Chapter 713

Looking at the familiar figure before him, Uchiha Itachi felt a pang of sorrow, held back his tears, and replied with a smile.

"That's good!"

Uchiha Mikoto breathed a sigh of relief, then took Uchiha Itachi's hand and continued:

"Then hurry up and wash your hands for dinner; we're all waiting for you. I specially made many things you like to eat today, even three-color dango and natto are here!"

"... Yes, yes, alright!"

Being pulled along, Uchiha Itachi was a bit unaccustomed to it at first.

But feeling the warmth coming from her palm, a smile appeared on his face once again.

Perhaps even he himself didn't know that this was the first time in so many years since he defected from the village that he had shown so many smiles, not just from shock.

At night, Uchiha Itachi sat quietly on the edge of his bed, staring out the window in a daze.

The summer wind blew gently, like a mischievous child playing with his hair.

But he didn't seem to notice and just sat there quietly.

Perhaps later, perhaps he was tired of sitting.

Then he stood up and jumped out of the window.

Although his movements were very careful, they still attracted the attention of some people.

After a slight pause, two figures also jumped out of the window just like him and followed him from a distance...

Uchiha Itachi walked aimlessly down the street.

At this time, the streets of Konoha were still brightly lit.

Many people who weren't returning home for the night were walking arm-in-arm, looking for their next destination to continue the revelry.

And Uchiha Itachi seemed somewhat out of place among these people.

Unknowingly, he walked to the vicinity of the Fourth Hokage's home.

At this time, the Fourth's home was still brightly lit, and Kushina's loud roar even reached his ears through the window.

And Uzumaki Naruto was kneeling on the floor before her, looking unconvinced but could only listen quietly to his mother's lecture.

Watching this scene, a smile appeared on Uchiha Itachi's face once again without him realizing it.

About ten minutes later, he sighed, then slowly turned around.

"Sorry for the spectacle. That brat Naruto went out to play today and got covered in mud. When he came back, he was afraid of his mother's scolding, so he actually gave his clothes to Hinata, wanting her to help him wash them!

If his mother hadn't discovered his clothes were different, that brat might have really gotten away with it today!"

Just then, a gentle voice reached Uchiha Itachi's ears.

Uchiha Itachi looked up and discovered that at some point, the Fourth Hokage had actually stood behind him.

"But Hinata is really something too; it's been so many times, she always helps that brat clean up his mess, but every time, Naruto messes it up!"

The Fourth Hokage continued to smile and tell him funny stories about Naruto as if he hadn't seen Uchiha Itachi's strangeness.

"Kids, you know! It's normal for them to be playful!"

Perhaps influenced by the Fourth Hokage's smile, Uchiha Itachi felt that his mood seemed to have improved quite a bit!

"Yeah, it's normal for kids to be playful. I hope he can stay like this in this life, without having to shoulder too much, and just stay this playful!!"

Minato nodded with a smile, then changed the subject and said again:

"What about you? Running out so late, it can't be because you're 'playful' and came to watch that brat Naruto make a fool of himself, right!"

"... Naturally not!"

Uchiha Itachi was stunned for a moment, then shook his head gently.

"Then can you tell me? Maybe I can help you! Even if I can't help you, it's better than you keeping your worries buried in your heart alone!"

"......"

Uchiha Itachi opened his mouth, but as someone who was used to hiding everything in his heart, he didn't know where to start for a moment.

"Let's go, accompany me for a couple of drinks! I think it's been a long time since either of us had a drink!"

Minato wasn't in a hurry; he walked over, put his arm around Uchiha Itachi's shoulder, and walked out!