The Hidden Leaf Village—Konoha—was the first shinobi village ever established in this world, occupying a vast stretch of territory within the Land of Fire.
Within its borders, the village was divided into three zones: the Outer District, the Inner District, and the Core District.
The Outer District was typically inhabited by recent immigrants. It was home to numerous inns, hostels, and accommodations designed to house traveling merchants and mission clients from across the continent.
Residents of this area were not eligible to enroll in the ninja academy, nor were they allowed access to the heart of the village.
They could only live or conduct business within the outer and inner zones of Konoha.
The Inner District was reserved for families that had lived in Konoha for many years.
Some were once minor clans from the Warring States period—such as the Shiranui, Kurama, Hatake, Mitokado, and Torune lineages—who gradually moved into Konoha after its founding, either by invitation or by choice.
Even so, the majority of those living in the Inner District were still ordinary families.
But those granted residency here enjoyed a variety of village benefits.
For example, orphans of war could receive subsidies or condolence payments.
Yet by far the most coveted privilege was eligibility to apply for the ninja academy.
Only residents of the Inner District had the right to take the academy entrance exam.
Many families who had migrated from other parts of the Land of Fire lived modest lives in the Outer District.
High rent, inflated prices, and low wages—these were the struggles they faced.
Still, they stayed. Some opened shops. Others worked labor jobs. All remained for one hope:
That one day, they might move into the Inner District, giving their children a chance to study at the ninja academy.
Among them, those with talent and ambition might eventually shed their civilian status and rise into prominence as shinobi families—like the Haruno, Ayame, Mitarashi, or Moonlight households.
And then there was the Core District—the seat of power where the village leadership conducted its affairs.
This was also home to some of the most established clans dating back to the Warring States era, including the Shimura, Sarutobi, Hyuga, Nara, and Akimichi families.
As one of the founding clans of Konoha, the Uchiha naturally resided here too.
"Mother…"
Following the squad, Itachi arrived at the entrance of the Uchiha compound.
From a distance, he could see a crowd gathered on the open grounds outside the gates, all looking anxiously toward the village road.
Among them, he spotted her instantly—his mother, Uchiha Mikoto.
And she, too, saw him.
In that moment, Itachi noticed the worry on her face melt away the moment their eyes met.
"...Itachi."
As the team dispersed, Mikoto walked toward him slowly.
She wore the same gentle smile she had the day he left.
"Welcome home."
That long-lost warmth stirred something deep inside Itachi's otherwise composed heart.
Though he felt moved, he kept his expression calm and replied with measured courtesy, "Sorry to have made you worry, Mother."
"You're still the same, aren't you…" she sighed softly.
Perhaps she had hoped her son would come running into her arms, tears and all. A small trace of disappointment flickered across her eyes.
But when she noticed the dirt, dried blood, and wear on his clothes, her heart ached.
"Come on, let's get you inside. I've already prepared a hot bath," she said gently. "You should eat something, take a long soak, then get some proper rest."
As she spoke, she reached for the strap of his pack. "Let me help—"
But years of battlefield instinct made Itachi instinctively step away. When he saw her startled expression, he quickly apologized, "It's alright, Mother. I can carry it myself."
Mikoto paused, then folded her hands behind her back and gave him a soft smile.
"Alright then. Let's go home."
Even in the face of her son's distant formality, her heart held a quiet complaint—for her husband.
"Next time I have a child, I won't let him raise them so coldly," she resolved silently.
As they walked away, Itachi noticed Uchiha Hikaru being scolded by a man with a similarly fierce face—clearly his father—who was smacking him repeatedly on the back of the head while lecturing him.
A truly strict father…
Itachi turned away without much reaction.
"You know," Artoria's voice sounded from his right, "your mother seems like she really wants to talk to you."
"Hm?"
Itachi blinked and turned his head in confusion.
Sure enough, he caught sight of his mother looking conflicted and worried, as though struggling to find the words.
She wants to speak with me?
After a moment of hesitation, he called out softly, "Mother…"
"Yes?"
Mikoto, who had just been wracking her brain on how to start a conversation with her long-absent son, turned in surprise.
Looking around to make sure no one else had spoken, she locked eyes with Itachi, her face lighting up with restrained joy.
"Itachi? What is it?"
Could it be… her son—who had never once reached out or shared his thoughts since childhood—was finally opening up?
Itachi took a breath, steadying the conflict within him.
"…Mother, do you know someone named Uchiha Tera?"
Her expression froze.
After a pause, she answered quietly, "Yes. Your father, Tera, and I—we all grew up together."
"Because I was never meant to walk alongside you, Itachi," Artoria's voice echoed again in his mind.
"Even if I hadn't appeared, you still would have faced all of this."
"You still would have learned what it means to carry burdens. You still would have struggled. You still would have known the pain of death."
"I don't know why I was brought into this world. I don't know why I share your memories. But I do know one thing—this growth, this suffering… it always belonged to you alone."
Only by living it, can you truly understand.
Those words lingered in Itachi's mind as his dark eyes dulled.
Slowly, he eased himself back into the bathtub without a word.
Artoria, too, said nothing more. She quietly turned and left the bathroom.
The room fell into silence.
In the soft haze of steam, Itachi stared at the ceiling above.
At least now… the weight on his heart felt a little lighter.
The guilt of all those who had fallen—their deaths seemingly tied to his actions—had nearly crushed him.
It was like carrying a mountain on his shoulders.
Every glance, every word from the other clan members… it had all felt like blame. Like silent condemnation.
Even closing his eyes didn't bring peace. The corpses lying in pools of blood would return to him again and again.
Still—had Artoria truly not interfered in his growth?
Splash—
He rose from the bath, droplets rolling down his skin as he began drying himself with a white towel.
"You know, your mother… she really wanted to talk to you."
That brief reminder from earlier floated back to him.
He paused for a moment in thought.
But only for a moment.
He finished drying off, dressed in the clean clothes left outside the bath, and quietly walked toward the living room.
There were more sounds now.
It seemed… his father had returned home.
Itachi quickened his pace toward the source.
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 200, 400 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!