Itachi had only just finished marveling inwardly at how remarkable Chikage was.
A rhythmic knock came from outside the courtyard gate.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The knocking was soft, but it rang out clearly in the quiet courtyard.
Fugaku turned toward the gate.
"Who would come over this late?"
Itachi stepped forward and headed for the gate.
"Father, I'll get it."
He reached the gate and pulled open the heavy wooden door.
Chikage's face appeared outside, wearing a lazy smile.
Chikage was still in the Konoha Military Police Force uniform, carrying two oilpaper packages.
A rich, sweet fragrance drifted from the packages, unmistakably the work of that Dango Shop on South Street.
"Hey, Itachi. Good evening."
"Is Uncle home?"
Chikage greeted him while strolling into the courtyard as naturally as could be.
There was no trace of a guest's reserve; Chikage looked so at ease that this might as well have been home.
Itachi paused, then quickly stepped aside.
"Chikage, Father's in the back courtyard."
Hearing the voices, Fugaku had already walked over from the lawn.
He looked a little surprised to see the packages Chikage was carrying.
"Chikage, what brings you here?"
Chikage lifted the oilpaper packages and strode forward without hesitation.
"Uncle, I picked up some Three-Color Dango on my way home from work."
"Thought I'd stop by and mooch dinner off you, too."
"The dinner menu posted outside the police force cafeteria really killed my appetite."
"There wasn't even a speck of oil in that boiled cabbage."
"I just did the Uchiha such a huge service. Surely I deserve a decent meal."
Chikage said this with perfect confidence.
Fugaku couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"You little rascal. You even make mooching dinner sound noble."
"Come in. Your aunt just happened to make your favorite ribs."
Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Mikoto came out of the kitchen.
She carried a plate of freshly cooked food and still wore a pale blue apron.
Her smile widened when she saw Chikage.
"You're here, Chikage. Go wash your hands and get ready to eat."
"I made a few extra dishes today. There's definitely plenty."
Chikage quickly handed the packages to Itachi, then approached her with a grin.
"You always take such good care of me, Auntie."
"I could smell the meat from outside the gate. It had me swallowing drool."
Sasuke hid behind Fugaku's legs, peeking out to secretly study his older cousin.
So this was Cousin Chikage, the one Father had just praised.
But Chikage didn't look powerful at all.
There was none of the chakra his father released during training, nor the reassuring presence his brother had when he sprang into action.
After washing up, Chikage immediately spotted Sasuke hiding behind the adults' legs.
Chikage walked over and gave Sasuke's head a vigorous ruffle.
"What are you looking at, little Sasuke?"
"Wondering why I'm here mooching dinner again?"
Caught out, Sasuke's little face reddened.
He quickly ducked farther behind Fugaku and protested softly.
"No, I'm not."
Fugaku smiled and smoothed things over.
"All right, stop standing around. Let's sit down and eat."
The family gathered around the large dining table.
The table was covered with a lavish spread.
There were ribs stewed until the meat fell off the bone, golden scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and lightly stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
Chikage picked up a bowl and, without standing on ceremony, popped a large piece of rib into an eager mouth.
"With cooking like this, Auntie, you'd be the best in the business even if you opened a restaurant on South Street."
"You're miles better than those izakayas."
Mikoto couldn't stop smiling at the praise and kept adding food to Chikage's bowl.
"Then eat plenty."
"If the police force cafeteria serves bad food again, just come straight here."
"We can always spare a meal for you."
Chikage nodded repeatedly, mouth stuffed with meat, and still managed a muffled thank-you.
The mood around the table was warm and easy.
Fugaku was in such good spirits that he even made an exception and poured himself a small cup of sake.
He raised the cup and took a small sip.
"Chikage, you did excellent work today."
"On my way back, I saw several merchants on South Street hanging red cloth outside their shops."
"Their attitude toward our police force has changed considerably."
Chikage spat out a bone and wiped a mouth with a napkin.
"Uncle, that's just the basics."
"We used to be too straightforward. All we knew was how to do the work, not how to make sure people saw it."
"Since the Higher-Ups made these rules, we ought to put them to good use."
"As long as we're on the right side of the rules, the Higher-Ups will have to figure out how to explain themselves to the whole village before they move against us."
Sitting across from Chikage, Itachi listened thoughtfully.
He set down his chopsticks and looked at Chikage.
"Chikage, do you think the Higher-Ups will really keep following the rules?"
"What if they amend the Public Security Administration Regulations?"
Chikage glanced at Itachi.
The boy truly deserved his reputation as an Uchiha prodigy. His mind worked fast.
But Chikage had no desire to discuss political intricacies with a little kid here.
Chikage picked up some scrambled eggs with tomatoes and spoke unhurriedly.
"Itachi, that's a pretty weighty question."
"Of course the Higher-Ups won't behave themselves forever."
"But they can't just secretly change the regulations whenever they feel like it."
"If they really want to change the rules just to shield Shimura Ken, they'll have to lay out their procedures and reasons in the open."
"Then the whole village will know it isn't the Uchiha they fear, but the rules they made themselves."
"If they really do change them, that's tomorrow's problem."
"If we can get justice today, we should secure it today."
Itachi was taken aback.
This approach of securing immediate gains before considering future changes was completely different from what Shisui had taught him.
Yet the more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
Listening beside them, Fugaku nodded repeatedly as well.
"Chikage's right."
"We can't keep giving up what we should fight for today because of things that haven't happened yet."
"We used to overthink everything and worry too much."
"And all that did was let the Higher-Ups back us into a corner, step by step."
Sasuke couldn't understand what the adults were talking about.
All he knew was that his cousin ate incredibly fast.
The ribs on the plate were almost gone.
Sasuke quickly reached out with his chopsticks, snatched the last rib, and put it in his bowl.
Chikage couldn't help laughing at the way Sasuke guarded his food.
"Little Sasuke, don't just eat meat. Have more vegetables."
"Look at your brother. He eats lots of vegetables, and that's why he's so accurate with shuriken."
Sasuke gave Itachi a doubtful look.
Itachi smiled helplessly but didn't expose Chikage's nonsense.
The meal passed in warmth and laughter.
It was a rare sight in the Uchiha Clan Head's home.
At dinner in the past, Fugaku would always wear a stern expression and ask about Itachi's training progress.
The atmosphere at the table was always so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Today was completely different.
Chikage's arrival had swept that heavy atmosphere away.
After dinner, Mikoto took Sasuke to the kitchen to help clear the dishes.
Itachi considerately returned to his room as well.
Only Fugaku and Chikage remained in the living room.
Fugaku lifted his teacup and drank some hot tea, washing away the lingering taste of sake.
His expression slowly grew serious.
"Chikage, what happened today was satisfying, but don't let your guard down."
Chikage reclined against the sofa, holding a cup of tea in a thoroughly relaxed posture.
"Uncle, are you worried Danzo will retaliate?"
Before you continue