Fugaku Household

Evening

Konoha

Uchiha Clan Compound

At Uchiha Fugaku's residence, Fugaku sat cross-legged at the dining table, arms crossed, his face dignified. Uchiha Mikoto methodically brought out dishes from the kitchen and placed them on the table.

"Fugaku, you're always so serious, how can the children get close to you?"

Seeing Mikoto Fugaku had become increasingly serious over the years, Mikoto couldn't help but complain.

"As the head of the Security Department, how can you command your subordinates and deter criminals without authority?"

In front of his wife, Fugaku didn't put on airs and explained softly.

Hiss!

The paper window was pulled open, Sasuke jumped in, covered in dust. Upon seeing Fugaku sitting upright, Sasuke immediately stopped smiling and transformed into a serious, well-behaved little boy.

Fugaku glanced sideways at Sasuke, Flash Cut tenderness crossing his eyes, before speaking with authority:

Go wash your hands first.

"Hi..."

Sasuke obediently went to the kitchen to wash his hands.

"Sasuke, how can you be so careless during training? You cut your hand again."

After Mikoto finished serving the food, she noticed the scars on Sasuke and asked him about them softly.

"Hahaha, Mom, I've mastered the Demonic Wind Shuriken: Shadow Windmill! This is the reward for these scars."

Hearing Mikoto's concerned words, Sasuke grinned and smiled smugly, speaking loudly in the hopes that Fugaku would hear him and praise him.

Fugaku heard Sasuke's words from the kitchen, a slight smile appeared on his lips, but he did not reply.

Sasuke washed his hands for a while, but didn't receive any praise from Fugaku. Disappointed, he came out of the kitchen and secretly glanced at Fugaku Sasuke, Fugaku still looked stern. Sasuke walked to the dining table with a sullen face.

Hiss!

The paper window door opened, and Uchiha Itachi strode in.

"Brother! You promised to accompany me in my cultivation, where did you go today?"

Sasuke seeing Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke immediately shouted a question at Uchiha Itachi.

Fugaku glanced at Uchiha Itachi, noticing that Itachi seemed preoccupied, sighed inwardly, and said sternly:

"Itachi, hurry up and wash your hands, we're waiting for your meal."

"Hi..."

Uchiha Itachi answered listlessly.

Sasuke received no response and looked aggrieved.

Mikoto noticed Sasuke's appearance and smiled as she ruffled Sasuke hair.

"Mom, I'm a grown-up now, don't touch my head."

Sasuke pouted and protested softly.

Mikoto gave Sasuke's head a big rub and said with a smile:

"Sasuke, in your mother's eyes, you will always be a child."

Fugaku's family was very warm and loving. Mikoto received a very traditional education, and she was virtuous, kind, and devoted to her husband and children, taking care of all the household chores.

After Itachi was seated at the table, the family adhered to the rule of not speaking while eating and ate in silence.

I'm done eating.

Uchiha Itachi seemed distracted. After finishing his rice ball, he put down his chopsticks, got up, and left.

Fugaku watched Itachi's retreating figure with a somewhat solemn expression. No one knows a son better than his father, and Fugaku keenly sensed that Itachi had something on his mind.

Is it Shisui?

After Shisui disappeared, Itachi secretly searched for Shisui whereabouts, a fact that Fugaku knew. Now, half a year after the Shisui incident, Fugaku has realized the impact Shisui's departure has had on Itachi.

Fugaku looked away and absentmindedly ate his rice ball.

Having experienced Second Shinobi World War and Third Shinobi World War, Uchiha Fugaku had long since become indifferent to the deaths of his family and friends. This was an inevitable fate for ninjas; it was only a matter of time.

I thought that taking Itachi to the Shinobi World War would strengthen his resolve, but I didn't expect him to be so fragile.

After finishing the rice ball, Fugaku lost his appetite and wanted to give his eldest son some advice.

I'm done eating.

Uchiha Fuyue put down his chopsticks, got up, and left.

Mikoto also sensed Itachi's worries, and felt a slight sense of relief when she saw her husband go over.

"Waaaaah"

Sasuke covered his eyes and cried. He had trained his Ninjutsu well today, but he didn't receive any praise from Fugaku, and Itachi ignored him. Itachi and Fugaku's departure made Sasuke unable to hold back his tears.

Mikoto Sasuke into her arms, patted Sasuke back, and said with a hint of teasing:

"Sasuke, you're such a big man, why are you crying for no reason?"

Upon hearing Mikoto's words, Sasuke sniffled, stopped crying, and wiped his eyes with his little hands.

Seeing Sasuke's forced manly demeanor, Mikoto smiled gently and patted Sasuke back even more softly to comfort Sasuke.

In Itachi's room, Itachi lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting away.

Bang bang

"Itachi, may I come in?"

Fugaku's voice came from outside the door.

Hiss!

"Dad"

Itachi opened the door, made way for him, and gestured for him to come in.

Fugaku entered Itachi's room expressionlessly, sat down in a chair, and watched Itachi close the paper window door before lying back down on the bed.

Although Fugaku had a stern expression, he spoke softly in a gentle tone:

"Itachi, is something on your mind lately?"

Uchiha Itachi turned his back to Fugaku and did not answer.

"Is it because of Shisui?"

Fugaku asked again in a low voice, "Regarding Shisui, only some members of the Sixth Company know some things, and they have received a gag order from the Fourth Generation."

A gag order is essential for survival for ninjas, especially for Anbu Ninja. Most missions require secrecy even without a gag order, let alone when the Hokage specifically instructed them to keep it secret.

The prevailing narrative in Konoha is that Shisui was Danzo by Danzo, and that Shisui has indeed disappeared.

This was all the information Fugaku knew; his special Special Police Division unit had been cooperating with the Anbu in the search.

"Father, Shisui is such a powerful ninja, and he was very close to Lord Danzo. Besides, Danzo didn't have the strength to defeat Uchiha Shisui, who was known for his Body Flicker Technique."

Itachi sat up in bed and voiced his doubts.

Fugaku felt a sense of unease upon hearing Itachi repeatedly use honorifics when addressing Danzo, and said in a deep voice:

"Itachi, you Danzo. Danzo was the assistant to the strongest Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen. He was taught by the First Hokage and Second Hokage and served as the Hokage's assistant during the Third Hokage's reign."

Shisui was excellent, but even the best ninja can't escape betrayal and conspiracy. You said Shisui and Danzo had a very good relationship, so it would be very easy for Danzo to ambush and kill Shisui.

Unlike Shisui and Itachi, Fugaku didn't Danzo like an old comrade. Fugaku was well aware of Danzo's strength.

Upon hearing Fugaku's words, Uchiha Itachi mentally recalled Danzo's image, but did not refute them. Instead, he asked softly:

"Dad, what was the truth behind the Nine-Tails Incident seven years ago?"

Fugaku gazed intently at Itachi; Itachi's questions filled him with disappointment.

The Nine-Tails Incident was exactly what the Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Nara revealed. What else could it be? Fugaku was somewhat at a loss for words when Itachi asked about the so-called truth.