Chapter 3: Aren't You Spoiling Your Child Too Much?
A story without a "long, long ago" beginning lacks soul.
However, this wasn't about fooling Sasuke, nor was there a need to compete with the Obito for Best Actor. Uchiha Itachi simply offered a few vague sentences, omitting everything else.
"It's a Ninja Crow, and it's very smart."
"Ha, that's amazing, Itachi!" Mikoto smiled, stroking her son's hair, and said softly, "Mom will go prepare dinner first. Tonight, when Dad gets back, ask him to tell you about communicating with Ninja Beasts..."
"As for now, first go find a place in the house for your friend to stay, okay?" Uchiha Mikoto's smile didn't fade as she calmly accepted her son's crow friend and offered her suggestion.
Uchiha Itachi nodded vigorously.
This was the first time Kitahara had encountered such an educational approach... It was too gentle!
He had seen too many parents, regardless of country or region. When a child brought home a pet or anything else, the parents would always find it troublesome and first mention that this was a one-time exception.
So, with a mother like Uchiha Mikoto, why would the future Itachi still strike? And after killing Fugaku and Mikoto, who seemingly accepted death willingly, would he truly have the will to live on...
Itachi's home wasn't particularly large, not much different from the average Konoha ninja's house. Perhaps because the family was small, it seemed small yet refined.
As the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Fugaku didn't overly indulge his own selfish interests.
The families of other Konoha clan heads, more or less, possessed an air of authority that placed them above ordinary clan members. The Hyuga clan's system goes without saying – they were like local tyrants riding on the necks of the branch family. Even other clans with secret techniques mostly followed a pattern of strengthening the main branch while weakening the side branches.
But the Uchiha clan... a clan that could expel its former leader and the Asura of the Ninja World, Uchiha Madara... these clan members were quite formidable in their own right... The Uchiha clan head position held less and less prestige over time. Ordinary members, relying on their shared clan identity, rarely felt awe towards the leader.
The clan head was usually pushed into a position that seemed lofty, but on serious matters, he had to consider the attitudes of the clan members.
...
Kitahara ended up staying in Uchiha Itachi's room. On the desk by the window, the little boy arranged several small pillows and a small blanket, making a simple bed for Kitahara.
...This just proves that a little kid is still a little kid!
Itachi completely failed to consider things from a crow's perspective... though this suited Kitahara's intentions perfectly. Winter was approaching; as a crow, he could just freely laze around and sleep through the winter...
Uchiha Fugaku returned home as the evening sun painted the sky.
After the entire Uchiha clan attended the memorial for the heroes, there was still dissent regarding Uchiha Obito gifting his Sharingan to Kakashi. In their known Uchiha history, no outsider had ever received the Sharingan; Kakashi was the first.
Uchiha Fugaku had to spend considerable effort appeasing the clan members. The reason he gave was that the Sharingan was willingly gifted by an Uchiha clansman on the verge of death – it represented the bond between Obito and Kakashi.
Members of the Uchiha clan, more or less, all had friends they would live or die for.
Fugaku's firm attitude and explanation led the clansmen to decide to temporarily shelve the matter. As for the clan members suggesting he run for Fourth Hokage, Fugaku couldn't be bothered anymore.
For the position of Fourth Hokage, considering both merit and prestige, Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru were undoubtedly the most likely candidates. For the Uchiha clan head to try and take that position now...
It was practically a fool's dream... If handled poorly, it could even lead to conflict with the future Fourth Hokage...
Hearing the door open, Itachi hurried outside to welcome his father home.
"Dad, did anything happen?"
"Not really, same old story... Where did Itachi go today?" Uchiha Fugaku casually took off his black robe, handing it to his wife. He bent down slightly to pat his son's head, only then noticing the crow standing on Itachi: "Hmm? A Ninja Crow?"
With just one glance, Fugaku noticed the presence of chakra in Kitahara...
"This Ninja Crow..."
His three-tomoe Sharingan suddenly activated!
"This kind of chakra..."
Fugaku forcefully suppressed the urge to activate his Mangekyo. Under the Sharingan's observation, the chakra within the crow seemed like an abyss...
Normally, no one would notice a pit on the ground, but when standing beside an abyss and gazing into it, one realizes its bottomless depth.
"...Caw!"
Sharingan!
Kitahara knew the Sharingan in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes was definitely more than just three tomoe. This father, whose methods of educating his two sons were highly questionable, was a deeply hidden figure... even though his Mangekyo Sharingan was only ever revealed to Uchiha Itachi!
Uchiha genjutsu was world-renowned... from a simple glance to the grand Izanami... Kitahara's internal chakra and soul power instantly tensed, terrified of falling into a genjutsu and being controlled by Uchiha Fugaku...
"Itachi, where did you find this Ninja Crow..." Fugaku didn't deliberately observe Kitahara for too long, dropping the idea after just a few seconds.
Ninja Beasts came in many varieties. Perhaps this crow had coincidentally obtained such strange chakra, but... unless it possessed unique skills or secret techniques, it was meaningless. Unable to unleash its chakra or abilities, a Ninja Beast was ultimately just a Ninja Beast.
Perhaps this crow's only future use would be its body, which also looked quite sturdy!
The little boy stared at the red, tomoe-marked eyes of his father. Hearing the question, he snapped back to reality, quickly taking Kitahara from his shoulder and looking up, "Huh? He's a friend I just met today! Dad!"
Sensing the crow's feathers and body stiffen slightly in his arms, Itachi subconsciously stroked Kitahara's back.
Mikoto looked worriedly at her husband: "Is there something wrong with it?"
"No." Fugaku shook his head, smiling as he patted Itachi's head again: "It looks like an ordinary Ninja Crow, but its chakra amount and physical strength are quite formidable. Well done, Itachi, truly my son."
"..."
Although children need encouragement to grow, but... should you praise him just for getting lucky?
Kitahara was a bit baffled. What had Uchiha Itachi actually done? And after Uchiha Fugaku finished praising his son, why did Uchiha Mikoto also look pleased and want to pat her son?
Hey, hey, hey, you can't raise kids like this...
Fortunately, Uchiha Itachi had been mature and rational since childhood. Whether it was family pampering or reprimands, he wouldn't become arrogant or discouraged. Besides, it didn't seem like he had anything to be arrogant about right now...
The family of three, plus one crow, sat down at the dining table. Uchiha Mikoto prepared a plate of fruit and cooked food for Kitahara. Kitahara nodded to signal thanks.
"Ah, it's just like Itachi said, very smart..." Uchiha Mikoto chuckled softly, placing a small bowl of soup beside Kitahara.
Fugaku nodded in agreement: "Many Ninja Beasts possess human-like intelligence, but it's rare for a Ninja Crow to have such wisdom. Haha... after all, Itachi found it..."
...Kitahara buried his head and started eating.
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
"Crunch crunch..."
Uchiha Itachi tried to stop Kitahara: "Hey, hey, hey, you need to learn some manners..."
"Caw..."
"Itachi, you need to use more chakra to communicate with it..."
(End of this chapter)