Chapter 73: In the End, Just a Child

When those words were spoken, Shisui's mouth twitched, Hui's gaze flickered, and the two exchanged a look, both utterly shocked.

"Will you accept? You'll find out soon," Hui blurted out before Shisui could speak.

Itachi's expression froze; after glancing at Hui, he said nothing further, merely following quietly.

A moment later, the three arrived at the alley entrance; it was still morning, and many clan members were out working, while a few small shops at the alley were open for business.

Someone noticed Shisui and Itachi, and from a short distance bowed repeatedly in greeting.

Shisui smiled and responded one by one, then led Itachi forward to knock on a house door.

After a few breaths, the main door opened a sliver, and an elderly woman, squinting, stuck her head out and inspected Shisui's face.

"Who are you?"

Itachi stood behind Shisui, curiously observing; he could clearly sense that the other was merely an ordinary person with no threat at all.

"Good morning, sorry to disturb you. I am Shisui Uchiha, and this is Itachi Uchiha. I apologize that recent events in our clan have affected you; these are some gifts—though few, they represent my sincerity, and I hope you will accept them."

Shisui's voice was gentle; after the brief introduction, he placed the supplies at the doorway and then stepped back a step.

"Shisui?"

The elderly woman was startled, and after a moment she recovered, her eyes widening, she hurriedly opened the door, repeating with some excitement, "Are you Lord Shisui?"

Her expression was agitated, as if she could hardly believe it; she did not know Shisui's appearance, yet his name had long been etched in their hearts.

"Yes, I am Shisui Uchiha."

Shisui's tone remained gentle; his movements were light, fearing to hurt the elderly woman.

"So, indeed, Lord Shisui, please come in and sit; I'll go fetch water for you."

Receiving the affirmative reply, she ignored the gifts and immediately, warmly invited Shisui inside.

Shisui did not refuse, being very compliant; one purpose of this trip was to let Itachi understand the everyday lives of ordinary clan members.

Itachi lifted the items and followed closely; Hui left a duplicate to guard the cart and also entered.

After the three entered, they discovered the house was not lacking any facilities: a washing machine, a microwave, even a television.

But almost all appliances were coated with a layer of dust, as if they hadn't been used for a long time; the table legs were still piled with some yellowed, rotten vegetable leaves.

"Sorry, that's all we have at home."

The elderly woman brought cool plain water for them, then rummaged from the cupboard and produced some long-stored odds and ends.

"It's okay."

Shisui gestured to decline, but a creak sounded; a wooden door to a room opened slowly, and everyone saw a little girl quietly stick out her head, curiously eyeing the group.

"Grandma, who are they?"

"Sorry, this is my granddaughter, Zhi Mei."

The elderly woman stood, brought the girl before the three, and said, "Zhi Mei, this is Lord Shisui, they are—"

She paused mid-sentence, then looked at the two.

"This one is Itachi, son of clan head Fugaku, and this one is Brother Hui."

Upon hearing that Itachi was the clan head's son, the elderly woman's expression faltered, her smile becoming strained, yet she still instructed Zhi Mei, "This is Lord Itachi, this is Lord Hui; they are both ninja elders of the clan, quickly greet them."

Zhi Mei was only three years old, yet she was not shy at all; after hearing her grandmother's instruction, she crisply said, "Lord Shisui?"

Tilting her head after the greeting, Zhi Mei held her fingers and unintentionally fixed her gaze on the table.

Shisui smiled, reached out to pat the little girl's head, then handed over the odds and ends on the table.

"Eat up."

Shisui said softly, but Zhi Mei looked at her grandmother, waiting for her nod before she began to eat.

"Where are Mom and Dad?"

The usually quiet Itachi, for some unknown reason, suddenly asked.

Shisui and Hui's expressions changed at the remark; the family's details were all in the register, which they had already perused before coming, so they asked no more, though they had forgotten Itachi.

"They have gone to a faraway place."

Perhaps out of concern for Zhi Mei, the elderly woman, though in a bad mood, still replied softly.

"Sorry." Itachi, already well acquainted with death, understood the meaning, and trying to make amends he added, "I heard from my father that the third‑generation elders will issue relief on time, and the clan will provide compensation; if you need it, I can help you." "Itachi!"

Shisui quickly interjected, then rose and bowed to the elderly woman, apologizing, "Sorry, we will resolve the clan's matters as soon as possible. These items are merely our goodwill; if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me. I'm very sorry."

"No, you need not apologize; this has nothing to do with Lord Shisui. Without your help during this time, we would have struggled to get through."

The elderly woman's voice was a bit hoarse with emotion; Zhi Mei looked up, saw tears, and timidly embraced the elderly woman.

"Thank you, truly, it's wonderful that you could come."

The elderly woman gently stroked Zhi Mei's hair, controlling her emotions as she expressed gratitude.

Shisui bowed again, then led the two away.

After bidding farewell to the elderly woman, the three felt heavy‑hearted; without speaking or resting, they went to the next house. Then they visited more than a dozen houses in succession, and until the cart's cargo was delivered, they kept turning back, trip after trip.

Even when noon arrived, they only hastily ate a little, then repeated this pattern until evening.

The more they interacted with these people, the more silent the three became; Shisui, in his heart, felt grateful for Sima Yi's gaze while growing more regretful of his past neglect.

Hui spent most of his time quietly following, his gaze often fixed on Itachi, observing his every move.

Meanwhile, Itachi remained silent the entire day.

Among the people they met today were solitary elders, severely injured and disabled middle‑aged ninja, and a ten‑year‑old boy who was alone caring for his younger brother and sister. "It's really wonderful that you could come."

"We truly appreciate you, Lord Shisui."

"I don't know what to say anymore, thank you so much!"

He recalled the reactions of those people before they left, flashing through his mind.

Contrary to his expectations, each person was delighted and excited by Shisui's arrival, some even shedding tears; the ten‑year‑old boy even awakened his Copy Wheel Eye because of it.

"Why did you stop me before? Did I say something wrong?" Itachi didn't hide his curiosity; under the streetlamp, on the path where the three were returning, he finally asked.

Shisui looked at Itachi, he knew the other acted out of goodwill, so he didn't blame him, merely explained: "That little girl's parents were not ninja, and they died on the night of the Nine‑Tails, so there is no compensation."

"Not ninja?" Itachi's expression changed; his first reaction to the middle‑aged man's death was the battlefield, i. e., ninja.

"Hmm, ordinary people like this are the majority in the clan; do you think they differ from the ordinary villagers outside?"

Itachi slowly shook his head. If it had been before today, he would have labeled every Uchiha clan member except Shisui with a generic tag: arrogant, rude, narrow‑minded.

But after today he realized that even those born into the Uchiha, ordinary clan members' lives still revolve around firewood, rice, oil, salt, and daily trivialities.

He can't say he likes or dislikes them, but there is undeniably a huge rift between them and the ninja world he knows.

Besides that, he also discovered one thing.

"Brother Shisui, do they really dislike me?"

Including that old lady, it seemed everyone's expression changed after learning his identity; although they remained respectful, it was not the heartfelt gratitude they showed toward Shisui.

Shisui's expression froze at the words, then he stepped forward and patted Itachi's shoulder; he couldn't answer the question directly.

"They don't dislike you; it's just because of your father—our clan head—who led everyone into trouble."

Shisui stayed silent, and Hui spoke for him.

To his surprise, Itachi seemed to have already guessed; he lowered his head and said softly, "So it is indeed like that?"

"Itachi, no need to worry. I promised you I would set everything right; I have already taken the first step, and please trust me for what comes next."

Shisui stroked Itachi's short hair; with his back to the setting sun, his gentle smile fell on Itachi's youthful cheek like the first winter sun.

Itachi stared blankly at Shisui's smile and slowly nodded.

"Hmm~"

Three steps away, Hui pulled the cart, pursed his lips and walked off, recalling Sima Yi's instructions.

"Watch Itachi's every move; if today's matter can't sway him, then we'll have to consider eliminating him."

"He's just a little brat, why so serious? He made me nervous all day."

He glanced back at the two glaring people, Hui sighed, pushed the cart ahead, and shouted, "Hurry back, I'm starving!"

(End of chapter)