Huff! Huff! Huff!
The child knelt on the ground, gasping for breath. However, the people around him did not show pity or sympathy. Instead, their faces were filled with shock and excitement.
The scent of blood lingered in the air. The corpses of ninjas, wearing either the Kirigakure or Konoha forehead protectors, lay scattered across the battlefield.
The Konoha ninjas silently collected the bodies of their fallen comrades.
Surrounding the child were members of the Uchiha clan, identifiable not only by their Konoha forehead protectors but also by the clan's iconic fan emblem.
Leading them was a stern-faced man with deep tear troughs, exuding both authority and severity. He looked at the panting child with a mix of pride and fatherly affection.
"Have you rested enough, Itachi?"
Despite his concern for Itachi, Uchiha Fugaku—both as the clan leader, a father, and the head of the support unit—hardened his heart. His tone carried a hint of coldness and strictness as he asked.
"I'm ready!"
Reprimanded by his father, the young Itachi struggled to stand up from the ground. In his small hand, he tightly gripped a bloodstained kunai.
Though only six years old, this was not his first time taking a life. The horrors of war and death weighed heavily on his young mind, leaving him lost and overwhelmed.
Amid the chaos of battle, his limited understanding made him feel like a mere puppet—mechanically carrying out his father's orders.
After witnessing so much death, he had begun to grow weary of war and killing.
"You don't have to be so harsh on him, Clan Leader! Itachi did an excellent job, didn't he?"
An Uchiha Jonin spoke up in defense of Itachi.
He truly believed that Itachi was outstanding!
Although his strength was at most at the threshold of a Chūnin, his battlefield performance was outstanding. At his age, there were hardly any who could surpass him.
After all, most children his age were still attending the Ninja Academy. Even during this wartime period, when the academy had lowered its graduation requirements and age restrictions, Itachi still stood among the top elites.
"Itachi has already awakened his Sharingan. A single tomoe at his age—he truly is a genius of the Uchiha clan!" said Uchiha Akihito, who stood beside Fugaku.
"As the son of the clan leader and the bearer of Uchiha's future, he must become even stronger!" Fugaku's expression softened slightly as he stepped forward, gently placing his hand on Itachi's sweat-dampened hair.
A fleeting warmth flashed in his eyes, but his voice remained stern.
Meow!
A ninja cat suddenly appeared among the Uchihas, accompanied by a puff of smoke.
One of the Uchiha ninjas stepped forward and exchanged a specially made cat food pellet for a scroll from the ninja cat's paws.
"Clan Leader!"
The scroll was handed to Fugaku, and all the surrounding Uchiha ninja turned their attention to both their leader and the scroll in his hands.
Since the message had been delivered by a ninja cat rather than a messenger hawk from the village, it meant that the intelligence came from within the clan.
Generally, unless the clan faced a significant matter that even the elders couldn't decide on—one that required the clan leader's judgment or awareness—such messages wouldn't be sent.
Fugaku unsealed the scroll and, after reading it, a rare smile and trace of joy appeared on his usually stern face.
"Kagetsu has finally been promoted to Jōnin!"
He took a deep breath and spoke softly, his gaze sweeping across the gathered clan members who were all focused on him.
Upon hearing the news, the Uchihas' faces lit up with unrestrained joy, and some even cheered outright.
This almost fanatical display drew the attention of nearby Konoha ninjas, who were still grieving as they gathered the bodies of fallen comrades. They turned to look, their expressions filled with surprise and confusion.
They couldn't understand why the Uchiha were cheering in such an environment. Were they celebrating victory in battle?
However, no one approached to ask.
Though the Uchiha were powerful and reliable allies, their personalities and way of speaking often created an unintentional sense of discomfort and distance.
Moreover, as a prestigious clan in Konoha, the pride of the Uchiha ninjas is directed toward everyone. Whether they are comrades from the same village or enemies on the battlefield.
Unless someone surpasses the Uchihas in status and strength, or can win their respect, they will only show deference and a more amiable side.
Feeling the strength of his father's hand gripping his, and seeing the clan members caught in a state of ecstatic joy, the young Itachi's gloomy mood lifted slightly.
He had heard the name Nara Kagetsu more than once within the clan.
His father, mother, clan members, and his most respected and admired older brother, Uchiha Shisui!
Though young, Itachi could tell from the adults' words that this was someone very important to the Uchiha clan, someone whom his brother Shisui respected greatly.
He even knew that both Shisui and his father wanted him to become that person's disciple.
Itachi still remembered how his father had shown pure happiness and relief when he finally received a positive response.
Itachi rarely saw such a sincere smile from his father, who was always serious, stern, and kept his emotions in check.
"Clan leader!"
After the cheer, the Uchiha ninjas all turned their hopeful gazes toward Fugaku and Itachi, who was held by Fugaku's side.
"Too impatient."
Noticing the clan's thoughts, Fugaku shook his head. Although he said they were too impatient, he did not stop their eagerness.
"The elders also want Itachi to return to the village."
Fugaku spoke of the proposal from the clan elders written on the scroll.
"Let me escort Itachi back to the village. He's already been tempered on the battlefield and has performed excellently. Given the current situation of the village, once Kagetsu-sama is promoted to Jonin, it's inevitable he will become a team leader. We can't let Itachi miss out," Uchiha Mihara said with some urgency.
"Not necessary! Kagetsu is special! His disciples will be chosen carefully," Fugaku shook his head.
He didn't think the village would break up Orochimaru's team. At least, the Third Hokage would consider Kagetsu's opinion.
However, what Mihara said wasn't impossible. By officially recognizing the master-student relationship early, it could calm the restless hearts of the clan members.
After all, ever since they had received Kagetsu and Orochimaru's promise, they had been eagerly waiting for this day.
"Mihara, take Itachi back to the village!" Fugaku said, holding Itachi's hand, walking over to Mihara's side.
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