"We're going out to eat?"
Mikoto smiled.
"That's fine, Father, but… Itachi hasn't come home yet."
"Shouldn't we wait until he gets back so the whole family can go together?"
"Itachi still isn't back?"
Isamu glanced at the sky.
"The sun's already starting to set."
"The Academy doesn't have evening classes, does it?"
"Uh…"
"No."
Mikoto shook her head helplessly.
"That child probably ran off somewhere to train again."
"He's becoming more and more unruly."
"When he gets home, I'm definitely going to—"
Before she could finish, Isamu interrupted her.
"No need."
"Itachi is still a child."
"It's perfectly normal for children his age to be energetic."
"How about this?"
"You two stay here."
"I'll go bring him back."
"How could we trouble you with something like that?"
"I'll just send someone to look for him."
"It'll be faster if I go."
The moment he finished speaking, space rippled around him.
In an instant—
Isamu disappeared.
With his sensory abilities, locating someone inside Konoha was effortless.
A few seconds later…
He appeared atop a tree in the forest behind Konoha.
Standing quietly on a thick branch, he looked toward two children sparring below.
"Hm?"
"So this is where little Itachi came."
"And who's that older boy?"
"He looks… strangely familiar."
The two children exchanged punches and kicks at high speed, their taijutsu clean and disciplined.
"Oh…"
"I thought they were just playing ninja."
"So they're actually training."
"As expected."
"Every true genius works harder than everyone else."
"To train this seriously at such a young age…"
"No wonder they become exceptional."
Five minutes later…
Sweat covered Itachi's forehead.
Although his talent was extraordinary, the older boy was every bit as gifted.
In fact, throughout the spar, the older child had maintained the upper hand.
"Itachi."
The older boy smiled.
"You're already incredibly strong."
"If I had been your age, I definitely wouldn't have been able to beat you."
"Brother Shisui, you're being too modest."
Itachi shook his head.
"You're a genius of the Uchiha Clan."
"You've already awakened the Sharingan."
"How could I compare with you?"
"I'm not being modest."
Shisui laughed.
"I'm telling the truth."
"Give it a few years."
"You'll definitely surpass me."
"I think you'll become someone as strong as the Hokage."
"I know you can."
"Brother Shisui…"
Itachi scratched his head awkwardly.
"You're praising me too much."
"I'm not even strong enough to defeat an ordinary Genin."
"How could I compare to Lord Hokage?"
Listening from above, Isamu finally recognized the older child.
"So that's why he looked familiar…"
"He's Kagami's descendant…"
"Uchiha Shisui."
"I never expected that even after everything changed, Itachi still became friends with Shisui."
"So…"
"The gears of fate are beginning to turn once again."
Although many details of the future had faded from Isamu's memory over the centuries, there were certain names he would never forget.
Shisui of the Body Flicker.
The owner of one of the most terrifying dōjutsu in existence—
Kotoamatsukami.
A faint smile appeared on Isamu's face.
He stepped off the tree and slowly walked toward the two children.
"Excellent."
"Excellent."
"Excellent."
He clapped as he approached.
"For children your age to possess such skill…"
"That's truly impressive."
The two boys immediately turned around.
"…Who are you?"
Shisui frowned.
Despite already possessing strength close to that of an elite Genin, he hadn't sensed this man's approach at all.
If the stranger hadn't revealed himself…
Shisui would never have known anyone was there.
He's incredibly strong…
When did he arrive?
Could he be dangerous?
Unlike Shisui…
Itachi's eyes immediately lit up.
"Grandpa!"
"Why are you here?"
He happily ran over.
Hearing Itachi call the stranger "Grandpa," Shisui froze.
Grandpa?
Since when did Itachi have a grandfather?
Why have I never heard about this?
"You little rascal."
Isamu smiled as he rubbed Itachi's head.
"You never came home after school."
"Everyone was worried."
"So Grandpa came to find you."
"It was nothing."
Itachi smiled sheepishly.
"This is Konoha."
"What could possibly happen?"
"I just came here to train after school."
"You still need to manage your time properly."
"After school, you should go home first."
"Let everyone know you're safe."
"Then you can come back and train."
"You had Grandpa worried."
"Next time…"
"Go home first."
"Understood?"
"Mm!"
"I understand."
After affectionately patting Itachi's head one more time, Isamu looked toward Shisui.
"Aren't you going to introduce your friend?"
"Oh!"
Itachi slapped his forehead.
"I almost forgot."
He hurriedly pulled Isamu over.
"Grandpa."
"This is my good friend…"
"Uchiha Shisui."
Turning toward Shisui, he continued,
"Brother Shisui…"
"This is my grandpa."
"He just came back after traveling."
Out of respect, Itachi deliberately avoided calling Isamu by name.
"Uchiha Tensei."
Isamu smiled warmly and extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
Shisui blinked in surprise.
"O-oh…"
"My name is Uchiha Shisui."
"It's an honor to meet you."
He quickly reached out and shook Isamu's hand.
Normally, juniors greeted elders with a respectful bow.
A handshake was something reserved for equals.
For Itachi's grandfather to greet him this way…
It felt surprisingly respectful.
As their hands met…
Isamu quietly examined Shisui's condition.
"Haha."
"So young…"
"And already bordering on Chūnin level."
"Very impressive."
Shisui's eyes widened.
He figured out my strength instantly?
He instinctively withdrew his hand.
Seeing his reaction, Isamu smiled apologetically.
"Don't be nervous."
"I'm a sensory ninja."
"Examining someone's condition through physical contact has become a habit."
"I simply forgot to stop myself."
"My apologies."
"N-no…"
"It's alright."
Isamu looked at him carefully.
"You resemble someone I once knew."
"You're Kagami's grandson…"
"Aren't you?"
"Yes."
Shisui nodded.
"My grandfather was Uchiha Kagami."
"So it really is you."
Isamu smiled.
"No wonder you're this talented."
"Kagami truly has an outstanding successor."
…Another loyal believer in Konoha, he silently added to himself.
"N-no…"
Shisui scratched his head awkwardly.
"You're giving me too much credit."
"My abilities are still far from enough…"
"Too much modesty becomes hypocrisy."
Isamu chuckled.
"I rarely praise anyone."
"If I say you're talented…"
"Then you're talented."
"It's fine to be humble before others."
"But not in front of me."
"When you truly possess ability…"
"What is there to be afraid of?"
"Uh…"
Shisui smiled awkwardly.
"Y-yes…"
He agreed politely.
Deep down, however, he wasn't entirely convinced.
Among people his own age, a little confidence was acceptable.
But in front of respected elders…
He still believed humility was the proper attitude.