At dawn, the sun rose and scattered the morning mist. Konoha stirred after a silent night, growing lively and noisy once more.
Fugaku opened his eyes and looked at Itachi. The baby was awake, gazing curiously around him.
Fugaku smiled, picked him up, and walked through the courtyard, savoring the feeling of being a father.
In this life, Itachi would not have to bear so much. Fugaku would make sure he grew up happy and healthy, then eventually inherited the position of clan head.
He would not have to carry that pain and lose his life so young.
In the Uchiha District, Obito and Shisui left their homes one after the other and headed for the Ninja Academy. Yesterday's match had given Obito a surge of confidence.
Shisui was strong, but Obito was no slouch. He patted Shisui on the shoulder.
Shisui turned to him with a smile. "Senior."
Obito nodded. "You're good. To be this strong at your age, you're bound to become a pillar of the Uchiha.
"If there's anything you don't understand in your training, come to me. I've spent two more years at the Ninja Academy than you have.
"It's only right for a senior to give his junior a few pointers."
Shisui's mouth twitched at Obito's show of seniority. After yesterday's match, he no longer underestimated him.
But he did not think Obito could teach him much about training, either. Still, Obito's sincere smile made it hard to refuse.
He gave an awkward smile. "Thank you, Senior."
Obito laughed. "Good! Let's spar on Back Mountain again tonight."
He remembered Fugaku saying that fighting strong opponents was the best way to improve.
The two strongest students he knew at the Ninja Academy were Shisui and Kakashi.
Obito intended to become Hokage one day and make Kakashi