That night, everyone ate meat, drank sake, and spoke freely—sharing dreams, laughing about the future, and forgetting for a while the weight of being shinobi.
Later, Hyūga Shigeo took Itachi to his new home. The room was modestly furnished, neat but plain.
Itachi stood there in silence for a long time, staring quietly at the space before him.
Not until Shigeo stepped forward and punched him lightly on the shoulder did he finally stir.
"…It's been so many years since I've had a home," Itachi said with a faint smile. "To suddenly have a place to settle… I don't know how to feel."
Then, after a pause, he shook his head. "Maybe I should give this place to someone else. I probably won't need it."
He turned to leave, but Shigeo caught up with him.
"What nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean you won't need it? It's yours. And what's going on with your eyes?"
Shigeo could hear the resignation in his voice. Just months ago, Itachi had still spoken of hope and purpose. Now, his spirit was weary, defeated. Something must have happened.
Itachi lowered his head slightly and muttered, "It's nothing."
Shigeo frowned. "Did you use the serum I gave you last time? Show me."
It wasn't nagging—it was concern. He didn't trust the man's silence.
Sure enough, the vial of serum Shigeo had given him three months ago was still sealed inside his scroll, untouched.
Shigeo sighed. He didn't know what to say. He took the old vials, replaced them with new regenerative serum, and packed them into a fresh refrigeration scroll.
"These are expired. They only last a month, and they have to be kept cold. Listen, Itachi—whatever's going on, I won't pry. But remember this: you must live.
If you die, I'll dig you up myself and make sure you stay in this world forever. Understand?"
Itachi's mouth twitched, and he nodded. His eyes trembled faintly. He opened his mouth as if to speak—but swallowed the words.
Shigeo glanced at him. "You want to ask about your brother, right? He's been marked by Orochimaru's curse seal. He might leave Konoha soon."
Itachi's eyes darkened. "I have to go," he said curtly, then turned and disappeared into the night.
Shigeo sighed.
Even if Itachi found him, what could he say?
He was too stoic, too selfless for his own good.
Why couldn't the two brothers just speak openly?
But on second thought, Shigeo understood. Even if they did talk, nothing would change.
After all, Itachi was the one who killed their parents. That fate bound the brothers to confrontation from the very start. The moment he left Konoha, his end had already been written.
Still—
Shigeo looked around the room and smiled faintly.
Not in this world.
As long as he existed, he wouldn't let Itachi die so easily.
He couldn't change everyone's destiny—but Itachi's, he would.
Then he remembered Naruto.
Maybe… if I tell him early, he can stop Sasuke.
With that thought, Shigeo left two Mokuton bunshin (Wood Clones) behind and quietly departed from Ink Village.
If possible, he wanted to change Sasuke's fate too.
But if Sasuke refused to follow him, he wouldn't force it.
…
Leaving Ink Village was like taking a long-overdue vacation.
After resolving the Tea Province crisis, most of Nanmo Nation's hidden dangers were gone. Jinshi and the others could handle the rest.
So Shigeo, leaving a clone to manage affairs, headed south by ship toward Konoha.
He wasn't in a rush—sometimes he stopped to enjoy the scenery, staying a day or two wherever the view pleased him.
Half a month later, he finally reached Konoha.
This time, he entered discreetly, using the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique).
His first stop was Naruto's home. He slipped in quietly and left a note:
"Watch over Sasuke. Don't let him do anything reckless."
Then he restored his appearance and went to his old house.
Unlocking the door, he froze—everything inside was spotless.
Strange. He hadn't lived here since the Chūnin Exams. How could the place be this clean after all these years?
As he puzzled over it, he heard the sound of running water from the bathroom next door.
He stepped quietly to the door—then kicked it open.
A shriek pierced the air, and a completely naked woman bolted out.
Reacting on instinct, Shigeo caught her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
He looked down at her face—and blinked.
"…Ayame?"
Her long hair was loose, wet, clinging to her shoulders. No wonder he hadn't recognized her before.
Or maybe I just wasn't looking at her face at first…
Now that he did, he realized—yes, it was Ayame.
Her figure was slender, but graceful in all the right places.
Her cheeks turned crimson as she panicked, shoving him away before darting into the bedroom and locking the door.
"You—you're back?! I—I didn't have power at home! My dad's still at the shop, and I didn't have anywhere else to bathe, so I came here! Don't misunderstand!"
Her small voice came muffled from behind the door.
"I'm not misunderstanding," Shigeo replied calmly, leaning against the wall.
"…Really?"
"Yeah. You looked great."
Silence. Then—
"You—you pervert!" Ayame yelled. The door swung open and she stood there, now fully dressed.
"Come on, let's go to the shop. You look like you haven't eaten properly in days!"
Before Shigeo could respond, she grabbed his hand and pulled him outside.
He looked down at her pale, delicate fingers and felt something stir inside him.
"Ayame… don't be too good to me."
He said it quietly but sincerely.
Ayame paused, turned, and smiled sweetly.
"I know. I don't expect anything from you. Just come see me sometimes, that's enough."
"Ayame…" Shigeo's heart softened; a rare warmth flickered in his chest.
"But," she added playfully, "since you saw everything today, shouldn't you take responsibility? Maybe marry into my family, inherit Ichiraku Ramen, and help me build the strongest ramen shop in the ninja world? My dad would be thrilled!"
Shigeo chuckled. "Sure. Then how about we go consummate the marriage first?"
Ayame shoved him away, laughing despite herself. She knew he was joking—but still, her eyes softened with gratitude.
"No honeymoon needed. But, Shigeo… when you finally decide to marry, maybe think of me, will you?
I don't need to leave Konoha. I'd be happy just being the woman who watches over you."
She looked up at him, her gentle smile tinged with quiet resolve.
(End of Chapter)
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