Even prodigies need a hand to pull them back from the dark.
Itachi wandered aimlessly through the streets.
His eyes were clouded with confusion.
Since childhood, he had always excelled—praised by his clan, acknowledged by Fugaku.
Yet in just the past day or two—
Kai had surpassed him.
In vision.
In insight.
In combat talent.
The blow to his pride was immense.
A quiet sense of defeat crept into his heart.
Perhaps…
he was never worthy of being called a genius of the Uchiha.
"…Heh."
His gaze unfocused, his steps unsteady.
For the first time—
he felt lost.
Lost in direction.
Lost in himself.
Without realizing it—
he arrived at the clan's lakeside.
He remembered—
training here with his father.
Practicing Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
He had learned it after watching just once.
Fugaku's praise still echoed in his mind:
"As expected of my son."
It felt like yesterday.
Following the wooden steps extending over the lake—
Itachi walked out slowly and sat down.
A gentle breeze brushed past him.
Cool.
Quiet.
He didn't know how long he sat there.
Then—
a soft, sweet voice sounded behind him.
"Itachi-kun… long time no see."
He turned.
A girl stood there, dressed in a purple top.
Her features were delicate and cute.
Long black hair flowed down to her waist, and a small beauty mark beneath her eye gave her a lively charm.
"Izumi…" Itachi said softly.
On the night of the Nine-Tails' attack—
he had saved a panicked Uchiha Izumi.
Since then—
a subtle connection had formed between them.
But Itachi trained constantly.
Even within the same clan, they rarely met.
Noticing his low spirits, Izumi pursed her lips—
then broke into a bright smile.
"Itachi-kun, you look down. If something's bothering you, talking about it might help."
"I promise I won't tell anyone!" she added, covering her mouth playfully.
She had seen through him.
She wanted to comfort him.
"…It's nothing," Itachi replied, shaking his head.
He was someone who locked his emotions deep inside.
He never spoke of his true thoughts.
Even in the future—
he would carry everything alone, even in death.
"I see…" Izumi's shoulders dipped slightly.
As expected—
he wasn't easy to open up.
Still—
she didn't give up.
From a green bag, she took out a small box.
Inside were several skewers of dango.
"These are my mom's favorite—three-color dango," she said with a smile. "She says eating something sweet can cheer you up when you're feeling down."
"Itachi-kun, do you want to try one?"
She held out a skewer.
Then suddenly—
she hesitated.
"But… you're top of the class, great at taijutsu, and one of the Uchiha's elite. You probably don't like snacks like this…"
"Sorry—I shouldn't have assumed."
She awkwardly pulled her hand back and took a bite herself.
"Mmm… so good!"
After finishing one—
she turned—
and froze.
Itachi was staring at her.
And—
he swallowed.
Realizing she had noticed—
he quickly turned his head away and gave a soft huff.
Trying to act indifferent.
Completely failing.
"…You like dango?" Izumi blinked, stunned.
She chuckled awkwardly, then handed him a skewer again.
This time—
Itachi hesitated for a moment…
before taking it.
He took a bite.
Slowly—
the tension in his brows eased.
"…It's good," he muttered quietly.
No matter how cold or distant he might become in the future—
right now—
he was still just a six-year-old boy.
They quickly finished several skewers together.
"Izumi… your dango is really good. Thank you," Itachi said.
For the first time that day—
a faint smile appeared on his face.
The weight of his defeat seemed a little lighter.
"You're welcome! If you like it, I can bring more next time," Izumi said sweetly.
"…Mm. Thank you."
"Then it's a promise!" she beamed.
After chatting a bit longer—
they parted ways.
When Itachi returned home—
a small figure rushed toward him.
"Big brother! Play with me!"
Sasuke.
At this age, he clung to Itachi more than anyone else—
even more than Fugaku or Mikoto.
"Were you good today, Sasuke?" Itachi asked, lifting him up and gently tapping his forehead.
"I ate two bowls of rice at lunch! Mother said I was very good!" Sasuke held up two fingers proudly.
"That's amazing," Itachi said, ruffling his hair.
Sasuke puffed out his cheeks, unable to hide his smile.
After playing for a while, Itachi said,
"Be good, Sasuke. I'm going to help Mom with dinner. Go play for a bit."
"But you just started playing with me…" Sasuke's eyes grew watery.
"Come here."
When Sasuke stepped closer—
Itachi flicked his forehead lightly.
"You're a big boy now. You have to be responsible."
Sasuke pouted but said nothing.
He turned and went off to play with a ball.
In the kitchen—
Itachi helped wash and prepare ingredients.
Soon—
night fell.
Fugaku returned home.
With a single glance—
he noticed something was off.
Dinner was quiet.
Afterward—
he called Itachi into the study.
Looking at his son, Fugaku sighed softly.
"You're upset about losing to Kai, aren't you?"
A bitter smile tugged at Itachi's lips.
"…Kai is strong. I accept my loss."
But—
his pride remained.
Losing to someone unknown—
was not something he could easily shrug off.
Fugaku knew—
if he didn't guide him now, the impact would linger.
"Come here," he said.
When Itachi stepped forward—
Fugaku pulled him into an embrace.
He gently rested a hand on his head—
just like Itachi did with Sasuke.
"Since you were young, your path has been too smooth," Fugaku said quietly. "This defeat may be what you need."
"There are always greater mountains beyond mountains, stronger people beyond people."
"Only by facing failure can you climb higher."
"No matter what you become in the future…"
"You and Sasuke will always be your mother's and my pride."
For a moment—
Itachi froze.
Fugaku had always been strict.
Distant.
Never once had he shown affection like this.
And now—
that warmth washed over him.
The shadow of his defeat—
faded.
"Father… I'll work harder."
His eyes—
grew resolute once more.
He would become someone his father could be proud of.
At that moment—
Itachi found his direction again.
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