Forget it. The amount of chakra will increase slowly. Let's focus on training spiritual power first.
Ye Wuyue entered a meditative state again.
Not long after, Itachi laid out the mattress and returned to the room.
"Fell asleep again? Probably because I didn't sleep last night."
Looking at Sasuke with his eyes closed, Itachi smiled gently.
Creak...
The door suddenly opened. Fugaku and Mikoto entered with tired faces, waking Ye Wuyue from meditation once again.
Sigh... I really need to find a time when no one disturbs me to meditate. Ye Wuyue thought helplessly.
"Father, Mother, you're back," Itachi greeted them warmly, taking the ninja tool bag from his parents and placing it by the wall.
"Thank you for looking after Sasuke, Itachi," Fugaku said, patting Itachi's head. Though his face looked weary, a trace of pride still shone through.
"Sasuke is still sleeping."
As Itachi spoke softly, he glanced at the basket—only to see Sasuke looking back at him, eyes wide open.
"Huh? He was asleep just now..."
Ye Wuyue rolled his eyes.
How can I sleep with all this noise?
"It's good Sasuke is awake. He hasn't eaten in a while. I'll go feed him," Mikoto said, picking up the basket and heading into the room.
Ye Wuyue: Σ⊙▃⊙
Half an hour later, Ye Wuyue lay quietly in Mikoto's arms, listening to her conversation with Fugaku.
"The Anbu who stopped us last night..." Mikoto began, giving Fugaku a questioning glance.
"That was Danzo's Root," Fugaku replied, his expression darkening. The thought of being stopped like that—him, the proud head of the Uchiha—left him silent with frustration.
"The clan's in chaos now," Mikoto continued, worry in her voice. "Some even want to rally our forces to overthrow the Konoha leadership."
Ye Wuyue listened with a sigh. The Uchiha... Always so direct and confrontational.
Right now, Konoha had about five people at Kage-level strength. Two of them were particularly strong. As for the Uchiha, the only one on that level was Fugaku.
Do those radicals actually want to challenge all of Konoha with just that? That's just asking to die.
"Hmph! A bunch of arrogant fools who can't see reality!" Fugaku's face twisted in anger. "Do they think this is a game?"
"It's a pity... things were finally stabilizing after Minato took office. But now—" Fugaku paused, frowning deeply. "Those three tomoe in the Nine-Tails' eyes last night..."
"Do you think someone from our clan was involved?" Mikoto asked softly.
"No. All the clansmen outside either returned safely or died in action. There's no indication any of them could've controlled the beast."
Fugaku's brows furrowed deeper. He couldn't even imagine who had such power.
"Eeehhh-eeeehhh~!"
It's that damn crane-tail Obito! Ye Wuyue wanted to shout. He tried to alert them with baby sounds, but only incoherent babbling came out.
Mikoto chuckled at his antics. "Sasuke seems like he's trying to tell us something."
Fugaku stared at his son, frowning slightly. "Looks like a smart kid. I hope he can surpass even Itachi one day."
(▼皿▼#)
Ye Wuyue pouted at the unexpected head-pat. Stop touching me! I'm not a pet!
He turned his face and buried it in Mikoto's arms, fuming.
Just then, Itachi returned.
"Father, someone from the clan is here. They're asking you to preside over a clan meeting."
"Understood." Fugaku stood with a weary sigh. More idiocy to deal with...
"I need to report to the police force too," Mikoto said, passing Sasuke to Itachi. "Take good care of your brother, okay?"
"I will," Itachi nodded seriously.
Mikoto and Fugaku left the house, and silence returned.
Ye Wuyue resumed meditating.
From what I've heard so far, the fall of the Uchiha clan wasn't just Konoha's fault. Danzo and the elders were a big part of it—but so were the reckless radicals within the clan.
I'll need to grow stronger... Then I'll take down both Danzo and the fools inside Uchiha. Then maybe, just maybe, we can all live in peace.
---
"Sasuke, let's go outside," Itachi whispered, wrapping him in a small quilt and heading out.
This time, Ye Wuyue wasn't disturbed during meditation.
---
Time passed...
"Wow! Is this your sister? She's so cute!"
"No, he's my brother."
"Can I hold him?"
"No."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Because I don't want him to cry."
"Babies don't cry that easily!"
Ye Wuyue stirred from his meditation—only to see a pair of suspiciously mischievous hands reaching for him.
Wait... isn't that Izumi? Itachi's little girlfriend? Ye Wuyue squinted. If Itachi wasn't so dense, she would've been Sasuke's sister-in-law already...
Maybe I can help them get closer. If their relationship grows, Itachi might not go down the dark path he did in the original story.
Before he could think more, Izumi had already picked him up.
"See! I told you—babies don't cry!" she grinned at Itachi.
Ye Wuyue could only groan internally. The number of things I've suffered for the sake of this family...
Itachi blinked in shock. Weird. Sasuke used to cry whenever someone else held him... Has he changed? Does he not like me anymore?
But then, Sasuke (Ye Wuyue) reached out and grabbed Itachi's hand.
Ah, he still likes me. Itachi smiled, relieved.
"Hey, Izumi, he grabbed my hand. He probably wants me to hold him," Itachi said, a little anxious. "Can I have him back?"
Ye Wuyue internally facepalmed. Oh my dumb Nissan... Is that how you talk to a girl? Let me teach you how it's done!
Without warning, Ye Wuyue lifted Itachi's hand and pressed it gently against Izumi's cheek.
Itachi froze.
Izumi blinked, and her face immediately turned crimson.
"I-Itachi-kun… you… what are you doing…?" she stammered, steam practically rising from her head.
Ye Wuyue watched anxiously. Come on! Relationship boost!
Itachi's ears turned red. "H-Huh? I-I didn't mean to—it was Sasuke who took my hand! I'm sorry!"
He quickly pulled his hand back, but couldn't forget the soft warmth he just felt.