The next morning, the dining hall of the Land of Water's royal palace was warm and cozy.
Shun sat at the head of the table, sipping his morning tea and listening to the children's chattering.
Karin happily ate an osmanthus cake with her left hand and drank milk tea with her right.
Sasuke sat opposite Shun, nibbling on a rice ball, his eyes occasionally glancing at Itachi, as if contemplating something.
After swallowing the food in his mouth, he leaned over and whispered, "Brother, I want to practice Genjutsu with you."
Itachi put down his chopsticks, ruffled Sasuke's hair, and nodded with a smile. "Alright, after school, I'll teach you."
Mikoto sat beside him, wearing a light purple long dress, gently adding dishes for the children.
Shun saw all of this and said with a smile, "Itachi, today I'm taking the queens to the Nameless Planet to train. I won't be back until tonight. I'm entrusting your younger siblings to your care."
Itachi immediately sat up straight, his tone firm. "Don't worry, father. I will take good care of everyone and won't let you worry."
After breakfast, Itachi first sent Sasuke, Karin, and Shion to the Ninja Academy.
The children, carrying their school bags embroidered with the Uchiha clan crest, surrounded Itachi like a flock of cheerful birds.
Karin and Shion bickered all the way, sometimes comparing who walked faster, sometimes who knew more Ninjutsu.
Sasuke followed Itachi, occasionally asking about Genjutsu, his face full of seriousness.
The entrance of the Ninja Academy was already bustling, and other children also arrived one after another, laughing and playing as they entered.
Itachi helped Sasuke straighten his crooked school bag strap and admonished him, "Listen carefully to the teacher in school, don't argue with other classmates, and I'll pick you up after school."
Sasuke waved impatiently and said, "I know. Don't be late when you come to pick me up after school."
Watching the children's figures disappear at the entrance of the teaching building, Itachi turned and walked towards the Uchiha Clan Grounds.
At the entrance of the Uchiha Clan Grounds, Izumi was already waiting. She wore a light pink dress with a white belt tied around her waist, her long black hair styled into a cute bun, with a small hairpin tucked into it.
Seeing Itachi approach, her eyes instantly lit up, as if filled with starlight.
She hurried forward and said, "Itachi, you're here. I thought you'd be a bit late after dropping off your younger siblings."
Right beside her, a lunchbox was present. It was made of bamboo, wrapped in blue cotton cloth, and warm to the touch.
Itachi held Izumi's right hand, prompting her cheeks to flush slightly.
Itachi looked at the lunchbox beside them and asked, "Izumi, are these the snacks you made?"
Izumi nodded. "Mmm, they're red bean paste pastries and fried crispy pork, along with some juice and desserts. Sasuke, Shiryu, and Karin all like them."
Then, the two walked side by side towards the Ninja Academy.
The peach trees by the roadside were in full bloom. Pink and white petals drifted down with the wind, landing in Izumi's hair.
Itachi subconsciously reached out to brush them away for her, his fingertips touching her soft hair, and his heart inexplicably quickened by half a beat.
Izumi's cheeks grew redder, but she didn't pull away, only quietly talking about recent interesting things in the clan, "Yesterday, mom taught me embroidery, but my stitches were all crooked, and she laughed at me for a long time..."
Itachi listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few words.
At noon, the crisp sound of the school bell rang, echoing around the street.
The children happily ran out of the classroom, like a flock of released birds.
Sasuke was the first to pounce on Itachi, hugging his arm. "Brother! You're finally here. Izumi-nee-chan is here too."
"Here I am, what's the rush? Let's go eat over by the woods." Itachi smiled helplessly.
Shion and the other children also gathered around. Izumi smiled as she helped Itachi distribute the snacks, making the scene lively and warm.
Suddenly, a black shadow appeared and instantly grabbed Sasuke.
"Mmm..."
Before Sasuke could even cry out, a cold hand covered his mouth, and he was firmly held in the other party's arms.
Itachi's expression instantly changed drastically, his smile frozen on his face.
He immediately shielded his younger siblings behind him. Chakra surged wildly within him as his three-tomoe Sharingan instantly activated, locking onto the man in front of him.
The man wore a black cloak with red clouds, and a spiral-shaped yellow mask on his face, revealing only one crimson Sharingan.
"Obito! What do you want to do?" Itachi's voice became somewhat cold.
He had long heard information about this man from his father.
A former Uchiha, now a member of the Akatsuki, possessing the bizarre Kamui dojutsu, his strength was unfathomable.
Obito shook Sasuke in his arms, his voice from beneath the mask carrying a hint of playfulness. "Originally, I wanted to take Nine-Tails, but I didn't expect to see you two so intimate. This makes me very unhappy."
He paused, then his arm tightened sharply. Sasuke groaned in pain, his face instantly turning crimson.
Obito's tone turned sinister. "How about this, I'll give you a choice. Kill your girlfriend, Izumi, and I'll let Sasuke go. If you don't choose, then I can only twist your brother's neck."
"Itachi-nii-san! Don't listen to him... I'm not afraid of death... Quickly kill him!" Sasuke struggled with all his might, trying to break free from Obito's grip, his voice becoming intermittent due to lack of oxygen.
A flicker of impatience crossed Obito's eye, and he applied a slight pressure on his fingertips.
Sasuke's face instantly went from crimson to purple, his breathing became increasingly difficult, his limbs began to flail weakly, and a look of despair gradually appeared in his eyes.
"Sasuke!"
Itachi felt as if an invisible hand was tightly squeezing his heart, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. His Chakra surged wildly within him, but he dared not act rashly.
He knew that Obito's Kamui could make his body intangible, and his attacks would likely not harm him, but rather enrage him.
"Itachi, don't hesitate!"
Izumi suddenly stepped out from behind Itachi, her face pale.
"Sasuke cannot be harmed. He is your brother, the future of the Uchiha, and the hope of the Land of Water. Kill me, and save Sasuke."
"Izumi!" Itachi's voice trembled, his eyes filled with pain.
How could he personally kill the one he loved?
They had clearly promised to marry once they were a little older. But now, he had to choose between his beloved and his brother.
Obito's hand, gripping Sasuke's neck, tightened even more. Sasuke's eyeballs began to roll back, and his breath grew weaker and weaker.
Obito said, "Itachi. you don't have time to hesitate. If you don't act now, your brother will die."
***
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