"I'm sorry, Itachi has already gone out on a mission. I'm not sure when he'll be back."
Fugaku regretted saying that almost immediately.
Was his tone too condescending, too indifferent?
If it caused a rift in the romance between the girl and his son Itachi, that would be troublesome.
"I see. Sorry for bothering you, I'll come again another day."
The girl named Uchiha Izumi gave a slight bow to Fugaku before leaving.
"..."
It was surely because of his harsh tone that made the girl feel afraid and discontented with her future 'father-in-law.'
Fugaku slapped his head in frustration.
He wanted to say something to make amends with the girl, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know what to say.
Should he learn to be more affectionate with his family in the future?
Fugaku couldn't remember the last time he naturally showed a gentle expression.
Ever since he became the Clan Leader, he felt he had forgotten many things from before.
He wished his son Itachi would become accomplished, so he took him to the frontline of the battlefield when he was four years old to instill a Ninja's survival mindset.
Later, noticing Itachi's talent, he continuously pushed him to become an excellent Ninja. Although Itachi perfectly fulfilled the tasks assigned, his smile became less frequent.
Things were still okay with Sasuke, but in front of his father, he barely smiled.
Especially in recent years, it felt like something was isolating their father-son relationship.
A vague sense of obstruction made Fugaku inexplicably regretful.
"Is it because I'm too tired? Sigh..."
◎
Itachi returned home at night.
The four family members were having dinner at the dining table when suddenly Fugaku spoke: "By the way, Itachi, that young lady named Uchiha Izumi came looking for you again this afternoon. She seems very concerned about your current state. You should go see her tomorrow and don't let her feelings go to waste."
Itachi paused his eating motion, nodded, and said, "I understand."
His mother, Mikoto, overheard this from her husband and gave Itachi an encouraging smile.
Only Sasuke said curiously, "Didn't brother say he was going out with her today? Why did she come again?"
As Sasuke spoke, silence enveloped the dining table.
Fugaku's calm expression turned serious as he stared sharply at Itachi.
"Itachi, what's going on? What exactly are you doing?"
"It's nothing. There's an important task, so the date was postponed."
Itachi had already prepared this explanation.
"No, that's definitely not it. You're hiding something from us."
Fugaku put down his bowl and chopsticks, his gaze coldly sweeping over.
"You're overthinking, father."
"Why haven't you attended any recent gatherings?"
"Because they're boring."
"Have you abandoned the family's sense of honor as well?"
"This family isn't enough to elevate my stature; it's as simple as that."
Bang!
Fugaku's face turned steel blue.
A perfectly good dinner had turned into a scene as serious and terrifying as a battleground.
Sasuke trembled at the dining table, not daring to speak, feeling somewhat guilty.
If he hadn't mentioned that, father and brother wouldn't have argued.
Uchiha Mikoto glanced at Fugaku and Itachi, then took Sasuke to another room to prevent him from witnessing some uncomfortable scenes.
"What side are you really on?"
Fugaku asked, feeling deeply distressed.
His question was reminiscent of when Uchiha Hachida questioned Itachi's stance at the meeting.
Is it the clan, or the village?
Such suspicion and distrust were now present in Fugaku's eyes.
"I am Itachi of the Uchiha Clan. This will never change, no matter what happens."
Itachi raised his head and fearlessly met Fugaku's gaze, his eyes resolute.
The atmosphere at the table not only failed to lighten but instead grew heavier.
"Then let me ask you, what hidden information have you obtained in the Anbu?"
Fugaku questioned, with a cold face.
Unperturbed, Itachi responded, "It's confidential to the village, I can't answer."
"Is this what you call standing on the clan's side?"
"Precisely because I'm on Uchiha's side, I can't divulge everything."
Itachi retorted without backing down.
Fugaku laughed in anger. He never expected his once-proud eldest son to one day confront him with such defiance.
Seeing Itachi's emotionless face, Fugaku's heart grew cold.
At this moment, he couldn't grasp where Itachi's allegiance lay.
"What are you really seeking?"
"To prevent the continuation of tragedies."
Itachi closed his eyes.
Remembering when he was four, led by his father, stepping into the center of the battlefield and witnessing all sorts of atrocities.
Countless refugees wailing, caught up in the Ninja war, dying helplessly as if being cut down like grass. That painful sound struck him deep in his heart, shaking his young soul.
The battlefield was brutal, filled with lifeless bodies, shattered corpses, and scattered flesh.
It was a nightmare he could never forget.
At that moment, he swore to end all wars in the world.
No matter what sacrifice was necessary.
All to prevent such tragedies from repeating.
Fugaku looked powerlessly at his son, who had already formed his own beliefs, feeling for the first time how desolate it was to be a father.
Since when did the trust between father and son get severed?
◎
The day of the Uchiha Clan's coup was drawing closer and closer.