Naruto, born from the world of his parents.

"We are Konoha, after all."

Fugaku murmured these words to himself, feeling an indescribable surge of emotion within him.

Over the years, although he had vaguely sensed the ambition of the Fourth Hokage he served, hearing Minato Namikaze's undisguised expression today, even the seasoned and composed man felt a surge of excitement in his heart, as if he had returned to the passionate and fervent age of many years ago.

If he was like this, it goes without saying that Itachi, who was only a teenager, was even more excited. Recalling Itachi's excitement when he was repeating the Hokage's words, even the usually serious Fugaku couldn't help but smile.

Looking at his son, Fugaku felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Whether it's the teaching of the Rasengan or today's incredibly vivid leadership lesson, it all demonstrates the close relationship between his son and the Hokage. Although there's no official discipleship, how can he not be considered a disciple after reaching this level?

"Itachi, I heard you're quite close to a clueless girl in your clan?"

Upon hearing this, Itachi's heart tightened. He immediately raised his head, wanting to explain and argue, but looking into his father's eyes, he couldn't say anything and could only hum a "hmm" through his nose.

Hearing this answer, Fugaku felt somewhat dissatisfied, after all, a girl from such an ordinary family was not enough to provide any help to his future heir, Itachi.

But considering the Hokage's attitude today, and the almost obsessive stubbornness hidden deep within his seemingly gentle son.

"You're eighteen this year too."

Fugaku suddenly sighed.

Just as Itachi was wondering why his father had suddenly brought this up, he heard Fugaku continue, "It's time for him to settle down and start a family."

"Father!"

Fugaku glanced at him, a glance that made the somewhat impatient Itachi lower his head again, and then he heard Fugaku say, "Find an opportunity to invite her to the house to meet us."

"Father?!"

Itachi was both surprised and delighted. He never expected his father, who always valued social standing in marriage, to say such a thing. However, Itachi quickly calmed down and tentatively asked, "Is there anything I can do?"

"Do you think I'm the kind of man who would use my son's marriage as a bargaining chip?"

Upon hearing Fugaku's words, Itachi immediately lowered his head and stared silently at the floor: "I'm sorry, Father."

"You do need to do something, but not for me, but for the family."

After a long pause, Fugaku finally spoke.

"I remember Sasuke had a pretty good relationship with that member of the Hokage's clan, right?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Itachi's eyes, but he nodded nonetheless: "Yes, Father."

"And that girl has also been taken as a disciple by Lady Tsunade."

After saying this, Fugaku stared intently at Itachi: "Itachi, I will not interfere with your marriage, but you need to understand that as the son of the clan leader, your marriage with Sasuke has never been your own business."

"But……"

"This is not a bargain."

Fugaku abruptly interrupted Itachi, waving his hand: "This is also your responsibility to strengthen the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village."

"I……"

"Go do it, Itachi, don't let me down."

Upon hearing Fugaku's words, Itachi opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he could only utter one sentence.

"I see."

……

"I see!"

People tend to become more honest with those they are close to, and they become like children in front of their lovers.

For example, right now, Izumi, who is taking a walk with Itachi in the sunset, is behaving unusually lively.

"If the flow of chakra is directed in this direction when using the Healing Palm Technique, the efficiency will definitely be even higher!"

Hearing Izumi's excited voice, Itachi paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

He had been struggling with his conversation with his father all day. He had originally planned to distract himself when he picked Quan up from school, but he noticed that Quan seemed to have something on his mind as well.

This made him start to worry, and only now, hearing that Izumi was only thinking about medical ninjutsu, did his heart finally settle down.

Upon seeing Itachi's smile, the initially excited Izumi immediately felt a little embarrassed.

She forced a defiant stance, turning to look at Itachi: "Hey, Itachi, are you making fun of me?!"

Looking at Izumi's slightly flushed face, Itachi felt an inexplicable itch in his heart, as if a hole had been opened in his heart, and countless tender feelings were flowing out.

Even his voice became unusually warm. He raised his hand and gently brushed away the hair that had fallen in front of his eyes: "How could that be?"

"But that's silly, all that sudden jumpiness."

Itachi's gentleness instantly deflated Izumi's forced composure, and she lowered her head, her voice barely audible.

But this shy demeanor had an indescribable beauty in Itachi's eyes.

He looked up at the orange sunset on the horizon, thinking about what his father had told him.

Although rationally he instinctively didn't want to force his younger brother, his emotions gradually overwhelmed the balance in his heart.

"spring."

As Itachi escorted Izumi to her doorstep, he suddenly called out to the girl who was about to open the door and go inside.

Izumi turned around, looked at the boy shimmering in the sunset, and couldn't help but laugh: "What's wrong? Are you reluctant to part with me?"

"Yes."

These unvarnished, direct words were like a fire, instantly turning Quan's face bright red. Her eyes widened, and then she turned around and faced the door, taking deep breaths until her emotions gradually calmed down. Only then did she turn around again and stammer in a barely audible voice, "Hello, Mom and Dad. It seems they haven't come back yet. I... I can walk a little longer."

Looking at the spring, Itachi felt his throat become incredibly dry and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

At that moment, the string called reason snapped completely.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and spurred on by an unprecedented impulse, he stood before the orange-red sunset, before his beloved girl, and spoke softly in an unprecedentedly cautious and gentle tone: "Quan, if it's convenient, could you please come to my house for a visit sometime? My parents would like to meet you."

"ah?!!!"

……

"Nii-san, Nii-san!"

As soon as Sasuke stepped into his house after a day of training, he called out loudly for Itachi.

But there was no response.

"Are you still busy?"

Sasuke thought to himself, but he didn't care, since this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

And now that he's not a child anymore, he naturally won't cling to his older brother all the time.

But today is different.

The thought of being instantly defeated by Naruto in the training ground with unparalleled skill filled the thirteen-year-old boy with a sense of unease.

He can accept that he is weaker than Naruto, but he absolutely cannot accept this gap!

Thinking of Naruto's concerned expression that afternoon, Sasuke couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Being treated like a weakling is incredibly unpleasant.

Driven by this sense of resentment, Sasuke decided to go to his mother to see if he could find out where Itachi was.

He's determined to teach Naruto a lesson!

"Sasuke."

The familiar voice made Sasuke stop in his tracks. He turned around and looked at Itachi in the courtyard, his eyes immediately lighting up with surprise.

"elder brother!"

Sasuke jogged over to Itachi's side, and before he even stopped, he started talking nonstop.

"Brother! Can you help me become stronger?"

"Naruto was so arrogant today, I really can't stand it!"

"Brother, brother, I want to learn illusion magic."

Looking at his younger brother who was chattering incessantly in front of him, Itachi felt a pang of guilt.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke, this is the last time."