Become an Older Brother!

"What's been going on with you lately?" Under the setting sun, Shisui tilted his head to ask me.

"Do you have any idea how worried Mikoto-sama has been about you?"

"Is it... that obvious?" I hung my head, my expression listless.

For the past few days, my brow hadn't relaxed once, I couldn't sleep well, and my mental state was utterly exhausted. I felt like if things kept going this way, I'd be the first to develop Uchiha Itachi's signature tear troughs.

"Yes, she noticed you were in a bad mood and asked me about how things were at the academy." Shisui shifted me higher on his back and teased, "What is it? Did you have a falling out with some little girl? Heartbroken?"

"I did not!"

I kept my head down, feeling even more miserable.

At this moment, the two of us were walking along the embankment, our shadows stretched long, while a group of children played and shouted below. Twilight was already settling over the forest to our left.

After a while, I spoke in a muffled voice.

"Shisui, actually... I don't know how to face Itachi."

"Itachi?" Shisui stopped, looking a bit puzzled.

"I don't know how to face my younger brother. I think I like him, but at the same time, I feel... that in the future, he will be a threat to me."

"Is that so..." Shisui paused, and to my surprise, he validated me: "If you can think this way, you must have your reasons."

I suddenly grew agitated, grabbing his curly black hair, my expression twisted and aggrieved—

"What I'm struggling with right now is that I don't know what the right thing to do is! As his older brother, I know I should protect him, but... but I just—"

"I'm just so scared—"

I was afraid he would be the Itachi who wiped out the clan.

My fingers tightened abruptly. Shisui noticed something was wrong, stopped walking, and set me down. He brushed my bangs aside, revealing my pale face.

"Akatsuki, the truth is that right and wrong in this world are just labels added by others." His words were measured, gentle, yet full of strength.

"If you don't know what to do, then do what the current you won't regret."

"You just need to follow your own heart."

"Follow... my heart?" I looked up blankly, meeting his eyes, searching for an answer.

Shisui then asked me, "Do you like Itachi?"

I was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded.

In my past life, the character of Itachi had deeply fascinated me. And in this life, he was born as my brother, instinctively relying on me.

I had no idea how to hate him.

"Since you like him, then what you need to do from now on is to make sure that feeling lasts." Shisui patted my head, the setting sun making his eyes glisten with a golden, heartwarming light. "Strive for a day where you never have to feel regret."

"Besides, even if that day of regret comes, even if there's a bad outcome, I will bear it with you."

Looking into his shining eyes, my inner turmoil suddenly vanished. I stared at Shisui's face and burst into a giggle.

"Uchiha Shisui, stop playing the hero!" I laughed, waving my small hand as I started walking toward home, my mind already made up!

Walking up to the gate of the clan head's mansion, I cast my messy thoughts to the back of my mind and stepped inside, one pace at a time.

I walked along the stone path over the green grass. In front of the spacious wooden pavilion, a shallow stream trickled by. On the pebbles, two bamboo tubes knocked against each other, guiding the water flow with a rhythmic, tranquil sound.

Having been here for a few months, I no longer felt the same resistance I had at the start.

Most importantly, a new life had been born here—Uchiha Itachi.

I let out a breath, took off my shoes to enter the entryway, and slid open the wooden door.

Mikoto had already returned; she was in the main room, playing with Itachi using a Milk Bottle. Seeing me walk in, her expression shifted slightly, and she stood up to walk toward me.

"Did you get into another fight?" Her tone carried a hint of reproach as her right hand gently brushed the wound on my cheek. It had been cut by a shuriken earlier, but since the bleeding had stopped, I hadn't treated it.

I flinched, lowering my head in guilt.

She knelt before me, helping me tidy up my bangs, which were matted with sweat and dust, and sighed softly.

Unexpectedly, I felt no repulsion toward her closeness this time. I met Mikoto's eyes directly and said exactly what was on my mind.

"I didn't want to fight; someone provoked me first."

This felt like the first time I had spoken the honest truth.

"That's still too dangerous!" Mikoto was indeed angry, and her stern tone startled Itachi on the cushion behind her, causing him to let out the sound that precedes a sob.

My eyes drifted to the crib, a flash of worry crossing my face.

"It's okay, Mother, I know my limits." I lowered my head, hiding my battered hands behind my back.

Mikoto sighed, pulled ointment and bandages from her pocket, and carefully treated my wounds before applying the dressing. She frowned, worriedly saying, "Don't ever be so reckless again, do you hear me?"

I nodded, and just as I was about to check on Itachi, Mikoto suddenly leaned in and pulled me into her arms.

I stiffened instantly.

"Your father... he can be too strict sometimes." She spoke slowly, every word sinking straight into my heart.

"I also know that you have been thinking of your birth mother. Suddenly becoming our child, you must be feeling unaccustomed to it."

I listened in silence.

"Akatsuki, there are actually some things you can talk to me about. I certainly cannot compare to your birth mother, but... I am also very worried about you, and I truly want to help you."

She was showing me care.

"Please, draw closer to me, try to rely on me, will you?" Mikoto's voice was right by my ear. My chest pressed against hers, and I felt a faint pulse, along with the scent and warmth of another person.

I could feel her goodwill.

I do not know if it was because she had a child of her own, but ever since that time in the hospital room when I promised to protect Uchiha Itachi, her attitude had changed significantly.

She had become... like my real mother.

I do not know how much time passed, but I said very, very softly:

"Alright."

At that moment, Itachi suddenly began to wail loudly, and the pot in the kitchen started to hiss. Mikoto let go of me, momentarily flustered, unsure whether to soothe Itachi first or rush to the kitchen.

"Mother, go to the kitchen; I will take care of Itachi." I walked toward the crib on my own initiative, gently and cautiously picking Itachi up.

I relaxed my arms, cradling him against me, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible.

Miraculously, under my very clumsy care, Itachi's crying gradually ceased.

I gazed at him, my eyes growing firmer by the second.

I finally had the courage to face the future.

No matter what lay ahead, whether for Mother, for myself, or for Shisui, Kuixing, and Mikoto... I had to be strong and strive to change the fate of the Uchiha clan—

Instead of pouring all my fear onto my younger brother.

He had done nothing wrong.

My thoughts returned to the present. Itachi was clutching my lapels, fast asleep. I carefully held him while kneeling on the cushion, not daring to move a muscle.

Focusing all my attention on maintaining this exhausting posture, my lower back began to ache after a short while. I let out a breath and slowly stood up, intending to place the sleeping Itachi into his crib. To my surprise, as soon as I loosened one arm, he showed signs of waking up, accompanied by a whimper before a cry.

Uchiha Itachi, that is enough! I felt a vein throb in my forehead.

You are the future Itachi of the ninja world! Can you stop crying all day long, spitting up milk, hiccuping, and losing control of your bowels?

Hearing the commotion, Mikoto was still busy in the kitchen. I had no choice but to pick him up and pace around the room.

"Itachi-chan, don't cry, little Itachi, don't cry~" This scene perfectly matched Shisui's prediction; I had truly begun to coax a child with gentleness!

Just as I suppressed my internal breakdown, my hair was suddenly tugged. I looked down to see that Itachi had woken up.

There was still some confusion in his eyes, but his entire pupils reflected my face—completely, with only me in his sight.

I suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction, a sense of... being able to paint on a blank canvas.

He was so small, having just developed self-awareness. He knew nothing and could do nothing; he could only rely on me.

The Uchiha Itachi of the future was now my younger brother.

"Itachi, I am your big brother." I leaned in close and whispered, "Say-bro-ther, O-nii-san."

"Ah—" He opened his mouth, let out a few baby sounds, and suddenly began to laugh. His little hands waved toward me, demanding to be held without a moment's pause.

A child's affection is always unreserved.

Watching his smile, I slowly revealed a smile of my own.

Itachi, starting today, I will try to learn how to be a big brother.

Not just your brother, but also the eldest son of Uchiha Fugaku.

I will not retreat again.

When Mikoto emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray, this was the scene she saw.

The older brother stood by the window, his eyes gazing tenderly at the younger brother in his arms. The younger brother was giggling, his small hands clutching tightly to his brother's lapels, his eyes filled with curiosity and joy.

The sunlight poured down, spreading across the floor and gilding them in a layer of gold.

The scene was beautiful and serene. Time flowed quietly, as if for eternity.

In that moment, her heart was completely at ease.