get-shopping Chapter 163 Then what does all that I did count for!
Chapter 163 Then what does all that I did count for!
Chapter 163 Then what does all that I've done count for!
Fortunately, Sasuke didn't think too much about it and quickly started eating at Mikoto's urging.
Itachi then quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
His tense nerves eased slightly, and he lowered his head, his fingertips feeling a little cool.
He quickly realized that he had also entered this strange dream.
In a daze, Mikoto's voice pulled him back to reality: "Itachi, what are you daydreaming about! Time to eat."
With a hint of reproach in her gentle voice, the mother handed over a steaming hot bun.
Itachi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly reached out and took it: "Ah—yes."
He looked down at the steamed bun in his palm; it was white and soft, with a faint aroma of wheat.
He took a small bite, and the delicious broth and soft filling melted on his tongue, the warmth sliding down his throat into his stomach.
Itachi's pupils trembled slightly, and the long-lost feeling made his heart ache.
For so many years, he had almost forgotten the taste of home.
But now, everything feels so real, as if time has turned back.
It really is—the taste of my memories.
Itachi thought to himself, his emotions surging in his chest almost impossible to suppress.
In that instant, he almost doubted whether he was really dreaming—the sense of reality was too shocking, even the aroma and taste of the food were exactly the same as in his memory.
She quietly raised her eyes and gazed at Uchiha Mikoto sitting opposite her.
His mother looked a little older than he remembered, with a few more fine lines around her eyes, but her dignified and beautiful face remained gentle and lovely.
Mikoto noticed Itachi's gaze and turned to look at him: "What's wrong, Itachi?"
Meeting his mother's concerned gaze, Itachi's heart tightened, and he hurriedly turned his head away, saying, "N-nothing, Mother."
He turned his head away awkwardly, not daring to look Mikoto in the eye.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Itachi Uchiha have been detected! Emotional value +400!]
"Nii-san!" Sasuke's clear voice came from beside him. "Let's go train in the yard after breakfast!"
Itachi was taken aback by the words, a mouthful of bun still stuck in his throat: "Cough—training?"
He turned his head to the side.
Sasuke looked at him expectantly, his dark eyes shining with excitement—this expression was so familiar, yet so distant.
Itachi's heartstrings trembled violently.
Will he personally teach Sasuke his training?
Wasn't that personally teaching Sasuke how to kill him?
"No, Sasuke."
Before Itachi could answer, Mikoto chimed in with a light rebuke, "Your brother is on patrol at the police department today, so he won't have time to practice with you."
Don't bother him all the time.
With the unique strictness and doting of a mother.
"All right--"
Sasuke pouted upon hearing this, lowered his head in obvious disappointment, and silently picked up the porridge in his bowl, no longer bothering Itachi.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke have been detected! Emotional value +200!]
But a moment later, he muttered to himself, "Then I'll go practice with Naruto later—"
For a moment, the only sound on the dining table was the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
Itachi ate his meal silently, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his younger brother pouting, and a feeling of guilt and pity welled up in his heart.
If—this is just a hypothetical—he really could have a second chance. How he longs to stay by Sasuke's side like this, to be a good older brother his younger brother can rely on.
Even if it was just a false dream, Itachi suddenly felt a longing: how wonderful it would be if things could stay this peaceful forever. [Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Itachi have been detected! Emotional value +500!]
Meanwhile, outside the dream, several figures had already taken their seats in the audience.
Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Jiraiya were watching the events unfold in the dream through the large black screen.
"Sigh—" Naruto crossed his arms behind his head and complained, pouting, "I haven't been inside in ages! Sasuke's going to train all day again today, it's going to be so boring!"
He puffed out his cheeks, looking sullen.
It had been several days since he last participated in the dream.
Naruto then turned to Jiraiya, who was standing to the side looking relaxed, and said, "Hey, you perverted sage, I have a few questions for you."
"No! You didn't!" Jiraiya interrupted him before he could finish speaking.
Naruto was taken aback by the retort, then retorted with displeasure, "Perverted Sage! Why are you suddenly acting like this?" Jiraiya, unusually serious, cleared his throat. "Naruto, I'm afraid I'll be leaving Konoha for a while soon. During this time, if you have any questions, ask Kakashi. Don't you like Kakashi as your teacher the most?"
"Huh?" Kakashi looked completely innocent, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. "Lord Jiraiya, what you're saying is a bit... Huh?!" Naruto was equally bewildered, utterly confused. "What are you talking about, you perverted sage?"
Having said that, he suddenly realized the meaning behind Jiraiya's words and jumped up from his seat. "Wait, wait! Perverted Sage, you're leaving again?!"
Jiraiya nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the screen, his expression unusually serious: "Yes, I need to go out and investigate some things."
"I see—" Upon hearing this, Naruto's previously fiery emotions cooled down instantly.
He slumped back into his chair, his hands hanging limply. "The lecherous immortal is leaving the village again—strange, this time I feel a bit off."
[Ding! Naruto's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +500!]
on the screen.
Itachi and Sasuke had already finished breakfast.
"Knock knock".
There was a knock on the door.
Itachi walked to the entrance and opened the door a crack.
A young man with familiar-looking long hair stood outside the door.
Itachi blinked, momentarily frozen in place—Uchiha Inahi?!
He remembered this person.
In her memory, Uchiha Inahashi was a rigid and suspicious person. She had joined the Anbu under her father's orders and had been monitoring her every move. She was always wary of her and never gave her a kind look.
However, the rice fire standing at the door is quite different right now:
As soon as Daohu saw Itachi open the door, he immediately bowed respectfully and said earnestly, "Young Master! Are you ready? It's time to go on patrol."
His eyes even held a deep sense of reverence and admiration.
"..——.Huh?" Itachi's mind raced through this sudden shock, and he momentarily forgot to respond.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Itachi Uchiha have been detected! Emotional value +500!]
Why does Daohuo treat herself in this way?
It's important to know that in reality, this clansman always suspected that he had betrayed the Uchiha clan and was a traitor to his own people.
Every time she saw him, she would frown and scrutinize him, trying to find some flaw in him.
Seeing that Itachi Uchiha hadn't answered for a long time, Inahisa raised her head slightly, looking somewhat puzzled: "Young Master, aren't you ready yet?"
"Itachi, it's time to go." A gentle female voice came to his rescue.
Mother Mikoto walked over with a smile, holding a neatly folded uniform vest in her hands. "It's Inahi. Itachi just finished breakfast and is about to set off."
Itachi quickly took the vest and whispered to Mikoto, "Thank you, Mother."
His fingertips touched the familiar texture, and when he looked down, he saw that it was the uniform of the police force—a green vest.
It turns out that in this dream, he was still in his tribe, shouldering the responsibilities of the police force.
Just then, a flurry of footsteps approached from afar: "Nii-san! Wait for me!"
Sasuke hurried over, already dressed in a dark coat, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement. "I'll go on patrol with you!"
Upon hearing this, Itachi instinctively looked at his younger brother's longing eyes.
Deep down, he didn't know how the "self" in his dream would answer.
But there's one thing Itachi is very clear about -
No matter what, he didn't want to reveal any flaws to Sasuke and let his younger brother discover anything unusual.
After a brief silence, Itachi slowly nodded: "—Alright, let's do it together."
If the Itachi in his dream bore any resemblance to him, then he would certainly not refuse Sasuke.
Upon receiving the reply, Sasuke excitedly pumped his fist: "Great!"
The boy was so happy he almost jumped for joy. He turned around and rushed back into the house. "I'll go tell Mom. It'll be ready soon!"
Before long, Sasuke, equipped with his gear, trotted back and reappeared in front of the two.
Inahime didn't seem surprised at all. She just watched with a smile the whole time, neither stopping him nor showing any displeasure, as if it was only natural for Sasuke to patrol with her.
Itachi slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
And so, Itachi Uchiha and Inaho Uchiha, along with the enthusiastic Sasuke, embarked on their morning patrol of Konoha Village.
Since it was still early, there were few pedestrians on the streets, and the whole village appeared quiet and peaceful.
The soft morning light shone on the familiar street scene. Itachi paused slightly, looked around, and couldn't help but show a slightly dazed expression.
The layout of the surrounding buildings and the direction of the roads are exactly as I remember the old Uchiha clan territory!
Even the tall, ancient tree on the street is still standing in the same spot.
Itachi was shocked: their Uchiha clan was still living in the old house in the center of the village?
What kind of world could possibly spare the Uchiha clan from being ostracized?
As Itachi walked, he pondered, countless questions flashing through his mind.
But he couldn't ask any more questions right now, so he had to suppress his shock.
Fortunately, Inagi was with him, so it didn't matter that Itachi didn't know the patrol route; he just needed to follow the two of them to avoid being exposed.
Along the way, Sasuke kept pestering Itachi for tips on using various Sharingan genjutsu.
Itachi composed himself and patiently answered each of the questions.
Without realizing it, he was speaking familiar terms and insights, and the scene gave him a strange feeling of returning to the past.
As the three patrolled the streets, time slowly passed, and Konoha Village gradually became lively.
Shops along the street gradually opened, and more pedestrians began to appear, filling the streets and alleys with the vitality of the morning.
When patrolling near the Hokage Building, the shops are most concentrated there, and the crowds are the largest.
As Itachi and his group walked down the street, shopkeepers and villagers along the way stopped to greet them warmly.
"Thank you for your hard work, sir! Lord Inahikasa! Young Master Sasuke!"
"Thank you all for your hard work on patrol today!"
—His voice was full of respect and gratitude.
Many people bowed to them, showing them great friendliness.
"Good morning, everyone. Patrolling is our duty." Daohuo smiled and waved, responding to each greeting cheerfully, his demeanor practiced and friendly.
This scene, when witnessed by Itachi, only elicited his utter shock and disbelief.
He held his breath silently, slowing his pace by half a beat.
In my memory, when the clansmen managed the police affairs, there was always an invisible wall between them and the ordinary villagers.
Misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, alienation—those cold stares and whispered gossips were the "daily life" he was familiar with.
But now, the villagers in front of him showed no fear or hostility whatsoever, but were instead filled with gratitude and respect. Itachi felt his heart race, as if even breathing had become difficult.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Itachi Uchiha have been detected! Emotional value +500!]
Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, a frail yet delighted voice suddenly came from not far away: "Oh my—Lord Inahime! Lord Itachi! You've come on patrol!"
The weasel looked in the direction of the sound and saw an elderly woman with gray hair get up and walk out from a vegetable stall on the side of the street. She was all smiles and was carrying a cloth bag as she walked briskly toward them.
"Oh no—" Upon seeing her mother-in-law, Daohuo's previously calm expression immediately turned somewhat flustered.
He quickly waved his hand, "Grandma, you really don't need to do this every time! The clan chief will be angry if he finds out!"
"What nonsense is this young man talking about!" The old woman waved her hand dismissively. "Why is he so angry? This is something I'm giving to you willingly! If he dares to object, I'll have Chief Fugaku come find me!"
As she spoke, she walked up to him and shoved the cloth bag in her hand into Dao Huo's arms.
Dao Huo quickly declined, raising both hands above her head, not daring to accept: "No, no, Grandma, really, there's no need—"
His face was flushed, and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. "We're just doing our job, you don't need to be so polite."
Seeing that the rice harvest wasn't going to be completed, the old woman simply chuckled and hung the cloth bag around his neck, her attitude resolute: "During the last Chunin Exams, thanks to the children of your police department protecting the village, we old folks were spared. The Hokage himself said so! Everyone is very grateful to you! Now you patrol and protect everyone every day from dawn till dusk; this is just a little snack I made myself, nothing much!"
After saying that, as if afraid that Daohuo would refuse again, she turned around and quickly walked away, leaning on her cane.
Dao Huo, with a bundle hanging around his neck, froze on the spot, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses.
His face flushed crimson, as if blood could drip from it, and he murmured, "This...this is truly embarrassing—."
Sasuke, watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle and finally burst out laughing.
Seeing that the Uchiha's work was so well-received by the villagers,
Sasuke was also very happy and couldn't help but joke, "Haha, Inahikasa-san, you're quite popular!"
"Cough cough!" Daohu coughed awkwardly for a while, then took off the bag from his neck and carefully put it away.
Inahisa shook her head and sighed, "Young Master Sasuke, please don't make fun of me! If the clan leader finds out, I'll get a scolding again..."
Although Daohuo's tone was full of sighs, he couldn't hide the smugness on his face, and the corners of his mouth were turned up in a wide smile.
"Your father won't blame you."
Dao Huo blushed upon hearing this, and said with a forced smile, "It's just a small matter within my duties, I didn't expect these residents to be so agitated! Sigh! This makes me so embarrassed!"
As he spoke, he tilted his head back, clearly very pleased with himself.
Itachi listened to their back-and-forth banter but didn't respond.
He simply stood there quietly, watching everything unfold, as if he were in a completely unfamiliar world.
The smiling faces of the neighbors around him flickered before his eyes, and every word he heard was so clear, yet he suddenly felt dizzy and almost couldn't stand up.
The police department's protection of the village earned the Hokage's praise and the villagers' gratitude.
Each word was like a heavy hammer, striking his heart fiercely.
Itachi's breathing became more and more rapid, his mind churning with complex emotions.
Shock, confusion, doubt, guilt
Countless thoughts tangled and tore at him, almost overwhelming him.
"This can't be true—it can't be true—"
The sight of the Uchiha clan living in harmony with Konoha and enjoying widespread recognition was a cruel shock to Itachi, causing a sudden, suffocating pain in his chest.
If the Uchiha clan could achieve such an ending.
Then what did all that he did amount to?
Itachi's pupils contracted sharply, as if the world had lost its balance at that moment.
He tried to steady himself, but his legs felt weak as if all the strength had been drained from them.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Itachi Uchiha have been detected! Emotional value +5000!]
"thump."
Uchiha Itachi could no longer maintain his composure, and he collapsed to his knees!
His pupils were unfocused and his face was deathly pale.
"Nisan!"
Sasuke was stunned for a moment, then cried out in surprise and rushed forward to support Itachi's shoulder, "What's wrong?!"
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke have been detected! Emotional value +500!]
"Young Master! Please hold on!" Daohuo's face changed drastically with anxiety. He squatted down, supporting Itachi's back with one hand and grabbing his arm with the other, afraid that he would fall down.