Chapter 30: Sasuke — The Sky Falls
Naruto's eyes turned slightly red with emotion as he said sincerely,
"Thank you, Uncle!"
"Haha, eat, eat,"
Fugaku replied with a rare smile, eyes still fixed on the TV.
Naruto munched away at the snacks like a little hamster, crunching contentedly.
Before long, Mikoto came down the stairs, waving with a smile,
"Naruto! Come on, Auntie will show you your new room!"
"Coming, big guy!"
Naruto's eyes lit up as he hopped to his feet and scampered after her.
---
Second Floor.
Mikoto gently pushed open a door and led Naruto into the room.
It had just been an empty guest room, but she had tidied it up for him.
To the side was Sasuke's room, across the hall was hers and Fugaku's bedroom, and diagonally opposite was Itachi's room.
Naruto stood in awe, mouth open wide enough to fit an egg.
This room was twice as big as the cramped one he used to live in!
There was a large window with beautiful curtains, a super-soft bed that could probably fit three Narutos, a proper desk and chair, and the floor was covered with a thick, warm rug.
"How is it, Naruto? Do you like it?"
Mikoto leaned against the doorframe, smiling gently.
"I love it, Aunt Mikoto!"
Naruto couldn't sit still. He ran around on the rug, touching everything, then flopped onto the bed with glee. Everything felt brand new—like a dream.
"I'm glad." Mikoto chuckled. "Alright, come downstairs. Auntie will give you a bath."
Naruto froze. His cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"A-Auntie… Can I, um… bathe myself?"
Mikoto gently but firmly shook her head.
"No, Naruto. You're still small. You'll miss spots. Auntie will help you this time, alright?"
Seeing there was no room to argue, Naruto gave in and nodded, still blushing.
---
As the two headed downstairs, the door to the room next to Naruto's creaked open.
Sasuke poked his small head out, glaring at the stairwell, grinding his teeth.
"Damn it… That guy's really going to live here!"
His bad premonition had come true!
He stormed across the hallway and pushed open the door to Itachi's room.
Sure enough, his brother was still lying on the bed.
Sasuke dove onto the bed with a miserable expression, arms flopping dramatically.
Itachi blinked, glancing over.
Seeing it was just Sasuke, he relaxed. He'd half-expected it to be their father.
(Itachi had returned before dawn and only managed to sleep after their father left. He'd spent most of the day thinking quietly in his room.)
"What's wrong, Sasuke? Why do you look so upset?"
Itachi sat up, concerned.
"Nii-chan… Kasan hit me."
Sasuke sniffled, pouting.
Itachi blinked in surprise.
"Kasan hit you?"
Sasuke nodded vigorously.
"Because she said that annoying guy is going to live with us!"
"Annoying guy?"
Itachi tilted his head, puzzled.
"It's that yellow-haired brat I told you about—Uzumaki Naruto! He bothers me every day at school. He's the worst!"
Sasuke scowled.
Naruto?!
Itachi's eyes widened. He was one of the few people who knew the truth about Naruto—the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Why would the Jinchūriki be living in their house?
After the Nine-Tails attack, the Hokage had strictly forbidden any contact between the Uchiha clan and Naruto. So why now?
Then Itachi's expression shifted slightly.
Ah… that's right.
Father had already succeeded in the coup. He was now the Fifth Hokage. The Village was under Uchiha control.
Letting Naruto live in their house… Was it part of Father's plan to keep close watch on the Jinchūriki?
Itachi couldn't help but wonder.
(Though ironically, Fugaku didn't bring Naruto home for strategic reasons—he just couldn't bear to see the boy suffer alone.)
"Alright, Sasuke. From now on, you'll be living with Naruto. Try to get along, okay?"
Itachi ruffled his brother's hair.
"But… but…!"
Sasuke looked betrayed.
When even his brother wouldn't take his side, he burst into tears and ran back to his room.
Itachi sighed, watching him go.
He paused for a moment, then finally stood up, grabbed his robe, and left the room.
If Father wouldn't come find him—then he'd go to Father himself.
There were too many urgent questions.
Now that the coup had succeeded, it was only a matter of time before the other villages found out. Even if Konoha was sealed off temporarily, spies would've already smuggled out the news.
Would the other Hidden Villages unite to attack the Land of Fire?
Would war break out?
Itachi deeply loved the Village.
He needed to know what Father planned to do next.
---
Downstairs.
Fugaku was lounging on the sofa, watching a program about the Land of Fire's economy and public affairs.
Beside him sat Naruto, still munching snacks like a little hamster, completely absorbed in the treats.
Itachi descended the stairs quietly—and Naruto spotted him immediately.
His eyes lit up with curiosity.
Itachi gave him a warm smile.
"Hello, Naruto-kun. I'm Sasuke's older brother, Itachi. Since you'll be living here now, we're family. You can call me 'aniki' like Sasuke does."
Naruto quickly swallowed his mouthful of snacks and stood up straight, eyes shining.
"Okay! Itachi-aniki!"
---
Stairwell.
Just then, Sasuke peeked from the stairwell.
He had secretly come out of his room, hoping his brother had come downstairs to fight for him.
Instead, he saw Naruto looking up at Itachi—his Itachi—and calling him Itachi-aniki.
Sasuke's heart dropped like a stone.
His legs turned weak, and his face paled.
The sky… it just fell.
That damned Naruto.
Not only was he going to live in his house—he was trying to steal his big brother!
That evil, yellow-haired brat!
Sasuke couldn't hold back any longer.
He charged down the stairs, feet pounding, and launched himself at Itachi, hugging his brother's arm.
He turned and glared fiercely at Naruto.
"Naruto! You're not allowed to call him Itachi-aniki! Only I can call him that!"
Naruto scratched his head, blinking innocently.
"But Sasuke… Itachi-aniki told me to call him that. Why can't I?"
Sasuke's face flushed so red, it looked like it might start bleeding.
You're still calling him that?! You're STILL calling him that?!
He shouted,
"Because! I just won't allow it!"
Naruto looked completely baffled, not understanding what he did wrong.
Itachi caught his father watching from the side and sighed inwardly.
He gently patted Sasuke's head.
"Alright, Sasuke. That's enough. Didn't I just tell you to get along with Naruto?"
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