For some reason, Uchiha Itachi felt that Sasuke had changed a lot recently. Every time they ate together, Sasuke used to get excited when he picked up food for him. But now, Sasuke had become noticeably uninterested.
Still, Itachi didn't think too much of it, since Sasuke seemed to be working hard lately.
Looking at Sasuke's slightly chubby cheeks, Itachi felt a warm feeling in his heart. Sasuke... I will definitely protect you.
"Sasuke, have you lost your appetite recently?"
Uchiha Mikoto asked with a gentle smile.
Uchiha Mikoto had long black hair with two bangs framing her face. It was clear Sasuke had inherited much of her appearance. She wore a gray blouse and the long skirt of a typical housewife. Beside her sat a young man in a Jōnin vest, his serious face devoid of emotion.
"No, Mom. I just don't want to eat too much."
Sasuke didn't dare admit he'd already eaten at Naruto's place. He tried to control himself, but Naruto's cooking was too good. By the time he got home, he could barely eat a bite.
Mikoto gently stroked Sasuke's head, her eyes full of love. She clearly doted on this son who resembled her so much.
"Sasuke, as a boy of the Uchiha clan, how have you been doing in school lately?"
Uchiha Fugaku spoke rarely, and when he did, it was with his usual calm tone.
"Well... I think there's no problem winning top student this year," Sasuke answered after thinking for a moment.
He said "think" because he knew Naruto wouldn't reveal his true strength. In that case, he would likely be awarded top student by default.
At the end of each school year, the academy held evaluations to determine the best student in each grade.
Sasuke didn't believe anyone besides himself or Naruto stood a chance. And he knew Naruto wouldn't compete for it.
"Good. Very good. Keep it up."
There was a rare trace of emotion in Fugaku's normally stern face.
Although he still acted strictly, a hint of pride flickered in his eyes. Though he often compared Sasuke to Itachi, he didn't actually expect Sasuke to match his older brother. In fact, he cared deeply for Sasuke—not just because he looked like Mikoto (though that was part of it).
"Come with me. I'm going to teach you a jutsu today."
Fugaku put down his chopsticks and motioned for Sasuke to follow him. Mikoto quietly cleaned up the table as they left.
Sasuke followed his father outside, feeling excited. If I learn this ninjutsu, I might finally surpass Naruto.
In this world, ninjutsu was synonymous with strength.
"The jutsu I'm going to teach you is the Great Fireball Technique—our Uchiha clan's signature jutsu."
Fugaku quickly formed hand seals, brought two fingers to his lips, and exhaled. A massive ball of fire roared forward, erupting in front of Sasuke.
Seeing this, Sasuke was stunned. That kind of power... he was sure it surpassed Naruto.
Fugaku then carefully explained the steps and seals. "Your brother learned this technique on his first try. Now it's your turn."
Because Sasuke had been secretly practicing hand seals with Naruto, his muscle memory and chakra control were far better than they should've been. When training Taijutsu with Naruto, he'd also gained better chakra manipulation.
As a result, Sasuke's performance exceeded his counterpart from the original timeline.
Where the original Sasuke had only managed a fireball the size of a basketball, this Sasuke's fireball reached the size of a water tank.
After releasing it, he looked at Fugaku expectantly.
Fugaku, unlike in the original story, wasn't stone-faced. He said, "Not bad. To get that on your first try is impressive. But keep in mind—when your brother first learned this jutsu, his fireball was several meters wide."
Sasuke was a little disappointed, but hearing about Itachi's achievements still left him in awe. "Big Brother is amazing...!"
"Keep practicing."
With that, Fugaku turned and left. His cold tone wasn't out of indifference—it was because of the growing rift between the Uchiha clan and the village. As Sasuke's father, he needed him to become stronger, to carry the burden of the clan.
That's also why he was disappointed with Itachi's performance as deputy commander in the original timeline.
As Sasuke continued practicing, Fugaku arrived at the doorway of the next room. He turned to Itachi, who had been silently observing, and said, "Come to my room."
Inside, the two knelt on the floor. Itachi picked up a teapot, poured tea into a cup, and placed it before his father.
Fugaku remained silent until Itachi had finished.
Taking a sip of tea, Fugaku finally spoke. "Itachi, tensions between our clan and the village are growing."
"You're the second Uchiha to join the Anbu. I've heard the previous squad captain has retired."
Fugaku paused, staring at Itachi with sharp eyes.
Itachi was taken aback. It was a warning. His father knew he'd been promoted to squad captain and hadn't reported it. He didn't know where his father got this intel, but the disappointment in Fugaku's eyes was clear.
"Father... if we, the Uchiha, go to war with the village, it will weaken Konoha. A new war could break out across the entire ninja world."
"Please, give me time. I will find a way for Uchiha and Konoha to coexist."
Itachi's voice was steady but sincere.
Fugaku's tone grew heavier. "The village elders are putting pressure on me. We don't have much time. If it comes to it, and I'm forced to make a decision... I may not be able to stop what's coming."
Itachi's heart sank.
"Father, I will find a way!"
He bowed low in front of Fugaku.
"Enough. Go. I need time to think."
Fugaku waved his hand, his voice filled with helplessness.
He knew his son better than anyone. Itachi had stopped attending clan meetings altogether. He wasn't sure if letting Itachi join Anbu had been a mistake.
Even Shisui, once deeply loyal to the clan, now leaned toward siding with Konoha.
The clan's hardliners were already planning a coup, seeking power through force.
But Fugaku knew what a war between Uchiha and Konoha meant. Even if Uchiha won, could they stand against the other Great Nations?
If Naruto had overheard Fugaku's thoughts, he would have realized how rational Fugaku truly was. Unfortunately, Fugaku lacked the influence and leverage to make his vision a reality. Controlled by the Third Hokage's regime, even his plan to ease tensions through Itachi and Shisui had backfired.
In the end, Fugaku had lost everything—his wife, his sons, and his clan.
End of the Chapter.
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