The group arrived at the Uchiha clan's territory.
Visitors were rare in the Uchiha district. Upon seeing so many unfamiliar faces, the guarding clan members instinctively stepped forward to block their path.
"Hey, what business do you have here—"
Luckily, a sharp-eyed Uchiha rushed ahead and intercepted them.
"Commander!"
Seiki hesitated. Only those who had returned from the western front addressed him like that.
After a moment of recollection, Seiki smiled upon recognizing the man. "You're Kazami, right?"
The clansman stepping forward clearly hadn't expected Seiki to remember his name. His face lit up with excitement. "Yes sir! Our clan leader mentioned you just a few days ago. He'll definitely be thrilled when he hears you've come! Should I go inform him immediately?"
Seiki gave a slight shake of his head. "No need to bother him. We're only here today for a visit to Obito's home."
Uchiha Kazami looked slightly disappointed but didn't insist further. "Then I won't disturb you anymore."
Once the group had walked farther away, one of the guards who initially blocked their way asked in surprise, "So that really is the commander of the western front? The hero who single-handedly prevented the Tsuchikage from leaving his village—Seiki Shimaseki?"
Kazami's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Commander Seiki isn't only incredibly powerful; his character is also truly admirable. Even our clan leader said he has the potential to become a hokage!"
The guard seemed somewhat discontented. "Don't speak as if he already is one. Even if he were, you shouldn't act this humble. Where's your pride as an Uchiha?"
"If you'd been on the battlefield yourself, you wouldn't say such foolish words. Commander Seiki saved countless lives among our clan!"
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
Sighing softly, Kazami continued, "Our clan suffered heavy losses early in the war due to unreasonable battle deployments. It wasn't until Commander Seiki took over that everything changed."
"How dare they..."
"Snap out of it. We're not in the Warring States era anymore!"
For those who had visited Obito's home before, locating it within the Uchiha district posed no challenge.
After walking through several long streets, they stopped before an ordinary little house.
Knock! Knock!
"Is anyone home?"
"Coming!"
The door opened to reveal Obito's grandmother, slightly surprised. "You...must be friends of Obito's?"
Seiki nodded gently. "Your memory is excellent, Grandma."
"Tsk, it's not like I have a great memory — I just don't know that many people." She tapped her head lightly as she spoke. "Look at this forgetful brain of mine! How could I let guests stand outside? Come in quickly, everyone."
Everyone bowed together. "We appreciate your hospitality."
Though not large, the room felt warm and cozy in its layout and decoration.
After serving tea and snacks, Obito's grandmother knelt down and spoke, "I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all. You're being too kind."
After some brief small talk, Obito's grandmother asked, "Tell me, why have you come today? Did that child Obito get himself into trouble again?"
Everyone exchanged glances, reluctant to voice the truth.
Finally, Seiki Shimaseki wore an apologetic expression as he spoke, "I'm truly sorry, but Obito unfortunately fell to the enemy... He was killed during the battle while covering his comrades!"
Upon hearing this, Obito's grandmother's hands slightly trembled as she held the teacup. Soon after, she softly sighed, "So it came to this."
Kakashi bowed his head down to the floor, his voice hoarse, "I'm so sorry! It was because Obito protected me that... I'm truly, truly sorry!"
"There's no need to feel this way. Obito wasn't special; so many people die in war. It's only natural his time would come eventually."
Seeing her like this, everyone grew even more concerned.
"Grandma, you..."
"Don't worry—I won't be overcome by sorrow. In fact, I'm proud of Obito," said Obito's grandmother with a slight smile. "To die protecting his friends—that makes Obito a hero in my heart!"
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Everyone nodded earnestly, "Obito was indeed a hero!"
Obito's grandmother gently patted Kakashi's head, "Child, you shouldn't blame yourself too much either. Since Obito saved your life, then carry forward his dream and keep walking ahead!"
Kakashi clenched his fists until his nails pierced his skin, "I understand. I will definitely become Hokage, and I'll make sure everyone knows—it was him who made me Hokage!"
Meanwhile, at Fugaku's house.
Fugaku happily played with his son, asking, "Itachi, what does one plus one equal?"
A childish look of exasperation spread across Itachi's face. "Two."
"My smart son! Then how about two plus two…"
Dong! Dong!
Hearing knocks at the door, Fugaku let his son go play on his own before getting up to answer.
"Kazami, why are you here?"
"Head of the clan, I have something to report to you."
"Come in first."
"Yes, thank you for permitting me."
Back in the living room, Fugaku noticed Itachi had already left—but he didn't mind.
Even at his young age, Itachi was surprisingly thoughtful.
The two settled cross-legged on the floor, exchanged a few greetings, and quickly turned serious.
"Head of the clan, Master Seiki Shimaseki and his companions just came through here."
Fugaku became instantly attentive upon hearing this, "Master Seiki Shimaseki? What did he come for?"
"They were going to visit Obito's house," Kazami replied, adding, "In the previous list of fallen ninja, Obito's name was listed."
"I see. I understand now." Fugaku nodded slightly.
Kazami hesitated momentarily before asking, "Should we offer any condolences or assistance?"
After brief contemplation, Fugaku responded, "Offer subsidies and condolences to all families within our clan that have lost ninja in battle. Especially prioritize those elderly households struggling financially due to bereavement!"
Kazami immediately grasped the meaning, "Understood! I'll start preparing right away."
"You're welcome."
After Kazami departed, Fugaku murmured to himself, "Minato Namikaze, Seiki Shimaseki…"
At that moment, from beside him came Itachi's curious question, "Father, is Master Seiki Shimaseki an extremely powerful ninja? To warrant you making such deliberate adjustments for him?"
"Yeah, he's..." Fugaku said, shuddering as he looked in disbelief at the cat-shaped lamp nearby. "Itachi, what are you doing?"
"Oh! I forgot to end the Transformation Jutsu," Itachi exclaimed softly and immediately reverted back.
Fugaku's eyes shot wide open. "How did you learn the Transformation Jutsu? Wait—who taught you chakra control?"
Commoner-born ninja usually entered the Academy at age five. Clans like theirs might start a little earlier, but not by much. And here Itachi wasn't even four yet!
Itachi tilted his head slightly. "I learned chakra from books at home. As for the Transformation Jutsu, I learned it by watching you form hand seals."
"When did I ever use the Transformation Jutsu at home..." Fugaku instinctively wanted to deny it, then blushed slightly as he recalled having played around with some 'private fun' at home—how could Itachi have walked in on that?
"Wait a second..." Fugaku pulled himself together, staring at Itachi in shock. "You actually learned it just by watching me form the seals?"
Itachi asked, puzzled, "Is there something wrong with that?"
"It's incredible! Without even awakening your Sharingan, you've accomplished something most of our clansmen—who already have theirs awakened—can't achieve!" Fugaku was deeply astonished. Regardless of how rare it was to master the Transformation Jutsu simply by observing seal formations, being able to clearly see and memorize his hand seal movements alone was extraordinary enough.
After all, this wasn't an Academy class where instructors intentionally slowed down their motions for teaching purposes. He'd been forming hand seals at full speed.
The more he thought about it, the more Fugaku found himself staring at Itachi with new eyes. "My son is a genius? Perhaps even a super-genius comparable to Lord Seiki?"
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