"The meaning of life?"
That question was far too heavy. It had always weighed on Itachi's heart, and he never wanted to bring it up. He thought about it, but he could never find an answer.
He wanted to seek answers from others, but no one wanted to listen to a child talk about such things.
Gua didn't answer.
He knew his answer wouldn't satisfy Itachi.
They had experienced different things. Itachi was unfortunate, while Gua was happy. When someone happy told someone unfortunate, "Go look at how beautiful this world is..."
It was hard for the unfortunate person to accept that answer.
So Gua chose silence.
He was very good at that.
"It wasn't until I met you, Gua, that I felt like I understood the meaning of life."
Itachi shifted the conversation and turned to look at Gua.
Gua froze.
Did I really make that much of a difference?
I couldn't even answer you when you asked me questions.
"Gua, you're like someone who accepts everything. Anything can flow through you, and you just quietly watch it all. You actually answered me long ago. The meaning of life lies in experiencing those little moments of beauty."
Itachi rested his hands on his knees and gazed at the distant Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Father is rigid, but he still cares about me in secret. Mother makes pastries for me. Sasuke smiles at me. You invite me to climb a mountain, Gua. All those little things are wonderful."
Itachi was actually smiling.
Brother, I invited you here to assassinate you, Gua thought.
Would you cry if you knew the truth?
Sasuke smiles at you because he genuinely likes you. That's true. Aunt Mikoto's pastries really are delicious. And Fugaku caring about you in secret is possible, too.
If you left out that last one, I think I'd really agree with your answer.
Little thoughts began surfacing in Gua's mind, too.
Who called Itachi a mass murderer? Sometimes, he's actually pretty nice.
He's still just a child right now.
Gua gazed at the distant compound alongside Itachi. The sun baked the earth, as though every breath drew in a great mouthful of sunlight.
A very learned teacher had once said, "When in doubt, ask the spring breeze."
If the next wind comes from the north, I'll kill Itachi. If it comes from the south, I'll let him go.
The woods rustled softly.
The wind rose.
It came from the north.
Gua stood and brushed the dust off himself.
That's what I said. If the wind comes from the north, I'll let Itachi go. If it comes from the south, I'll kill him. Looks like heaven wants Itachi to live.
Itachi stood as well.
"Gua, are we heading down now?"
"Yeah."
Gua nodded.
The two returned the way they had come.
The plan to assassinate Itachi had failed.
On the trunk of a huge tree hidden in the woods...
Fugaku stood there, having watched the two throughout their entire climb up and down the mountain.
He had come to observe Gua, and also to protect his own son. After all, Orochimaru really did seem intent on making a move against the Uchiha.
Although he had no evidence, he still had to take precautions.
When he saw the two heading down, Fugaku followed.
Rustle!
Rustle!
The same sound came from the woods in the distance.
Fugaku abruptly looked up, but everything over there had already gone still.
Fugaku's brows furrowed deeply.
Someone else was secretly watching Itachi and Gua!
Fugaku's heart tightened.
He immediately thought of that man.
"Orochimaru!"
Though he hadn't seen anyone, Fugaku knew it had to be him!
Who else would set their sights on two Uchiha children?
At the same time, Fugaku felt relieved. Thank goodness he had come today. Otherwise, something really might have happened to Itachi and Gua.
Hidden in the shadows, the corners of Orochimaru's sinister mouth curved up slightly.
He had already chosen his target.
A shadow shifted among the trees.
Sure enough, just as Fugaku had suspected, that shadow followed his son, Itachi.
He had known it. Why would Orochimaru go after someone like Gua?
Gua's talent was nowhere near Itachi's.
So following Gua that day had only been a coincidence.
Thinking it through, Fugaku felt his mind clear. Everything made sense now, so he headed home in the same direction as his son.
At the same time, his opinion of Gua really had changed somewhat.
If that child could make Itachi see him in a different light, then Gua's hard work must have earned Itachi's recognition.
Today, the two had even arranged to climb a mountain together.
Though mountain climbing was a tremendous waste of time, and he felt they should have spent all that time training.
Still, today, as a father watching such a relaxed smile appear on his son's face, he had been moved.
There was no need to keep him wound so tight. It was only one day spent climbing a mountain.
Itachi had been so happy.
Fugaku always spoke like a stern father, but deep down, this was his eldest son, the one he had the highest hopes for. There was still a trace of tenderness in his heart.
He followed the whole way.
Fugaku watched Itachi enter the house before turning his attention to the distant shadows.
Having awakened the Mangekyo, he could clearly sense someone there.
Orochimaru wasn't getting away!
Perhaps the other man hadn't acted this time because he had spotted Fugaku, but for his son's sake, Fugaku had to give him a warning.
After all, Fugaku had originally been a hardliner.
Especially after the Nine-Tails' Attack, when the Uchiha had been relocated to the edge of the village. The wind there really did chill them to the bone.
Fugaku's figure flickered and vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already standing before Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, what are you doing here?"
Fugaku questioned him bluntly, his expression grim.
"Me?"
Orochimaru pointed at himself, then grinned. His long, slender tongue licked the corner of his mouth, and madness shone in his eyes.
"Why, I'm hoping you Uchiha will do your part for our Konoha, of course."
Fugaku's expression grew even darker.
Unbelievable. He's not even pretending anymore?
He's openly going after the Uchiha now?
Does he really think I'm a pushover? If it comes to it, we'll fight right here and now, even if we both go down!
Fugaku was enraged.
His dark gaze locked onto Orochimaru, the three tomoe spinning rapidly.
Orochimaru smiled disdainfully. "Lord Fugaku, are you going to attack me?"
But a moment later, Orochimaru could no longer smile.
The genjutsu took effect.
Fugaku had actually attacked. Orochimaru had been careless just now and looked into an Uchiha's eyes-or perhaps he had simply been certain that Fugaku wouldn't dare act.
"I really did... underestimate you... Clan Head Fugaku..."
Orochimaru struggled to force out those last few words, then his body slid limply to the ground.
Fugaku frowned slightly.
"He's gone?"
Were their differences with the village becoming increasingly impossible to reconcile?
Was this Orochimaru's idea alone, or was it the village's intention?
Fugaku felt his thoughts descend into chaos.
He had always been an extremely conflicted man.
Elsewhere.
After parting ways with Itachi, Gua headed home alone.
This time, however, he wouldn't get the chance to reach home.
A figure blocked his path. That long, slender, snakelike body, that pale face, and that long hair...
It was undoubtedly Orochimaru.
Before you continue