Picking Up the Two Kids from School

Although he was very impatient, there was nothing he could do. His father and mother had really let Naruto live in their home. Still, he planned to run home as fast as he could later and shake Naruto off.

"Hey, you people!"

Sasuke coldly looked at the parents by the gate, who kept spouting one nasty remark after another. Just as he was about to tell them to shut up...

He suddenly spotted his father in the crowd, and his words caught in his throat.

A trace of delight flashed through his eyes, though he did not make it too obvious. He merely hurried over somewhat awkwardly. "Father, why are you here?"

Takuya did not make any affectionate gestures, nor did he pat Sasuke's head. He simply stood there with his arms crossed and smiled. "I just got off work too. It was on the way, so I came to pick you up."

"Ah, Uncle! What a coincidence!"

Naruto suddenly shouted from beside him.

Takuya cheerfully rubbed the blond brat's head. "You little rascal, how was school today?"

As he spoke, Takuya casually glanced at the villagers gossiping nearby. Last night, he had only instructed Ryoichi to tell the Uchiha Clan to treat Naruto well. He had forgotten about the villagers.

Well, there was no need to specifically instruct them either. He could simply announce it together with tomorrow's ceremony and the matter of White Fang.

Sasuke stood to the side with reddened eyes. As he watched the carefree Naruto, a flash of jealousy crossed his gaze.

You bastard, weren't you there when Father was talking too? What do you mean, what a coincidence? Coincidence my ass!

Sasuke's thoughts churned wildly. Besides, I got here first. Why didn't Father pat my head?

Sasuke's heart was nearly shattered.

"Come on, let's go home."

Takuya called out.

Naruto was carefree and lively, running back and forth. With both hands clasped behind his head, he swaggered along backward while endlessly recounting everything he had found amusing that day.

Takuya merely smiled without saying anything.

Up ahead, Sasuke darkened his face and quickened his pace.

The three of them crossed more than half of Konoha, passed through a small forest, and returned to the Uchiha Compound. Shortly afterward, they arrived home.

"Sasuke, welcome back. Where's Naruto?"

Hearing the door open, Mikoto ran to the entryway to take a look. She saw only Sasuke entering alone, with no one behind him, and could not help furrowing her lovely brows.

Before Sasuke had left that morning, she had specifically told him to bring Naruto home after school. Naruto had only just arrived and surely did not know the way home yet!

Sasuke answered impatiently with a dark expression, stingy with his words. "Behind me."

Mikoto hurriedly went to the door and looked out. Sure enough, she saw two figures, one large and one small, walking toward the house along the street not far away.

They were her husband and little Naruto.

Mikoto's somewhat stern expression immediately softened like water, her eyes seeming to hold an autumn lake.

"Welcome back."

Mikoto smiled and ushered them inside.

"Auntie, I'm back!"

Naruto's voice was incredibly loud.

Yet Mikoto did not seem to mind and repeated her welcome.

Smiling, she took the schoolbag from Naruto's back and handed him the indoor slippers she had specially gone into town to buy for him today.

After watching Naruto scamper into the house, she immediately took her husband's slippers from the shoe cabinet.

"Fugaku, how is the moving going? Have you decided when we'll move?"

Mikoto asked softly.

If they could move back to the old compound sooner, it would be more convenient for the children to go to school.

They would not have to walk such a long way to school like they did now.

"Not yet. There are still some things to clear out of the old compound. It will probably take about a week, then we can move back."

Takuya said indifferently.

As Takuya answered, the virtuous Mikoto helped him take off his coat and nodded. "I understand."

"Brother!"

After entering the house, Sasuke saw Uchiha Itachi kneeling on the tatami beside the table. His earlier gloom was swept away, and he excitedly ran over.

"Sasuke, you got back pretty early today."

Itachi smiled and rubbed his head.

He had originally been a member of the Third Hokage's direct ANBU. Now that most of the Third Hokage's direct ANBU had been arrested, it was effectively disbanded. Because he was Takuya's son, Kakashi had not sent anyone to arrest him.

After the new direct ANBU was formed, no one from the clan came looking for him either.

He was completely free now, with nothing to do.

So, he had spent another whole day at home.

The brothers had chatted all day. Just as Sasuke was excitedly asking his brother to take him to the training ground to practice throwing techniques, Naruto and Takuya arrived home right afterward.

Naruto ran in with a patter of footsteps. When he saw Uchiha Itachi, his eyes lit up, and he greeted him loudly, "Big Brother Itachi! Long time no see!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. They had seen each other just this morning, okay? Shameless bastard!

Uchiha Itachi smiled and nodded. "Welcome back, Naruto."

Then he suddenly noticed that his father had returned as well. He showed an apologetic expression and tapped Sasuke on the forehead. "Sorry, maybe next time, Sasuke."

Without waiting for Sasuke's reply, he stood and walked to the entryway.

Sasuke pouted in dissatisfaction and glared at Naruto. "You bastard, it's all your fault!"

Naruto scratched his head with a baffled expression, having no idea what Sasuke was talking about.

Why could he not understand it?

"Father, I have something I want to discuss with you."

Mikoto had just taken off Takuya's coat. As the two entered the house one after the other, Itachi stopped them beside the stairs at the entryway.

In most houses here, the stairs leading to the second floor were located right by the entrance.

Past the entryway was the staircase.

Seeing the solemn look on her eldest son's face, Mikoto knew that the father and son had something to discuss. She did not linger and went straight inside, leaving them alone.

Takuya paused slightly. "What is it?"

Itachi said, "Father, is there anything you can assign me to do?"

Takuya understood at once. Itachi had nothing to do and wanted to find something to occupy himself with.

Takuya pondered for a moment. Then an idea suddenly surfaced in his mind. He looked Uchiha Itachi over, growing more tempted by the second.

He coughed twice. "There is something, but it requires a long journey. I wonder if you are willing to go."

Uchiha Itachi's expression did not change at all. "Tell me."

Takuya hesitated inwardly, but ultimately said it.

"There is a Jonin in Hidden Mist Village, Water Country, whom I think highly of. He is exceptionally capable and a decent person as well. Hidden Mist Village has been carrying out that Blood Mist Village nonsense these past few years, and staying there is wasting his talent. Konoha is weak right now and urgently needs talents like him. Would you be willing to make the trip and recruit him into Konoha?"

After speaking, he quietly waited for Itachi's answer.

Although Itachi had lost his Mangekyo Sharingan, his strength would indeed be greatly reduced. At the very least, he was no longer Kage-tier.