Chapter 223 — Going on a Trip
Before Uchiha Itachi could answer, Uchiha Mikoto—standing beside him—let out a surprised gasp.
"It's already past nine? And you're still heading to the training grounds?"
"It's only nine," Sasuke replied, completely serious. "Still early."
Itachi shook his head. "Forget it. I won't go tonight. You and Naruto should get some rest—go to bed early. I have something to take care of."
"Eh? Where are you going? I want to go too!"
Sasuke instantly transformed into Follower No. 1, trailing right behind his brother as usual.
But, as expected, Itachi rejected him gently.
"No, Sasuke. I'll probably be back very late. You have school tomorrow, so you can't come."
"Oh… alright."
Sasuke knew that once his brother decided something, there was no room for negotiation.
He hesitated, then asked curiously, "It's so late… what are you going to do?"
Naruto also turned his head, ears perked.
Itachi didn't hide anything and answered casually, "Kisame has the day off tomorrow. I arranged to meet him tonight and visit Deidara."
"Brother Shark has the day off tomorrow? Will he come over and play?"
Naruto asked excitedly.
He got along extremely well with Hoshigaki Kisame—oddly well. No one knew why, but their personalities meshed perfectly.
"I'll ask him later," Itachi said with a small smile. "I'll pass your message to him."
"Okay!"
Naruto let out a cheerful laugh.
After seeing Itachi off at the door, both boys returned to their rooms and quickly drifted to sleep.
---
That night, in their bedroom, Fugaku and Mikoto lay awake in the dark.
Mikoto had just turned off the light, leaving only the faint moonlight spilling in through the window.
After a quiet moment, Fugaku spoke.
"Mikoto… how long has it been since you last left the village?"
Mikoto blinked, thinking.
"Hmm… a very long time. Ever since I became pregnant with Itachi, I haven't stepped outside Konoha. Almost… thirteen years now."
She sighed softly.
Fugaku was startled. He hadn't expected it to have been that long.
The idea that had flickered through his mind suddenly became clearer—solidifying into a decision.
"Mikoto… there are two months until the New Year."
He turned to her. "Why don't we take a family trip tomorrow?"
"A trip?"
Mikoto's eyes brightened, but then she hesitated.
"You're the Fifth Hokage now… and not just the Hokage of the village—practically the Hokage of the entire Land of Fire. Don't you have work?"
Fugaku gave a proud little sigh.
"You know I've already delegated everything. I'm practically a hands-off manager these days—relaxing, going in just to clock out."
He sounded far too satisfied with himself.
Mikoto considered it, then asked in a worried voice, "But is that really okay? Won't it cause problems?"
"Don't worry," Fugaku said confidently. "When absolute strength is on your side, problems don't exist."
Mikoto felt the same. Her husband was so overwhelmingly strong that worrying felt pointless.
She turned toward him, whispering, "If you really have time tomorrow… I'd love to go. I've stayed inside the village for so long I feel like I'm rusting."
"I'll definitely have time."
Fugaku pulled her gently into his arms.
"There's nothing for me to do at the Hokage Building anyway. I might as well take a week off. I'll take you out to relax properly."
Mikoto smiled sweetly.
"That sounds wonderful… thank you, husband."
She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Fugaku swallowed, his hand sliding toward—
Mikoto let out a soft sound, welcoming him—
(A thousand harmonious words are omitted. The God of Harmony is watching.)
---
The Next Morning
The Fugaku household gathered at the dining table for breakfast.
Today's menu was noodles—generously topped with char siu, seaweed, bamboo shoots, scallions, wood ear, bean sprouts, corn kernels, and even narutomaki.
Thanks to Mikoto, who had woken up early to prepare everything.
"Itachi, Sasuke, Naruto," Fugaku said as he ate leisurely, "we're planning to go on a trip today. Do you want to come?"
Itachi's expression flickered with surprise.
Naruto shot up so fast his chair nearly fell.
"Really?!"
He still had noodles in his mouth, speaking unclearly—and almost spraying broth into Sasuke's bowl.
Sasuke didn't even react.
He was still processing his father's words.
A family trip?
In all his memories, this was the first time his father had ever said such a thing.
The once stern, expressionless man… now smiled often.
It seemed to have started around the time Naruto came to live with them…
"Of course it's real," Fugaku chuckled. "Why would I lie to you?"
"Yay! I want to go! I want to go!"
Naruto jumped around in excitement.
He had never gone on a trip before. The idea sounded amazing.
"Father, but… we still have school," Sasuke said reluctantly.
He really wanted to go, but school was important.
His father had always taught him that excellence started with discipline—and skipping class was unforgivable.
Naruto froze instantly.
"Ah… then we're doomed…"
All the joy drained from his face.
"What's the big deal?" Fugaku said casually.
"Haven't you all been studying ahead? The Academy isn't teaching you anything new anymore, is it?"
Sasuke nodded.
"…Yes."
Naruto's eyes slowly lit up again.
"So just ask for leave."
Fugaku waved his hand. "You've already mastered everything they're teaching."
He glanced at Itachi.
"Itachi, isn't that right?"
Itachi nodded. "Yes, Father."
"Good."
Fugaku tapped his chopsticks lightly.
"Go check if Karin's family next door has left for school yet. She's in the same class as you. Ask her to request leave for both of you."
That immediately won Naruto's approval.
"Let's do that!"
He vanished from the room in a flash.
Seconds later, his voice echoed excitedly outside.
After returning Karin and her mother to Konoha, Fugaku had arranged a house for them right next door—his little plan to give Sasuke and Karin more opportunities hadn't just been talk.
As the saying goes: the closest water reaches the moon first.
He hoped Karin would seize the chance.
At first, Karin and her mother hadn't moved in because her mother was still recovering—Tsunade had healed her, but she needed two more weeks of rest in the hospital.
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