everyone!