Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 58

POV: Itachi

Naruto... even after all this time, I find myself worrying about him. Yukari asked me to look after him, and I take that responsibility very seriously. But this morning, he seemed troubled—downcast, despite the success of saving Gaara. The burden he carries on his shoulders is heavy, and I can't help but wonder if I'm doing enough for him.

As I cradle my son Shisui in my arms, my thoughts drift to the boy Yukari treated like a younger brother. A part of me can't shake the guilt. Her place is by his side, but instead, it's me who has taken on that role.

"Naruto is still struggling to process what happened," I finally say to Izumi, gently rocking Shisui in my arms. His tiny fingers grab at my hair, and for a brief moment, his innocent smile pulls my mind away from my worries.

Izumi watches me with a warm, contemplative gaze, stroking Shisui's head as she leans in closer. "You always take care of everyone else, Itachi," she says softly, her tone touching. "But don't forget that you need time for yourself too. Naruto will need you, but so will we."

I shake my head slightly, offering her a faint smile before leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Naruto reminds me a lot of Yukari," I murmur, holding Shisui tighter, almost as if I could protect him from all harm through this small gesture. "She always worried about him, even after she left the village. She trusted me, and I can't let her down."

Shisui suddenly giggles, grabbing at my face, his tiny hands tugging lightly at my cheek. A soft chuckle escapes me as I look down at him. His childish laughter fills the air, cutting through the heaviness in my heart. These moments are rare, and I savor them, knowing my responsibilities will soon call me away again.

"You always overthink things," Izumi says at last, her voice gentle but tinged with concern. "But I know you'll never stop caring for those you hold dear. That's one of the reasons I love you."

Just as I'm about to respond, I sense movement nearby. As expected, an ANBU operative appears before us, their mask flawless and inscrutable. The aura of professionalism and urgency they exude leaves no doubt that they bring an important message.

"Itachi, Lady Tsunade has summoned you," they say shortly, their voice calm yet firm.

I nod and carefully place Shisui into Izumi's arms. My gaze lingers on them for a moment longer. "Take good care of him," I say softly, though the warmth in my tone conveys how much I treasure these two people in my life.

Izumi looks at me with a mix of pride and concern. "Of course," she replies, her voice as steady as always, though I catch a hint of tension in her eyes. "But you should take care of yourself too, Itachi."

A faint smile crosses my face before I turn and follow the ANBU.

The streets of Konoha are as lively as ever, the familiar sounds of the village ringing in my ears—the laughter of children, the chatter of merchants, the calm bustle of a place I would protect at all costs. But my thoughts weigh heavily on me.

Yukari... are you sure this was the only way?

Her sacrifice—leaving the village to protect us—still weighs heavily on my heart. She bore that burden to give us all the freedom to move forward.

As I enter the Hokage's office, Lady Tsunade is already standing behind her desk, her eyes sharp and focused. Shizune stands beside her, a stack of documents in her hands, but her tense posture betrays the gravity of the situation. Tsunade's gaze locks onto mine, and the urgency in her eyes leaves no doubt that this is no ordinary meeting.

Tsunade crosses her arms, her piercing stare carrying the weight of her words. Her voice is calm but resolute as she begins: "Itachi, during the mission to rescue Gaara, Team Kakashi obtained new information. There may be a way to track down Orochimaru."