Itachi was also surprised. He couldn't understand why his grandfather wanted to take him away.
Seeing Senba hesitate, Isamu frowned slightly.
"If you don't agree, then forget it. Just pretend I never brought it up."
Noticing the displeasure on his father's face, Senba glanced at Isamu, then at Itachi. After a long moment of internal struggle, he finally sighed.
"It wasn't easy for you to come back. Since you've personally asked, Father, it would be unfilial of me to refuse. Fine. As long as Itachi wants to go with you, I have no objections."
"Heh, at least you still have some sense."
Isamu smiled faintly. In truth, whether Senba agreed wasn't the most important thing. As long as Mikoto and Itachi were willing, that was enough. Asking Senba was simply a matter of courtesy. If everyone else had agreed while Senba alone refused, Isamu wouldn't have minded using a few little tricks. Fortunately, Senba had agreed, so there was no need for that.
"Itachi, both your parents have agreed. What about you? Are you willing to travel with your grandfather and train beyond the borders of Konoha?"
"I… well…"
Itachi instinctively looked toward his parents, torn with indecision. He genuinely wanted to train under someone as powerful as his grandfather, but he also couldn't ignore how his parents might feel.
"Don't worry about your parents," Isamu said gently. "I want to hear your honest answer. If you don't want to come with me, I won't force you. Just follow your heart, understand?"
Hearing that, Itachi looked at his father once more. Seeing Senba give him a slight nod, the hesitation in his heart disappeared.
"Grandfather… I'm willing to go with you."
"Good! That's the spirit of an Uchiha!"
Isamu laughed in satisfaction.
"This journey will be a long one. I don't know how many years it will take before we return to Konoha. Itachi, pack your things tonight and spend some time saying goodbye to your parents, alright?"
"Yes, Grandfather!"
After dinner, Itachi's family began packing his belongings and saying their farewells.
Meanwhile, Isamu and Garuda climbed to the top of the Hokage Rock, standing atop the massive stone monument overlooking the illuminated village below.
"I never imagined this world would change so much," Garuda said softly. "Even this late at night, the village is still full of lights. It's so lively… so beautiful."
"The times keep moving forward," Isamu replied. "People's lives continue to improve. Although conflict can never truly disappear, ordinary people finally have some measure of peace."
"Even if conflict still exists, it's nothing compared to the battles between Indra and Ashura, isn't it?"
Isamu gave a faint smile.
"Compared to their war, today's conflicts are even more troublesome. These schemers fight with politics instead of fists. Honestly, I'd rather deal with Indra and Ashura than people like them."
"They're only playing political games," Garuda said. "It's nothing like the world-ending battles of the past. Compared to that, these are just small disputes."
"Small disputes still cost countless lives."
Isamu gazed silently at the village below.
"Sometimes… people even die at the hands of their own comrades. That's its own kind of tragedy."
Garuda nodded.
"Over all these years, I've come to understand something. Wherever people exist, conflict will always exist. It's unavoidable."
"You're right."
Isamu sighed.
"And that's exactly why I never wanted Senba to get caught up in all this. Wouldn't it be better to live a quiet, peaceful life? What a shame…"
"Tian Qi…"
Garuda smiled gently.
"You should let go a little. Children have their own paths. Since they've made their choices, let them walk them."
"I already have."
Isamu smiled bitterly.
"If I hadn't, I'd have dragged that stubborn brat out of Konoha years ago."
Garuda laughed.
"Senba isn't a child anymore. You can't just drag him around."
"I know."
Isamu chuckled.
"But if he were still little… I'd have spanked him until he came to his senses!"
"Hahaha…"
The two burst into laughter together.
After waiting so many years, simply sitting beside Isamu and talking like this felt wonderful to Garuda.
For the first time in centuries, she no longer felt alone.
She quietly rested her head against his shoulder, enjoying the peaceful silence.
Looking at Garuda leaning against him, Isamu spoke softly.
"You've changed a lot over the years. You're not the fiery little princess you used to be."
"People change," Garuda replied with a smile.
"Especially after living for so many years. I've lived an entire lifetime longer than you."
"You have."
A trace of guilt appeared in Isamu's eyes.
"Those years… they must have been unbearably lonely."
"They were."
Garuda answered honestly.
"But every time I thought about our promise, I endured a little longer."
She smiled warmly.
"And now… we've finally met again. Waiting for you wasn't the wrong choice."
Isamu gently took her hand.
How could decades of loneliness be summed up in only a few sentences?
The more calmly she spoke, the heavier the guilt in his heart became.
If he had been the one waiting that long—especially for nothing more than a promise—he wasn't sure he could have endured it.
"Garuda…"
His voice became quiet.
"I'm sorry. Back then… I could have stayed with you. But I couldn't stop worrying about my family in this world. I…"
Before he could finish, Garuda shook her head.
"You don't have to apologize."
She smiled gently.
"I understand."
"If I had a family waiting for me the way you did, I wouldn't have stayed either."
"And besides…"
She squeezed his hand.
"Waiting for you was my own decision. Enduring all those years was my own choice. I have no one to blame."
"Garuda…"
Isamu's eyes softened.
"Thank you."
Garuda smiled.
"Why are you thanking me?"
She looked at him with gentle eyes.
"Don't treat me like a stranger."
"We're family now."
"The closest family."
"The closest…"
As Isamu repeated those words, his gaze unconsciously drifted over Garuda from head to toe.
A rather mischievous grin slowly spread across his face.
The moment Garuda noticed it, she immediately pulled away from his shoulder.
Realizing exactly what he was thinking, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
She pointed a warning finger at him.
"Uchiha Tensei, don't even think about it."
"You're already a grandfather. Can't you act your age for once?"
"I didn't say anything!"
Isamu protested innocently.
"You're imagining things."
"Besides…"
He looked down at himself.
"I only look like I'm in my thirties. How am I old?"
"I'm the old one, alright?"
Garuda huffed, her face still flushed.
"I'm warning you… don't get any funny ideas!"
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