In the afternoon, Chishimo returned home, his body weary. He first took a shower to wash off all the sweat, then sat cross-legged to refine Chakra for a while before getting up to help his grandmother prepare dinner.
To avoid worrying his grandmother, Chishimo did not tell her about Fugaku taking him as a disciple. Instead, he recounted interesting things he had seen on the road and amusing anecdotes he knew from his previous life, which made his grandmother giggle.
After dinner, Chishimo left home under the pretense of having plans with a classmate.
Along the way, Chishimo noticed many gazes directed at him, but he didn't mind. With his current status, there was no longer a need to be secretive. Although he still couldn't be complacent, this was at least a good start.
Thinking of this, Chishimo's mood brightened considerably, and his steps became lighter. In no time, he had already arrived in front of the Clan Head's residence.
Looking at the door before him, Chishimo felt a slight sense of emotion. Just yesterday, he had to sneak in, but today he could walk in openly. It truly was a case of 'a new emperor, a new court official.'
Shaking his head and casting aside the jumbled thoughts in his mind, Chishimo stepped forward and knocked on the door.
A light patter of footsteps approached, and with a 'creak,' the door was opened from the inside, revealing a serene and gentle-looking woman. In her arms, she held a newborn baby.
Strangely, this baby seemed different from others; at an age when it should have been crying, it was unusually quiet. If the child hadn't looked at him with curious eyes, Chishimo would have thought the baby was asleep!
The woman didn't speak, but instead carefully scrutinized Chishimo, which made Chishimo feel a bit awkward and uneasy.
"Mas..."
Just as he was about to speak to break the awkward silence, the woman spoke first, her eyes openly curious about Chishimo.
"Are you Fugaku's new disciple, Uchiha Qianshuang?"
"Yes, Mistress, I am Uchiha Qianshuang!" Chishimo answered honestly.
With Chishimo's eyesight, how could he not recognize that the person in front of him was the Clan Head's wife, and as for the baby in her arms, it was, without a doubt, Uchiha Itachi.
It must be said, he truly was Itachi, the God; from birth, he was different, neither crying nor fussing. His mind was more mature than average from a young age.
"You truly are a clever child! Come in quickly! Your master is waiting for you inside!" Saying this, Uchiha Mikoto naturally took Chishimo's arm and walked towards the inner room, holding the baby in one hand and leading the child with the other.
"You are so young and yet you have gained Fugaku's approval. It seems you are quite capable!" Uchiha Mikoto seemed quite fond of the somewhat reserved, handsome young man before her.
"This junior would not dare. I am merely fortunate that Teacher Fugaku thinks highly of me!" Chishimo did not get carried away by Uchiha Mikoto's familiarity. Moreover, in his opinion, Fugaku had not used his full strength in their battle. If it had been a fight to the death, Chishimo might not have lasted three moves.
"Hehe, I know his personality. If you can't earn his heartfelt approval, no matter the reason, he would never take you as a disciple." Saying this, Uchiha Mikoto slightly tilted her head, her gaze softly directed at Chishimo.
"So, you don't need to belittle yourself!"
Listening to the gentle voice and feeling that tender gaze, Chishimo felt an illusion of facing his own mother. He recalled that when he was young, his mother often spoke to his innocent self with such a gaze and tone.
Feeling this long-lost maternal affection, Chishimo was momentarily stunned. Uchiha Mikoto called him twice, but he didn't respond.
Uchiha Mikoto looked at Chishimo's easily understood expression, and combining it with what Fugaku had previously told her about Chishimo's situation, she immediately understood what was happening. Her heart couldn't help but fill with pity for Chishimo.
Raising her hand, Uchiha Mikoto gently stroked Chishimo's head, her eyes full of tenderness. "Without parents by your side, you must have had a very hard life! But it's alright now. You have a teacher and a mistress now, and everything will get better. If you ever need anything in the future, just come to your mistress!"
Feeling Uchiha Mikoto's touch, Chishimo was first startled, then the emotions in his heart burst forth like a floodgate opening. Although Chishimo tried his best to control it, his eyes still welled up.
Unbeknownst to him, Chishimo had developed an extremely strong sense of closeness to this mistress he had just met. Perhaps it was because she was a new mother, her entire being inadvertently exuded a maternal radiance, which had a tremendous 'impact' on Chishimo.
Chishimo tried hard to compose himself, then looked up, just in time to see Uchiha Mikoto's gaze of pity and tenderness. A warm current flowed through his heart.
"Thank you, Mistress, I understand!" A brilliant smile had unconsciously appeared on Chishimo's face, a smile he never showed in front of outsiders. Perhaps only Chishimo's grandmother saw it often.
Seeing Chishimo, who usually acted like a little adult, finally reveal the brilliant smile a child his age should have, Uchiha Mikoto also smiled knowingly. She took Chishimo's small hand again and walked on.
Passing through the corridor, to the left was a six-tatami room. Uchiha Mikoto released Chishimo's hand, gently pulled open the door, then turned back to give Chishimo a look, and led the way in, still holding Uchiha Itachi.
Chishimo did not follow immediately. Instead, he gently straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and calmed his somewhat restless emotions before pulling open the door and entering the room.
The room was quite simple, with no superfluous decorations. Only a low table and a cushion were neatly placed in the center of the room. On the other side of the table, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto, who had just sat down, were quietly seated. Uchiha Itachi remained quietly in Uchiha Mikoto's arms.
"Teacher Fugaku, I apologize for the intrusion."
Chishimo bowed slightly, then naturally sat on the cushion opposite Fugaku.
"Chishimo, do you know why I called you here?"
"Teacher wishes to instruct me on some matters, I presume!" Chishimo answered calmly, picking up the teapot on the table and, without any restraint, poured three cups of tea, pushing the two in front of him towards Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto.
For some reason, Chishimo felt a little awkward when facing Uchiha Mikoto, but after seeing the more imposing Fugaku, he paradoxically felt much more at ease.
Fugaku unceremoniously picked up his teacup. The greenish-blue tea rippled in layers with the movement of his hand.
As for Uchiha Mikoto, she quietly listened to their conversation.
"That is only one reason. A more important point is for you to meet people. Since you've entered my home, you can't not know who people are, can you? This person beside me is my wife, your mistress—Uchiha Mikoto. I believe you have already become acquainted. The child in her arms is our son, Uchiha Itachi."
Chishimo followed Fugaku's gaze towards Uchiha Mikoto and bowed slightly, "Mistress!"
Uchiha Mikoto smiled gently at Chishimo.