Because Itachi was injured during practice, today's training had to be cut short.
After returning to the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Shisui's expression grew serious.
Everyone they passed wore somber expressions, a stark contrast to the usual enthusiasm they showed upon seeing two of the clan's most promising young talents.
"It must be something that happened at the gathering at Nanga Shrine…" Shisui clenched his fists and muttered, "I should have attended… I can't be absent from now on…"
"Sorry, Shisui. I shouldn't have insisted on training this afternoon," Uchiha Itachi said, scratching at his injured arm.
"Hey, how can I blame you? It's my own fault." Shisui reassured the younger boy, rolling up his sleeves to check the injury. "I'll take you home first, then I'll go ask the jōnin in the clan for details. I need to find out what happened at the gathering."
"I'll go with you—"
Gah…
Beiyuan pecked Itachi on the head. If it was about the Uchiha clan's gathering… wasn't Fugaku the clan head? Wouldn't it make more sense to ask him first?
These kids were getting dumber the longer they were raised… It must have been Sasuke's influence!
The ruins left behind by the Uchiha clan on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack had long been cleared away. After a simple cleanup, the area felt noticeably emptier.
Fugaku stood in an open space, silently surveying his surroundings.
Unlike the other clansmen, who wore their emotions openly, Uchiha Fugaku remained expressionless, as if none of this concerned him.
That was, until he spotted Uchiha Itachi and Shisui. A small smile appeared on his face.
"Itachi, you're back early today."
"Dad!"
"You were at the training grounds this afternoon?" Fugaku said, nodding slightly. "I was wondering why I didn't see Shisui at the gathering…"
The old father's gaze softened as he looked at his son, then shifted to Shisui with quiet gratitude.
Good boy… In the entire Uchiha clan, the two most talented young men getting along so well was something everyone was pleased to see.
Before Itachi could respond, Fugaku's eyes landed on his arm.
"Your arm… is that a burn?"
"…I'm really sorry… It's my fault." Uchiha Shisui swallowed the questions he had been about to ask. He had to explain what had happened during their sparring session first.
Because he had wanted to test his new technique, but his son's current skill level was too low, he had accidentally injured him. In the end, it wasn't even Itachi who helped refine the technique… it was the crow he raised…
It was difficult to say out loud!
Uchiha Itachi flexed his arm and said, "It happened during practice, but it's already bandaged. It's nothing serious."
The boy was obviously a smooth talker—he downplayed the process and emphasized the outcome. The way he framed it made it sound like just a minor training session.
Beiyuan saw right through Itachi's little tricks. So eloquent… Some ninja couldn't even string a full sentence together, yet this kid could twist the truth with ease. The crow gave Shisui a sidelong glance.
Uchiha Fugaku chuckled.
"Oh? As expected of my son. He's already able to spar with Shisui?"
"… …"
Uchiha Itachi was too embarrassed to respond this time.
Gah…
The kids in this family were getting ahead of themselves… What was there to brag about?
Shisui quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Senior Fugaku, did something happen at the gathering? The clan members… they didn't seem to be in good spirits."
Some people really didn't know when to stay silent…
Hearing Shisui's question, Uchiha Fugaku's good mood faded visibly.
"The village held a meeting. They've decided to relocate our clan to the northeast corner of Konoha," he said flatly. "It seems the news has already spread."
"But… that's even farther from the village center," Shisui said, frowning. "And our relationship with the village has always been…"
Unlike the other clansmen, who reacted with indignation upon hearing the news, Shisui was painfully aware of the consequences—especially at such a sensitive time.
"Shisui," Fugaku interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "The other clans in the village have agreed."
The unspoken message was clear.
After the Nine-Tails' attack, the Uchiha clan had been completely isolated from the village.
Shisui stood frozen in place, realization sinking in.
Fugaku didn't continue the conversation. Instead, he gently pulled his son close.
"I'll take Itachi home first."
"Goodbye, Shisui."
Gah…
The reconstruction meeting held by Konoha's higher-ups after the Nine-Tails' attack was nothing less than a political game—a calculated move to test and suppress the Uchiha clan.
If the police force launched a rebellion now, the village would be torn apart. In Konoha's current state, many of the great clans would not sit idly by—not even the Aburame clan, who usually kept to themselves.
If Uchiha agreed to move, then they would be like a frog being slowly boiled alive. Isolated from the village's center, even if they eventually rebelled, the Anbu could easily wipe them out.
The higher-ups of Konoha understood this perfectly. That was why they had all chosen to stand together.
"Dad, are we really moving?" Uchiha Itachi didn't fully grasp the situation—he was only wondering if their family would be getting a new house.
"…Yeah."
Looking into his son's innocent eyes, Fugaku suddenly let out a quiet chuckle.
"You might actually like the new place, Itachi… I heard there's a new training ground over there."
"That's great! Today's training ground got completely wrecked by Beiyuan…"
"…Gah?"
Beiyuan tugged on the boy's hair. That wasn't the point here!
Truthfully, setting aside the strategic implications and their relationship with the village, the Uchiha clan did need a new residential area. Their population was growing, and housing was becoming scarce.
Fugaku's family, for example, had four people and a crow. And with two sons, once even one of them got married, their house wouldn't be enough…
The patriarch's life was truly miserable.
Meanwhile, another clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, lived alone in a massive estate. In the future, he would have two daughters—so even if he arranged a son-in-law, his home would still have plenty of space…
When Uchiha Mikoto heard about the relocation, her expression showed concern. Even the promise of more housing didn't seem to cheer her up.
"We've lived here for so long… I feel reluctant to leave."
"…After all, they were once our neighbors," Fugaku muttered, his mood darkening. "These next few days will be difficult. Just take it slow."
"…Yes."
Mikoto glanced at her eldest son, who was playing with his younger brother.
"Itachi, you'll have to take care of Sasuke from now on."
"Got it!"
The crow took off into the air and landed on Itachi's shoulder, its red eyes glaring fiercely at the swaddled baby.
"Gah!"
Pfft… pfft…
Sasuke, entirely unafraid, started spitting at the bird with all his might.
You little brat… you're done for!