After a light workout the previous night, the two returned home before dawn and waited in the courtyard for Itachi.
More than half an hour later, Senba, Mikoto, and Itachi finally came outside.
However, Senba was carrying an enormous pack nearly six feet tall.
"…You're finally here."
Isamu blinked at the mountain of luggage.
"Don't tell me all of that is for Itachi."
Senba scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well… Mikoto packed all of Itachi's daily necessities."
"I didn't expect there would be this much either."
Isamu stared speechlessly at the massive bundle.
"What is this?"
"Is he moving house?"
"Do you plan to crush Itachi to death with all that?"
Senba and Mikoto exchanged glances before looking back at him.
The meaning was obvious.
Since Itachi couldn't possibly carry it himself…
…they were expecting Isamu to do it.
Seeing their expressions, Isamu rolled his eyes.
"Fine, fine."
"Put it on the ground."
After Senba set the bundle down, Isamu opened the Kamui dimension and stored the entire mountain of luggage inside.
Carry it himself?
Not a chance.
"Alright."
"Itachi."
"Let's go."
A space-time portal opened before them.
Mikoto crouched beside her son.
"Itachi…"
"Be careful while you're away."
"Listen to your grandfather and grandmother."
"Go to bed early, wake up early, train diligently, and don't make them worry…"
"Alright, that's enough."
Senba interrupted with a helpless smile.
"You've already said everything I wanted to say."
He placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder.
"Your father believes…"
"…that under your grandfather's guidance…"
"…you'll become an outstanding shinobi."
"A shinobi who surpasses even me."
"Father…"
"Mother…"
Itachi's eyes reddened.
Although he had chosen to leave, this was still the first time he had ever left home.
The reluctance in his heart was unavoidable.
"Go on."
"Goodbye, Father!"
"Goodbye, Mother!"
Waving one last time, Itachi followed Karura through the portal.
Just as Isamu was about to step inside, Senba suddenly called out.
"…Father."
Isamu stopped.
"When will you come back?"
Isamu thought for a moment.
"If nothing unexpected happens…"
"The next time I return to Konoha…"
"…it'll be together with your mother."
"But that won't be for quite some time."
"I understand…"
Senba nodded.
"Have a safe journey."
"And…"
"…please tell Mother that I miss her very much."
"I will."
Isamu smiled faintly before stepping into the portal.
As he disappeared, an almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face.
No matter how stubborn Senba was…
…he was still his son.
That bond of blood could never truly disappear.
Moments later, the portal reopened inside a forest not far from Konoha.
The three stepped out.
Karura looked back toward the village gates with a puzzled expression.
"That was awfully short."
"What was?"
"I mean your teleportation."
"We're barely outside Konoha."
Isamu smiled.
"I only used Kamui so no one inside the village would notice us leaving."
"This distance is enough."
"Besides…"
He looked toward Itachi.
"Your training begins here."
"Itachi."
"From now on, you'll follow us on foot."
"Any problems?"
"No problems, Grandfather!"
Itachi answered confidently.
"It's only running."
"I can definitely keep up."
His confidence…
…lasted exactly one hour.
Seeing Itachi's relaxed expression, Isamu smiled mischievously.
"Good."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"It's only a little running."
"Just don't start crying later."
"I won't cry!"
"I'm already grown up!"
"I can live on my own!"
"Oh?"
"Then let's see what this little grown-up can do."
As he spoke, a Truth-Seeking Orb formed in his palm.
The black sphere stretched and reshaped itself into a flat platform roughly two meters across.
Isamu and Karura calmly stepped onto it and sat cross-legged.
"Itachi."
"Keep up with us."
"This is your first training session under me."
"Don't disappoint me."
"I won't!"
Itachi declared confidently.
"I definitely won't disappoint you, Grandfather!"
"Good."
"Let's begin."
With a wave of Isamu's hand, the floating platform rose about five meters into the air and drifted forward.
Its speed wasn't particularly fast.
Itachi easily ran beneath it.
Watching him from above, Karura couldn't help feeling sorry for the child.
"Isamu…"
"Isn't this a little harsh?"
"He's still so young."
"Youth isn't an excuse."
Isamu closed his eyes calmly.
"Jade must be carved before it becomes a treasure."
"If he isn't trained while he's young…"
"…how will he become someone exceptional?"
"But…"
"He's only five."
"Won't this damage his body?"
"You're worrying too much."
"It's only endurance training."
"It won't hurt him."
"And even if it does…"
"I can heal him immediately."
"It'll be fine."
"…Alright."
Although Karura still felt sorry for Itachi, she didn't argue further.
Since she'd chosen to follow Isamu…
…she trusted his judgment.
An hour quickly passed.
Below them, Itachi was beginning to sweat.
Isamu noticed immediately.
"What's wrong, Itachi?"
"You've only been running for an hour."
"And you're already sweating?"
"Can you really handle this?"
"If you can't…"
"Just admit it."
"Grandfather won't laugh at you."
Hearing that only strengthened Itachi's resolve.
"I'm just hot!"
"That's all!"
"I can keep running for several more hours!"
"Just watch, Grandfather!"
"I, Uchiha Itachi…"
"…will never admit defeat!"
"That's more like it."
Isamu smiled.
"Keep going."
"Let's see where your limit really is."
With another wave of his hand…
…the floating platform accelerated.
Watching his grandfather speed up, Itachi nearly cried inwardly.
Seriously?!
Grandpa, I was just trying to save face!
Why did you actually believe me?!
"This is bad…"
"But I won't give up!"
Grinding his teeth, Itachi forced himself to run even faster.
Another half hour passed.
Now he was soaked in sweat.
His breathing had become ragged.
His legs felt as heavy as lead.
He had clearly reached his limit.
Seeing this, Isamu finally decided it was enough for the first day.
The floating platform slowly descended to the ground.