Inside the training field.
The sounds of shuriken and Sasuke's cheers overlapped.
A gentle smile rested on Uchiha Itachi's face.
Calm.
It seemed only here, in this setting, he did not have to weigh clan against village, life against death, or worry about the disasters that might loom ahead.
He only had to quietly enjoy time with his two younger brothers.
Seeing Itachi like this, Uchiha Itama's expression softened.
But that did not mean he accepted Itachi.
Because Itama knew.
Once Itachi stepped out of the training field, he would turn back into the man who put the village's greater good first.
Time ticked by.
Dusk fell.
Itama stopped.
"That is enough."
Itachi set down his shuriken, a little reluctant.
"Let us eat out tonight."
"You are paying."
Itama looked at him. "You have been graduated so long and still have not given me or Sasuke a decent gift. I do not care, but this one here has been hoping."
"Sorry. That is my fault."
Awkwardness crept onto Itachi's face.
"Food first."
Itama patted Sasuke's shoulder.
"Sasuke, let us go."
"Brother, I want tomatoes."
"Tomatoes are cheap. Do you want to save money for the person behind us?"
"Then what do we eat?"
"A feast, obviously a feast. At least barbecue. Better yet, seafood."
The Land of Fire faced the sea, but the Leaf was far from the coast.
So seafood in the village was expensive.
"Seafood it is. My treat."
Itachi hurried after them.
First, because Itama's words made him feel guilty. He had graduated for years, completed many missions, and earned plenty, yet had not given Itama or Sasuke any proper gifts.
Seafood was costly in the Leaf, but Itachi could afford it.
Second, he did not like barbecue.
The three of them left the Uchiha compound and walked toward the commercial district near the village center.
This was the Leaf's most bustling area.
The old Uchiha district had been close. A few minutes' walk.
Back then it was easy for Itachi to come here.
The Uchiha and the villagers had been closer too.
Now the Uchiha had been pushed to the edge of the Leaf, far from all this.
Cut off from the village and its people.
"Are those the clan head's three sons? Such a close bond."
"That is Itachi, right? Our Uchiha genius. He will shine across the ninja world."
"With no surprises, Itama will enter the Academy this year. I hope he is a genius like Itachi. Then over the next ten years our Uchiha will only grow stronger."
"Hope so. But even if Itama is not as gifted as Itachi, he will not be far off. He is the clan head's son after all."
At that, Sasuke got upset.
"What about me?"
"Why not mention me?"
The Uchiha clansmen exchanged looks, then burst out laughing.
"We did not forget you, Sasuke."
"Grow up strong. We are hoping you will be even more of a genius than your two brothers."
Sasuke lifted his chin.
"I will."
Itachi ruffled his hair, fondness in his eyes.
Itama cut Sasuke a sidelong glance.
In raw talent, Sasuke would not surpass Itachi.
But Sasuke carried something special, the power of Indra's reincarnation.
Whether that counted as talent, Itama was not sure.
Dinner cost Itachi a small fortune.
Itama deliberately ordered the most expensive dishes, while Sasuke accepted everything, eating whatever came, stuffing himself until his belly rounded like a ball.
Even walking became a struggle.
"Are you full?"
"Do you want more?"
Itachi did not flinch at his thinning wallet.
He did not know when the rift between village and clan would tear open. Before that, he wanted to fulfill his brothers' wishes as much as he could, anything reasonable.
"No need."
Itama shook his head.
The three fell into silence.
Suddenly.
Itama stopped.
"What is wrong?"
"I want dango. Go buy me some."
Itachi nodded.
He went in.
He came out carrying skewers.
Itama tasted one, then pushed the rest into Itachi's hands.
"The dango is not very good today. I am done. You eat the rest. Do not waste it."
"Sasuke, let us go."
Itama took the lead with Sasuke.
Itachi's pupils tightened slightly.
Staring at Itama's back, he understood. Itama had not wanted dango for himself.
He had wanted it for him.
"Itama, thank you."
For some reason, Itachi felt his eyes grow a little wet.