The Forgotten Itachi

Evening.

"Fugaku, why hasn't Itachi returned yet?"

Hearing Uchiha Mikoto's reminder, Uchiha Fugaku, who had been engrossed in the Qi Refining Technique, finally realized that his eldest son had yet to return.

At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku recalled his own arrangements. Surely not?

Could something have gone wrong?

Thinking that if he had actually managed to work his eldest son to death, not to mention Sasuke, even Mikoto would likely awaken her Mangekyo on the spot just to kill him.

The thought of potentially being stabbed in his sleep one night made him instantly sober up.

He then rushed toward the training grounds.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Mikoto, busy in the kitchen, couldn't help but feel puzzled as she watched Uchiha Fugaku rush off in such a hurry again.

"What is it this time?"

She had only asked a simple question.

At this moment, Uchiha Itachi had already lost consciousness from exhaustion, yet he continued to perform push-ups mechanically.

Seeing Uchiha Itachi still doing push-ups despite being unconscious, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He was still breathing; a soak in a packet of Body Nourishing Powder tonight should prevent any major issues.

With that in mind, Uchiha Fugaku stepped behind him, knocked him out, and carried him back on his back.

After all, since he had lost consciousness, there was no chance of him stopping on his own.

Back home, Uchiha Fugaku ignored Uchiha Mikoto and quickly used Fire Style to heat a wooden barrel of water, into which he poured the Body Nourishing Powder.

Only after stirring it thoroughly and ensuring it had dissolved into the water did Uchiha Fugaku place Uchiha Itachi inside.

After all, if he didn't do this, the sheer volume of Uchiha Itachi's training today would definitely leave behind hidden injuries.

He positioned Uchiha Itachi's body properly, and then, amidst Uchiha Mikoto's calls, Uchiha Fugaku left directly to eat.

Arriving at the dining room, Uchiha Fugaku looked at the sumptuous meal before him and couldn't help but give Uchiha Mikoto a mental thumbs-up.

Truly, she was the quintessential virtuous wife and loving mother.

The culinary skills he had taught her the day before yesterday were already being put to good use today.

Beside him, the little dumpling, Uchiha Sasuke, was also drawn by the aroma of the food, sniffing around the table incessantly.

Seeing that one person was missing, Uchiha Mikoto couldn't help but ask.

"Fugaku, where is Itachi?"

Hearing Uchiha Mikoto's inquiry, Uchiha Fugaku naturally couldn't tell her that he had worked him until he passed out, could he?

Thus, Uchiha Fugaku could only brush it off with a vague excuse.

"Itachi is too tired and is resting in his room right now."

????

Uchiha Mikoto looked at Uchiha Fugaku with some suspicion and said.

"Are you sure?"

Uchiha Fugaku replied directly.

"Don't disturb him for now; just leave a portion for him later."

"Let's eat first. Don't worry, I'll take it to him in a while."

Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, Uchiha Mikoto finally set her mind at ease.

The three of them then began to eat.

"Sasuke, was your taijutsu training tiring today?"

"Not at all. I am Uchiha Sasuke, after all."

"..."

After finishing the meal, Uchiha Fugaku carried a reserved portion of food into Itachi's room.

He set the food aside and began to study the Qi Refining Technique again, deciding to put in some overtime starting tonight.

To be honest, although Uchiha Fugaku hadn't understood a single thing about the content of the Qi Refining Technique over the past few days, he had already managed to read through half of it by relying on the copying ability of his Sharingan.

He was just waiting until he had memorized it completely so he could use the Enlightenment Tea to begin his path to enlightenment.

It was unknown how much time had passed.

Uchiha Itachi slowly stirred and woke up in the wooden barrel.

Was I not just performing taijutsu training at the training grounds?

How did I end up here?

However, Uchiha Itachi could feel that his body was filled with exhaustion and lacked any strength.

Yet, upon his own internal sensing, he discovered that the injuries caused by the muscle strains from his training had miraculously recovered.

Just as Uchiha Itachi was feeling puzzled, the sound of Uchiha Fugaku turning pages nearby startled him.

Uchiha Itachi looked over and saw his father sitting beside him, reading a book while keeping him company.

In an instant, Uchiha Itachi understood how he had returned.

He had not expected his father, Uchiha Fugaku, to still remember him.

(Uchiha Fugaku: If it weren't for your mother, I truly would have forgotten.)

Just as Uchiha Itachi was about to climb out of the wooden tub, Uchiha Fugaku, who was focused on memorizing the Qi Refining Technique, was alerted.

When Uchiha Fugaku looked toward him, Uchiha Itachi immediately dove back into the tub like a startled rabbit.

Seeing this, Uchiha Fugaku understood what he was afraid of and said with a smile.

"I am your father; what is there to hide?"

"Besides, don't forget who took off your clothes and put you in this bath."

Although he said that, Uchiha Fugaku still cooperatively turned his back.

After all, being unconscious and being awake were two different things.

Seeing Uchiha Fugaku turn away, Uchiha Itachi slowly stood up and, with lightning speed, put on his clothes.

Hearing the movement, Uchiha Fugaku understood that he had finished dressing.

He then spoke up.

"Itachi, you must be hungry. There is food set aside for you nearby; eat quickly."

Uchiha Itachi's stomach let out a timely growl.

Without further hesitation, Uchiha Itachi went to the tray and sat down.

However, Uchiha Itachi looked at the food before him with some confusion.

What kind of dish is this? Why have I never seen this style of food before?

But since it was brought by his father, it should be edible, right?

Forget it, his father wouldn't poison him, would he?

After a moment of hesitation, Uchiha Itachi picked up the rice and some vegetables to eat.

As the food entered his mouth, a peculiar sensation washed over him.

It was a bit salty, but the taste was actually quite good.

Uchiha Itachi began to eat rapidly, starting to replenish the energy he had expended throughout the day.

Once he finished the meal, Uchiha Itachi quietly tidied up the bowl and chopsticks, watching Uchiha Fugaku, who was engrossed in his book, as his thoughts began to drift.

How many times has Father shown this much concern for me?

The first time?

Or the second?

He always seemed so busy in the past, able to remember every detail of the clan's affairs, yet unable to remember a single one of my wishes.

However...

He seems to have truly changed recently. Although I cannot put it into words, Uchiha Itachi could feel as if he had become a different person.

If not for the fact that he subconsciously maintained his old habits and remained the wielder of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Itachi would have thought he was being controlled by someone.

But perhaps this change came after he resolved the issues between the village and the clan!

Or perhaps the pressure of clan affairs had simply been too much for him.

If you hadn't been the clan head back then, would I have been spared from having to make that choice?

But now, everything has changed, and things did not head toward the worst possible outcome.

And a father like this is actually quite nice.