In the time it took to turn a page, another year had passed.
Year 59 of Konoha.
At Uchiha Fugaku's home.
Sasuke clung tightly to Itachi's sleeve and protested.
"Nii-san, you promised you'd train with me when you had time!"
"Sasuke..."
Itachi sighed helplessly.
He gave Izumi, who had been waiting beside them for quite a while, an apologetic smile.
Izumi returned a look that said, "It's fine."
She bent down slightly and smiled at Sasuke.
"Sasuke, how about taking a day off and coming on a spring outing with your big brother and me?"
Sasuke shook his head like a rattle and declared firmly.
"No! I want Nii-san to train with me!"
This kid seems to have disliked me since he was little, Izumi thought.
She remembered when Sasuke had still been a baby in swaddling clothes.
Whenever he saw her, he would burst into tears...
Hey, am I really that scary?!
At some point.
Itachi had slipped free of Sasuke's grip.
He suddenly appeared beside Izumi and said.
"All right, Sasuke. Train on your own today."
Sasuke threw away the branch in his hand, his little cheeks puffing up in anger.
"Nii-san, you actually used the Substitution Technique! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Izumi snickered beside them, thinking Sasuke was actually rather adorable.
Itachi smiled affectionately too.
He raised two fingers and gently tapped Sasuke's forehead.
"Sorry, Sasuke. This is the last time."
As though someone had flipped a switch.
Sasuke instantly became obedient, leaving Izumi marveling at the sight.
Itachi ruffled Sasuke's hair, then turned to Izumi.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Izumi. Let's go."
Izumi tidied the loose strands at her temples and said with a bright smile.
"Not at all. We're heading out now, Sasuke."
"Don't worry. I'll bring your brother back on time