Chapter 60: On the Way Back to Konoha, Teasing Itachi

Fugaku left.

He had no intention of recruiting Uchiha Jin; he simply outlined the clan's arrangements, then handed him a grand reward package to awaken the Mangekyo, before waving his sleeves and departing.

Leaving not a single cloud behind!

Uchiha Jin stood there, utterly bewildered.

Indeed.

He had imagined countless scenarios of meeting Fugaku, yet never this one.

Fugaku, the clan head, had not tried to recruit him.

This made him, a Mangekyo wielder, feel utterly lacking in prestige!

But, never mind.

Overall, it could be considered a good thing.

As for what to do today, he would just take it one step at a time.

In the past, with few ties to the Uchiha, he might have stood by during the Uchiha Massacre, but his bond with Uchiha Shisui had torn open a crack in his cold heart.

This time, Fugaku had not spoken much.

Yet, after such a massive gift package, how could he truly owe no gratitude?

Was he not a person of loyalty and righteousness?

A drop of water in kindness, repaid with a gushing spring.

This was something his ancestors had taught him in his past life.

"Never mind, overthinking is useless!"

"We'll deal with the specifics when the time comes."

"Anyway, Nara Kazama's plan will still put the Uchiha to great use."

"Just as Kazama said, defecting would solve everything for me, but what about my descendants?"

"I spent my whole past life as a bachelor; does this life mean I must remain a single dog too?"

"I must at least consider my children, right?"

"Even after traveling through time for so long, I cannot change the mindset of my past life."

"Continuing the family line is carved into my bones."

"However, Fugaku has done me a huge favor; with the status of an Uchiha elder, I can truly lie flat in the village."

"Even the Hokage and Danzo won't be able to order me around!"

"No matter what I choose in the future, I can enjoy a peaceful life before the Uchiha Massacre occurs."

"Everything else is negotiable."

"It's just that I really don't want to take on this broken job of Chief of the Police Force!"

"But, it doesn't matter."

"I'll just rot when the time comes; I didn't learn any other skills in my past life, but I mastered slacking off, shifting blame, and bureaucratic infighting in the company."

"Hmm, no problem!"

"..."

Uchiha Jin murmured.

After resolving all the issues, his mood naturally began to improve.

As for the mess between the Uchiha and the Konoha elders, he no longer even bothered to think about it, adopting a stance of total rot.

Anyway, there was Uchiha Shisui.

Even if Uchiha Shisui couldn't handle it, Kazama could offer ideas.

Let them do the hard work; he would just be the mastermind behind the scenes, comfortably slacking off and rotting.

Hmm, satisfying!

Two days later.

Although the Sarutobi and Shimura factions were fierce in internal strife, they still possessed talent in diplomacy.

After brief negotiations, a unified agreement was reached.

The war ended.

One week later, the Hidden Mist sent a team to the Hidden Leaf to sign the ceasefire agreement and declared their side in the Third Great Ninja War had joined the Hidden Leaf.

Subsequently.

A portion of ninja remained at the front lines, while the main force followed the negotiation team back to the Hidden Leaf Village.

Uchiha Jin.

He was still with the squad, chatting casually with Uchiha Shisui and others as they relaxedly headed toward Konoha.

Indeed.

Compared to heading to the battlefield, the mood upon returning to Konoha was naturally relaxed.

However.

The only thing that surprised Uchiha Jin was that he spotted a figure in his squad he had not expected.

Uchiha Itachi!

He was only four years old now, just a little shota.

His chubby little face made one want to pinch it.

In fact, he did.

Hmm, very comfortable!

After pinching him, he wanted to pinch him again.

He had to admit that young Uchiha Itachi still looked quite cute.

What a pity.

He just grew up crooked; it's all Fugaku's fault!

A four-year-old brat—why send him to the battlefield?

Pulling up seedlings to help them grow is no good habit!

This was proven in his past life: before a child's mind is fully developed and their temperament completely stabilized, it is best not to let them touch many things.

Just like in his past life.

Whose four-year-old child doesn't watch cartoons or play with toys all day?

Who would dare let their child read The Art of Black and White or Das Kapital at four years old?

Isn't that just plain crazy?

But, never mind.

It wasn't his own child, so he was too lazy to meddle further.

Anyway, while Itachi is still young, he should pinch him a bit more; he won't get the chance later.

Uchiha Itachi: "..."

His small face turned pitch black.

His entire face was filled with displeasure; he didn't even bother thinking about the meaning of life or why they had to fight.

Yes.

He was very displeased.

Originally, upon learning that a Mangekyo Sharingan had awakened within the clan, hailed as the ultimate power of the Uchiha, he had felt nothing but awe toward Uchiha Jin.

· ········· Requesting fresh flowers ······ ······

That was why he had asked his father to come and personally observe the clan's powerful figures.

Especially after learning that this Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyo was also a teammate of Uchiha Shisui-niisan, his excitement only grew.

But, he never expected this.

Where there was once awe and excitement, there is now nothing but disgust and revulsion.

It's so annoying.

I am an Uchiha! Even though I am young, I am still a genius, Itachi know?

Pinching my face like this is so embarrassing!

Clearly.

Uchiha Itachi's fantasies about powerful figures have long since been shattered into pieces.

"Stop pinching my face!" Uchiha Itachi said, his small face serious: "I have grown up; I am a ninja!"

Uchiha Jin wore a broad smile.

Hearing this, he did not stop; instead, he pinched Itachi's small face once more.

... ... 0

"Itachi are clearly just a brat; why pretend to be a serious adult?"

"Call me big brother, and I'll make Itachi a toy when we get back."

"How about that?"

Indeed.

He still acted as if he were just teasing a child.

After all, he is just a brat.

He had no intention at all of treating Itachi as an equal.

Uchiha Itachi felt a severe headache.

With no other choice, he could only look toward Uchiha Shisui.

"Uchiha Shisui-niisan, help me!"

However, regarding this.

Uchiha Shisui merely shrugged, and regarding Itachi's plea for help, he could only pretend not to see it.

He, too, felt helpless.

He had already advised him many times just now, but it had absolutely no effect!

Uchiha Itachi: "..."

A black line of frustration appeared on his face.

After trying every possible method with no success, he helplessly gave up and let things be.

Forget it.

Let it be whatever it wants.

Facing the completely resigned Uchiha Itachi, after some time, Uchiha Jin also found it boring.

Thus, they continued laughing and joking all the way.

Finally.

On the fifth day, everyone saw the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village once again.

At this moment.

Everyone let out a long sigh of relief.

Regardless of which ninja clan they came from, or even if they were commoners, upon seeing the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village, everyone naturally relaxed.

This is the feeling of a collective, also known as home.

Indeed, let alone them.

Even Uchiha Jin, upon seeing the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village again, still felt a sense of peace of mind.

"We are back!"

Uchiha Jin spoke softly.