In a house in the Uchiha compound.
"I'm home..."
Hearing the familiar voice, Mikoto immediately got up and went to the entrance to greet him. "My, this is a surprise. You're home so early."
Fugaku took off his shoes and stepped onto the wooden floor. "The Police Force's equipment is being upgraded, so we all got off work early tonight."
Thinking of tomorrow's events, Mikoto lowered her gaze. "It's good that you're home early tonight..."
"Don't worry. After tomorrow, everything will be fine..."
Fugaku saw his wife's concern and gently placed his large hand on her shoulder. "This is not only for us now but also for our future generations. It's a necessary measure."
Mikoto smiled. "I'll make you some tea."
Fugaku looked apologetic. "You always go to so much trouble..."
Mikoto shook her head, a comforting smile on her face. "After all, I'm your wife..."
Fugaku, who rarely showed his emotions, said sincerely, "I'm so glad I'm with you..."
The two went inside. Fugaku took off his Police Force uniform and changed into casual clothes. After he had been sitting for a while, Mikoto came in with a pot of freshly brewed tea.
Fugaku took the teacup with both hands, thanked his gentle wife, and took a sip. He then asked about their younger son. "Hasn't Sasuke come home yet?"
At this time, their son should be home from school.
"Sasuke should still be at school, practicing with his teacher. He's been coming home very late recently."
"I see..."
Fugaku looked at the green tea in the cup, staring at his reflection, and fell silent.
Mikoto saw that he was troubled and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"I'm just lamenting what an unfit father I am. I don't even know when my son gets out of school."
Mikoto comforted him softly. "It's not your fault."
Fugaku regretted, "If I had paid more attention to the children, perhaps Itachi wouldn't have grown so distant from me."
"Itachi will understand you eventually..."
Fugaku shook his head, not believing it. His son was more mature than his peers, and such people often had their own logical way of doing things.
"I ran into a girl a while ago."
"A girl?"
"She seems to be deeply in love with Itachi..."
"Huh?" A look of surprise flashed in Mikoto's eyes.
"Her name is Uchiha Izumi."
"From the Uchiha clan?"
"Yes. She is Hazuki's daughter. After her husband died, she returned to live with the clan, and Izumi is her daughter. She's a very pretty girl."
Mikoto recalled her. "I remember she and Itachi were in the same class."
"They were."
"I thought the two of them hadn't had much contact since Itachi graduated from the Ninja Academy..."
Mikoto knew that her older son only cared about his missions. She was surprised that the two of them were still in contact.
"I only just found out about this, too..."
Fugaku lowered his head, trying to remember when he and Itachi had started drifting apart and becoming like strangers.
"Don't think too much..."
"Mikoto, am I a failure, not only as a father but also as the Uchiha clan leader...?"
In his conversation with his wife, Fugaku was slowly shedding his usual solemnity. "I really am not suited to be the clan leader. If that person were still here..."
Usually, Fugaku was always serious, never showing any weakness to anyone. His personality was one thing, but on a deeper level, it was because he was the Uchiha clan leader. He carried a heavy burden and had to maintain a strong front at all times, even in front of his children.
Only now, with the two children gone, did Fugaku reveal his softest side to his wife, who knew him better than anyone.
"You've done well enough..."
Mikoto joked, "You're so busy with work all day that you look much older than your age. My friends always tease me about it, you know..."
Fugaku: ...
Mikoto leaned closer to Fugaku. "After this is over, let's have another child."
Fugaku was stunned. "Huh?"
"See, even though Itachi is distant from you, he's always been good to Sasuke, right? If we have another child, the house will be more lively. This could be an opportunity for Itachi to slowly reconcile with you."
"Uh..."
"I've already thought of a name. Sarada. What do you think?"
Fugaku looked thoughtful. "Sarada? That sounds like a girl's name."
"Yes. It's for a girl."
"That's all well and good, but whether it's a boy or a girl is a matter of luck."
"I have a feeling this time it will be a girl."
"What's your basis?"
"After two boys in a row, I think it should be a girl this time."
"..."
"I'm just kidding. I'm talking about a woman's intuition."
Fugaku: ...
That's even less reliable than the first reason.
Mikoto laughed. "When Itachi and Sasuke come home together, let's announce it to them. I'm sure their reactions will be hilarious."
"You... as long as you're happy. Don't drag me into it..."
"I can't do that. I can't do this alone..."
Fugaku: ...
Mikoto laughed. "I'm so excited. I wonder when the two brothers will come home. Sasuke should still be practicing shuriken at school, and Itachi... I wonder what he's doing..."
Fugaku said casually, "I don't need to wonder. He's probably on a mission..."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the two of them seemed to have the same thought and lowered their heads. The atmosphere became heavy, losing all the playful warmth they had shared moments ago.
Itachi was a double agent.
Thinking about his son's current relationship with him, Fugaku couldn't help but wonder what Itachi's true stance was.
What if he informed the higher-ups about the coup?
The two of them had the same thought.
"Itachi, he..."
"When he comes back, let's have a good talk with him..."
"And see what he's..."
"Yeah..."
After that, the couple was shrouded in heavy emotions, and neither spoke.
This state continued for a while until a sudden loud noise broke the silence.
"What's happening—!"
The sudden, loud noise startled them both.
"I don't know. It sounds like a huge object fell from the sky."
"A meteorite?"
"We'll find out when we go there..."
Fugaku sighed inwardly.
The coup was set for tomorrow. Such a huge commotion would likely alarm even the people in the center of the village.
It seemed that the coup would have to be postponed.
The couple walked out of the house. Other clansmen were also coming out of their homes. It seemed everyone was startled by the loud noise.
A clansman ran up to the couple and asked for a situation report. "Lord Fugaku, what's going on?"
"I don't know the specifics," Fugaku said, shaking his head. "We'll probably only find out if we go there."
Just then, a figure was leaping from roof to roof.
Fugaku noticed him, and the person came to his side a moment later.
This was his subordinate, who seemed to be there to give a report.
Fugaku maintained his composure as the Uchiha clan leader. "What happened?"
"Captain Fugaku, that man has returned..." The man's urgent voice was filled with excitement.
"Who?"
"Uchiha... Tōshirō..."
"W-what—!"
Fugaku's eyes widened, unable to remain calm.
(End of Chapter)
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