Rather than face the monster before him, Uchiha Itachi would have preferred to face those naive members of the Uchiha Clan who always made him reread his moral education textbook.
Little Uchiha Itachi stepped forward and silently walked in front of his mother and younger brother.
The gesture made it seem as though Uchiha Itachi was subtly shielding his mother and brother behind him.
Uchiha Itachi quickly composed himself. With a sincere smile, he asked softly, "Are you a friend of my father's?"
Itachi did not respond to Madara Uchiha's words, as though he had not understood the remark, "Itachi, we are the same kind."
Yet Madara Uchiha watched Itachi with keen interest. Following his lead, Madara asked, "Is your father not home?"
Uchiha Itachi answered smoothly, "That's right. Father has gone to work."
"Then I've certainly come at a bad time. I'll wait until he returns." Madara Uchiha suddenly became accommodating. Looking at Uchiha Itachi, he said, "Sorry for the intrusion. Let's leave it at that for today."
With that, Madara Uchiha turned and left.
Uchiha Sumi looked puzzled, but he still nodded to Uchiha Mikoto before hurrying after Madara Uchiha.
Uchiha Itachi furrowed his brows. As he watched Madara Uchiha's tall, straight back recede into the distance, an indescribable feeling welled up inside him.
Then Uchiha Itachi's expression changed several times within a few seconds.
Itachi suddenly turned to his mother and said softly, "Mom, Ayumi left her book here yesterday. I'd like to take it to her house."
Uchiha Mikoto had only just breathed a sigh of relief. Without doubting Itachi's words, she nodded and said, "Go ahead. Remember to take an umbrella, and be careful on the way."
Uchiha Itachi quickly went into the Inner Residence, grabbed a book at random and an umbrella, then hurried