Creak.
The door opened. Facing Madara, Itachi politely asked, "Mr. Madara, is something the matter?"
Madara asked, "Nothing. I just finished eating and came out for a stroll. Has Sasuke Uchiha returned?"
Itachi said calmly, "He came back a moment ago, but he left again right after eating."
"Is that so? I was thinking of introducing him to Izuna. They're both Uchiha clansmen, yet they haven't formally met."
Itachi cautiously suggested, "Then... shall I go bring Sasuke Uchiha back?"
Madara turned away. "No need to trouble yourself. Next time, I'll bring Izuna to visit his Phantom City."
Izumi walked over. "Uncle Madara, why not stay for a meal?"
Madara glanced back from the corner of his eye and said meaningfully, "I won't disturb your family of 'three.'"
The door closed.
"Phew..."
Itachi let out a sigh of relief. He had thought Madara had come to trouble Sasuke Uchiha over Izuna, so in the urgency of the moment, he had already had Sasuke Uchiha escape through the window.
Itachi felt fortunate. "It seems Mr. Izuna didn't tattle, or perhaps he hasn't met Mr. Madara yet. Otherwise, given how protective Mr. Madara is of his younger brother, this would have been difficult to settle..."
Izumi defended Sasuke Uchiha. "Sasuke didn't mean any harm either. Anyone would be suspicious upon meeting someone who looked almost exactly like them. What if he were an enemy threatening the Ninja Kingdom?"
"By the way, Mr. Madara just said our family of three, but Sasuke isn't here..."
As Itachi mulled that over, he suddenly looked at Izumi.
A blush suddenly rose on Izumi's fair, well-proportioned face, and her delicate hand unconsciously moved to her taut lower abdomen.
That expression made Itachi's gaze flicker, and he grew uneasy. "Izumi... you..."
With shyness and a racing heart, Izumi shared