After all that happened.
If he were in Mirai’s shoes, Itachi asked himself.
If he returned to the village after three years, and the first news he received was that his brother and sister-in-law were dead.
And the Uchiha clan was deeply involved!
He would undoubtedly be hostile towards the Uchiha, possibly even directly blaming them for his brother’s death.
Given that mindset, if he happened to encounter the son of the Uchiha clan leader.
And this enemy’s son happened to insult his deceased brother and sister-in-law by calling them “girls”…
Itachi shuddered.
This was why he was so shocked by Mirai’s calm demeanour.
“You are Uchiha Itachi, right?”
Mirai’s smile was amiable, making him seem like a kind neighbour.
But the friendlier he appeared, the more Itachi couldn’t understand his thoughts.
And the deeper his unease grew.
“Yes.”
Itachi dared not say much, unsure of Mirai’s attitude towards the Uchiha.
To be safe, he didn’t want to touch a sensitive nerve.
Just as Itachi was tense, Mirai’s following words left him petrified.
“Oh my, time flies. I didn’t expect Fugaku’s son to be this big already. I haven’t visited the Uchiha compound since Mikoto got married. I wonder how Mikoto is doing now.”
Mirai’s smiling eyes revealed a hint of nostalgia as he gazed at the end of the street, reminiscing.
Itachi’s jaw nearly hit the ground.
Usually composed, he was now gaping in shock at Mirai’s words.
Fugaku was indeed his father, but Mikoto???
For a moment, Itachi felt he had stumbled upon something monumental.
Something terrifying!
Mirai didn’t notice Itachi’s shock, or perhaps he didn’t care, smiling as he recalled the past.
Back then, he, Kushina, and Mikoto were very close.
He and Mikoto had many amusing stories.
These interactions continued until Mikoto got married.
He had to end them.
After all, he had no interest in married women.
This was also why, at Minato’s grave yesterday, he was sure when Kakashi mentioned the Uchiha clan.
Minato becoming Hokage greatly benefited the Uchiha.
Minato genuinely wanted to ease the tension between the village and the Uchiha.
Given enough time, a new, thriving Konoha would have emerged.
The Uchiha had no reason to sabotage their future and end up as outcasts.
And knowing Fugaku, that coward wasn’t the type to pull off something so daring.
The real culprit had to be someone else!
“Remember to tell Fugaku that I will visit the Uchiha compound soon.”
Mirai’s eyes turned into crescents as he smiled.
“Consider it an apology for the past.”
Not really!
His real target was Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo. If he could ally with the Uchiha, it would greatly benefit him.
Additionally, through Fugaku, he might uncover more about that night.
“Yes, I understand. I will tell my father.”
Even the usually composed Itachi couldn’t help but stammer.
The situation had completely surpassed his expectations.
He quickly pulled Sasuke away.
He feared if he stayed longer, Mirai would reveal more about Mikoto.
Mirai smiled as he watched Itachi’s hasty retreat.
Mikoto’s two children resembled her!
Naruto looked back and forth between Itachi and Mirai, unable to resist asking, “Uncle, who is Mikoto?”
“Aunt Mikoto is a very beautiful woman and was close to your mother.”
Mirai crouched down, smiling as he gave Naruto a playful flick on the forehead.
…
Night.
After pondering all day, Uchiha Itachi nervously pushed Uchiha Fugaku’s door open.
Fresh from a bath, Fugaku was in his nightclothes, holding a book and reading it on the bed.
“Itachi, it’s late. What’s the matter?”
Noticing Itachi entering, Fugaku placed the book on the bedside table, his stern face looking at his eldest son, who resembled him greatly.
Itachi was his pride.
At only nine years old, he had the strength of a Chunin.
His depth of thought far surpassed ordinary clansmen.
His remarkable talent had even caught the attention of the Third Hokage, who had personally mentored Itachi and praised him for having a Hokage mindset.
Though Fugaku felt a bit resentful, he didn’t mind much. It validated Itachi’s talent.
No matter what, Itachi being his son was an unchangeable fact.
“It’s about Mother.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Itachi finally spoke.
Outside, the night sky was bright with moonlight, and the sound of water trickling from the adjacent room filled the air. Father and son exchanged looks in this silent, unique environment, and the atmosphere grew tense.
“About… Mikoto?”
Fugaku’s brow furrowed slightly.
Mikoto was his wife, currently bathing in the adjacent room.
Itachi came to him this late. Was it about Mikoto?
“I met Mirai on the streets of Konoha today.”
Itachi spoke concisely.
Mirai???
Fugaku’s eyes flickered with a trace of recognition.
That familiar name awakened distant memories.
“What did he say?”
“He said… he would personally visit the Uchiha compound soon.”
Itachi observed Fugaku’s face, unsure of his father’s relationship with Mirai.
Or what impact his words would have.
“Is that so?”
Fugaku nodded.
Mirai’s plan to visit the Uchiha didn’t surprise him. He had been waiting for this visit since hearing of Mirai’s return to the village.
Knowing Mirai, with such significant events involving Minato and the Uchiha, he couldn’t stay away.
Itachi, observing his father’s reaction, saw none of the worries he feared. He finally relaxed.
In his room, Itachi couldn’t help but think about the upcoming visit. What would happen when Mirai came to the Uchiha compound?
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
