Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Izumi stepped out of the clothing store, carefully storing their new clothes inside a storage scroll. The couple's matching red outfits caught the attention of several passersby, and Itachi felt a wave of self-consciousness as he noticed their curious glances.
He awkwardly glanced around and muttered, "I didn't expect there to be clothes like this..."
Izumi grinned mischievously. "It's just couples' wear. What's wrong? Are you scared? Or maybe you're reluctant to be my boyfriend?"
Instantly flustered, Itachi's face turned a deep shade of red as he lowered his gaze and quickly answered, "No! I am willing."
Izumi gently grabbed his arm, wrapping both her slender arms around it, resting her head on his shoulder. Their matching outfits each bore half of a heart, which came together perfectly when Izumi held his arm close, forming a complete heart shape.
Itachi could feel the softness of her touch and was drawn in by her unique, faintly sweet scent — the unmistakable scent of a girl. This was the first time in his life he had been hugged by a girl like this, especially out here in public. His heart beat rapidly as he nervously met Izumi's eyes, and an unshakable resolve grew within him: I must give Izumi happiness. I must make her my wife.
Hand in hand, the two left the bustling street behind and arrived at a peaceful park, where the sight of blooming flowers and gentle flowing water eased their spirits. They strolled quietly, enjoying the serenity.
Suddenly, Izumi stopped in her tracks.
Itachi looked at her, concerned. "What's wrong?"
Without warning, Izumi released his arm and said bluntly, "I'm tired of walking."
He blinked in surprise. "But you're a ninja."
She gave him a sly smile and rolled her eyes. "You actually believe that?"
Opening her arms wide, she added, "I want you to carry me on your back."
Itachi's heart thudded wildly as he looked at the expectant girl before him. With a nervous smile, he turned his back to her and squatted down.
Moments later, he felt her soft body settle onto his back. Izumi wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, giggling as she said, "This way, I won't get tired. But you have to carry me like this all the way."
With a shy but determined voice, Itachi replied, "I can carry you like this for the rest of my life."
Izumi laughed and patted his head. "You're quite the smooth talker. How many girls have you deceived with that line?"
"None," Itachi said earnestly. "You're the first."
His large hand found its way to her smooth, tender thigh, and he exclaimed, "Wow! This feels so different from my hand — so soft and elastic!"
His gentle rubbing made Izumi squirm and exclaim sharply, "Hey! Your hand! Don't move it back and forth!"
Realizing his mistake, Itachi quickly withdrew his hand, but in the process, his fingers brushed against an even softer spot. Unable to resist, his hands squeezed there a few times.
"Ah!" Izumi slapped his head lightly. "How did your hand end up on my butt? You pervert!"
Flustered, Itachi hurriedly moved his hand to a safer spot.
Izumi smiled teasingly. "That's better. If you mess around again, I'll hit you."
Itachi nodded solemnly, "Mm."
The girl wiggled excitedly on his back, shouting playfully, "Oh oh oh! Giddy up! Giddy up! Giddy up!" as if riding a horse.
Itachi carried Izumi slowly along the riverbank, savoring every moment. He wished time would freeze, so this day could last forever.
Suddenly, Izumi leaned close to his ear, her warm breath brushing against his skin as she whispered, "Do my legs feel good?"
Itachi didn't hesitate. "Mm, very good — very smooth, very soft, and elastic."
Raising an eyebrow, Izumi smacked him on the head again. "Pervert! Who talks like that?"
Realizing his faux pas, Itachi quickly corrected himself, "Oh… then not good."
She huffed but patted him lightly on the head once more. "Not good? Say that again!"
Itachi turned his head with a playful, resentful look, causing Izumi to smile. "Alright, alright. I was just teasing you."
After circling the park once, Itachi gently set Izumi down on a bench. She patted her own thigh, inviting him, "Come, lie here. Consider this my reward for carrying me."
Obediently, Itachi lay down and rested his head on Izumi's lap. He looked up nervously at the girl who seemed to shine brighter than the sun itself.
Everything about today felt like a dream — a beautiful, impossible dream. The lively, mysterious girl before him captivated his heart and eyes. From the moment he was born until now, he had never experienced such joy. It was surreal, almost too good to be true.
But amidst the sweetness, a dark thought struck him: the command from Konoha's high-ranking officials to observe both Izumi and the Uchiha clan. His mind became tangled with guilt — it felt like a betrayal of the girl lying gently above him.
Breaking the silence, Izumi smiled softly and said, "Itachi, you know about the deal between me and your father, right?"
Itachi was silent, unsure how to respond. He avoided her gaze and looked ahead, quietly admitting, "I know a little. You want to become Hokage, and he needs your help with the clan's coup."
Izumi reached down and stroked his hair gently. "Yes, but your father also told me there's a condition. Do you know what it is?"
Itachi looked up at her with curious eyes. "What?"
She whispered into his ear, "Your father wants me to marry you."
Shock flashed across Itachi's face. "What?"
Izumi continued, "After hearing that, I agreed. I want to create a village where the Uchiha and the rest of the villagers can live peacefully together."
Itachi thought for a moment and asked, "So that's why you've been acting this way towards me today?"
She smiled and caressed his cheek. "Silly, haven't we practically been a couple all along? You've just never been proactive, so I, as the girl, had to take the lead. You can be cunning sometimes, but today, you've been a little more forward."
Trying to shift the conversation, Itachi asked seriously, "Is a coup really the only way?"
Izumi gave a bitter smile and said, "The village has already killed Uchiha Shisui, who wanted peace. You should know that. They can't tolerate the Uchiha anymore. They definitely intend to wipe out our clan. We will all die if we don't resist."
"Isn't there another way?" Itachi pressed.
She shook her head. "Originally, it wasn't this bad. The Third Hokage only needed to communicate properly with the clans. But Danzo Shimura and his Root organization fear the power of the Uchiha. They have even learned Izanagi and have been constantly collecting Uchiha Sharingan eyes."
Izumi's voice grew colder. "The Third Hokage and his group refuse to communicate. One side says good things, the other says bad. What are we supposed to do?"
She revealed a painful truth. "I found out that my mother was constantly harmed by Root at the hospital, all to frame the Uchiha and drive a wedge between me and my clan."
"Itachi, the Uchiha's strength is more than enough to change Konoha completely. There's no reason to fear us."
She looked him square in the eyes. "Now, your father Fugaku, the clan head, has also grown assertive. The Third Hokage and his followers have begun to back down. As long as they continue to retreat, we will not have to stage a coup. So the final decision rests with them, not us."
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