To celebrate Itachi's return, Uchiha Mikoto specially prepared a huge table full of dishes.
Seeing his favorite tomato scrambled eggs, Sasuke's appetite instantly skyrocketed.
He stuffed food into his mouth while happily answering his father's and brother's questions about life at the Ninja Academy, smiling the whole time.
He really enjoyed moments like this.
The whole family eating together.
No arguments.
No cold silence.
No awkward tension thick enough to cut with a kunai.
In the past, his father and Itachi always brought their "work mood" home, which made dinner feel more like a meeting than a meal. It gave him a headache.
But gradually… Sasuke noticed something was off.
Everyone was smiling.
Yet—
His mother's smile looked forced.
His father's and brother's smiles looked restrained, like they were suppressing something that could explode at any second.
It felt fake.
Like actors trying way too hard.
After realizing this, Sasuke didn't expose them.
He simply lowered his head and kept eating.
Even if the smiles were fake… it didn't matter.
As long as they were still willing to smile at each other, it meant they still cared.
That was enough.
After dinner, Sasuke suggested practicing shuriken together.
Fugaku and Itachi exchanged a glance, then both nodded.
During practice, Sasuke kept trying to lighten the mood, saying nice things for both sides, desperately trying to glue the fragile family relationship back together like some overworked eight-year-old therapist.
Unfortunately…
Neither Fugaku nor Itachi really listened.
By the end, the air between them was still tense.
Hostile, even.
Just as Sasuke was about to try again, Mikoto walked over.
"Sasuke, it's time for bed. Hurry up and wash up. You have an exam tomorrow."
Sasuke felt helpless, but he obediently went back to his room.
After a whole day of training, his body was exhausted.
But his mind?
Wide awake.
He tossed and turned in bed, thinking about how to fix things between his father and brother.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't think of a solution.
"If it were Naruto… he'd definitely figure something out…"
For some reason, Naruto popped into his head.
"That idiot is crazy strong and always comes up with weird ideas… maybe he really could fix this mess."
"Might as well borrow his brain for once…"
"Sasuke, go to sleep and stop overthinking," Mikoto's voice came from outside.
Sasuke frowned.
Sleep?
After learning the Shadow Clone Technique?
Yeah, right.
He quietly formed hand seals.
A shadow clone hid inside the closet, while the real body stayed in bed pretending to sleep.
Not long after, fake snoring filled the room.
Perfect.
Just as he was about to sneak out to find his father and brother, voices came from the study next door.
Father… and Itachi?
Sasuke immediately focused his chakra and enhanced his hearing.
If he understood their conflict, maybe he could ask Naruto for advice later.
Maybe Naruto would know what to do.
Inside the study, Fugaku and Itachi knelt facing each other.
The air felt heavy.
Finally, Fugaku spoke.
"Itachi, are you still unwilling to hand over the Anbu member list? The clan will soon launch a coup against the Hokage Building. With that list, we can reduce casualties."
"I'm sorry," Itachi said calmly. "Even if the clan stages a coup, there's no chance of success. I will not betray the village or Anbu for your ambition."
After a pause, he added,
"Father… give up the coup."
Fugaku frowned.
"It's too late. If we cancel it now, the clan will collapse from internal conflict first. The coup is simply taking back what belongs to the Uchiha."
"Have you considered what happens to the village afterward?" Itachi asked coldly. "Success or failure, Konoha will be weakened. Other villages will attack. I can't just sit and watch that happen."
Itachi's face was expressionless, but inside, he could barely tolerate Fugaku's stubborn ambition.
Fugaku's expression darkened.
His three-tomoe Sharingan spun to life.
"So that's why you killed Shisui and took his eyes? He was our strongest fighter."
Itachi's Sharingan activated instantly.
"Brother Shisui committed suicide to stop this coup. You just refuse to see it. You're trapped in the clan's narrow vision."
Fugaku's anger finally erupted.
"Are you Itachi of the Anbu… or Itachi of the Uchiha?!"
"The plan is already prepared. Once we control the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Naruto, the Uchiha can use the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails and attack the Hokage Building. I will become the Fifth Hokage!"
His eyes turned ice-cold.
"Next week is the final clan meeting. If you're still my son—if you still admit you're Uchiha—then stand with us."
Itachi said nothing.
He simply turned, stepped toward the window, and disappeared with the Body Flicker Technique.
After he left, the sliding door opened.
Mikoto stepped in, worry written all over her face.
"Fugaku… did you two argue again? Did he agree to stand with the clan?"
Fugaku folded his arms, looking tired.
"I don't know what Itachi will choose. But the Uchiha would rather die with honor than endure humiliation from the Hokage's side."
Mikoto sighed softly.
She didn't know whether to support her husband… or her son.
Outside the study—
Inside the closet—
Sasuke slid weakly to the floor.
His hands trembled.
His eyes were filled with disbelief.
He only wanted to understand their conflict.
To fix it.
But instead…
It was a coup.
His father wanted rebellion.
His brother wanted to protect the village.
How was he supposed to choose?
The Ninja Academy taught him to love the village.
Everyone was a companion.
Believe in the Will of Fire.
But the discrimination against the Uchiha… and what happened to Naruto…
All of it made him doubt those words.
If he spoke up, they probably wouldn't even listen.
Worse…
They might erase his memories with the Sharingan like he was some clueless kid.
He was too weak.
Too powerless.
He couldn't change anything.
Couldn't protect anything.
For the first time—
He suddenly understood Naruto a little better.
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