The courtyard, by the pond.
Ripples churned across the water. Amid cheerful cries of delight, Sasuke kept tossing fish food into the pond, drawing nearly all the koi toward him as they scrambled to compete for it.
Suddenly, a massive golden koi—nearly a meter long—leapt out of the water, swallowed the food straight from Sasuke's hand, flicked its tail, and dropped back into the pond in one smooth motion.
The fish's tail clipped Sasuke. He staggered back two steps and plopped down on the ground with a thud. For a moment, his little face was blank with confusion—then he turned his head and looked around.
When Sasuke spotted his brother Itachi standing not far away, yet clearly not paying attention to him, his lips trembled. A sheen of tears welled up in his eyes, and he burst into a wronged, aggrieved cry.
Since seeing Uchiha Yuan arrive at his father's summons, Itachi's heart had been unable to settle. He was deeply curious about why his father had called Yuan here.
His upbringing wouldn't allow him to eavesdrop, so he could only keep his gaze trained on the direction of the reception hall.
His feelings toward Uchiha Yuan were growing increasingly complicated.
The current Yuan was no longer someone who could be ignored. Judging by his performance on the battlefield, he was likely no weaker than Shisui—and Shisui was acknowledged as the clan's strongest.
Rumor painted Yuan as domineering and overbearing. Itachi had once assumed he was arrogant and self-important like many other Uchiha.
Yet on the night of the celebration, watching Yuan laugh and leave alongside Senju Gen and the others, Itachi had suddenly realized—he couldn't see through him at all.
Uchiha Yuan… what kind of person are you, really? And why did you reject Shisui?
Itachi's brows knit slightly as he sank into deep thought.
Somewhere in his heart, he sensed that Uchiha Yuan might become a major problem for him in the future.
Suddenly, he felt a gaze fixed on him.
He turned—and met Sasuke's tear-filled eyes, brimming with grievance.
"Waaah… bro… ther…"
Seeing that Itachi had finally noticed him, Sasuke's lips puckered as he cried even harder, stumbling over the word brother.
Shua.
Itachi appeared at Sasuke's side in an instant and scooped him up.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke. Big brother wasn't paying attention."
He spoke softly, comforting him.
Once in Itachi's arms, the grievance on Sasuke's face quickly faded. Reassured by his brother's presence, he soon broke into a smile.
At that moment, Itachi heard the sound of sliding doors opening from the direction of the reception hall.
He looked over—and saw Uchiha Yuan taking his leave of his father.
Under Itachi's gaze, Yuan walked step by step toward him, then stopped beneath a corridor. The two faced each other.
Looking down slightly at Itachi, Yuan smiled faintly.
"Itachi, long time no see. I hear you cut down quite a few Kirigakure shinobi on the battlefield. You've already grown into a dependable ninja. The clan head is very proud of you."
Itachi replied calmly,
"You flatter me. Compared to you, Yuan, I'm still far behind. The name Ferocious Tiger is already famous across the shinobi world."
After a brief pause, Itachi's expression changed. His eyes locked onto Yuan, blazing with fighting intent.
"Yuan. I've heard you repelled the Fourth Raikage. I wish to ask you for guidance."
"To say 'guidance' would be too much," Yuan replied.
"Itachi, you're the clan's most highly regarded genius—proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu alike. I focus solely on taijutsu."
Itachi's gaze remained unwavering. His tone was earnest.
"Yuan. Please do not hold back."
Yuan met his eyes. After a few seconds of silence, he said,
"Very well. I also hope you can bring me a surprise.
"But our match will have to wait."
"Why?" Itachi asked immediately.
"I've just been appointed captain of the Police Force's Third Squad," Yuan explained.
"For the time being, I'll be busy reorganizing the unit."
"I understand," Itachi said quietly. "I'll wait."
A trace of disappointment flickered through his eyes.
If not for the unsuitable location, he would have liked nothing more than to fight Yuan immediately.
"Yuan-kun, Itachi—what are you talking about?"
A cheerful voice came from the distance.
Uchiha Tsukine approached with a smile.
"Aunt."
Itachi greeted her politely.
Tsukine stopped beside Yuan. Seeing Itachi's overly mature, composed demeanor, she showed a helpless smile.
"Itachi, you're becoming less and less adorable. You're starting to look more and more like your brother-in-law."
Her gaze then shifted to Sasuke, and she laughed softly.
"Sasuke is much cuter. Our Sasuke even looks like a little girl."
When Tsukine reached out as if to take him, Sasuke clung tightly to Itachi's neck, clearly unwilling to leave his brother.
Seeing this, Tsukine scrunched her delicate nose and gently poked Sasuke's soft cheek.
"Sasuke really is too attached to Itachi."
Her eyes then turned toward Yuan, bright and lively.
"Yuan-kun, I'm about to head home. Would you be willing to walk with me for a bit?"
Yuan was slightly taken aback. His expression turned subtly awkward as he replied,
"It would be my honor."
Watching Yuan and Tsukine walk away side by side, Itachi's brows furrowed faintly.
Something about the two of them felt… strange.
At that moment, Uchiha Mikoto walked over. She took Sasuke from Itachi's arms and gazed thoughtfully as Yuan and Tsukine's figures disappeared beyond the courtyard gate.
"Mother," Itachi asked, "when did Aunt Tsukine meet Yuan?"
Mikoto smiled gently.
"Itachi, this was your father's idea. If nothing unexpected happens, your Aunt Tsukine will become Yuan's fiancée."
Itachi froze for a moment, then frowned.
"Mother… is Father trying to pull Yuan to our side?"
Mikoto nodded lightly.
"Yes. Although your father has that intention, he didn't force Tsukine. But Tsukine is very satisfied with Yuan—she's taken a liking to him.
"After all, whether it's appearance or strength, Yuan ranks at the very top within the clan."
On the other side, after leaving Fugaku's residence, Yuan walked slowly along the road with Tsukine.
"So Itachi was challenging you," Tsukine said with a smile.
"Yuan-kun, don't underestimate my Itachi. He's very strong."
"I know," Yuan replied.
"Itachi's talent is extraordinary. He's an opponent who must be taken seriously."
"Yuan-kun," Tsukine said softly,
"could you tell me about the world outside the village? I've never left Konoha—I don't know what the battlefield is really like."
"The battlefield isn't something worth remembering," Yuan said in a low voice.
"My duty is to keep war far away from you. Those sufferings aren't something you need to understand."
As he spoke, his eyes swept the surroundings. He noticed several youths nearby, their gazes sharp as arrows, fixed squarely on him.
Hearing his words, Tsukine's expression softened even more.
She looked at Yuan and smiled warmly.
"Yuan-kun, you really are different from the others. When they talk to me, all they ever do is boast about their bravery on the battlefield."
Some people die… but they don't die completely.
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