Uchiha Itachi Is Born

Time flew, and three years flowed gently through the long river of life like an endless stream.

For Koki, those three years had been like a dream, both long and fleeting.

From his initial panic upon learning he had transmigrated to his calm acceptance now, he had fully become part of the Naruto world he had transmigrated into.

Koki strolled through the streets of the Uchiha Clan Compound, where the distinctive houses blended traditional and modern elements.

The houses and streets were arranged in an orderly pattern, with lush green trees lining both sides of the roads and flower beds dotted among them, creating an elegant, pleasant scene.

"Little Koki, out shopping again?"

"Mikoto's due date is coming up soon, isn't it?"

"Oh, what a pretty little face! I wish my child looked that good."

"Yes, and he's so thoughtful, too. He never puts on airs despite being the clan head's son, and he often helps the elderly."

"He really is a different kind of Uchiha."

Seeing the child strolling alone, members of the Uchiha Clan called out to him one after another.

A pair of large, crystal-clear eyes graced his rosy little face, their dark pupils sparkling with life like two brilliant stars.

Koki smiled at each of them and nodded politely in greeting. Normally, he would have stayed, but not today. He quickened his pace toward the hospital.

He hurried to the ninja hospital. In the faint morning light, its entrance looked solemn and sacred, like a holy place guarding the birth of life.

Koki pushed open the doors, and sunlight streamed in, spilling across the cold floor in a mottled play of light and shadow. The hallway was already packed with people.

"Dad, has Mom... already gone in?" After politely greeting the elders, Koki walked straight over to Uchiha Fugaku.

"Yes, she went in a while ago." Uchiha Fugaku paced anxiously back and forth in the hallway, trying to calm his worries. Even though they had already had one child, he was still worried about Mikoto's safety.

Seeing him like that, Koki couldn't help clenching his hands, his heart full of nervousness and anticipation.

This day meant a great deal to him-his mother was enduring the hardships of labor in the delivery room, bringing a new life into their family.

His thoughts drifted home, and he recalled all the hardships Mikoto had endured during her pregnancy: the days she had suffered from pregnancy sickness, the way his mother had persevered to ensure his younger brother's health, and the nights she had been unable to sleep for worrying about him.

Those memories flashed through Koki's mind one by one, like scenes from a movie.

Koki's parents had divorced when he was young and started families of their own. He had never known a parent's love.

After three years spent together day and night under Mikoto's devoted care, he had come to regard this beautiful, gentle woman as his own mother.

Time seemed to drag on, every minute stretching out endlessly.

Every so often, Koki looked up at the ceiling, trying to find some comfort in the exquisite architecture.

He imagined everything Mikoto was going through at that very moment and the little life about to enter the world-Uchiha Itachi! His heart was filled with complicated emotions.

He didn't know how much time had passed before the operating room door finally opened slowly, and a medical-nin walked out.

Everyone crowded around her, and the female medical-nin broke into a smile. "Congratulations, clan head. It's a healthy boy."

At her words, a relieved smile immediately spread across Uchiha Fugaku's face.

Eager to see his mother and younger brother, Koki walked straight into the room.

There, he saw his mother, weak but beaming with happiness, and the little life sleeping peacefully.

Koki walked softly to the bedside. With one hand, he gently stroked his mother's cheek, while the other carefully held his younger brother's little hand.

"Koki, you can hold your little brother." Seeing how careful her son was being, Mikoto smiled softly.

"Can I?" Although Koki asked for permission, he didn't hesitate. He eagerly gathered his swaddled brother into his arms, then carefully adjusted the angle of his arms, afraid of accidentally hurting him.

Itachi was soft and squishy, a tiny little bundle.

The little life was soft and fragile, his eyes tightly shut and his rosy cheeks seemingly still carrying the scent of amniotic fluid. He slept in Koki's arms like an angel.

Just then, the baby in his arms suddenly reached out and grasped Koki's finger tightly. Koki lowered his head and gently kissed his brother's forehead. The moist, warm touch instantly made his heart melt.

It was no exaggeration to say that Koki felt an unprecedented emotion flow through him, a complicated blend of joy, responsibility, and the love born of a blood bond.

Uchiha Mikoto, lying in bed, and Uchiha Fugaku, standing at the door after seeing the clan members out, both saw the heartwarming scene in the room.

"Son," Fugaku said, his voice gentle but firm, "give your brother a name. This will be your first contribution to the Uchiha Clan."

Contributing to the clan? What kind of chuunibyou talk is that? Eight out of ten things he says are about the clan, Koki grumbled inwardly.

"Itachi. Let's call him Uchiha Itachi!" Koki gently laid his hand on the baby's warm, delicate little hand and, without hesitation, told Fugaku the name he had heard hundreds and thousands of times in his previous life.

"A good name. Uchiha Itachi it is." Fugaku pondered for a moment before giving his approval.

But a trace of confusion and doubt flashed in Fugaku's eyes, and he wondered to himself why the name was exactly the same as the one he had wanted to choose. Was this the unspoken understanding between father and son?

He reached out and took his younger son from Koki's arms. The baby seemed to sense something; his little mouth turned down, and he burst into wails.

Fugaku looked a little embarrassed.

But Koki didn't care what his father in this life was thinking! He was worried his father had made his brother cry!

"Shh, little baby, don't be scared. Big brother's here." He gathered Itachi into his arms again and rocked him gently, as if trying to pass all his love and warmth on to this little life.

Itachi seemed to feel his brother's warmth, too. His cries gradually stopped, his breathing grew steady and deep, and his little hand unclenched and rested loosely against his brother's chest.

No matter what happens in the future, I'll protect you. I won't let you face that kind of difficult choice again. Gazing at Itachi in his arms, Koki silently made a vow.

The person who loved sweets most had suffered a lifetime of bitterness, but it was all right. With Koki there, his brother would taste only sweetness in this life.