"It's true, isn't it?" Uchiha Itachi sighed deeply, a wave of disappointment washing over him as he looked at Izumi.
Izumi, he thought bitterly, after all these years, your strength has undoubtedly grown far beyond what it once was. But your mindset remains chained to the same old beliefs of the Uchiha Clan. You still cling to the arrogance that only force can solve everything. Why can't you humble yourselves and listen to the voice of Konoha?
Izumi reached out gently and stroked his face and hair with a calm expression. "Itachi, I'm curious. Your father said that you and Shisui were like brothers. Shisui wanted peace, but he was killed by Konoha, right? Then why are you still hesitating? Which side will you choose to stand on?"
Itachi lifted his head from Izumi's lap and slowly stood up, preparing to leave. His thoughts were swirling in turmoil, torn between loyalty to his clan and the complicated web of duty he felt towards the village.
Izumi followed close beside him, gently grabbing his hand. Her voice softened but was firm as she said, "This is the last time I'll advise you. From now on, let's not speak about the clan or the village. I believe you will make the right choice. You are the pride of the Uchiha Clan. Hehehe, now, come on."
"It's a promise then." Itachi responded with a nod.
The two silently left the park. Neither spoke on their way back, but Izumi rested her head softly on Itachi's shoulder, clutching his arm in a quiet intimacy. Their pace was calm as they made their way back to the clan grounds.
When they arrived, Itachi said gently, "I'll take you home first."
"Mm," Izumi agreed with a small nod.
Suddenly, a young voice rang out on the path ahead: "Big Brother!"
Both Itachi and Izumi turned to see Uchiha Sasuke approaching them. Upon seeing his older brother, Itachi's face brightened with a warm smile.
However, Sasuke's expression shifted the moment he noticed Izumi. His smile faded, and without hesitation, he tugged on Itachi's other arm, saying, "Big Brother! Who is she? Let's go home."
Itachi glanced at Izumi, feeling awkward. "Ah… she is…"
Izumi smiled kindly at Sasuke, her eyes twinkling with fondness. "Wow! Sasuke, you've grown so big! I even held you when you were little. Do you remember me? I'm Uchiha Izumi — your big brother's girlfriend. Do you know what a girlfriend is, hmm?"
Sasuke scowled and pulled Itachi with more force. "Big Brother, this woman is so annoying! Let's stay away from her!"
"Sasuke! Be polite!" Itachi immediately reprimanded his younger brother, but Sasuke stubbornly insisted on going home.
Izumi chuckled softly and said to Itachi, "You take Sasuke home first. I'll head back by myself."
Itachi looked apologetic. "Sorry, Izumi."
She waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine." Before parting ways, Izumi opened her arms wide and said with a playful smile, "Itachi, give me a hug."
Reluctantly, Itachi let go of Sasuke's hand and slowly embraced Izumi again, feeling the familiar warmth of her body close to his.
Izumi then turned toward Sasuke, a triumphant smile spreading across her face as she narrowed her eyes mischievously. She stuck out her long, cute tongue at the young boy and said cheekily, "Goodbye, Itachi and little Sasuke. Hehehe."
Itachi opened his mouth to reply, but Sasuke interrupted, yelling, "Ah! You hateful woman! How dare you mock me? Big Brother, teach her a lesson for me!"
"Sasuke! That's rude!" Itachi scolded, looking distressed as he glanced between Izumi and his brother.
Izumi waved cheerfully and left without another word.
Sasuke started crying dramatically. "Big Brother doesn't like me anymore! Ahhhhhh…"
With no choice, Itachi lifted Sasuke into his arms and carried him home. Immediately, the boy's expression brightened, feeling safe in his older brother's embrace.
Upon entering their home, Uchiha Mikoto looked at Sasuke's new clothes and asked in surprise, "Itachi, what happened? Did Sasuke get new clothes too?"
Itachi smiled warmly. "Izumi and I went shopping. She bought these clothes for me. She also got gifts for Father and Sasuke. Sasuke ran into her earlier, and they had a little disagreement."
Sasuke crossed his arms, pouting. "That woman hugged Big Brother. It was too hateful!"
Uchiha Mikoto laughed softly. "Oh my, Sasuke just doesn't want Big Brother to be hugged by anyone else, does he? Hehehe. Itachi, you've really grown up. That reassures me. I thought you wouldn't get along with others in Anbu, but I didn't expect Izumi to be so kind! Not only did she buy you a gift, but she also bought presents for us. You better seize this opportunity — a good girl like her might be snatched away if you don't act fast!"
Itachi smiled shyly. "Ah, yes, I understand."
Mikoto looked over his clothes approvingly. "This outfit looks really good on you! Try it on so I can see. You'll definitely look handsome."
"It's troublesome," Itachi muttered, "I'll wear it for you later."
"No, no!" Mikoto insisted, "Hurry and change so I can see! I want to see how you look in these kinds of clothes, quick, quick, quick!"
Itachi had no choice but to change into the outfit. When he reappeared, Mikoto clapped her hands delightedly. "Wow, so handsome! As expected of my son. It would be bad if you were as stiff-faced as your father."
Uchiha Fugaku glanced helplessly at his wife, shaking his head slightly.
Itachi chuckled quietly.
Meanwhile, Izumi had changed back into her ninja uniform and resumed her patrol duty.
"Ah, such a hassle — another patrol," she muttered, rubbing her neck. Since she'd spent the whole day playing with Itachi and had little time to patrol, she had to be extra thorough tonight.
"But… is this what love feels like? It's actually quite interesting — very sweet, hm hm," Izumi thought, savoring the memory of being with Itachi earlier. The warmth of his embrace lingered in her mind, and her heart beat faster at the thought.
She reflected on how she had been the one to hold his arm, rest her head gently on his shoulder, and even climb onto his back for a piggyback ride. She sighed. "What kind of luck did this guy have to make me so proactive? But I suppose good men are rare. At the very least, a partner should be handsome and strong."
"Ah! What am I thinking?" Izumi shook her head, frustrated. "Even my thoughts are becoming more feminine. If only I had a beautiful woman like this when I was a man…"
Suddenly, envy flickered in her eyes toward Itachi.
"No, forget it — it's just an experience. That guy is beyond saving, still trusting the village that killed Uchiha Shisui. He really carries the Ninja World in his heart, unlike the others who only think about strengthening the clan."
Izumi's tone sharpened. "Compared to those old geezers, I'm still far behind. I need to learn more. How could he have been brainwashed like this?"
Lost in thought, Izumi suddenly noticed a strange power pulling at her attention. Curious, she followed the sensation without hesitation.
Before she realized it, she found herself walking into a residential area — unfamiliar territory. Then she recognized the mansion ahead.
"Kurama," she whispered to herself, a smile curling on her lips.
"So that's where she is — Kurama Yakumo." Izumi stuck out her tongue and licked her lips playfully, then activated Kamui and slipped inside.
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