Unlike the ninja clans who knew that Uchiha Makoto was leaving, the common people of Konoha were still thankful that they had survived the attack and were now joyfully preparing to welcome the New Year.
Having not been to the clan's territory for a long time, Uchiha Makoto stretched and strolled around, a rare occurrence for him.
When Uchiha Makoto arrived at the lake, he witnessed an unexpected scene.
"That's a weasel?"
Along the lakeside boardwalk, Itachi was holding a string of tricolor dumplings and sitting with a little girl with a beauty mark at the corner of her eye.
The two little ones look to be the same age.
"Uchiha Izumi?"
Seeing this scene that felt strangely familiar, Uchiha Makoto instantly thought of Uchiha Itachi's rumored girlfriend.
They have the same beauty mark under their eyes, are about the same age, and both love sweets.
"However, in the original story, Izumi should still be living outside at this time, and she only returned to the family with her mother after her father's death on the Night of the Nine-Tails."
"The butterfly effect?"
Looking at the clan crest behind Uchiha Izumi, Uchiha Makoto murmured to himself.
"But it's nothing serious."
He's practically killed all Five Kage; why would he be afraid of a little girl?
Someone has arrived.
Following his senses, Uchiha Makoto looked toward the figure that was moving toward him.
She was a woman dressed in Uchiha clan attire.
"Quan, we should go home!"
Before they even got close, the woman called out softly, which made Uchiha Izumi, who was sitting on the boardwalk, beam with joy and run happily towards her.
"Mother!"
As Uchiha Izumi ran, she opened her arms wide, and the woman smiled indulgently, holding her tightly in her embrace.
Was she Uchiha Izumi's mother?
Seeing Uchiha Izumi's docile and carefree demeanor, Uchiha Makoto realized the identity of the newcomer.
Uchiha Makoto also took a few extra glances at this lady who didn't even appear in the original work but had a significant role in various fanfictions.
From her appearance, she looks similar to Uchiha Mikoto.
"Itachi-kun, Kano!"
In her mother's arms, Izumi waved her chubby little hand goodbye to the weasel.
"Izumi, see you tomorrow!"
Itachi nodded calmly in agreement, showing no inclination to cry or make a fuss.
He acted like a little adult, which inexplicably reminded Uchiha Makoto of Uchiha Fugaku.
"Itachi-kun, aren't you going home yet?"
Seeing the lonely itachi, Izumi's mother didn't go straight home, but asked with concern.
"I'll go home after I finish eating the meatballs."
Itachi waved the one dumpling he had left in his hand and answered.
"Will Lady Mikoto come to pick you up later?"
"No, I'll go back by myself in a bit."
Itachi shook his head and answered obediently, causing Izumi's mother to frown.
Although the tribal territory is safe, how can a mother leave her child out like this?
Are you really that carefree?
Hiding in the shadows, Uchiha Makoto listened to Itachi's answer and couldn't help but silently facepalm.
Itachi and the others might not be able to see it, but in his eyes, Uchiha Baru, Itachi's great-grandfather, was secretly protecting Itachi.
Perhaps it's because Itachi was always in the clan's territory, and with Uchiha Baru, a Mangekyō Sharingan user, constantly watching over him, that Uchiha Mikoto was so "carefree"?
After all, in her eyes, the Mangekyō Sharingan was already at the level of the Five Kage, almost invincible in the Shinobi World. And Itachi, who was being cared for by the Mangekyō Sharingan, was in the Uchiha Clan Compound, a place with five Impure World Reincarnation Mangekyō Sharingan users, which was an absolutely safe place.
"Looking at it this way, it seems that the way this couple raised Itachi during the massacre of his clan in the original story was probably largely due to their parenting skills!"
Uchiha Makoto's lips twitched.
Who raises children like that?
Especially when all the other children have their parents taking them home, and the child is all alone, it can easily have a negative impact on their young mind.
Seeing Izumi's mother put Izumi down and prepare to take Itachi home, Uchiha Makoto flashed to the roadside.
"Weasel."
The white-haired Uchiha Makoto called out softly, leaving Uchiha Itachi and the other two somewhat bewildered.
Who is this?
"Uncle?"
Itachi asked somewhat uncertainly.
Although his appearance had changed drastically, Itachi still recognized Uchiha Makoto's face.
"Um."
Uchiha Makoto smiled and nodded, then picked Itachi up.
"Thank you for taking care of Itachi, Madam!"
Uchiha Makoto smiled and nodded slightly to Izumi and her daughter to express his gratitude.
"Ah!"
"No, no! Itachi has always been very well-behaved, I've never had to worry about him!"
Seeing the legendary figure of the clan Uchiha Makoto, Izumi's mother was momentarily speechless, waving her hands frantically to indicate that she didn't.
"Yeah?"
Uchiha Makoto looked somewhat surprised, glanced at Uchiha Izumi, and then continued exchanging a few pleasantries with Izumi's mother.
Uchiha Makoto felt that the time was about right, so he took his leave:
"It's getting late, so we'll take our leave now."
"Itachi, say goodbye!"
Itachi, sitting in Uchiha Makoto's room, also stretched out his small hand and waved to Uchiha Izumi and the other person.
"Quan, Auntie, Ghana!"
"Itachi, see you tomorrow!"
On the way, Uchiha Makoto was carrying Itachi home.
The little guy twisted his body and looked up at Uchiha Makoto.
"Uncle, what are the Sannin?"
What are the Sannin?
Uchiha Makoto raised an eyebrow and reached out to pinch Itachi's cheek.
Why are you asking that?
"Izumi said she wanted to become a female ninja like Sannin, one of the Lady Tsunade."
Hearing Itachi's answer, Uchiha Makoto nodded knowingly.
Is it because of the spring?
Netizens have jokingly referred to the Sannin of the Shinobi World: the gambler who lost money, Jiraiya Tsunade who lost the bet.
The three people he met were just like those in the original story; they were involved in all sorts of vices, including gambling, prostitution, and drugs.
But how do I talk to the little one about it?
Based on the facts, isn't it rather unsuitable?
Uchiha Makoto glanced at Itachi in his arms and quickly came up with a fun idea.
"The Sannin?"
Uchiha Makoto deliberately frowned, whetting Itachi's appetite before speaking:
"Orochimaru, the famous child trafficking expert, has a long tongue. After kidnapping a child like you, he will bite your neck like a snake!"
Thinking about the scene in the original work where Orochimaru planted the Curse Mark on Sasuke, Uchiha Makoto described it, a wicked smile gradually spreading across his lips.
"Jiraiya, a famous ninja author, whose works are bestsellers in the Shinobi World, is a super popular author who can single-handedly take on an entire nation!"
"Tsunade, the famous ninja gambling master, is rumored to have received rigorous gambling training from the First Hokage and is renowned Shinobi World for her formidable gambling skills!"
"I heard that Tsunade became incredibly wealthy because she won so much money, earning her the terrifying nickname 'Big Fat Sheep'!"
"Izumi, Itachi's friend, also wants to become a gambling master like Tsunade?"
"Ah?"