"If the clan head asks about your injuries, what are you going to tell him?"
Uchiha Chen glanced at Uchiha Inabi and the others, who stood timidly on either side, too scared to approach. He rolled his eyes and asked with a faintly amused smile.
"Ahem. We were sparring with each other and accidentally injured ourselves. Lord Chen had nothing to do with it!"
Uchiha Chen's sudden question made Uchiha Inabi jump. He hurriedly bowed and nodded, putting on an ingratiating smile as he replied.
As if they'd dare complain!
Even if Uchiha Chen weren't standing right there, watching them like a hawk, telling Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku the truth wouldn't get Uchiha Chen in trouble.
But the five of them would likely be punished. After all, Uchiha Fugaku had never told them to test Uchiha Chen.
Now they were the ones afraid that Uchiha Chen might complain to Uchiha Fugaku and refuse to let the matter go. If that happened, their fate might be even worse.
"Heh, fair enough. But you really went too far while sparring. Just look at the state you've left each other in!"
"Don't do that again, understood?"
Uchiha Chen nodded, satisfied with Uchiha Inabi's answer, then offered his advice with complete sincerity.
"Yes, yes! We'll remember your guidance, Lord Chen!"
Uchiha Inabi and the others' eyelids twitched, but they could only keep agreeing with Uchiha Chen.
"Honestly, you're far too slow. You don't need to come with me. I'll go see the clan head by myself!"
Without giving them time to react, Uchiha Chen finished speaking, leaped into the air, and sped toward Uchiha Fugaku's residence.
In just a few minutes, Uchiha Chen arrived at the gate of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku's residence.
Seeing that the gate was open, Uchiha Chen didn't hesitate. He stepped inside...
Beyond the gate lay a huge courtyard, steeped in traditional Japanese style.
A narrow stone path stretched onward, leading to who knew where.
Uchiha Chen followed the path all the way to an artificial lake.
There, he saw a boy standing beside the lake, forming hand seals with a solemn expression.
"Fire Release—Phoenix Flower Technique!"
The boy's cheeks suddenly puffed out, and several flames, like phoenix flower seeds, shot from his mouth.
His delicate features, long black hair, black eyes, and those distinctive tear troughs...
Uchiha Chen recognized him at once. The boy was Uchiha Itachi!
The moment he recognized Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Chen instinctively wanted to turn around and leave.
There was only one reason: the Uchiha Itachi standing before him was the lunatic who would one day wipe out the entire Uchiha Clan!
But just as Uchiha Chen was about to turn away, Uchiha Itachi noticed him.
Uchiha Itachi quickly stopped using his jutsu and ran toward Uchiha Chen, looking delighted.
Uchiha Chen: ???
What was going on? Why was Uchiha Itachi suddenly running toward him? Why did he look so delighted? Wasn't this their first time meeting?
"Are you... Uchiha Chen, senpai?"
A moment later, Uchiha Itachi reached him. His eyes shone as he looked at Uchiha Chen and cautiously asked the question. His fair little face had turned red with nervousness.
"You... know me?"
Uchiha Chen asked in surprise.
"Mhm! Hello, Uchiha Chen, senpai. My name is Uchiha Itachi.
Yesterday at noon, my father and I were nearby.
And Father told me to learn from you!"
Uchiha Itachi clenched his fists and nodded vigorously.
Though Uchiha Itachi was only four, he had understood what happened yesterday.
He had heard of Tsunade and Jiraiya, and his father, Uchiha Fugaku, had praised Uchiha Chen. Without realizing it, Uchiha Itachi had begun to feel a little respect for him.
Looking at the little boy with clenched fists and rosy cheeks, Uchiha Chen couldn't help wondering: Is this really Uchiha Itachi?
He didn't seem much like the boy described in the original story.
But Uchiha Chen quickly understood.
Right. Uchiha Itachi was only four years old. He was still a cheerful little boy who hadn't experienced anything yet!
Uchiha Itachi hadn't yet become the lunatic who could destroy the entire Uchiha family.
Uchiha Chen looked Uchiha Itachi up and down. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.
The person himself was right in front of him. If he took Uchiha Itachi out now, wouldn't that avert the clan's destruction?
At the thought, Uchiha Chen's gaze turned cold.
But soon, he shook his head and abandoned the impractical idea.
Never mind whether he could bring himself to kill a child. If he really did it, all of Konoha would hunt him down. That would be a dead end too.
He couldn't kill the boy. So why not try to change his way of thinking?
The chances might be slim, but it was still worth a try, wasn't it?
At the thought, Uchiha Chen's eyes lit up. His gaze softened as he looked at Uchiha Itachi, and he put on what he considered a kind, friendly smile.
"We're both members of the Uchiha Clan. Why call me 'senpai'? It makes us sound like strangers.
How about this? From now on, you can call me Chen-nii, and I'll call you Itachi."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean, 'huh'? It's settled!"
Without waiting for an answer, Uchiha Chen crouched and put an arm around Uchiha Itachi's shoulders.
"Uh... o-okay."
Uchiha Itachi was still a little dazed, so he could only nod.
"Oh, right. I think I forgot something. Stay here and don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."
Uchiha Chen suddenly seemed to remember something. He patted Uchiha Itachi on the head, tossed out that line, and dashed off.
Uchiha Itachi was left standing there with a bewildered look.
Ten minutes later, Uchiha Chen returned. To his delight, Uchiha Itachi really had stayed exactly where he was, without moving an inch!
"Hehe, Itachi, I brought you a gift for our first meeting!"
"Three-Color Dango. They're delicious. Try some!"
As he spoke, Uchiha Chen held out a paper bag to Uchiha Itachi.
He had gone out specifically to buy these. The important thing was to get closer to Uchiha Itachi!
As for Uchiha Fugaku? He could wait a little longer...
"Really?"
Uchiha Itachi took out a piece of Three-Color Dango and looked it over. It certainly smelled delicious.
After hesitating briefly, he put it in his mouth. Before long, his eyes lit up.
"Mmm!"
A satisfied smile appeared on Uchiha Itachi's young face.
"Chen-nii, thank you. The Three-Color Dango is delicious!"
He said "Chen-nii" with genuine affection.
"Hehe, no need to thank me."
Uchiha Chen raised an eyebrow. There—he had him right where he wanted him!