On the way back, Sasuke kept muttering incessantly, his little mouth repeatedly spouting: "Then let me ask you... then let me ask you..."
He seemed bewitched, his small hands unconsciously mimicking the awkward gestures from when he was being questioned earlier, exactly like a puffed-up kitten.
Just before leaving home, he had been thinking about properly showing off to Makoto about his glorious attendance at the clan meeting.
Now, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to squeeze into, even wanting to directly flee Konoha...
Never to return, ever.
He deeply regretted it now, was especially afraid, worried that Makoto would find out what happened at today's clan meeting. Who knows how he would laugh at him.
Thinking of this, Sasuke felt even more miserable... He was a proud person his whole life, so how could he endure such ridicule!
Fugaku looked at his younger son's state, somewhat helplessly rubbing the space between his eyebrows. Then, thinking about what Makoto did today, a long sigh rolled in his throat.
Among his three sons, it seemed only Itachi was the most worry-free...
If Makoto knew what Fugaku was thinking, he would definitely rip open his head to see what was inside.
Fugaku brought Sasuke and Itachi home and pointed to the room at the end of the corridor: "Sasuke, go call Makoto out."
Hearing this, Sasuke shook his head like a rattle drum, even creating afterimages. A bullet probably couldn't hit him. His small hands clutched his clothes as he shrunk back, his small feet making faint scraping sounds on the floor.
Then he turned and ran back to his room without looking back. He really didn't want to find Makoto now, lest he discover his awkward situation.
In all his years, this was the first time Sasuke had refused Fugaku's request.
Seeing this, Fugaku couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "It seems my youngest son is also becoming disobedient..."
Finally, he looked at Itachi: "You go."
The latter nodded, his steps as light as a falling leaf. Fugaku, seeing this, felt full of satisfaction: 'Indeed, Itachi is the most obedient, the most worry-free.'
Walking to Makoto's room and knocking, Itachi's voice was very soft: "Makoto, Father wants to see you."
A light sound of a kunai falling came from inside the room. The door creaked open. Itachi, seeing the kunai inside, hurried forward and put the kunai in his pocket.
His expression was full of panic, afraid that Makoto might one day, in a moment of despair, use this kunai to end his life.
Makoto didn't stop him, as it was just an ordinary kunai. If Itachi took it, so be it. As for it having his Flying Thunder God's mark, that wasn't important.
It could even be considered a good thing. If Itachi took this kunai outside the village one day, he could also sneak out to play.
Itachi probably wouldn't recognize this Flying Thunder God's mark, and even if he did, it didn't matter.
Since obtaining the cheat, [Naruto World Online], Makoto had never considered hiding his abilities.
As for how he learned Flying Thunder God Technique, he could just make something up. Believe it or not, he didn't care. His mindset was increasingly approaching that of a player.
Makoto looked somewhat tired now. The One Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes rotated halfway and turned black. His current Chakra Reserve was still too small.
The two walked towards the study. Itachi kept whispering reminders: "What happened today was indeed a bit excessive. Father might scold you a few words. Don't take it to heart..."
Hearing this, Makoto waved his hand, a smile still on his lips. He didn't care about these things, and he had already substantially received the mission reward. His mood was quite good now.
In the study, Fugaku had a stern face, his brows knitted into knots, his knuckles tapping a dull rhythm on the desk.
Itachi sat upright and proper, while Makoto lay as if he had no bones, as if the one who caused trouble today wasn't him.
The anger Fugaku had barely suppressed earlier surged up again.
"Itachi, you may leave." Fugaku's voice was heavy like a water-soaked stone, full of seriousness.
Itachi sat motionless in his chair. He wanted to share some of the pressure for Makoto, and didn't want Makoto to be scolded by Father alone.
Makoto gave him a slight nod, his eyes carrying a 'don't worry' message.
Seeing this, Itachi finally stepped out, looking back three times with each step. When closing the door, he deliberately left a crack, pressing his ear against the door panel.
'If Father went too far later, I could rush in to plead for Makoto.'
This commotion certainly wouldn't escape Fugaku's notice, but Itachi wasn't trying to hide it from him either.
"Makoto, about today's matter, do you realize your mistake?" Fugaku's fingers drummed on the table like beating a drum, his knuckles white, the wood grain on the tabletop trembling from the vibration.
Hearing this, Makoto spread his hands: "I definitely have my faults, but then again..."
"The main fault for today's matter lies with you. I asked to borrow money, and you didn't lend it. I was so upset that I thought of venting on the Hokage Rock."
Makoto directly turned things upside down, placing himself in the victim's position, even putting on a wronged expression.
"???" Fugaku's eye twitched as if electrocuted, his mouth trembling, almost laughing in anger, "So the mistake falls on me now?"
"The matter is over, I don't want to talk about it anymore. And putting aside the facts, aren't you at fault too?" Makoto directly used his ultimate move, throwing the first shocking punch of the Shinobi World.
He was in an extremely good mood today, but if Fugaku scolded him, that good mood would be completely gone. To keep himself happy, he could only let Fugake suffer a bit.
Fugaku was about to angrily rebuke Makoto, but the words in his throat suddenly got stuck… he suddenly remembered how Danzo had been rendered speechless by this kid today.
Moreover, in their usual arguments, Fugaku had never won. After thinking about it, he could only suppress his anger and say:
"Don't leave the clan's compound during this period. Wait until this matter blows over."
The smile on Makoto's face instantly froze. He raised an eyebrow and retorted: "No!"
"It's dangerous for you to go out!" Fugaku's voice rose half an octave, his chest heaving violently, wanting to overpower this kid with his presence.
"I can protect myself!" Makoto's tone was firm, resolute.
"There's no room for discussion on this matter. If you don't listen, I'll have to let you properly feel the weight of 'paternal love'!"
Fugaku immediately rolled up his sleeves, searching the study for a suitable tool, his gaze shifting between a feather duster and a ruler.
"You'll regret this!" Makoto, seeing this, said with full indignation, 'Uchiha Fugaku was too lacking in martial virtue.'
"I am the Clan Head!" Fugaku slammed the table, the teacup jumping high with a 'clatter'. He finally made up his mind and grabbed the gleaming, oiled ruler.
Bam!
Uchiha Makoto slammed the door shut with lightning speed, the door panel vibrating the frame, wood chips rustling down.
Itachi, who was just about to rush in to take the beating for his brother, was startled by Makoto.
Fugaku chased out, the hem of his robe sweeping past the lanterns in the corridor, the orange light and shadows flickering on his face like a zoetrope.
"You must listen to me on this. It's really dangerous for you to leave the compound now!"
Makoto didn't look back, walking swiftly, not planning to continue arguing with Fugaku… a wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him.
Including his previous life's age, he was already an adult and didn't want to experience the power of paternal love again.
That very night, Makoto packed his bundle, left a note each for Mikoto, Itachi, and Sasuke, and prepared to set sail.
He planned to find a rich lady to marry into her family, far away from this place that broke his heart.
At night, Fugaku kept watching Makoto's window. Sure enough, in the middle of the night, he saw him jumping out the window with his bundle.
He immediately sighed and blocked the courtyard gate, the hem of his robe flapping loudly in the night wind.
"What will it take for you to agree not to leave the compound these days?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow, putting on a conflicted expression, dawdling for a good while: "Gotta add money!"
"Fine!" Fugaku agreed without much hesitation. Makoto, seeing this, directly turned and went back to his room to sleep, his steps light as if walking on air.
The moonlight spilled on the courtyard wall.
Makoto's shadow was stretched long, like a loach ready to slip away at any time.
If Makoto truly wanted to leave, even if Fugaku watched him all day, it would be useless. Once Itachi took that kunai out of the village, one Flying Thunder God Technique and he would silently sneak out of Konoha.
Fugaku looked at his retreating back and smiled helplessly, 'This kid really was a living ancestor.'
The night wind, carrying the lantern's light and shadow, swept past the eaves. When the horizon began to turn fish-belly white, Makoto woke up early.
Seeing Itachi was still sleeping at home, not out doing missions to earn money, he immediately showed a pained expression.
Waking him up, his tone was quite serious:
"Itachi, your Will of Fire is becoming less and less firm!"
Hearing this, the freshly awakened Itachi was stunned.
Makoto patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly: "As a Konoha's Shinobi, even if you're just a Genin now, you should work hard on missions every day."
"Devote your strength to Konoha's future."
"I hope you reflect carefully, reflect well. Don't let me and Sasuke down."
Seeing Makoto leave with his hands behind his back, Itachi frowned, pondering that these words did seem reasonable.
These past few days, he was afraid Makoto would feel bad after being scolded by Father, so he planned to take a few days off to accompany him.
Now thinking about it, he really should do missions properly, devote his strength to Konoha's future.
'I couldn't let Makoto and Sasuke down.'
He turned, took his forehead protector, and hurried out the door. Watching Itachi's retreating back, Makoto showed a gratified smile.
'Uchiha Itachi did missions for the Will of Fire, so the money he earned would actually tarnish his Will of Fire.'
'So, it was better to lend all that money to me.'
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FOR EVERY 50 POWER STONES, I'LL UPLOAD ONE CHAPTER