Gua left the house with Izumi, Itachi, and Orochimaru.
Kabuto stayed home to help Gua's mother, Nai, and father, Dashan, clean up.
"What did your mother mean, Gua?"
Itachi made casual conversation as they walked.
Whenever he was with Gua and Izumi, Itachi felt more relaxed than at any other time.
The world was vast,
but having two people so important to him by his side made him feel at ease.
"No idea."
Gua brushed Itachi off out of habit.
He really had no idea why his mother had treated Izumi that way. Mom was always so odd, like a mischievous girl, without any of a mother's composure.
At that thought,
Gua sighed silently to himself.
Izumi, meanwhile, kept her head lowered.
Uchiha Nai's words were still playing through her mind.
Did she notice how awkward I felt...?
But I can't help it. I get nervous whenever I see Gua's mother and father.
Izumi walked very slowly, practically dragging her feet across the ground as her thoughts ran wild.
Still,
it felt nice when Nai stroked me...
It had given her a little warmth-the warmth of family affection.
Come to think of it,
I've even eaten a boxed lunch Gua's mother made. That wasn't like this birthday meal. She prepared that lunch just for me.
Suddenly, Izumi felt a little envious-no, a little jealous-of Gua.
If only Gua's mother were my mother too.
Actually, that might not be impossible...
What are you thinking, Izumi!!!
Izumi blushed faintly,
immediately shutting down all those thoughts and silently scolding herself for being so hopeless.
That startled Gua and Itachi beside her.
"What's wrong with you?"
Gua took a step back, giving Izumi a strange look.
They had been walking along just fine when Izumi suddenly stamped her foot. When he turned to look,