"Huh?"
"So Haruko, you... you joined the Anbu?"
That evening, Anko, who had learned that Orochimaru's former residence was unsealed and she was allowed back to pack her things, was instead greeted with the news of Qingchuan joining the Anbu.
She was completely stunned by the news!
Anko graduated at ten, became a Chunin at twelve, and carried out missions with Orochimaru. However, Orochimaru didn't want his affairs known to Konoha, so there had always been a memory-sealing jutsu in Anko's mind.
Anko's talent was actually quite good.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have caught Orochimaru's eye in the first place.
But as for joining a place like the Anbu now, there was still a bit of a gap...
The Anbu, the Special Assassination and Tactical Squad.
They were Konoha's first and last line of defense.
As a mere Chunin, Anko wouldn't even dare to dream of it...
So, upon learning that Qingchuan had entered the Anbu, it was no wonder she was so surprised and happy.
"Holy cow! Big sis will be depending on you from now on!"
"Um... Grandpa Third also let us keep living here."
"He said he'll just have the Anbu come over for a routine check."
As Qingchuan spoke, he silently retrieved Senbonzakura from under the floorboards.
"Senpai, I have to go on a mission tomorrow..."
"Tonight, I need to make a trip to the Uchiha compound to report to the clan head."
"...You should go to bed first?"
Qingchuan's tone was a bit flustered, his gaze a little shifty.
Mainly because the current Anko was truly... uninhibited.
Since the original plan was to tidy up the house, she had probably worked up a bit of a sweat, and her outer clothes had vanished somewhere.
From Qingchuan's line of sight, he could always see things that made him unsure of where to look.
It was a strange feeling...
Looking felt impolite.
But not looking also seemed a bit impolite.
So Qingchuan prepared to grab his sword and run.
"Eh?"
Anko watched Qingchuan's departing figure with a strange look in her eyes.
But soon, she glanced down at herself and instantly understood...
"Little Haruko, it's about time you started developing, huh?"
.....
Uchiha Compound.
"Itachi, eat something..."
Mikoto stood at her son's door, her voice filled with heartache.
Little Sasuke, who could now walk on his own, stood beside his mother, looking from her to his brother's tightly shut door, a little lost.
"Your father still loves you very much. Just apologize to him..."
"Between a father and son, is there anything that can't be talked out?"
Mikoto earnestly persuaded.
Itachi, kneeling in his room, opened his eyes, which were still full of pain.
Apologize...
Was he wrong?
If he was wrong, then why didn't his father answer him directly?
He wasn't wrong.
It was his father who had made a mistake but was unwilling to admit it and intended to continue down the wrong path.
Because, in the eyes of the clan head.
This kind of mistake was, for the Uchiha clan, clearly the right thing to do.
Itachi understood his father.
He truly did.
But he also told himself that he could never become a person like his father.
Never!
"Mother, I'm not hungry. Please go back first."
His tone softened slightly as Itachi adjusted his emotions, though his voice was a bit hoarse.
"Brother!"
Hearing his brother's voice, little Sasuke's face lit up with joy!
"We're... having fish for dinner! It's delicious!"
"Sasuke ate two fish!"
Hearing his younger brother's voice, Itachi's expression clearly became more conflicted.
He had no intention of confronting his father; he just wanted to make his own stance clear.
He wasn't eating simply because he had no appetite...
The thought that Haruko might still be undergoing a cold interrogation...
How could he possibly eat?
"Aunt... Mikoto?"
"Little Sasu... Little Sasuke?"
Just then, a girl's voice suddenly sounded in the courtyard.
It was Qingchuan, who had found her way back to inform Fugaku of her joining the Anbu.
"Little Haruko?!"
Seeing who it was, Mikoto was instantly overjoyed!
Little Sasuke, beside her, was startled and quickly hid behind his mother, peeking out with his little head to sneak a look...
"You're back?... Are you alright?"
Mikoto asked with concern, not knowing where to begin.
She could only express all her care and worry at once...
"You've suffered, little Haruko..."
Qingchuan smiled sweetly and gave a slight bow as a greeting.
"Not at all, Grandpa Third is a very kind person!"
"By the way, where is Itachi-kun?"
Mikoto's expression immediately became a little awkward. "He... he's inside."
Screech—
Just then, the wooden door slid open.
Itachi's somewhat pale face and his slightly red eyes appeared.
A jolt went through Qingchuan's mind...
It's been half a year.
What happened to Itachi-boy to make him look like this?
"Then you two can chat."
Mikoto said with a sense of relief, while also leading away little Sasuke, who was staring intently at the big sister.
In the courtyard.
The boy finally saw the girl again.
"Long time no see, Haruko."
"Mm."
Qingchuan responded almost mechanically, then silently lowered her head.
Damn it.
I knew I shouldn't have come to see Itachi-boy.
But Fugaku is damn well staring from not far away, so I have to see him.
Damn.
I'm panicking like crazy, what do I do...
In the distance, little Sasuke, looking back every few steps, finally left the courtyard.
Looking at his mother with curiosity, little Sasuke suddenly became a little shy...
"Mom, that pretty big sister..."
"Who is she?"
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