"It is very strange." Itachi, who was walking on the road holding his younger brother and sister's hands, acting like a big brother, furrowed his cute little brows and muttered, "Why did Obito and Uncle Nagato both ask me what happened to my father?"
Clearly, Father is perfectly fine.
Why would they all ask that?
And why don't they go ask Father themselves?
Also, these past few days, the mothers have been acting very strange. They actually let them out to stroll around so freely. You must know, the mothers are usually very worried about Sasuke and Naruko. What's the situation recently?
Every time he goes out, not long after, fireworks start going off at home. Could it be...
An expression of sudden understanding appeared on Itachi's face...
Are Father and the mothers secretly showing affection behind the children's backs???
'Forget it, better not to worry about it.'
There must be a reason for keeping it from him. As the big brother, he just needs to take good care of his younger brother and sisters.
He turned his head, a smile on his face, and looked at Sasuke and Naruko sucking on their milk candies beside him, and at the packaged, steaming hot roasted chicken legs they were holding...
It's right to like eating roasted chicken. This is what Grandfather Madara taught him. Only by eating more roasted chicken can you grow tall quickly.
But...
A troubled expression appeared on Itachi's face. Every time he goes to buy roasted chicken, the old man selling it never takes his money, which makes him feel a bit embarrassed.
And the boss always says proudly that Grandfather Madara loves their roasted chicken the most, especially with garlic and chili sauce. He said Grandfather Madara could eat ten portions every time.
But that silly uncle who loves drawing poop said Grandfather Madara has bad teeth and a bad stomach, and never eats chili. So, was that shop owner lying to him?
Or perhaps...
Did Grandfather Madara secretly sneak out in his wheelchair, hiding from Mother and that silly uncle, to eat it?
Thinking of this, Itachi's mouth unconsciously twitched into a suppressed smile...
'If Grandfather Madara were here, would he take me along to sneak some food?'
Back then, Grandfather Madara was going to buy him candy and teach him ninjutsu, but later, for some reason...
He never came back.
Itachi lowered his head and looked at the exquisite little box hanging on his chest...
This was a gift from Grandfather Madara.
Although he only met Grandfather Madara once, he could feel that Grandfather Madara cared for him deeply. Even that silly uncle said Grandfather Madara liked him very much.
Itachi wore a smile on his face, thinking to himself, 'Grandfather Madara, I will definitely not let you down. I will become the strongest ninja.'
He raised his head and saw two figures walking towards him...
"Uncle Fugaku, Aunt Hoshi." x3
The Sasuke and Naruko beside him also followed Itachi's lead, calling out in soft, childish voices.
"Hmm, Itachi." Fugaku's face pulled into an awkward smile. He nodded slightly, then returned to his original expression. He looked at Sasuke and Naruko and said flatly, "And Sasuke and Naruko." After a pause, a trace showed in his eyes. "You've all grown so big."
"Don't mind him." Natsuhi Hoshi pulled Naruko close, rubbing the cute, tender cheeks, and said happily, "He only knows how to keep a stern face, not considerate at all." She narrowed her eyes, smiling. "So cute, so cute."
"Not really. Uncle Fugaku just doesn't like to smile." Itachi said with a smile. "Actually, Uncle Fugaku must care for Aunt Hoshi a lot."
Most of the Uchiha clan have expressionless faces. That's what Father said, telling him not to be afraid. He also said the Uchiha clan is known as the Clan of Love. As for always having a stern face, it's just that they aren't good at expressing their feelings.
Looking at Natsuhi Hoshi's slightly bulging belly...
"Is Aunt Hoshi going to have a little brother or sister too?"
"Yes, yes." Natsuhi Hoshi narrowed her eyes, a happy smile on her face, and nodded, saying, "I really hope it's a daughter. Daughters are cuter."
"That's not right." Itachi shook his head, saying seriously, "Father said, whether it's a little brother or sister, they are all family. Aunt Hoshi can't be like that. Otherwise, if a little brother is born, he will be sad."
"Yes, yes." Hearing Itachi's words, Natsuhi Hoshi wore a wry smile and rubbed Itachi's head, saying, "Itachi is such a good big brother."
Beside them, Fugaku also nodded slightly, a smile flashing by. He sniffed slightly, looking at the things the three children were holding, and said, "Roasted chicken?"
"Yes. Roasted chicken legs." Itachi nodded and said, "Sasuke and Naruko both like eating them very much."
"You've all been influenced by Director Madara." Fugaku said helplessly after hearing this, then returned to his expressionless face. "Director Madara loved roasted chicken the most back then."
Every time after work, he would see Director Madara sitting in his wheelchair, quietly buying a roasted chicken, and then, for some reason, heading towards the back mountain alone.
Because it was a private matter, he didn't pay much attention, only asking the roasted chicken vendor...
Director Madara would buy a roasted chicken every time, with a thick layer of garlic and chili sauce brushed on it.
It was really strange.
He still hasn't figured out why to this day.
Fugaku snapped back to reality, looked down at Itachi who was listening curiously, a smile flickering across his lips, and said flatly, "Back then, I was just a junior police officer. Director Madara always called me to the academy, pointed at my face and scolded me, saying I didn't care about the clan members' studies at all, that I was an irresponsible clan leader."
However, everyone knew...
Uchiha Madara was the most irresponsible clan leader in Uchiha clan history.
"And he was very strict."
He even spat on his face.
Perhaps doing this...
Was because he was worried he would become an irresponsible clan leader too.
"Hmm, hmm. Mother also said..." Itachi touched the small box hanging on his neck, nodded his little head, and said, "Grandfather Madara is just like Uncle Fugaku, stern-faced, strict, loves to scold people, but..." He narrowed his eyes, a smile appearing on his face. "But they are both very, very good."
"..."
Hearing Itachi's words, Fugaku's face darkened again, not knowing what to say.
Beside him, Natsuhi Hoshi couldn't hold back anymore, covered her stomach and laughed loudly, "Haha, Mikoto was so right. Stern and grumpy, but..." She looked at Fugaku beside her, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turning up slightly. "Very considerate."
"Alright, alright." Fugaku rolled his eyes, returned to his expressionless face, and said flatly, "Where are you three kids planning to go?"
He also knew about the situation in Prince Jun's household. Back then, Director Madara was furious because he didn't get to beat up Prince Jun. If he appears again this time, he'd probably be so angry he'd drag the God of Shinobi along, determined to give Prince Jun a beating before leaving.
He frowned, looking at Itachi and the others...
These three kids wouldn't run away from home because of family matters, would they?
"We don't know." Itachi shook his head, furrowing his little brows, and said, "Mother told us to come out and play."
"..."
This family really is...
Natsuhi Hoshi and Fugaku looked at each other, equally helplessly shaking their heads.
"Do you want to go to the Uchiha district?" Fugaku pondered for a moment and said, "It's a good chance to see how your Fire Release and Sharingan are coming along."
"No." Itachi thought for a moment, shook his head, and said with a smile, "School starts in a few days. I want to play with Sasuke and Naruko today."
"Itachi is such a good brother." Natsuhi Hoshi was taken aback upon hearing this, rubbed Itachi's head, and said with emotion, "You will definitely become a remarkable ninja in the future."
"In that case, have fun." Fugaku nodded and said, "But remember not to go home too late. If you encounter danger, look for the police. If you really can't find them, use Fire Release towards the sky. I'll see it and come over."
"Yes. Sorry to trouble you." Itachi bowed and said, "I will be careful."
After thanking Uncle Fugaku, Itachi once again took Sasuke and Naruko's little hands and continued walking slowly forward...
"What a good child." Natsuhi Hoshi watched the backs of the three little ones, a touched smile appearing on her face. She glanced at Fugaku, who was also watching Itachi and the others, poked his side, and said, "Hey, do you prefer a boy or a girl?"
"..."
However, Fugaku did not answer. He turned around, took Natsuhi Hoshi's hand, and also began walking slowly, step by step, towards the clan grounds.
Seeing this, Natsuhi Hoshi immediately became unhappy. She poked Fugaku again, with a hint of petulance, and said, "I'm asking you, why won't you say?"
Could it be that Fugaku doesn't like children?
But that's impossible.
Although Fugaku always has a stern face, she can feel that Fugaku really likes the children in the clan.
Just as Natsuhi Hoshi's thoughts were running wild...
"I like both."
Fugaku's plain voice sounded again.
Hearing Fugaku's words, Natsuhi Hoshi's smile bloomed again. She placed her left hand on her bulging belly and said, "But I prefer a girl."
"Then... I like girls too."
"What if it's a boy?"
"I like him."
"But I think girls are cuter."
"Then have another one."
"But I heard giving birth is very painful."
"...Then just one."
"What if it's a boy then? I still want a girl."
"..."