The Runaway Crow

When he was very young, perhaps he did the same when facing people or animals he feared or disliked?

Beiyuan turned his head and saw the children's actions.

Amidst the little girl's startled cries, stones were thrown from the children's hands… they arced through the air, smashing towards Uchiha Itachi…

"Such boring tricks for kids. If you could even hit him…"

"Caw… caw… caw…"

Beiyuan clutched Itachi's clothes, his body swaying precariously…

These Konoha children, who yearned to wear headbands, were quite skilled at throwing stones. When they were too young to be allowed to use shuriken, they practiced with small rocks.

Uchiha Itachi easily dodged them with his chakra sensing abilities, while a half-baked crow on his other shoulder, dizzy and disoriented, dodged them too. Two pebbles finally landed on its wings.

There wasn't much pain, it felt like the wind blowing through feathers…

The problem was that the group of brats immediately found something to laugh about: "Look at that ugly crow, it's so hideous! Hit it, hit it!"

"It flies around the village all day, it must steal food everywhere. Kill it!"

"You… you guys, don't throw them at Itachi anymore…"

"I practice shuriken every day, I definitely won't miss!"

The cute children seemed to have changed their target. They had found new amusement… that pathetic crow was an eyesore!

"Caw…"

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Uchiha Itachi's childish voice echoed, and a massive fireball erupted from his mouth. The sound of stones shattering continuously filled the air, and flames scorched the ground, leaving behind a patch of blackened scorch marks.

One little boy was so scared he burst into tears on the spot…

The remaining children stood there dumbfounded… Even the more mature little girl, Izumi, had tears slowly welling up in her eyes: "Itachi…"

"Caw…"

Beiyuan flapped his wings and gave a thumbs-up… Well done!

Itachi helplessly closed his eyelids and placed a hand on Beiyuan's back: "Let's go, to the training grounds."

"Ahhh!" the little girl shrieked furiously behind them.

…So funny. You want to be a puppy for a cub with this level?

Every small event in the world doesn't disappear without reason; it always leaves a ripple in people's hearts and triggers the next event.

Uchiha Mikoto was discharged from the hospital not long after, and the household gradually returned to normal. Having a little puppy around did bring some changes, and Fugaku subsequently created a new training plan for Uchiha Itachi.

The reason was that he was still young; he had to practice taijutsu and shuriken throwing in the morning and ninjutsu training in the afternoon, which was too intense…

"Arrange your time yourself, and pay attention to your health…" Fugaku's gaze drifted as he continued, "Normally, Itachi, you should also make more friends."

"Yes, Father." The little boy knelt obediently.

Fugaku continued, "Uchiha Hazuki's family has recently returned to the clan, although they haven't moved back to the clan grounds yet. Itachi might still…"

"Wah… woo… wah…"

Before he could finish, the baby in Mikoto's arms suddenly wailed loudly, and the conversation seemed unable to continue.

"Caw!"

The crow's caw instantly stopped little Sasuke's crying. Beiyuan, perched on Mikoto's shoulder, watched as the infant held back his tears… and his mouth began to puff out…

"Pfft… pfft… pfft…"

The little guy actually wanted to spit saliva… The crow, naturally, refused to back down, its crimson eyes fixed on him!

"Caw!"

"Pfft… pfft…"

"Sasuke is very energetic," Uchiha Mikoto squinted and smiled. "And he seems to really like Beiyuan!"

The father and son present: "…"

"If I may be so bold to say… I don't see that."

Uchiha Fugaku's original intention was for Itachi to go out more and make more friends… His eldest son's reclusive nature had become known outside the family!

What he never expected was that the day after their conversation, Uchiha Itachi, with a bag slung over his shoulder and Sasuke cradled in his arms, joined the ranks of those carrying babies.

On the streets and alleys of Konoha, a little boy could be seen wandering around with a baby… Of course, occasionally he would push a baby stroller that was as tall as he was… That child named Uchiha Itachi… Was the Fugaku family raising him seriously?

It had to be said that the sensible Itachi made things much easier for the couple. Uchiha Mikoto's postpartum life was going well… Just as she had wished, the home truly had more of a lively atmosphere.

New problems also arose… The crow and Sasuke couldn't stand each other and often quarreled… It was unknown how two species with a language barrier communicated, yet they could even determine a winner!

Ichiraku Ramen.

Since the little boy had learned to cook, Beiyuan hadn't come to eat ramen for a long time… Today's situation was a bit special.

"Bang bang bang!"

The sound of its beak tapping on the menu was particularly loud. A little girl screamed nearby, "A crow! Dad, there's a crow that looks really scary!"

"...Another day of wanting to start over."

"Ayame, don't be so surprised, it's rude..." Uncle Teuchi said kindly as always, "Oh, is that one of Little Brother Itachi's crows? It hasn't been here in a while..."

"Caw!"

"One bowl of tonkotsu ramen!" Teuchi looked at the menu and went to make the noodles, leaving his daughter Ayame to look timidly at Beiyuan, "Um, if a crow eats ramen, will it pay?"

"..."

Children, their focus is indeed different.

Little girl, you're really something... you thought of a question I didn't even notice!

"It's okay... Mr. Crow is a regular customer..." Uncle Teuchi patted his daughter's head and brought out a bowl of ramen, "I'll treat this bowl... Besides, we still have plenty of 'ramen on the wall' left!"

The 'ramen on the wall' was arranged by Beiyuan in communication with Uchiha Itachi.

The Third Shinobi World War had just ended, and Konoha had many orphaned children who had come wandering in. Ichiraku Ramen couldn't possibly handle charity events.

On that day, Uchiha Itachi bought four bowls of ramen and designated them as 'ramen on the wall'... Uncle Teuchi solemnly made a promotional sign.

Any customer who came with a kind heart could purchase an extra bowl of ramen, which Ichiraku Ramen would then distribute to the street children.

Most ninja had witnessed the horrors of war, and many were generous. Ichiraku Ramen became even more popular... becoming a regular dining spot for many traveling ninja.

Perhaps the initiator never imagined that he himself would one day enjoy such treatment...

Little Ayame was curious about the crow that came alone and chattered on. When other customers heard that it was the pet of the little boy who initiated the charity, their attitudes became much kinder.

Until the Konoha Military Police surrounded the ramen shop, most of them looking fierce and imposing...

Little Ayame's good impression of the Uchiha Clan ended there... A father and son rushed over, and the little boy left with the crow...

"Even if you lose an argument with Sasuke, you can't run away from home! Dad almost laid a hand on you!"

"He's not even two months old, he can only spit! Why did you two start fighting?"

The young Ayame heard the last two sentences spoken by the little boy. She remembered a name: Sasuke.

Later, she learned from her father that the little boy holding the crow was Uchiha Itachi.

Not to mention, the kid was quite good-looking, it's just that his pet was too fierce