Fugaku Uchiha agreed to let Hikaku Uchiha accompany Shindai and the others.
Well, even if he disagreed, it wouldn't matter. Shindai had a point—in terms of generational standing, Hikaku could have been their great-great-grandmother several times over.
As for strength… wielding four different dojutsu and capable of manifesting the Perfect Susanoo, they wouldn't stand a chance against her anyway.
No matter how you looked at it, if Hikaku didn't want something, none of them could force her.
With everything already said and done, Shindai and Clan Leader Fugaku simply locked eyes, both unsure how to proceed with the conversation.
Just as the atmosphere grew awkward, Mikoto Uchiha walked in carrying a plate, placing it in front of Shindai with a smile. "I heard from Kushina that you really like okonomiyaki, and since we just happened to have all the ingredients, I made one for you. I hope you like it, Shindai."
"Thank you, Sister Mikoto."
Shindai thanked her politely but now hesitated as he looked at the okonomiyaki on the plate.
He had just finished eating and wasn't really hungry at the moment.
But since Mikoto kept watching him, Shindai had no choice but to pick it up and start nibbling. "Mmm, it's delicious~"
"I'm glad you like it. Should I make you a few more?"
"No thanks. I actually came here right after finishing lunch... Actually, may I go see Sasuke?"
Shindai hurriedly declined while skillfully changing the topic. Truthfully, he did want to visit Sasuke—he hadn't had the chance to see him yet.
Mikoto replied happily, "Of course! Let me take you there. Itachi and Izumi are playing with Sasuke right now."
After quickly finishing his okonomiyaki, Shindai stood up and turned to Clan Leader Fugaku. "Clan Leader Fugaku, I'll go check on Sasuke now."
Speaking about his own son, Fugaku's face softened into a gentle smile. "Alright, I think Sasuke will really like you."
Following Mikoto Uchiha, Shindai arrived at another room.
Inside the room, Itachi was playing with Sasuke. The little boy was crawling along the floor toward Itachi's direction.
Meanwhile, Izumi sat beside Itachi, clearly upset.
Because baby Sasuke completely ignored her, clinging exclusively to Itachi instead.
She had originally hoped to get closer to Itachi through little Sasuke, but now Itachi was too busy focusing on playing with Sasuke, leaving her forgotten by his side.
"Aww, how adorable~"
When Mikoto heard Shindai complimenting Sasuke, she broke into a delighted smile.
Stepping forward, Shindai squatted down in front of Sasuke and beckoned with his finger.
"C'mon~ Come here, Sasuke. Play with your older brother Shindai."
Itachi Uchiha:...
Mikoto Uchiha:???
That clicking sound—wasn't that how you called a dog?
Sasuke glanced at Shindai, then pointedly turned his head away, ignoring Shindai completely as he continued crawling toward Itachi.
Izumi laughed quietly to herself.
Seems Sasuke isn't singling her out; he acts like this with everyone except Itachi.
Shindai's eye twitched slightly before he lifted Sasuke with one hand.
Sasuke struggled desperately in Shindai's grip, yelling and flailing wildly.
Itachi felt terrible watching this and quickly said to Shindai, "Big brother Shindai, Sasuke doesn't like that."
However, Shindai raised two fingers and gently pressed them against Sasuke's forehead.
As if a switch had been flipped, Sasuke immediately stopped struggling and stared at Shindai with wide, bright eyes.
"Forgive me, Sa-su-ke. This'll be the last time!"
Itachi, Mikoto, and Izumi all looked at Shindai in confusion, completely unsure what he was doing.
Suddenly, Sasuke grabbed the fingers pressed against his forehead and burst into delighted laughter.
Shindai's grin stretched all the way to his ears, "You definitely fall for this trick~"
Izumi stared in shock as Shindai effortlessly won over Sasuke.
Then why had she gone through all that earlier—deliberately making herself look unattractive—just to try and cheer Sasuke up?
"Sa-su-ke, what's 'gay'? Sa-su-ke ke!"
The more Shindai called him 'Sa-su-ke,' the happier Sasuke became, while Itachi, Mikoto, and Izuna only grew more confused.
After having enough fun with Sasuke, Shindai prepared to head home, saying, "Sister Mikoto, Itachi, and Itachi's little girlfriend, I'll take my leave first. See you next time."
Hearing Shindai refer to her as "Itachi's little girlfriend," Izumi instantly blushed bright red.
Itachi felt exasperated and silently decided from now on to keep himself—and Sasuke—far away from Shindai.
Mikoto Uchiha glanced at Izumi, whose cheeks were already flushed, and said with an awkward smile, "Shindai, I'll see you out. Itachi, you stay here and play with Sasuke and Izumi."
Shindai followed Mikoto Uchiha out of the room.
After Shindai left, Izumi curiously walked over to little Sasuke, imitating what Shindai had done, and gently placed her finger on Sasuke's forehead, saying sweetly, "Forgive me, Sa-su-ke~"
Sasuke burst into delighted laughter.
Izumi seemed to have discovered a new world: "Wow, it really works! Itachi, when we play with Sasuke like this, he truly loves it!"
Itachi pursed his lips tightly.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Itachi felt strangely bothered watching Shindai and Izumi do that to Sasuke.
After playing for a while, Izumi also went home.
Now only Itachi and Sasuke remained in the room.
Sasuke had already crawled onto Itachi's lap.
Itachi studied Sasuke for a moment, then slowly raised his hand and touched Sasuke's forehead, whispering, "I love you, Sasuke."
Sasuke grinned wider than he had when either Shindai or Izumi touched his forehead.
Pensively scratching his head, Itachi muttered, "Why does Sasuke like this gesture so much?"
"Ah well, if Sasuke Uchiha likes it, I'll just do that gesture more often from now on."
...
Shindai was walking home, mentally figuring out the best day to reopen his puppet shop.
As he was thinking, Shindai heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, long time no see."
Shindai looked up and saw Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi.
Shindai said in surprise, "Huh? You're back already?"
Asuma lit a cigarette and replied, "Of course. With something huge going down in Konoha, how could I not come back? Though I got there a bit too late."
Just before Asuma could put the cigarette pack back into his pocket, Shindai stepped forward and grabbed both the cigarettes and lighter from Asuma Sarutobi. He pulled out one cigarette, lit it with a satisfied smile, took a long drag, then handed them back to Asuma.
Asuma Sarutobi grumbled, "Can't you just buy your own? Why steal mine?"
"I can't conveniently do that... Sigh..."
At the thought of those two powerful figures at home, Shindai couldn't help but sigh again.
Seeing Shindai's troubled look, Asuma immediately grinned, "What? Someone got you on a leash now? Pakura won't let you smoke anymore?"
Shindai rolled her eyes, "You sure love to run your mouth. Kurenai, stay away from troublemakers like Asuma, or you might pick up some bad habits and turn into one yourself."
Asuma's face flushed and his neck swelled as he started arguing loudly with Shindai.
Kurenai Yuhi looked at both Shindai and Asuma with a deadpan expression.
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