Father and Son Resolve Their Differences
When Uchiha Kō returned home, he found that the food on the table was almost gone. Tsunade was obviously out of the question, so it must be Itachi. That little guy could eat quite a lot.
Uchiha Kō entered with a smile, then patted Uchiha Itachi on the head. "How was it? Was the food to your liking?" Uchiha Kō asked gently.
Uchiha Itachi nodded. "It's delicious, even better than what the chefs at the clan's headquarters make. No wonder it's Konoha's top-class restaurant!" Uchiha Itachi was a little more relaxed now, mainly because once people are full, they just want to slack off.
Uchiha Kō chuckled and said, "From now on, you'll get this much good food every day after training!" Upon hearing this, Uchiha Itachi's eyes lit up, and he nodded, "Yes, thank you, Grandpa."
Uchiha Kō smiled without saying a word, looking at Tsunade across the table. Tsunade had a maternal smile on her face as she looked at Uchiha Itachi, then looked up at Uchiha Kō, her eyes filled with happiness and joy.
After chatting at the dinner table for a while, Uchiha Itachi offered to help wash the dishes, Uchiha Kō didn't refuse. It's always good to train a child's initiative. However, Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, thinking, "He's just lazy and doesn't want to do anything."
Let's see through it but not say anything.
After Uchiha Itachi finished washing up, Uchiha Kō gave him two more Genjutsu scrolls. He had developed these himself. His Genjutsu talent wasn't as high as Uchiha Shisui's or Uchiha Itachi's, and these two scrolls barely reached the top of C-rank, not quite B-rank, but they were enough for Uchiha Itachi.
Afterwards, Uchiha Kō took Uchiha Itachi's hand and walked back to the Uchiha Clan Compound. After handing Uchiha Itachi over to the guards at the gate, he instructed Itachi, "Remember to balance work and rest. Get a good night's sleep tonight."
After Uchiha Kō finished speaking, Uchiha Itachi nodded, "Yes! Grandmaster!" Uchiha Kō held Uchiha Itachi in high esteem and respect, so he listened to him and followed his Uchiha Kō.
The guards all leaned forward as a sign of respect. After Uchiha Kō and Uchiha Itachi finished giving their instructions, one guarded the area while the other led the way, taking Uchiha Itachi home.
The Uchiha Clan's main compound was located in the very center, spacious and grand. Even without a gatekeeper to guide him, Uchiha Itachi was able to return home by himself, thanks to his precocious intelligence and exceptional memory.
But after his teacher once said that sometimes it's good to do someone a favor and not to look down on anyone, he decided to let the gatekeeper lead the way. The gatekeeper could improve his father's image, and he wouldn't lose anything.
Soon
The gatekeeper led Uchiha Itachi to the clan head's residence. He knocked on the door, Uchiha Fugaku, who had been resting with his eyes closed, stopped. He slowly got up and walked to the door. The gatekeeper seemed to think he had something important to say when he saw the gatekeeper. Then the gatekeeper stepped aside, revealing Uchiha Itachi behind him.
"Clan Chief, the eldest son has finished his cultivation and returned home," the gatekeeper said, bowing.
"Yes, you've worked hard. Lift your head up," Uchiha Fugaku said calmly.
The gatekeeper straightened up, his eyes shining as he looked at Uchiha Fugaku. Uchiha Fugaku nodded inwardly. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Replying to the clan leader, I am Uchiha Qingyun!" Uchiha Qingyun replied.
"Yes, I've remembered your name. You may leave now." After Uchiha Fugaku finished speaking, Uchiha Qingyun nodded vigorously and then left the courtyard Body Flicker Technique.
This trip was absolutely worthwhile. Although it was just a small matter like taking the young clan leader home, the fact that the Uchiha Clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, remembered his name will be of great help to him in the future.
Uchiha Itachi watched Uchiha Fugaku employ his so-called power tactics as a leader without saying a word. Such methods were worth learning from, after all, he too would become the clan leader in the future.
As Uchiha Fugaku watched Uchiha Qingyun's figure disappear into the distance, his attention shifted to Uchiha Itachi. He wanted to say that he had done very well today, but he refrained from saying it, mindful of the strict father role model he had set for himself.
"Come in, Itachi." Uchiha Fugaku turned around and gestured for Uchiha Itachi to follow. Uchiha Itachi's eyes flickered, and he followed closely behind Uchiha Fugaku, not daring to breathe loudly.
When they reached the tatami mats on the side, Uchiha Fugaku extended his left hand, gesturing for Uchiha Itachi to sit down. Uchiha Itachi didn't say anything, but knelt on the tatami mats, his back ramrod straight.
Although the advisor told him that his place was just like his own home, easygoing and relaxed, the truth was that his own family was extremely strict with rules, and he dared not overstep them in the slightest.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at his son, who was kneeling upright with a serious expression, and nodded secretly before kneeling opposite Uchiha Itachi.
Neither father nor son spoke. The difference was that Uchiha Itachi looked down at the table, while Uchiha Fugaku looked down at Itachi. The two of them exuded an invisible sense of oppression.
After an unknown amount of time, it was Uchiha Fugaku who spoke first, "Itachi, I heard from your master that you did a horse stance for 55 minutes today, right?"
"Yes, Father." Uchiha Itachi's tone was serious, and his childish voice revealed a maturity beyond his years.
Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "Very good. As expected of my son, Uchiha Fugaku. I am proud of you." Uchiha Fugaku forced a smile; smiling was extremely difficult for him.
Uchiha Itachi, who had been looking down, suddenly froze, then looked up at his father with disbelief in his eyes. Although his father's smile wasn't very pleasant, and even a bit ugly, this was the first time his father had ever smiled like this.
In the past, when he met his father's requirements, the most he would get was a nod, and then he would be told not to be arrogant and to keep working hard. This was the first time he had received such praise. Uchiha Itachi's eyes shone with surprise as he blinked at his father.
Uchiha Itachi had some doubts about whether his father was a fake, but after sensing the powerful Chakra within him, Uchiha Itachi knew clearly that this was Uchiha Fugaku.
"Ahem, I was too harsh on you in the past, I'm sorry." After saying that, Uchiha Fugaku placed his hands on the table, lowered his head, and bowed deeply, which startled Uchiha Itachi.
"Father, Father, why are you like this? It's alright." Uchiha Itachi quickly helped his father up, his eyes filled with panic and complex emotions. He hadn't expected that his proud father would both praise and apologize to him today.
This left him completely bewildered. Based on his understanding of his father, his father was proud and would never do such things on his own initiative. There was only one possibility: during the meal, the advisor had left the table to persuade his father, but he didn't know how.
Did Uchiha Itachi harbor resentment towards Uchiha Fugaku? No, but he probably felt a little uncomfortable, since Fugaku didn't even praise him when he tried his best to meet Itachi's requirements, only being harsh and demanding.
Other children at this age develop close bonds with their parents, and Uchiha Itachi has witnessed this scene more than once. He was envious, but he knew that he was the young head of the Uchiha, the future Uchiha Clan Head.
The Uchiha Clan is the largest clan in Konoha, so it's normal that he didn't live the same life as others. He doesn't regret it, but all he wants is his father's praise and attention.
Today, he received all of this. Although it was Uchiha Kō and his master who persuaded him to do so, he was still extremely excited and happy on the day he received it. So much so that he lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and tried his best to hold back his tears.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at his son with gentle eyes. "The reason I didn't praise you before was because I was afraid you would become arrogant and complacent, which would be detrimental to your future. But today, I understand that constant strictness and encouragement will only make you feel bad and hide your true feelings."
"We will always be father and son. If a son is unwilling to open his heart to his father, then I can only say that I have failed as a father. Itachi, please allow me to say sorry again. Can you forgive me?" Uchiha Fugaku said earnestly.
Uchiha Itachi was still young, and Fugaku hadn't been teaching him for very long. Therefore, Uchiha Itachi's resentment towards Uchiha Fugaku wasn't that deep. After Uchiha Fugaku apologized twice, Uchiha Itachi couldn't hold back his tears any longer and broke down in tears.
He threw himself into his father's arms, weeping and pouring out his grievances. Uchiha Fugaku's eyes were slightly red. He hadn't expected his son to be under such immense pressure. He didn't know if he had failed as the clan leader, but he knew that he had failed as a father for the past four years.
Fortunately, this happened early. If it had gone on for longer, the father and son would have become like strangers, no longer acting like father and son.
Uchiha Fugaku turned his head, looked out the window towards the direction of the Uchiha Kō villa, and silently said to himself, "Thank you, teacher."
He looked at his son again, pulled him closer to him, and patted his back. Uchiha Itachi cried himself to sleep. Having finally spoken his heart's secrets, he felt much better and less tired.
Hiding outside the door, Uchiha Mikoto covered her mouth and shed tears. She had always felt that if the father and son spent too much time together like that, problems would definitely arise. Just now, she had also advised her husband to talk to Itachi more.
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent at first, but eventually nodded. From the moment Uchiha Fugaku got up to open the door, Uchiha Mikoto had been secretly observing, and she had been eavesdropping ever since the two entered the house.
Listening to their conversation, she covered her mouth, afraid that her crying would alert them and ruin the atmosphere. However, it seemed that everything was going smoothly, and she was genuinely happy for her son and husband.
The night breeze was cool and blew in through the window. Uchiha Itachi shivered, and Uchiha Fugaku was startled. He quickly closed the window, afraid that his son would catch a cold from the wind.