Two years ago, after Fugaku's funeral, Itachi became somewhat withdrawn.
Recently, every time Mikoto saw her son, she could feel the loneliness and suppression within Itachi. Watching Itachi grow increasingly isolated, her heart was in agony. She knew that if she didn't take action, her son might fall into even deeper pain.
After much deliberation, Mikoto decided to seek help from Shun.
She brought tea into the study, her voice filled with unconcealed anxiety. "Husband, I must talk to you about Itachi."
Shun looked up from his official scrolls and pulled Mikoto into his embrace. "What has Itachi done that worries you so much?"
Mikoto's hands trembled slightly. "That child, his state is very wrong. He comes to see me, but he's like a puppet without a soul. He doesn't speak, doesn't smile, and there's no light in his eyes. I'm afraid that because of Fugaku's death, his heart is heading towards darkness."
Shun kissed her lips, comforting her, "Mikoto, Itachi is very intelligent, even far more intelligent than his peers. But please remember, no matter how much Ninjutsu he has mastered, or how complex the path he understands, he is still just a child who just turned seven."
His gaze deepened. "To prematurely bear a burden beyond one's age, to witness death, to experience change, if not guided correctly, a mind can easily twist and fall into the wrong path of obsession and darkness."
Mikoto gazed at him, a hint of worry in her eyes. "Husband, do you have any way to help Itachi?"
Shun tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a decision, "I cannot stand by and watch Itachi head towards destruction due to a lack of care and belonging. He needs a sense of security, he needs a complete home. I have decided to adopt Itachi as my stepson, to let him be the older brother to Hamamaru and Manaka."
Mikoto couldn't help but frown slightly, a little hesitant. "Can this work? Won't Itachi resist even more?"
Shun smiled faintly and gently kissed Mikoto's lips again. "Mikoto, there's no need to worry too much. Itachi is only seven. No matter how precocious he is, he is still just a child. He has experienced too many changes, and it's normal for his heart to be temporarily closed. Haven't we recently added two lively little ones to the manor? Take Itachi to see them more often, perhaps it will gradually open his heart."
So, Mikoto began to frequently take Itachi to Sāra and Chie's chambers.
At first, Itachi always stood at a distance, quietly observing everything.
Sāra was a cheerful person, she brought the swaddled Hamamaru over and handed him to Itachi.
She greeted him warmly, "Itachi, come see your little brother."
Itachi hesitated upon hearing this, then slowly and extremely carefully approached the small Hamamaru in the swaddling clothes.
When he finally held that heavy, soft little body for the first time, he froze, as if he had turned into a piece of wood, not daring to move an inch.
Strangely enough, the previously crying Hamamaru gradually quieted down and stopped crying in Itachi's somewhat cold embrace.
Chie was relatively gentler, she softly said to Itachi, "Itachi, would you like to touch your little sister? Her tiny hands are so small and incredibly soft."
Manaka's soft fingers unconsciously grasped a strand of Itachi's hanging black hair, letting out a gentle "eeyore" sound.
At that moment, an indescribable, subtle yet warm touch quietly seeped into Itachi's silent heart. He no longer needed his mother to lead him, he would quietly walk to the nursery after training.
Sometimes he would just sit quietly, listening to their babbling, full of vitality.
Subtle, childlike emotional fluctuations gradually appeared on his face.
Shun took in all these changes. He called out to Itachi, who was about to go see his younger siblings, from under the long corridor.
Itachi stopped, bowing respectfully. "Uncle Shun."
Shun crouched down, bringing his gaze level with Itachi's. He looked very seriously into his eyes and said, "Itachi, I have seen your concern for your younger siblings, this change is very good. I hope you have a normal child's childhood, family members to protect, and elders you can rely on. Itachi, be my son, let me guide you, and give you a real home."
Itachi was stunned, a faint blush visibly spreading across his pale cheeks. He instinctively looked at his mother, Mikoto, who stood beside him.
Mikoto's eyes were filled with tears of encouragement and anticipation.
She gently stroked Itachi's hair and softly said, "Itachi, agree. Shun genuinely cares for us and will be a good father. Can you call him father?"
Her voice carried a hint of pleading, hoping her son could truly integrate into this new home and open his heart.
Sāra, holding Hamamaru, smiled and chimed in, "That's right, Itachi, this is your home, quickly call him father. Look, Hamamaru is waiting to hear it."
Hamamaru in her arms appropriately gurgled once, waving his tiny fists.
Chie, holding Manaka, softly echoed, "Itachi, this is your home."
Itachi's face grew redder. He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of his clothes.
His internal memory of his birth father, Fugaku, was still deep and he felt an instinctive reverence for the title "Father." He pressed his lips together, seemingly engaged in an extremely difficult internal struggle.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, Itachi very slowly raised his head. His cheeks were still flushed, his eyes a little shifty, and he tentatively called out in an almost inaudible voice.
"Father..."
Though soft, the sound clearly reached everyone's ears.
Upon hearing this, Shun's smile instantly widened. It was a truly heartfelt smile, filled with satisfaction and joy.
He extended his hands and, with a firm yet gentle embrace, pulled Itachi into his arms, patting his back.
"Itachi, from now on, you are my son."
Mikoto's tears finally fell, but these were tears of joy.
Sāra and Chie exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere became incredibly warm.
Itachi buried his face in Shun's shoulder, feeling this unfamiliar yet warm embrace. His ears were burning red, and the complex emotions in his heart were slowly replaced by an unprecedented sense of stability.