Chapter 298: The Three Little Ones Cooking
After following Itachi for several days, Ichikawa Ao had grown much more familiar with the way shinobi traveled.
Night fell quietly.
Uchiha Fugaku lay on the bed.
Beside him, Mikoto was already asleep.
Since she was pregnant, she had begun resting earlier than usual. Not wanting to disturb her, Fugaku only lay down at this hour.
Yet sleep refused to come.
The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he felt.
That goblin was unusual.
Not merely because of its intelligence, but because of the calmness in its eyes — far too composed for a creature born of savagery.
Itachi had already examined him with the Sharingan, yet Fugaku still felt uneasy.
Ordinarily, he would have questioned the creature himself.
But his eyes were still in the midst of recovery, unable to be used freely. For now, he could only endure and wait a few days.
This matter could not be entrusted to anyone else.
With Mikoto in her current condition, even the smallest risk was unacceptable.
For the moment, the goblin remained under control, and Fugaku judged that nothing drastic would occur within a few days.
Still, precautions had to be taken.
Tomorrow, he would instruct Itachi not to bring that creature back to the clan compound again.
He could not afford accidents — not now.
---
The next morning, Fugaku rose early.
After a short while, he walked to Itachi's room and gently pushed the door open.
Perhaps because he was at home, Itachi had let his guard down and remained fast asleep.
Fugaku approached quietly and nudged him awake.
Itachi opened his eyes, still groggy.
"Father…?"
"There's something I need to tell you," Fugaku said softly.
The tone alone was enough to make Itachi fully alert. He sat up immediately.
"Please speak."
Fugaku sighed lightly and shook his head.
"It's nothing urgent. Your mother is pregnant."
For a moment, Itachi froze.
Then his eyes widened.
Pregnant?
That meant… another sibling?
He had always hoped for a younger sister — Sasuke and Naruto were already more than enough trouble as younger brothers.
"I understand," Itachi said solemnly.
"Keep your voice down," Fugaku added. "She's still sleeping."
"Yes."
Itachi lowered his head instinctively, as though afraid his earlier reaction had already been too loud.
After a pause, he whispered, unable to suppress his curiosity.
"Father… is it a younger brother or a younger sister?"
Fugaku spread his hands helplessly.
"It's still too early to tell."
If anything, he wanted to know even more than Itachi did.
"There's nothing else," Fugaku said. "I'll leave you to it."
He turned and left the room.
Itachi remained seated for a long while, staring at the ceiling, a faint smile spreading across his face.
If it was a younger sister…
The thought alone filled him with warmth.
Unable to sleep any longer, Itachi got up.
After washing up, he left a Shadow Clone with Ichikawa Ao to continue instruction, then went to wake Sasuke and Naruto.
Before they left their rooms, he reminded them quietly that their mother was still resting.
Though they didn't fully understand, both nodded obediently.
For once, Itachi led them to the kitchen himself.
"Ni-san," Sasuke asked suspiciously, "why are you acting strange today?"
Naruto tilted his head as well, eyes full of curiosity.
After a moment's thought, Itachi decided not to hide it.
"It's because Kaa-san is pregnant," he said softly.
The two boys froze.
Then their eyes lit up.
"We won't run around inside!" Sasuke declared immediately.
"Right!" Naruto nodded vigorously.
"That's good," Itachi said. "Now, I need you to go to the market and buy green onions and herbs."
"Got it!"
Naruto dashed off at once, vaulting away with his usual energy.
Sasuke shook his head, muttered something under his breath, and followed after him.
---
When Mikoto woke and went downstairs, she paused in surprise.
Poached eggs sat neatly on the table.
She stepped into the kitchen and saw Itachi cooking noodles, while Naruto and Sasuke assisted nearby — washing herbs, cutting vegetables, working with rare seriousness.
She smiled warmly.
"My, what's the occasion today?"
Sasuke immediately turned and gently ushered her away from the kitchen.
"Kaa-san, please sit down! Breakfast will be ready soon!"
The smell of cooking filled the room, and he clearly didn't want her lingering there.
Mikoto laughed and sat on the sofa as instructed. Sasuke even handed her the remote before hurrying back to help.
Ten minutes later, steaming bowls of noodles were set on the table.
Mikoto called upstairs, "Anata, it's time to eat."
"I'm coming," Fugaku replied.
Soon, the family gathered together, sharing a quiet, happy meal.
Then—
A knock sounded at the door.
Itachi frowned slightly.
Naruto sprang to his feet.
"I'll get it!"
He ran over and pulled the door open.
"Who is it—?"
Naruto looked up.
Standing outside was a beautiful young girl, with long dark hair and a tear mole beneath her right eye.
---