Chapter 24: Itachi

Over a thousand people gathered there with great commotion, impossible to conceal.

"Why didn't you stop them? Why didn't you disperse them?"

Toneyi Xiaochun was displeased, her expression extremely ugly, and Toneyi Xianghui behind her likewise wore a face of indignation.

The Anbu ninja who had come to report wore a troubled expression.

Stop them? Disperse them? Those responsible for such things were originally Uchiha people, but now they were the ones leading the charge—who would stop them? Who would disperse them? The Uchiha clan compound was located on Muye Cun's outskirts, and once they mobilized, they could gather several hundred people at Muye Cun's main gate in no time.

The surrounding villagers who didn't understand what was happening naturally came over to investigate when they saw such a scene.

And within Muye Cun, the families of those civilian ninja in the army had received word early on. With the help of certain people, the news spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, and soon a large number of villagers gathered at Muye Cun's main gate.

The news that the army was approaching Muye Cun had long been known to everyone.

With things suddenly blowing up to this scale, how would they dare to intervene? How could they even stop it? After her scolding, Toneyi Xiaochun's anger actually subsided, and she likewise glanced at the departing Grand Elder, deep in thought.

"Public sentiment cannot be defied. Since that's the case, let them be. Send people to watch them closely—don't let them disrupt Muye Cun's order!"

"Yes!"

After speaking, Toneyi Xiaochun also led her people away. Among the group, Toneyi Xianghui quietly turned back to look—Hui Uchiha was right in the midst of the crowd, looking at her with a provocative expression.

"Hmph~"

Evil Uchiha!

Evil Toneyi! Successfully disgusting the other side, Hui's mood was thoroughly delighted.

"Everyone, we can finally go home!"

Shisui shouted loudly, venting the dissatisfaction in his heart.

"Go home!"

"Go home!"

The crowd responded in loud voices, their shouts shaking the heavens. Muye Cun villagers several li away all turned to look this way.

"There's movement—they're coming back!"

"Wuwuwu, my child~"

"Papa, Papa, I'm here~"

The villagers' calls echoed through Muye Cun in the evening. Many of them hadn't yet seen the others' figures, but they still called out impatiently.

A moment later, Shisui finally led everyone to Muye Cun's main gate. They were emotionally stirred yet incomparably restrained.

Passing through Muye Cun's main gate, every ninja couldn't help but shed tears of emotion.

They had returned. They had survived from that kind of battlefield, successfully protected Muye Cun, protected their families, and come back alive.

The cold wind howled, yet it couldn't shake the fire in everyone's hearts.

"Katō, here, here!"

"Son, here, come quick!"

"Papa, Papa~"

Laughter and sobs intertwined here.

Their children, their parents were all here—whether in the army or in the crowd.

"Hui!"

Hui watched all of this with a serious expression, his gaze sweeping across one face after another in the crowd. Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded. He turned to look and saw an incredibly familiar person standing there, wearing the same expression as his—incomparably serious.

"Dad? What are you doing here?"

"What kind of silly question is that? Everyone came—how could I possibly not come!"

Hui certainly knew. He had even anticipated it, but the words naturally changed by the time they reached his lips.

"Tch~"

"Not bad. Looks like you haven't made me lose face!"

Hui's father, Kazumasa Uchiha, stood with arms crossed over his chest, his gaze gradually shifting, no longer so stern.

"Of course. I'm Hui Uchiha!"

Figures crossed paths, joyous voices unceasing—the day wandering sons return home, scattering into Muye Cun.

Family by family, household by household, they left the ranks with joy and returned to Muye Cun.

Shisui stood in a corner, watching all of this with a gentle expression. "Brother Shisui!"

A young, familiar voice echoed in his ears. Shisui turned to look in bewilderment.

"Itachi?"

A person squeezed out from the crowd—he looked about five or six years old, his little face flushed red from the cold. His movements were exceedingly careful as he protectively cradled the infant in his arms, running toward Shisui.

"Huh? Don't tell me that's Sasuke? Why did you bring him along too?"

Compared to the surprise of seeing Itachi, Shisui was even more shocked by Sasuke's appearance.

"Papa and Mama, along with the clan, have things to attend to, so they asked me to look after my little brother. It's fine—Sasuke is very well-behaved."

A trace of doting affection appeared on Itachi's face. It was hard to imagine this was a six-year-old child.

Shisui's eye twitched, unsure of what to say. "The clan leader really is…"

"Sasuke, look—it's Brother Shisui~"

Itachi held Sasuke and brought him in front of Shisui. How could Sasuke recognize any Shisui? Seeing a strange large face constantly approaching, the infant who had been giggling immediately burst into tears.

"Eh?"

Shisui jumped in alarm, widened his eyes, and subconsciously glanced around, then frantically tried to coax the baby.

Seeing this, Itachi immediately took Sasuke back and coaxed him softly. Miraculously, the moment Sasuke was back in Itachi's arms, he quieted down.

"I didn't expect there'd be something Brother Shisui isn't good at~"

Nobody's generally good at this kind of thing!

Watching Itachi's relaxed manner, Shisui thought helplessly with a dark expression.

"There are too many people here. Let's head back to the clan grounds first; I still have to meet with Lord Hokage in a bit."

He glanced at Sima Yi in the crowd but did not go over to greet him, instead leaving together with Itachi.

"Uncle Yi, come to our place for dinner tonight! Dad said he's already prepared the food and drinks and is just waiting for us!"

After exchanging a few words with Uchiba Ichisei, Hui brought up Sima Yi; the other party was briefly startled, then immediately extended an invitation.

"That works too. It's been a while since this old man has seen Ichisei."

Sima Yi did not refuse. Shisui was not in a convenient position to contact him right now, and since he did not know the address of this identity within the Uchiha, having Hui's help would make it easier for him to learn the details.

Uchiha Ichisei had already squeezed out of the crowd and was waiting outside. Seeing the two come out, a smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Brother Yi, you're finally back. Honestly, at your age, still running off to the battlefield."

"Hahaha, don't let this appearance fool you — I can still wield a blade."

Sima Yi responded, laughing heartily like any ordinary old man.

"Hahaha, as expected of Brother Yi! I've already prepared the food and drinks. Tonight, we won't stop until we're drunk!"

"Good — won't stop until we're drunk!"

Having been here so many days, he hadn't really drunk this world's alcohol yet and didn't know what it tasted like. Now that he had some rare free time, he might as well try it.

As night fell, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the Konoha gate once again became sparse with figures, yet the various homes and courtyards grew lively.

"If Brother Yi hadn't stood in front of me back then, I would have long since been laid to rest with those comrades of mine. How could I have this leisure today?"

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.

Uchiha Ichisei could not help but bring up old memories.

Sima Yi smiled, looking at the nearly transparent sake in his hand with considerable surprise.

He had tasted quite a few liquors in his time, but he had rarely seen any this clear.

Sipping gently, the liquor was slightly pungent, yet the aftertaste was endless.

"What happened back then is in the past. Let's not bring it up anymore. Come, let's have two more cups!"

Sima Yi took the initiative to raise his cup, and Ichisei, not to be outdone, raised his to drink together — quite exhilarating.

Hui, following along, drained his cup in one go. His whole body felt pleasantly warm, his expression relaxed, and he couldn't help but exclaim: "Yaha~ No mistake about it, this flavor is definitely from the sake brewery. So nostalgic!"

"You brat, drink less. That stuff is expensive~"

"Ehehe~"

(End of this chapter)