Inside the interrogation room, Ebisu was gradually transforming into a fervent supporter of Ren.
The female ninja who had previously notified Ebisu has returned to the Konoha Military Police Force and taken on another errand-running job.
This kind of work is rarely taken by the Uchiha Clan ninjas in the Konoha Military Police Force, as it is troublesome and the rewards are very meager.
Normally, only newcomers to the Konoha Military Police Force and ordinary ninjas with little Ninjutsu inheritance can take on this task, because it will earn them points in the Ninjutsu Pavilion.
The points awarded are very few. This errand-running job, which used to be highly sought after, has gradually become undesirable even to some ordinary ninjas.
The ninja who issued the mission clearly recognized this clansman and began to offer advice.
"Quan, if you're really feeling unwell, you can take a few days off to rest. You don't need to keep lying to yourself like this."
Upon hearing this, Quan immediately gave a sweet smile, but the sadness in her eyes could not be erased.
"No need, I need to work now!"
Unlike most people who just watch the drama unfold, Quan was immediately gripped by a name that was only briefly mentioned when he heard the news.
[Itachi Uchiha, a spy Hiruzen Sarutobi Uchiha Clan, has now defected; a Rank A missing-nin of Hidden Leaf Village.]
The scene of eating dumplings with Itachi at the dessert shop yesterday at noon was still vivid in Izumi's mind, and she felt a secret joy when she said goodbye to Itachi.
Izumi, who knew Itachi well, knew that for someone like Itachi, not refusing was tantamount to agreeing, especially since Itachi had taken the initiative to bring it up yesterday.
Overnight, a sudden change occurred, and Itachi became missing-nin of Konoha.
Recalling yesterday's events, Izumi was filled with lingering resentment. "Itachi-san, is this your last act of kindness towards me?"
Those caught in the middle of it all can't see the whole picture and can only make wild guesses.
Before last night, Itachi was also kept in the dark. So Itachi's behavior was simply an awkward attempt to get closer to Izumi after accepting her.
For the entire day, Quan searched for tedious yet simple tasks, trying to stop herself from thinking about that strong, gentle, and shy figure.
Contrary to her wishes, the more she tried to forget, the clearer the memories became, and fragments of Itachi kept appearing in Izumi's mind.
"Izumi, some things aren't as simple as they seem. Perhaps you could go ask Itachi at his house."
Distracted by the words, Quan turned around and saw the clansman who had given her the task; now only his back was visible.
There aren't many fools in this world. After being awakened, Izumi didn't lose her intelligence because Itachi was caught up in love. Combining the information she had come into contact with, she also realized that things might not be as simple as she had imagined.
As Itachi's father, Fugaku might actually know some secrets.
Filled with anticipation and nervousness, Izumi hurried towards Fugaku.
At Fugaku's home.
At this moment, Fugaku looked at his son with some helplessness. Sasuke Uchiha was crying and repeating the same thing over and over again.
"Why?"
Why would my brother do this?
Such words show that Sasuke Uchiha's feelings for Itachi are indeed very deep. Sasuke Uchiha's highly infectious crying and expressions made Fugaku unable to help but step forward to comfort him.
However, seeing Mikoto Uchiha holding Sasuke Uchiha and also crying sadly, Fugaku sat upright with a stern face, watching the tearful mother and daughter.
Where exactly did Ren- kun see that Sasuke Uchiha possesses talent surpassing Itachi's???
Sasuke Uchiha will graduate and become a ninja next year, right? Itachi, who is the same age, has already become Anbu, but Sasuke Uchiha can't even control his own emotions!
Fugaku greatly admired Ren's ability to recognize talent, which far surpassed his own.
Even if we don't mention Fugaku, who doesn't know where Ren got Deidara from, or Kabuto Yakushi, an ordinary commoner ninja from an orphanage, could be seen by Fugaku as a genius similar to the Fourth Hokage.
So where exactly does Sasuke Uchiha's talent lie? Will he cry?
Fugaku really couldn't see any special talent in Sasuke Uchiha, well, except for his good memory and the fact that he got full marks on yesterday's theory test.
Just then, a soft knock on the door crossed the courtyard and reached the ears of the three of them.
"Knock knock, knock knock~"
Hearing the knock on the door, Fugaku wanted to stop the mother and daughter from crying, mainly because Sasuke Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha were adults after all.
As it turned out, Fugaku discovered that Sasuke didn't need him to remind him; upon hearing the knock on the door, Sasuke Uchiha instantly stopped crying, quickly wiped away his tears, and immediately adopted a poker face.
This is so Uchiha Clan!
Too proud to admit it!
But how is this any different from the rest of the tribe?
"Mikoto Uchiha, take Sasuke Uchiha back to rest. There will be no special training today."
Because of Ren's words, Fugaku placed his hopes on Sasuke Uchiha. During the day, he devised a series of special training programs based on Sasuke Uchiha's strength, planning to start practicing on his weaker side tonight.
After tonight's incident, Fugaku's enthusiasm for practicing the trumpet plummeted to rock bottom.
Sasuke Uchiha, let him grow up happily, there's no need to worry too much about it. Maybe Ren was just joking back then!
Mikoto Uchiha obediently led Sasuke Uchiha towards the inner room. Fugaku, without putting on airs, personally went out to Gate of Opening for the visitors.
Who could it be so late?
The moment Gate of Opening and saw Izumi standing outside, Fugaku was visibly taken aback.
So fast!?
Fugaku was stunned for only a moment before speaking.
"Oh, it's Izumi-kun. Come in and let's chat."
After the two sat down, Fugaku poured Izumi a cup of tea and then explained.
"Mikoto Uchiha hasn't been feeling well lately, so the tea is a bit cold. Please forgive me, Izumi-kun."
Quan seemed a little nervous; he didn't even pick up his teacup, and his tightly clenched fist revealed his state.
Fugaku, oblivious to Izumi's rudeness, gently asked about the girl who was so close to Itachi.
"Izumi-kun, is there something you need for your visit so late at night?"
Perhaps it was Fugaku's unusually gentle tone, or perhaps it was because Fugaku was Itachi's father, that eased Izumi's tension slightly.
Having mustered her courage, Quan finally spoke and asked.
"Uncle Fugaku, is there some hidden reason behind Itachi's defection?"
Fugaku seemed to be thinking about something, and remained silent for a long time before speaking.
"Izumi-kun, I apologize on Itachi's behalf for the trouble he caused you."
After apologizing, Fugaku continued.
"Itachi has always been exceptional, and I've always been proud of him. However, his excellence far exceeded my expectations. Itachi was the Third Hokage's spy all along. He deceived everyone—me, Mikoto Uchiha, and Sasuke Uchiha."
After a brief pause, Fugaku spoke with a look of guilt on his face.
"If Itachi said anything to you, please forget it. Fortunately, last night's accident exposed Itachi. He deceived everyone, including you, Izumi-kun. Everything Itachi has shown over the years has been a deliberate disguise!"
Please forget about it!
It was all a deliberate disguise!
Izumi reminisced about all the moments she had shared with Itachi over the past few years, especially Itachi's shy and clumsy behavior yesterday.
Fake!
It's all fake!
Itachi-san, have you been lying to me all along?
Izumi now regretted coming to find Fugaku. The truth was different from what she had imagined and expected. If she could, she wished she could still be deceived by Itachi.
Until death!
Izumi did not doubt the truthfulness of Fugaku's words, but that was precisely why she could not accept this fact.
Scenes of her time with Itachi flashed through her mind, and Izumi tried to find a flaw in them, to find the moment when Itachi dropped his pretense towards her.
Even the smallest bit, if it's just a tiny bit, I'll hold on tight!