"Brother?!"
Sasuke rushed out of his room, clad in a fitted training uniform. A bow was slung across his back, a quiver of arrows at his waist.
"Sasuke,"
Itachi was seated on the wooden corridor floor, calmly sorting through his equipment. Seeing Sasuke's sudden appearance, he smiled, a little surprised.
"You're going out again?" Sasuke stood in the doorway, cheeks puffed out in protest.
"What's wrong, Sasuke?"
"You promised you'd spend time with me," Sasuke said, pointing to the bow and arrows on his back, clearly upset.
"Oh... that's right." Itachi looked as though he had just remembered.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke," he said gently. "Something came up, so I can't join you today."
"Hmph!" Sasuke turned his head away, refusing to look at him.
Itachi chuckled softly and beckoned him over.
"Come here, Sasuke."
Though still facing away, Sasuke saw the gesture from the corner of his eye and stomped over reluctantly.
"Ow! That hurts!"
A sharp pain flared on his forehead. Sasuke winced and clutched it instinctively.
"Sorry, Sasuke. Next time, I promise."
"Ugh..."
He looked up quickly, only to meet his brother's warm smile.
Suddenly, Sasuke felt his face flush.
"F-fine. I'll let it go this time."
Itachi gave a quiet laugh, and his figure slowly began to fade into shimmering light, dispersing in the sun until it vanished completely.
"Brother..."
"You're always so busy these days." Sasuke stared at the shifting light on the wooden floor and mumbled, "Seriously."
He grumbled again and turned back inside, only to find their father, Fugaku, seated silently at the table with his eyes closed.
"Father."
Sasuke quickly straightened up and bowed.
Fugaku responded with a soft grunt. Mikoto stepped out with a tea tray and placed it gently on the table beside him.
"Oh? Did Itachi head out again?" she asked Sasuke.
"Yeah, he just left," Sasuke replied.
"That boy, always leaving without saying a word," Mikoto muttered, lightly disapproving.
"He probably has a mission. He's the captain of the Anbu now," Sasuke added, a hint of pride in his voice.
The moment those words left his mouth, Fugaku opened his eyes, brows furrowing.
"And what of it if he's the Anbu captain?"
The sudden sharpness in his voice made Sasuke flinch into silence. He wasn't even sure what he'd said wrong this time.
"Hmph."
Fugaku let out a cold snort, stood, and began heading for the door.
"You're going out too?" Mikoto asked, surprised.
"Someone in the clan caused trouble again."
"Hey, Shin! You're here."
"Yeah. Hey, Hana."
In the Inuzuka family courtyard, Shin stood beside Kiba. In front of them was Inuzuka Hana, dressed in an apron.
"Training hard again, huh?" she said with a smile.
"It's not so bad," Shin replied with a light smile of his own.
"What about me, sis? I've been working hard too!" Kiba protested from the side. "Ask Akamaru if you don't believe me!"
"Woof!"
Hana glanced at the puppy in Kiba's arms. Akamaru shivered slightly under her gaze and shook his head vigorously.
"You little traitor!" Kiba shouted, lifting Akamaru above his head. "What's your problem?!"
"Woof!"
"Kiba, making your ninken lie for you is not a good habit," Hana said mildly.
"I didn't make him lie!" Kiba turned away, refusing to admit anything.
Shin couldn't help but chuckle quietly.
"Is your mother inside?" he asked, looking toward the house. The door was closed.
"We have a guest today. You guys shouldn't go in just yet," Hana replied, glancing at the house herself. "Help me wash the vegetables out here first."
"Sure."
Both of them nodded.
"Who's visiting, sis?" Kiba asked as they worked.
"It's the head of the Uchiha clan," she said.
Shin and Kiba both froze.
"You mean Sasuke's dad?" Hana added, noticing their reaction.
"What's he doing here?" Kiba asked, clearly unhappy. His distaste for Sasuke seemed to extend to his family too.
Could it be... because of Shisui teaching me shuriken? Shin couldn't help but worry. If that was the case, Shisui might be in trouble.
"Mom had a run-in with the police force earlier. I think it's about that," Hana said after thinking for a moment.
"Apparently, they tried to..." She paused mid-sentence, then smiled and shook her head. "Anyway, telling you two won't help. Just focus on washing."
So it's not about Shisui...
Shin felt a little relieved.
"The police are the worst," Kiba muttered angrily.
"Woof!"
Hana just smiled, not agreeing or disagreeing.
The three of them chatted idly as they finished washing the vegetables. Just as they were finishing up, the front door opened.
A middle-aged man stepped out, looking like he was about to leave. Tsume didn't appear to be seeing him off.
"Heading out already?" Hana stood and bowed. Shin and Kiba quickly followed suit.
It was only then that Shin got a proper look at the man's face. He had sharp, angular features and a stern expression. His brow seemed permanently furrowed, and his presence carried an unmistakable pressure.
"You're Takamine Shin?" Fugaku asked, his gaze locking onto him.
"Yes." Shin looked up slightly to meet his eyes and nodded.
"Hm."
Fugaku gave a low hum.
"Sasuke's in your class. Thank you for looking out for him."
"Not at all. He's always done well in school," Shin replied, calm and polite.
"I mean it."
Fugaku thought Shin had misunderstood him.
"You're impressive. Just keep doing what you've been doing at the top of your class."
"…"
Why are all the Uchiha like this... Shin thought with a bitter smile.
"I knew your father. We were... acquaintances," Fugaku added.
Huh? Shin froze in surprise.
"Hey! Uchiha Fugaku!"
Fugaku seemed to have more to say, but Tsume stepped out from the house and interrupted.
He glanced at her, then back at Shin.
"You're welcome to visit the Uchiha compound sometime."
"…"
With that, Fugaku walked toward the gate.
"Take care," Hana said from behind.
Shin watched him leave, feeling a bit puzzled.
Another person who knew my father and the head of the Uchiha clan, no less...
Back when he ran into Genma Shiranui, he'd mentioned that Shin's father might've been a candidate for a jōnin squad leader. Their family wasn't part of any noble lineage, yet it seemed his father had wielded some real influence.
So... what kind of person was my father, really?
"Shin!"
Tsume's voice came from the house.
"Come in."
With that, she turned and walked back inside. The three boys exchanged glances.
"It's fine. Go ahead," Hana reassured him.
Kiba remained silent. He never questioned his mother.
Shin nodded and made his way toward the house.
Inside, Tsume was seated on the sofa, arms crossed. Kuromaru lay sprawled on the floor beside her.
"Auntie."
Shin bowed respectfully.
"Sit," Tsume gestured to the sofa beside her.
Shin took a seat.
"Have you had any contact with the Uchiha?"
The question came immediately.
"Well... there's Uchiha Sasuke in my class."
"Anyone else?" Her tone remained unreadable.
Shin's heart skipped. He had no idea what she was getting at.
Is this about Shisui? Was Fugaku here to confront her?
"No, no one else," Shin replied carefully.
"Good." Tsume nodded without revealing anything in her expression.
"Did Uchiha Fugaku invite you to their compound?"
"Yeah."
"You're not allowed to go," she said sharply.
"...Understood." Shin lowered his head.
"Do you have something to say?"
"…"
He lifted his eyes slightly, searching her face, but it remained as expressionless as ever.
"…"
"Could you... tell me something about my father?"
Her gaze flickered. She uncrossed her arms. The room fell silent.
Kuromaru lifted his head and glanced at Shin, who sat motionless.
"…"
"Why do you want to know?"
"He's my father. Isn't it only natural to want to know about him?"
"Is that so..." Tsume went quiet.
"You've never spoken about him before. That's why I want to know."
"There's nothing to say. He was just a fool."
"Why "
"You can go," she cut him off.
"...Yes."
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