Two days later, when it came time to hand over the evidence to the envoys from Kumogakure, the fact that the deceased Kumo-nin were still in Konoha's custody meant the Hyuga Clan managed to prevent a thorough investigation.
Naturally, Minato Namikaze refused Kumogakure's unreasonable demand that Konoha hand over a shinobi as reparation. In the end, Konoha offered material compensation to Kumogakure, and the two villages signed a formal ceasefire agreement. As a result, Hizashi Hyuga and Hinata Hyuga did not perish as they did in the original timeline.
It was now June 6, Konoha Year 55 — a particularly special day. It marked one year since Uchiha Itachi became a shinobi, and more significantly, it was also his eighth birthday.
At Uchiha Fugaku's residence, both Fugaku and Mikoto had returned home early. The house was spotless, and the dining table was laid out with a variety of dishes — most notably Itachi's favorite: sanshoku dango.
After placing the final dish, Mikoto took her seat at the table.
"All set. Now we just have to wait for Itachi to come home," she said with a bright smile, clearly in high spirits.
"Nii-san said through the summoning bird that he'd likely make it back tonight — it should be any time now," replied Kurozawa Ren. Nearly four years old now, he shared a birthday close to Sasuke's on July 7.
After more than six months of intensive training, Ren had achieved a solid grasp over Hadō and Hakuda; his Shunpō was passable, and he'd already mastered basic ninjutsu. Aside from the foundational Three Techniques, Ren had nearly mastered all Fire Release ninjutsu of the Uchiha Clan at B-rank or below.
(Skill tiers: Basic, Adequate, Proficient, Mastered)
Because lower-tier Hadō lacked sufficient destructive force — especially when used without incantation — Ren found that conventional ninjutsu currently packed more impact than his Hadō spells.
"How about we turn off the lights and surprise Nii-san later?" Ren suddenly proposed.
Fugaku initially looked displeased but finally relented under Mikoto and Ren's eager insistence.
Soon after, the entire Uchiha household was darkened...
---
Elsewhere in Konoha Village — A Street Corner
"See you later, Itachi-kun!" called a girl with twin gray braids and a sleeveless dress, waving cheerfully.
"Hmph!" grunted another boy with spiky hair beside her. He turned away with a huff but then muttered to Itachi, "Next mission, I will outperform you!"
"Really, Tenma? Isn't that kind of shameless? Itachi-kun totally carried us this time. He even saved your life," the braided girl teased.
Tenma's cheeks flushed red at the reminder.
"Hmph! I didn't ask him to save me! Next time, I'll be the one saving him!" he retorted proudly.
Still, his words weren't hollow. In the original timeline, Team Itachi encountered a masked assailant during a mission. Back then, Tenma protected Itachi from an attack — a moment that led to his death and catalyzed the awakening of Itachi's Sharingan.
"Well then, good luck! I'm heading home now," said the girl with a grin, waving as she left. Itachi waved back politely.
"Goodbye, Tenma-kun," he said, smiling softly. He was eager to get home and see his little brother.
He had only taken a few steps when a voice called out.
"Wait—!"
Itachi stopped and turned. Tenma stood frozen, fists clenched at his sides, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Thanks… for saving me back there. I'll repay you someday!"
With that, Tenma bolted without waiting for a reply.
Itachi blinked in surprise before smiling again, then dashed toward his home.
---
Meanwhile, Ren had been hiding behind the front door with a party popper for nearly ten minutes. Mikoto and Fugaku were also in position — and a faint vein now throbbed on Fugaku's temple.
"Sasuke, this was your bad idea. We don't even know if Itachi's coming back today," Fugaku grumbled, ready to scold his younger son.
But Mikoto hushed him sharply.
"Shh! Footsteps outside."
All three immediately held their breath.
Creak—
The door opened slowly.
Ren burst out, pulling the cord on the party popper. Light filled the room as the pop!
"Happy Birthday, Nii-san!"
"Happy Birthday, Itachi!"
"Happy Birthday!"
The house lit up in full as confetti burst into the air — but none of it landed on the birthday boy.
Startled by the sudden noise, Itachi instinctively leapt back, kunai already drawn. But when he saw the festive scene before him, the blade slipped from his hand.
Fugaku blinked, then gave an approving nod.
"Not bad. That level of awareness is excellent."
Mikoto's eyes softened with worry. "You must be exhausted. Go take a bath, then come eat."
Ren said nothing, but a deep thought bloomed in his heart. Celebrations like this, taken for granted in civilian life, were precious luxuries in a shinobi world.
Itachi's reaction only proved it.
His expression trembled — and then tears flowed down his cheeks. During this mission to eliminate bandits, he had seen children who had lost everything. Now, this warmth felt overwhelming.
"I'm home," he whispered with a smile.
Just then, something odd caught Ren's attention. Itachi's eyes — something about them looked… different.
Upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't the regular Sharingan. It was the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
In Itachi's large, clear eyes, two tomoe swirled in each iris.
"Nii-san… your eyes," Ren murmured, pointing. Itachi froze as he realized the same.
Back in the kitchen, Fugaku was reheating dishes while Mikoto prepared a bath.
"Father! Nii-san's Sharingan awakened!" Ren shouted.
Fugaku dropped what he was doing and rushed out in an apron.
Itachi stood at the entryway, hand still on his face, dumbfounded.
"Two-Tomoe Sharingan! Hahahaha! You truly are my son!" Fugaku exclaimed, his pride barely containable.
Ren beamed with joy — but his mind was still spinning.
It was commonly believed the Sharingan awakened through intense emotional turmoil, usually negative. But today proved otherwise. Itachi had awakened his dōjutsu through pure joy.
This meant — theoretically — that powerful positive emotions could also awaken and evolve the Sharingan. Even the Mangekyō might not need the death of a loved one, just overwhelming happiness.
Too bad the man who preached about "happiness" and "bankai through emotion" wasn't in this world — Ren would've loved to ask him.
---
At dinner, the family atmosphere was jubilant. Between the Sharingan awakening and Itachi's birthday, even the usually stern Fugaku couldn't stop smiling.
"To Itachi's eighth birthday and the awakening of his Sharingan!" he said, raising his cup.
"Cheers!" × 3
Fugaku toasted with sake, the rest with fruit juice.
Afterward, his expression turned solemn.
"What's wrong, Father?" Itachi asked.
"I just wish... every Uchiha could awaken the Sharingan under circumstances like yours," Fugaku said quietly.