Ryun returned home and found the food on the dining table was almost all eaten. It obviously could not have been Tsunade, so it must have been Itachi. This little guy could really eat.
Ryun entered from outside, laughing, and then patted Uchiha Itachi on the head. "So? Was the food to your liking?" Ryun asked gently.
Uchiha Itachi nodded. "It was very delicious. Much better than what the cooks in the clan make. It truly is Konoha's highest class restaurant!" Itachi was now slightly more relaxed, mainly because once a person is full, they just want to lounge.
Ryun said with a smile, "From now on, if you complete your training every day, you'll get this much good food!" After these words were spoken, Itachi's eyes lit up. He nodded. "Mhmm, thank you, Grandmaster."
Ryun smiled without speaking and looked at Tsunade across the table. Tsunade had a maternal smile on her face as she looked at Uchiha Itachi, then she raised her head to look at Ryun, her eyes filled with happiness and joy.
After talking a while longer at the table, Uchiha Itachi offered to help wash the dishes. Ryun did not refuse. It was good to train the child's initiative. However, Tsunade shot him a look; it was just that he was lazy and did not want to move.
See through it, but don't say it.
After Itachi finished washing, Ryun gave him two more genjutsu scrolls. These were developed through his own research. His own genjutsu talent was not as high as Shisui's or Itachi's. These two scrolls barely reached the top of C-rank, not quite B-rank, but they were enough for Uchiha Itachi for now.
Afterwards, Ryun took Uchiha Itachi's hand and walked back to the Uchiha clan district. After handing Itachi over to the guards at the entrance, Ryun instructed Itachi, "Pay attention to balancing work and rest. Get a good night's sleep tonight."
After Ryun finished speaking, Uchiha Itachi nodded. "Yes, Grandmaster!" Itachi held great respect and admiration for Ryun, so after Ryun spoke, he would listen and act accordingly.
The guards leaned their bodies forward, showing respect. After Ryun finished giving instructions to Itachi, one guard remained at his post, while the other led the way ahead, taking Itachi home.
The Uchiha clan head's compound was located in the very center, spacious and grand. Even without a guard leading him, Uchiha Itachi, with his early intelligence and exceptional memory, could have found his way home alone.
But his teacher had once said that sometimes, it's good to do someone a favor, and not to look down on anyone. So he decided to let the guard lead the way. The guard could gain some favor in his father's eyes, and he himself had nothing to lose.
Soon,
The guard brought Uchiha Itachi to the clan head's residence. He knocked on the door. Uchiha Fugaku, who had been resting with his eyes closed, stopped. He slowly stood up and walked to the door. At first, he saw the guard and thought he had some important matter, then the guard stepped aside, revealing Uchiha Itachi behind him.
"Clan Head, the Young Master has finished his training and has returned home," the guard said, bowing.
"Hmm, you've worked hard. Raise your head," Uchiha Fugaku said calmly.
The guard straightened up, his eyes shining as he looked at Uchiha Fugaku. Fugaku nodded inwardly. "What is your name?" he asked.
"Reporting to the Clan Head, I am Uchiha Keiun!" Uchiha Keiun replied.
"Hmm, I have remembered your name. You may withdraw now," Uchiha Fugaku said. After he finished, Uchiha Keiun nodded vigorously, then used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the courtyard.
This trip was absolutely worth it. Although it was just a small matter like escorting the young master home, having the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, remember his name would be a huge help for his future.
Uchiha Itachi watched silently as Uchiha Fugaku employed so-called authority tactics. Such methods were worth learning from, as he too would become clan head in the future.
Uchiha Fugaku watched Uchiha Keiun's figure disappear into the distance, then his attention turned to Uchiha Itachi. He originally wanted to say, 'You did well today,' but, hindered by the strict father model he had set for himself before, he did not say it.
"Come in, Itachi," Uchiha Fugaku turned and signaled for Itachi to follow. Itachi's eyes flickered, and he followed closely behind Fugaku, not even daring to breathe heavily.
When they reached the tatami mat area to the side, Uchiha Fugaku extended his left hand, indicating for Itachi to sit. Itachi did not say anything, but knelt formally on the tatami, his back ramrod straight.
Although his Grandmaster had told him that at his place, he should be as relaxed as in his own home, the reality was that his own home placed great importance on rules, making him not dare to overstep in the slightest.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at his son's correct kneeling posture and serious expression, and nodded inwardly. Then he knelt opposite Uchiha Itachi.
The father and son sat like this, neither speaking. The difference was that Itachi looked down at the table, while Fugaku looked down at Itachi. An intangible pressure emanated from the two of them.
It was unknown how much time passed before Uchiha Fugaku spoke first. "Itachi, I heard from your Grandmaster that you held a horse stance for 55 minutes today, is that correct?"
"Yes, Father," Itachi's tone was serious, his childish voice revealing a maturity not belonging to his age.
Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "Very good. Worthy of being my son, Uchiha Fugaku. Your father is proud of you." Uchiha Fugaku forced a smile. Smiling was simply too difficult for him.
Itachi, who had been looking down, was suddenly stunned. He looked up at his father, his pupils filled with disbelief. Although his father's smile was not very good looking, and even a bit ugly, it was the first time his father had done something like this.
In the past, when he met his father's requirements, the most he got was a nod, or a 'don't be proud, keep working hard.' Praise like this was a first. Itachi's eyes shone with surprised delight. He blinked, looking at his father.
Itachi somewhat suspected if his father was an imposter? But sensing the vast chakra within him, Itachi knew clearly that this was Uchiha Fugaku.
"Ahem. In the past, I was too strict with you. I am sorry." After saying this, Uchiha Fugaku placed his hands on the table, lowered his head, and bowed. This startled Itachi.
"Father, Father, there's no need for this. It's alright," Itachi quickly helped his father up, his eyes filled with fluster and complexity. He had never thought that his proud father would both praise him and apologize to him today.
This left him very confused. Based on his understanding of his father, his father had his pride and would definitely not take the initiative to do these things. There was only one possibility: during the meal earlier, when Grandmaster left the table, he had come to persuade his father. How he persuaded him, he did not know.
Did Uchiha Itachi hold resentment towards Uchiha Fugaku? No. But there was probably some discomfort. After all, he worked hard to meet his requirements, and he didn't even get praise, only strictness and pushing.
Other children his age bonded with their parents, intimate and close. Itachi had seen this scene more than once. He was envious. But he knew he was the Uchiha young master, the future Uchiha clan head.
The Uchiha clan was also Konoha's largest clan. Therefore, it was normal that he didn't have the same life as others. He did not regret it. But all he hoped for was his father's praise, his father's attention.
And today, he received these things. Although it was Ryun, his Grandmaster, who helped persuade him, on the day he received them, he was still very excited, very happy. So much so that now he lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and tried hard to prevent tears from falling from his eyes.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at his son, his gaze gentle. "The reason I didn't praise you before was because I was afraid you would become proud and complacent. That would be detrimental to your future. But today, I understand that constant strictness and pushing will only make you feel bad inside, and hide your heart."
"We are still father and son. If a son is unwilling to open his heart to his father, then it can only mean I have failed as a father. Itachi, please allow me to say I'm sorry again. Can you forgive me?" Uchiha Fugaku said seriously.
Itachi was still young. Fugaku had not been teaching him for very long. Therefore, Itachi's resentment towards Fugaku was not that deep. After Uchiha Fugaku's second apology, Itachi could no longer hold back his tears.
He threw himself into his father's embrace, crying bitterly, pouring out the grievances in his heart. Uchiha Fugaku's eyes reddened. He had not realized his son was under such great pressure. He didn't know if he was a failure as a clan head, but he understood that over these four years, as a father, he had failed.
Fortunately, this happened early. If more time had passed, the relationship between father and son would have become unnatural, and they would have become complete strangers.
Uchiha Fugaku turned his head, looking outside through the window, in the direction of Ryun's villa, and said silently in his heart, 'Teacher, thank you.'
He looked at his son again, held him tighter in his embrace, and patted his back with his hand. Itachi cried until he fell asleep. Having spoken the words buried in his heart, he felt much more comfortable, and didn't feel so tired anymore.
Hiding outside the door, Uchiha Mikoto covered her mouth, tears falling. She had always felt that if father and son continued interacting like that for a long time, problems would surely arise. She had just urged her husband to talk more with Itachi.
Uchiha Fugaku was silent at first, but finally nodded. From the moment Uchiha Fugaku got up to open the door, Mikoto had been secretly observing. When the two entered the room, she had been eavesdropping.
Hearing their words, she covered her mouth, afraid her crying would alert them and ruin the atmosphere. But now it seemed everything had gone relatively smoothly. She was genuinely happy for her son and her husband.
The night wind grew cold, blowing in through the window. Itachi shivered. Uchiha Fugaku started, and quickly closed the window, afraid his son would catch a cold from the wind.
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