Chapter 12: So Pretty, Like a Little Girl…
Konoha Village…
After the Fourth Hokage officially took office, it became increasingly lively…
Firstly, Kakashi Hatake joined ANBU. After a brief stumble, he gradually gained great fame for his extremely high mission completion rate and ruthless style.
Cold-blooded Kakashi…
Just as the genius ninjas of the past matured, new geniuses emerged one after another… Even a genius like Kakashi became a footnote to others.
Uchiha Shisui, during a support mission, engaged in a fierce battle with Mist ninjas who were launching a surprise attack on the coast, leaving a shadow in the hearts of the invading enemies – Shisui of the Body Flicker.
Besides the two mentioned above, new generation talents like the taijutsu ninja Might Guy, the heir to the genjutsu clan Kurenai Yuhi, the Third Hokage's second son Asuma Sarutobi, and the "toothpick-is-life" Genma Shiranui began to show their prowess…
Konoha, under the leadership of the Fourth Hokage, coupled with the older generation of ninjas headed by the Third Hokage holding down the fort… started off with a thriving momentum.
In another part of the village…
The five-year-old with the Sharingan was still a hot topic… Although they didn't understand that the Sharingan's awakening wasn't actually related to age, it didn't stop them from voicing their opinions.
"If it were wartime, Uchiha Itachi would be even more outstanding than Kakashi!"
This was a common saying among Konoha villagers… Many Uchiha clan members, upon hearing this, couldn't tell whether they should feel regret or relief…
That freshly minted Uchiha genius was currently helping a crow scrub a cooling mat.
Because summer had arrived.
"Sharingan, activate!"
The little boy used his crimson eyes to meticulously inspect every possible crevice for dirt. Satisfied, he nodded his small head and said happily, "It's very clean!"
The crow eating ice cream: "...Caw..."
"Kitahara, hurry up..." Uchiha Itachi wiped his hands clean and brought out two cylindrical lunch containers from the room. "It's settled, we're going to the hospital today to deliver food to Mom and Dad..."
The crow quickly landed on Itachi's shoulder.
Uchiha Mikoto was approaching her due date and had been admitted to the hospital in advance to await labor. Therefore, Fugaku and Itachi needed to take turns with household chores and keeping her company… This was standard practice in the ninja world; nothing was more important than a new addition to the family.
Moreover, the child in Mikoto's belly… was that man…'s
When Itachi and Kitahara arrived at the hospital, several nurses eagerly informed the little boy… that Uchiha Mikoto had successfully given birth at dawn. Immediately after, a few young nurses started arguing…
"Hey, hey, I heard Lady Mikoto gave birth to a son! The little brother will surely be as cute as little Itachi in the future!"
"Nonsense! I just passed Lady Mikoto's room and peeked in; it's a daughter! Very pretty, you know!"
"But..."
"Definitely..."
"...They're arguing again..." Uchiha Itachi didn't try to persuade them; he knew these nurses had lost their minds... He walked alone, carrying the lunch boxes to the hospital room.
As for that crow… he couldn't figure out why it liked such scenes… A group of young nurses bickering, was that really so appealing?
To be fair… it actually was…
Once the group of nurses learned the answer from a doctor and instantly dispersed, Kitahara flapped its wings and flew to the hospital room. After all, it had known the outcome for a long time and wasn't anxious at all.
In the hospital room, Uchiha Fugaku held the small infant, sternly educating his eldest son. He was gradually beginning to transform into the image of a strict father…
"...You must not fall behind in your daily training..."
"...Go to the training grounds in the afternoon... but also pay attention to protecting your body..."
"...Truly my son, to be able to persist through such long training!"
The old father still couldn't abandon his doting affection for Uchiha Itachi…
Kitahara lightly landed on Fugaku, its crimson eyes gazing at the sleeping little infant… Uchiha Itachi's younger brother…
"Kitahara, I have a younger brother!" Uchiha Itachi, seeing the crow arrive, shared his joy with his friend, "His name is Sasuke, Uchiha Sasuke!"
"...Caw..."
Kitahara's caw sounded a bit displeased… It was merely curious about Uchiha Sasuke, but now it felt like its own cub had a new puppy… Would they still be able to play happily together in the future?
"Look, Kitahara will have another playmate in the future!"
"...The house will be very lively from now on..."
Uchiha Sasuke was pretty and cute, somewhat resembling a doll from a New Year's painting. It wasn't without reason that others often mistook him for a little girl.
It had to be said, the Fugaku family had good genes.
Whether it was the husband and wife, or the two brothers, they all had good looks, especially Sasuke… Men and women alike would be charmed by him…
Uchiha Fugaku wouldn't possibly relax Itachi's education just because of his younger son's birth… The "main account" was destined to reach god-tier max level following the usual steps; wouldn't turning attention to the "sub-account" now be foolish?
The captain of the Konoha Military Police Force was certainly not foolish. After lunch, he chased Uchiha Itachi out of the hospital, not wanting him to delay his afternoon ninjutsu training…
Uchiha Itachi reluctantly touched his younger brother's cheek before leaving the hospital…
Mikoto, cradling Sasuke, suddenly said, "...Say, Fugaku-kun, have we been paying too little attention to Itachi lately..."
Fugaku, who had witnessed the process, shook his head, "...It's also possible we've been too strict with Itachi lately... Let's slowly make it up to him!"
…What kind of parents are these…
Only Kitahara, perched on Itachi's shoulder, was clear-headed. It recalled Itachi's recent actions, "...Caw?"
Is the cub I raised really going to get a new puppy?
Murphy's Law proves that when you think your little cub will get a new puppy, fate will arrange puppy candidates for him…
For example… among those children playing near the training grounds… one might just pop up…
"Uchiha Itachi!"
A little girl who clearly disliked playing house games suddenly walked over, blocking Itachi's path, "I heard we're the same age. Want to play with us?"
"...And you are?"
"My name is Izumi… We've met, during New Year!" The little girl had long hair and a beauty mark near the corner of her eye… She even puffed out her chest slightly when speaking, looking very brave. Women in the ninja world were never lacking in courage…
If you're timid, wouldn't you be single for life?
Kitahara curiously watched the fated meeting of childhood sweethearts, which caught the little girl's attention, "Is this your crow? It looks so… strange…"
That hesitant little glance… Clearly born so cute, how can her mouth be so venomous!
"Caw!"
Kitahara was furious. Actually, I know my appearance isn't great, but saying it out loud is your fault!
Uchiha Itachi quickly soothed the crow on his shoulder, "He's my friend. Sorry, I have to go to the training grounds."
"You can already use the training grounds? You truly are the genius everyone in the village is praising..."
Many things prove that if a woman likes a man, she shouldn't say it out loud in public; it's better to tell him privately… Otherwise, you'll never know if you want to like him… or if you want to harm him…
The little girl's other playmates clearly couldn't sit still any longer… especially a few little rascals who wanted to show off…
"Hey, Uchiha Itachi, leaving just like that, aren't you looking down on others too much!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Izumi, don't talk to him!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"He raised such a scary crow himself and still brings it out to frighten people!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Kitahara: "..."
…Did I provoke you guys?
(End of this chapter)