"Oh, so your name is Uchiha Itachi."
Isamu smiled in pleasant surprise as he bent down and extended his hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Itachi. I'm Uchiha Tensei—your grandfather. Please take care of me."
He was genuinely delighted that the legendary genius, Uchiha Itachi, had been born into his family.
"Uh… I'm Uchiha Itachi. Please take care of me as well."
After staring blankly at this suddenly appearing grandfather for a moment, Itachi reluctantly accepted reality and reached out to shake Isamu's hand.
Thus, grandfather and grandson officially met for the first time, and Itachi learned that he actually had a grandfather named Uchiha Tensei.
"Itachi."
Mikoto gently tapped her son's head.
"Why won't you call him Grandfather? Honestly…"
"It's fine."
Isamu waved it off with a smile.
"I've only just returned. It's natural that Itachi isn't used to having me around yet. He'll adjust in time."
He then looked toward Mikoto.
"By the way, is lunch ready? Itachi just got home, so he must be hungry. If everything's prepared, let's eat."
He had no intention of forcing a five-year-old child to immediately accept him as his grandfather.
Some things simply took time.
"Well… lunch is ready, but Senba hasn't returned yet."
Mikoto hesitated.
"Father… should we…"
She never actually said the word wait.
Making an elder wait for a younger generation to begin eating was extremely disrespectful, and as someone raised in a prominent clan, Mikoto understood those customs well.
"We'll eat first."
Isamu snorted.
"There's no need to wait for that brat."
"He hasn't earned the right to make me wait."
He stood up and took Itachi's hand.
"Come on, Itachi."
Watching the grandfather and grandson walk away together, Mikoto sighed helplessly.
"It looks like Father really has a serious grudge against Senba…"
"I just hope nothing happens."
She turned to the servants.
"Serve the meal."
At the dining table, Isamu naturally occupied the seat of honor, while Itachi sat beside him.
Throughout the meal, Itachi kept sneaking glances at his newly appeared grandfather, his large eyes blinking with curiosity.
The sight was unexpectedly adorable.
"Itachi, why do you keep staring at me?"
Isamu rubbed his face.
"Do I have a flower growing on it?"
First Mikoto, now Itachi.
He was beginning to wonder if there really was something stuck to his face.
"No…"
Itachi shook his head.
"I'm just curious."
"Are you really my grandfather?"
"You look about the same age as Father."
"Hahaha!"
Isamu laughed.
"You don't have to doubt that."
"I really am your grandfather."
"As for my appearance…"
"I'm actually fifty-five years old."
"I just used a special ninjutsu that keeps me looking young."
He deliberately explained it in a way a five-year-old could easily understand.
"So that's how it is…"
Itachi nodded thoughtfully before asking another question.
"Then why have I never heard about you?"
Hearing that, Isamu's brows slowly furrowed.
"Your father has never mentioned me?"
"No."
Itachi shook his head.
"Father has talked about Grandmother before. He said she's traveling around the Ninja World."
"But he's never mentioned you."
"I always thought…"
"…that you had passed away a long time ago."
Very good.
Very, very good.
Senba.
So you've been pretending I never existed?
A lot of nerve you've got.
Let's see whether I beat some sense into you when you get home.
The decision was made instantly.
Today's lesson for his son had just become mandatory.
Seeing his grandfather's face suddenly darken, Itachi immediately realized he had probably said something he shouldn't have.
He hesitated before asking cautiously,
"Um…"
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Could you just pretend I never said that?"
"Hehe…"
A dangerous smile spread across Isamu's face.
"No."
"You didn't say anything wrong."
"In fact…"
"You just gave Grandfather some very important information."
"When your father comes home…"
"We're going to have a very thorough conversation."
Realizing his expression had become rather frightening, Isamu quickly relaxed again, though the faintly sinister smile never quite disappeared.
Afterward, he asked Itachi about his life, his studies, and the Ninja Academy.
The three generations quietly finished lunch together.
Strangely enough, almost nobody spoke throughout the meal.
The atmosphere remained awkward from beginning to end.
After lunch, Isamu carried a chair to the corridor outside the main hall and sat down facing the front gate.
He remained there silently, his eyes fixed on the entrance as though waiting for someone.
Seeing this, the servants quietly gathered together and whispered among themselves.
Ever since Mikoto had informed them that Isamu was the former clan head, none of them dared approach him.
They could only watch from a distance.
Mikoto and Itachi did the same.
"Mother…"
Itachi looked puzzled.
"What is Grandfather doing?"
"Why has he been sitting outside ever since lunch ended?"
"Well…"
Mikoto forced an awkward smile.
"He should be waiting for your father."
"They haven't seen each other for so many years."
"They must… miss each other very much…"
Even she didn't believe her own explanation.
Judging from Isamu's posture, he looked far more like someone waiting to discipline his son than someone eagerly awaiting a reunion.
"Mother."
Itachi looked at her seriously.
"That explanation doesn't make any sense."
"If Grandfather wanted to wait for Father, why wouldn't he wait inside the house?"
"And look at his expression."
"He looks like he wants to eat someone."
"I don't see anything that resembles missing Father."
"…"
Mikoto was left completely speechless.
At times like this…
She almost wished her son weren't quite so frighteningly intelligent.
After thinking for a while, she finally made up her mind.
She would use Itachi as the bridge to soften the relationship between father and son.
If necessary…
She would step in herself afterward.
Kneeling down, she gently stroked Itachi's head.
"Itachi, you're a smart and responsible child."
"So I need you to do something for me."
"Listen carefully."
"If your Grandfather gets angry later…"
"I want you to run over immediately and stop him."
"Do you understand?"
"Why would Grandfather get angry?"
Itachi's face filled with confusion.
He still had no idea what was actually happening.
"Don't worry about why."
Mikoto shook her head.
"Just remember this."
"If your Grandfather loses his temper…"
"Run over and stop him immediately."
"For your sake, he'll definitely calm down."
She spoke with complete seriousness.
From what she remembered of Isamu's temperament, he was normally a warm, approachable elder who treated everyone kindly.
But once he truly became angry…
He wouldn't care who stood in front of him.
Even if the Hokage himself appeared, Isamu would have no hesitation pointing at his nose and cursing him without restraint.
That was the Isamu she remembered.
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