In the end, Itachi became the makeshift lighter, performing the Great Fireball Technique on the spot.
If Sasuke weren't there, he wouldn't have done it.
But Sasuke was his soft spot, and to ensure his brother's safety, Itachi decided not to provoke Whitebeard.
Whatever Whitebeard said, Itachi would comply.
Soon, the aroma of grilled fish filled the air.
Itachi didn't particularly enjoy grilled meat or fish.
He found the smell indifferent.
But seeing Sasuke drooling, Itachi softly said, "That kid named Naruto would probably be happy to share the grilled fish with you. He's been glancing this way but seems too shy to ask."
He smiled, "Sasuke, go join them for the grilled fish! Take these rice balls and share some with Naruto!"
"Okay, brother!" Itachi's words broke through Sasuke's weak defenses.
Sasuke wasn't yet the Sasuke he would become in a year.
He was still a limited edition, brother-loving Sasuke.
"Gurararara! Uchiha kid, how could you let your brother come over?" Whitebeard glanced at Itachi.
Itachi remained silent.
In reality, Whitebeard's earlier display made Itachi realize there was no safe area within a hundred meters.
Even keeping Sasuke close might not ensure his safety.
Since that was the case...
He might as well let Sasuke enjoy himself, especially since they rarely had the chance to go out together.
Fortunately, Whitebeard didn't seem like an especially unstable or dangerous person on the surface.
"Kid!" Whitebeard looked down at Sasuke.
Sasuke held up a grilled fish, looking up.
Whitebeard grinned at Sasuke, "Your Uchiha clan is quite special in this village of Konoha! Old man likes special kids like you!"
Itachi felt a bad premonition.
Sasuke blinked his big eyes.
"Gurararara! Sasuke kid!" Whitebeard laughed loudly, "You should become my son too!"
Itachi: "???"
"…As expected." Kakashi, eating dry rations nearby, wasn't surprised by Whitebeard's words, "Is this some kind of quirk? Why does he want to make everyone his son?"
Recalling that Whitebeard had said almost the same thing to him, Kakashi couldn't help but twitch slightly.
Although...
Judging by Whitebeard's attitude towards Naruto, he indeed seemed like a qualified father, at least better than the Third Hokage.
But...
Who goes around wanting to make everyone their son?
Doesn't this behavior seem absurd?
Kakashi couldn't understand!
And Sasuke, who Whitebeard invited to be his son, was left dumbfounded. His little brain couldn't process the situation.
"Do you want to be my dad's son too?" Naruto's eyes lit up, "Even though I find you a bit annoying, if you want to be my dad's son, I totally agree!"
Because that would mean Naruto would have another family member!
Having experienced what it's like to have a family, Naruto naturally craved more family.
"W-wait! I..."
Sasuke shook his head vigorously, accidentally pricking himself with the fish bone from the grilled fish he was holding, jolting him awake, "No way! Absolutely not!"
He took a step back, firmly shaking his head, "I have a father and a mother. How can I call someone else my father?"
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard didn't seem disappointed. It seems like you're a kid with a happy family!"
Seeing this, Itachi sighed in relief.
He definitely didn't agree with Whitebeard wanting to make Sasuke his son. If Whitebeard had tried to force it, Itachi would have found a way to take Sasuke and leave.
Whitebeard's last words resonated with Itachi. Sasuke indeed had a happy family.
Currently, it was so.
And it would be in the future.
...
When dusk arrived, Itachi finally used the excuse of "it's getting late" to bid farewell to Whitebeard and Naruto.
Today's camping trip with Sasuke.
It was utterly nerve-wracking!
Itachi worried constantly about Sasuke getting hurt, but... fortunately, none of his worries came true.
They had a close call, but no real danger!
Holding Sasuke's small hand, injured from trying to emulate Naruto's training.
The Uchiha brothers, Itachi and Sasuke, returned to the clan grounds before dark.
They encountered several Uchiha clansmen, among whom was someone Itachi knew well.
He saw them arguing.
And their voices were getting louder.
"Shisui! How can you ignore your clansmen being injured and hospitalized?" A member of the Uchiha Police Force, seething, grabbed a black-haired youth by the collar, their faces nearly touching: "Tsui had one kidney pierced by a rock, Gan is still unconscious, and the doctor said he might become a vegetable and never wake up!"
"Gan, Wen, and Tsui are outstanding members of our Uchiha Police Force, and you used to lead them! Shisui, are you telling me you don't want to deal with this?"
The one grabbed by the collar was clearly Shisui.
Another Police Force member couldn't help but say, "Shisui, what's wrong with you? You've become more and more indecisive over the past two years. Where's the Shisui of the Body Flicker we knew from the battlefield?"
"Outsiders have already bullied the Uchiha clan, and if we don't avenge Gan, Wen, and Tsui, won't everyone think we're pushovers?"
Shisui's face was filled with conflict.
He knew a lot about this incident. He knew Whitebeard had recognized the jinchuriki as his son.
Because he understood this.
He knew...
He absolutely couldn't act.
If the Uchiha clan took action against Whitebeard, what would the Konoha higher-ups think of them?
Intentionally trying to sever the bond with the jinchuriki?
Intentionally releasing the Nine-Tails?
This would definitely strain the already tense relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
Their relationship was already stretched thin.
Any added pressure.
And it would snap!
"Shisui!" Itachi, holding Sasuke's hand, approached, attracting the group's attention.
"Itachi?" Shisui was surprised.
"Uchiha Itachi?" The other Police Force members frowned, one even saying, "You Konoha higher-ups' lapdog..."
Before he could finish.
A kunai flew past the speaker's ear, slicing off several hairs.
"The lapdog of the Konoha higher-ups you speak of can take your life at any time."
Itachi coldly said, "Watch your words."
"You!!" The Police Force members ultimately backed down.
They glared at Itachi.
Then turned to Shisui.
"Shisui! Even if you don't want to get involved, we'll take action! The dignity of the Uchiha clan cannot be trampled by outsiders! We're not as weak as you! And we're not lapdogs of the Konoha higher-ups!"
...
...