The weather was pretty nice today—bright and sunny—and in this winter season, the sunlight felt quite pleasant on one's skin.
The Uchiha Compound remained lively as usual. While walking through the streets, Saitama could clearly feel the energy radiating from this powerful clan.
"Hmm hmm!" Saitama knocked on the door to Fugaku Uchiha's house.
"Man, the chief's place really is different—the door alone is huge."
Saitama stood at the gate, admiring how impressive it was. Compared to his own house, this place was in a completely different league. It clearly belonged to a wealthy family.
"Who are you looking for?" A young, clear voice came from behind Saitama, who turned around immediately.
He had sensed footsteps approaching from behind while he was knocking, but hadn't paid much attention since he was still standing in a public area of the street where people often passed by.
Looking down at the small boy barely half a meter tall, Saitama vaguely recognized features that reminded him of his captain.
"It's you, Itachi, right?" Saitama smiled slightly and crouched halfway down.
"Huh? How do you know me?" Itachi looked puzzled but was sure he didn't recognize this particular clan member before him.
"Hey there, Itachi. I'm your father's subordinate—I came especially today to visit him." Even though Saitama was only seven or eight, he didn't look like a child at all.
Stretching out his hand toward Itachi's head, Saitama prepared to ruffle his hair affectionately.
"Eh!" Looking at his hand which had missed entirely, the moment grew awkward. Meanwhile, Itachi gave him an alert, suspicious look like facing a suspicious stranger and instinctively stepped back a few steps.
"I really am..." Saitama withdrew his hand slightly, attempting to explain.
[Creak!] The big door swung open.
"Saitama, you came early," said Fugaku's voice. Itachi's eyes lit up as he ran past Saitama and straight into his father's legs.
"Father!"
"Captain!"
Saitama turned around and nodded, all the previous awkwardness instantly gone.
"Yeah, come on in!" Fugaku waved, then gently placed his right hand on top of Itachi's head and rubbed it briefly.
"Itachi, go inside with Saitama. Don't run outside again. Today, you're going to learn how to be a good host for our guest, Saitama." Fugaku playfully tapped Itachi's forehead as he spoke casually and lightheartedly.
"Okay!" Itachi obeyed with a nod, glancing at Saitama warily.
As they entered the living room, Saitama still held a gift in one hand.
"Here you go, Captain. Don't mind it," Saitama said with a smile as he handed the pastry box over, showing a somewhat embarrassed expression.
"Hehe, just coming was enough—you didn't have to bring anything." Without hesitation, Fugaku took the wrapped present from Saitama's hands.
Fugaku invited Saitama to sit down and opened the package in front of him.
"Oh! These are those sweet osmanthus cakes from the market street! Mikoto will love these! Thoughtful choice!" Fugaku grinned as he sat beside Saitama.
"Itachi, this is for you," Saitama added. Even after getting rejected for trying to ruffle Itachi's hair earlier, he still made sure to bring a gift. He handed over the remaining wrapped box and smiled faintly.
"Huh?" Itachi hadn't fully processed what was happening yet, his cute little face suddenly bursting with surprise.
"Go ahead, Itachi. Take it."
"Father, why isn't he doing anything?" Fugaku watched Itachi for a while before his tone grew heavier, though he was only trying to urge the boy along.
"Oh oh, thank you, thank you Saitama... Saitama nii-san!" Itachi received the gift with both hands and finally bowed deeply as well.
"Just take a look. Hope you like it," Saitama nodded.
"Okay!"
Itachi found a chair, climbed up onto it, and started unwrapping the present right in front of everyone.
"Woah!" At that moment, Itachi truly was still just a child—his face couldn't hide his sheer surprise at all.
He pulled out a Ninja Sword about the length of his arm, his mouth forming a perfect "O."
"Hehe." Seeing it was a blade, Fugaku smiled slightly toward Saitama.
"This is also a righteous blade. When Itachi grows up a bit more, he can have it sharpened and properly begin using it." Saitama pointed at the edge of the Ninja Sword.
"Great! Thank you, Saitama nii-san!" came the clear voice. Itachi nodded several times, hugging the sword while jumping down from the chair.
Calling out, "I'm gonna show Mama!" Itachi disappeared from the living room.
Now only Saitama and Fugaku were left in the room, and the atmosphere had immediately shifted.
"Saitama." Fugaku smiled warmly, leaning closer toward him.
"Captain, please speak. I'm listening." Saitama knew this wasn't just a casual dinner—they had serious things to talk about.
"You are currently the most talented ninja in the Uchiha Clan, and someone I can truly trust under my command." Fugaku's voice was grave.
"Mmm!" Sitting upright, Saitama listened attentively for what was coming next.
"The Uchiha's position in Konoha has gotten more and more awkward over the years." A bitter smile formed, and Fugaku's gaze dropped to the table as memories flickered through his mind.
"Just think back to how our ancestors fought side by side with the First (Hokage) to build Konoha. Decades have barely passed, yet we've fallen to where we are now!" There was helplessness in his tone, but mostly sorrow.
"Please don't feel that way, Captain. This outcome wasn't what any of us wanted." Saitama sensed Fugaku's feelings clearly, apparently blaming himself for the current state of affairs.
"Nowadays, almost every major and minor clan in Konoha has its own established role, except the Uchiha, who seem to float on the fringes. Though we hold the title of Security Force, it's essentially an empty honor without much real value."
"In times of peace, we're basically just gatekeepers, and when there's trouble, it's all on Anbu—we're barely even backup anymore. From the beginning, the Security Force was a joke—it seems like nothing more than a comfort provided by the higher-ups to appease us!" By now, Fugaku's tone had grown sharper, his right hand clenching tightly.
"Truth is, I get where you're coming from." Saitama replied, knowing even better than Fugaku their clan's predicament. Before long, after the Nine-Tails Incident, the Uchiha would fall further into despair, losing their voice entirely within Konoha.
"I can't even predict what's ahead for us." After saying so much, Fugaku seemed somewhat relieved, leaning back more casually.
"Regardless of what happens, we will always stand together with our clan!" Nodding firmly, Saitama leaned forward.
"It makes me genuinely happy to see younger generations like you—with both talent and responsibility—as your clan leader." Fugaku placed both hands at his sides, his voice filled with joy.
"Itachi! What are you hiding there for? Come over here now!"
"Farok turned his head toward the door.
"Be right there!" Itachi's little head peeked through the doorway, his ninja sword hugged tightly in his arms.
Bounding into the room with energy, Itachi leaned close to Fugaku and whispered something before darting off again.
Fugaku kept his usual calm expression. Just now, Itachi had whispered in his ear: "I'll stand with Dad too!"
"Time to eat," Fugaku said, picking up the osmanthus cake from the table and setting it aside before leading Saitama toward the dining area.
No wonder they're an aristocratic family—they've got this much space!
"This must be Saitama! Come on in and have a seat!" Entering the dining area, Saitama immediately saw Mikoto Uchiha bustling about while Itachi zipped around energetically.
"Hello, Auntie!" This was Saitama's first time meeting Mikoto, but he didn't hold back at all.
"Mm, hello!" Mikoto placed a dish on the table, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she replied.
"Just make yourself comfortable," Fugaku said, waving a hand.
Once everyone was seated, dinner began. Though only four people were present, the table was full of dishes—shrimp, fish, and all kinds of vegetables.
"Auntie, your cooking is amazing!" Saitama gave a big thumbs-up after finishing a shrimp the size of his arm.
"If you like it, then eat more!"
"All right!"
Saitama nodded, not planning to hold back. After all, chances to feast at someone else's house weren't every day.
...
Fugaku and Mikoto exchanged glances while Itachi sat there, dazed and holding the last shrimp, unsure whether to eat it or not.
The entire table had been cleaned out—the majority of the food having disappeared into Saitama's stomach.
"Haha, delicious!" Saitama patted his belly, perfectly at ease without a trace of shyness.
"Eh, haha!" Fugaku chuckled awkwardly, unsure what to say. He hadn't expected Saitama to have such a big appetite. Fortunately, Mikoto had prepared extra portions today because they were expecting a guest.
"Still hungry, Saitama? Should Auntie make some more?" Mikoto asked, somewhat bewildered. Earlier, Fugaku had told her that a seven-year-old subordinate would visit and stay for lunch. Wanting to show the generosity of the clan leader's household, she'd deliberately increased the amount of each dish—but apparently, it still wasn't quite enough?
Mikoto's gaze fell on her own son. Itachi sat there, dazed and holding a large shrimp, unsure whether to eat it or not.
"No thanks, I'm full already! But I haven't enjoyed a meal this much in a long time! These shrimps are really good! Thanks a lot!" Saitama pointed at the pile of shrimp shells on the table. The shrimp meat truly was tender and delectable—comparable to Australian lobsters from his past life.
"Haha!" Fugaku smiled kindly again, lifting his bowl to finish the rice inside.
"Itachi-niisan, do you want this shrimp?" Itachi extended his small hand, his face showing slight reluctance.
The older brother who gave him his ninja sword loved shrimp. Itachi decided to let go of this one.
"Ah? Haha, no—it's okay. You eat it, niisan's already full!" Saitama blushed slightly and declined, encouraging Itachi to keep it.
"Okay then!" Seeing Saitama genuinely refuse the shrimp, Itachi happily withdrew his hand, broke the shrimp into pieces, and placed them into Mikoto's and Fugaku's bowls.
"Thank you, Itachi!" Mikoto's face softened into a warm smile.
Saitama couldn't help but smile as he watched the happy family together. A simple dinner like this really could be heartwarming.
...
"Genos, come to my office tomorrow. I've got a mission that needs your touch. Right now, both you and Mori are the only ones I trust enough and strong enough to handle this. Shisui isn't quite there yet in terms of strength."
Standing at the doorway, Fugaku saw Saitama off, with Itachi leaning against his leg.
"Sure thing, Captain! It's about time I got back into action after all this downtime," Saitama replied without hesitation. He understood how wartime missions worked—every clan in Konoha has its own mission quota to fulfill during wartime. Sure, the Daimyo provided funds, but who would ever say no to more money?
Judging from Fugaku's expression, this mission wouldn't be an easy one.
"Well then, see ya, Captain! Bye, Itachi!" Saitama crouched down to pat Itachi's head. This time, the boy didn't dodge away, allowing Saitama to finally feel his soft hair. With that, Saitama gave one last nod and walked out the door.
"Bye-bye, Saitama nii-san!" Itachi shouted cheerfully, hopping on his short legs while waving both hands excitedly. His impression of Saitama wasn't bad, even though the older man always wanted to ruffle his hair.
"Go back inside, Itachi," Fugaku said once Saitama had walked far enough away. A flicker of deep thought passed through his eyes as he led Itachi back into the house.
How could the fate of the Uchiha Clan be changed? The storm is coming!
A deep worry settled in Fugaku's chest. He could only hope these gifted youths grew strong fast enough!
Looking again at the energetic little boy at his feet, Fugaku made up his mind!
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