Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 88: What Defines a Home, Where the Heart Finds Peace

The newly reconstructed Konoha was much larger than the original, thanks to the substantial allocation of resources and manpower.

While retaining some of the old Konoha's features, the new layout was more spacious and orderly.

The ninja cats of Cat's Village had claimed a portion of land for themselves, constructing their own district. The cost of the land was offset against their labor, ensuring no exploitation of their feline allies.

In contrast, the Uchiha district, with its traditional courtyard-style architecture, now felt somewhat like an enclosed village within a city. Yet, in terms of comfort, the courtyard homes were far superior to apartment-style living.

---

As Uchiha Kagami greeted various clanspeople on his way out of the district, he noticed two small figures by the lakeside.

"Itachi-kun, why don't you attend the ninja academy?"

A cute girl with long black hair and a beauty mark below her right eye leaned in, questioning a boy who was quietly eating a three-color dango.

Sensing something, Uchiha Itachi turned abruptly and saw Kagami.

Immediately, he bent into a ninety-degree bow.

"Greetings, Clan Leader!"

The girl, Uchiha Izumi, also turned and noticed Kagami. She patted Itachi's shoulder and laughed.

"It's just Kagami-nii. Why are you so nervous, Itachi-kun?"

Izumi's mother ran a breakfast shop where Kagami often dined. Having known him since she was a toddler, Izumi didn't see Kagami as a powerful clan leader. To her, he was still the same kind and approachable figure.

Thwap.

Kagami placed a hand on Izumi's head, spinning her hair into a tangled mess.

"What do you mean, 'just'? I'm very impressive, you know."

"Ah! I spent so long fixing my hair! You big idiot!"

Izumi struggled to free herself, kicking at Kagami's shins.

Letting go, Kagami smiled. "If you don't hurry, you'll be late for school. Want me to tell your mom?"

Izumi glared at him, hastily smoothing her hair. Waving at Itachi, she called, "I'm off to school, Itachi-kun. See you later!"

She stuck out her tongue at Kagami before darting away.

Meanwhile, Itachi remained in his bowing position, too nervous to rise.

Kagami's voice was calm. "Izumi isn't afraid of me. What are you afraid of, Itachi?"

---

"Because… we are sinners…"

Itachi's voice trembled as he spoke, his head hanging low.

Ever since he could remember, he hadn't been allowed to leave the Uchiha district.

Watching Izumi and other children his age go to school, he often wondered what it would feel like.

He couldn't understand why the other clanspeople seemed so happy and fulfilled, while his family felt so different—like caged birds.

Even worse, he feared his younger brother, Sasuke, would endure the same fate.

Lost in his thoughts, the Sharingan awakened in Itachi's tearful eyes.

Noticing this, Kagami's smile deepened.

"Did Fugaku tell you that?"

---

Itachi said nothing, but his silence was answer enough.

Kagami sat by the lakeside, gazing at the shimmering water.

"You know, Itachi, I truly love the Uchiha clan."

"A monster resides within me. One day, I found myself in this unfamiliar world."

"I was scared—scared of an uncertain future, scared of a predetermined destiny."

"I had no family before, and none when I first arrived here."

"But my grandmother took me in, and the clan treated me kindly. No one wanted to harm me."

"Because of that, I found the courage to face the monster inside me."

"To fight it, I had to embrace its power and change my destiny."

"Your father told you that your family are sinners, but he didn't explain your supposed crime, did he?"

"I know him well—that's just the kind of person he is."

"I'll tell you plainly: if not for me, the Uchiha clan would have been destroyed by you and your father."

Itachi's pupils shrank, his small body trembling violently.

Kagami's voice remained calm, but to Itachi, it sounded like thunder.

"That's why… I'll never forgive you. Never."

"I won't excuse your actions just because they haven't happened yet."

"I've hated you—hated you for ten years."

"Only when you and your father live out your lives in regret will my anger be satisfied."

---

Tears fell—drip, drip.

Itachi collapsed to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Thank you for making me understand, Kagami-sama…"

"I'll atone alongside my father… But please, I beg you… Don't let Sasuke live like this…"

"Please…"

Kagami stood, his expression softening slightly.

"I will take Sasuke as my apprentice. He will live a normal life, as will your mother, Mikoto."

---

"Thank you…"

"Thank you so much…"

Itachi's tears now carried a different meaning.

From despair to hope.

I don't need freedom as long as Sasuke can have it…

---

At the Hokage Tower, a large crowd had gathered outside the office—villagers and foreigners alike.

It resembled a doctor's waiting room, with everyone vying for attention.

Kagami bypassed the crowd and kicked open the office door.

The guards pretended not to notice, closing the door behind him.

A small-country noble, frustrated by the wait, stood up in protest.

"Who—"

Before he could finish, a blade rested coldly against his throat.

Turning cautiously, he was met with a pair of crimson Sharingan.

"You'd better shut up. Kagami-sama might ignore your rudeness, but I will kill you without hesitation."

Seeing the Uchiha emblem, the noble nearly wet himself. Or rather, he already had.

The Uchiha who held the blade grimaced in disgust, pulling the weapon back slightly.

"Someone drag this guy out. He reeks."

---

Inside the office, Minato Namikaze looked more exhausted than usual.

The responsibilities of governing countless districts within the Land of Fire weighed heavily on him.

But seeing Kagami, he set down his paperwork and smiled warmly.

"You're here."

Kagami sprawled on a sofa, glancing at the group standing before Minato's desk.

Grass ninja forehead protectors…

Among them was a red-haired woman with a slightly swollen belly.

"They're from Kusagakure," Minato explained. "Apparently, there's a powerful monster causing havoc in the Land of Grass. They're asking us to help eliminate it."

"But the village is stretched too thin. We simply can't spare the manpower."

"But Hokage-sama—"

Before the leader could finish, Kagami interrupted.

"You, red-haired woman. What's your name?"

Startled, she hesitated before responding.

"I… I'm Chisui."

The Kusagakure leader's eyes lit up. Bowing respectfully, he said, "This woman isn't just beautiful; she has a unique ability. A single bite can heal any wound!"

"If Konoha helps us, we'll offer her as tribute!"

Minato's expression darkened, his brow furrowing.

He hadn't paid much attention to the group earlier, but now, his gaze focused sharply on the woman.

Her hair was darker than Kushina's, but her aura… unmistakable.

Shing!

An invisible force sliced her sleeve, revealing arms covered in bite marks.

"So, Chisui, who's your husband? Is he dead?"

Chisui shook her head, trembling. "I… I don't know…"

"Don't know, huh?"

Kagami's lips curled into a smile. "Minato, mind if I make a mess in your office?"

"Not at all. I'll have it cleaned up afterward."

Minato's eyes turned icy, his murderous intent palpable.

---

Minato placed a reassuring hand in front of Chisui's face. A sound like chains breaking echoed.

"It's alright now. Don't be afraid."

"This is your home from now on."

End of Chapter

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