After walking Uchiha Izumi home, Itachi turned to her and said, "Alright, that's it for tonight. Good night. I'll come find you again tomorrow."
"Mm." Izumi responded softly. Happy moments always felt too short. If only Itachi could be like this every day, how wonderful that would be.
"Get some good rest tonight. I'll head back now." Itachi waved.
"Good night," Izumi replied, reluctant to part.
"Good night," Itachi said as he turned to leave—when suddenly, Izumi's voice called out behind him.
"Wait!"
Itachi instinctively turned around.
To his surprise, Izumi rushed over and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back. "Itachi… if this is a dream, I never want to wake up."
Itachi froze for a moment, then smiled gently. "Don't worry, Izumi. This isn't a dream. I'll always be by your side."
"Really?"
"Really."
"You promise it's for life? You can't go back on it, okay?"
"Yes. I promise. If it's even a minute, a second, an hour less—it doesn't count," he said seriously.
"Okay." Izumi blushed and lowered her head.
"Good night, then. Get some rest." Itachi's tone was soft and warm.
"Mm. Good night." Izumi blushed deeper and reluctantly stepped away, glancing back every few steps as she walked toward her house.
Even after she closed the door, the two exchanged one last good night through it. Then Izumi went upstairs, turned on the light, and waved from her window. Only when Itachi saw her wave did he finally leave.
Once he was gone, Izumi threw herself onto the bed with her face buried in a pillow, her cheeks burning red.
Aaaahhh!!! That was way too bold just now!She couldn't believe Itachi didn't dodge it—this was pure happiness!
Thinking of the milk tea he gave her that evening, Izumi couldn't help but lick her lips, still savoring the faint vanilla and milk flavor. It was so sweet…
I can't believe my Itachi finally opened up today. This is perfect.
As she lay there, dazed and giddy, Izumi thought to herself:This was the happiest night of her life.
(In the official novel Itachi Shinden, Izumi ultimately dies under Itachi's Tsukuyomi during the Uchiha Clan Massacre, spending a lifetime with him in an illusion.But now everything is different. After all, this Itachi is "hacked"—his fate has changed, and Izumi no longer has to live out a false life in Tsukuyomi, nor does she have to be killed by Tobi like in the anime.)
Nara Clan District – Outside the Nara Household
Uchiha Fugaku stood patiently at the gate of Shikaku Nara's home.
"I'm really sorry, Captain Fugaku," said Nara Yoshino apologetically at the door. "Shikaku isn't home right now. He may be working late."
"No problem, I can wait," Fugaku said politely.
The Nara Clan had raised deer for generations in Konohagakure. The antlers were a precious medicinal material, and thanks to their expertise in medicine, the Nara Clan played a vital role in Konoha's medical system.
In short, if the Uchiha Clan wanted to rise again, they couldn't do it without the support of the Nara Clan—the top medicinal supplier.
"I really think you shouldn't wait any longer. Shikaku might not be back tonight. You should head home and get some rest," Yoshino said, trying to gently turn Fugaku away.
"I see. Then sorry to bother you. If Shikaku returns, please let him know that the Uchiha want to work with the Nara Clan. If you have sufficient medicinal supplies, the Uchiha will take them all. Also, starting tomorrow, the Konoha Police Force will begin recruitment. If the Nara have suitable candidates, we welcome them to join—with excellent benefits," Fugaku said.
"All of it?" Yoshino was a bit surprised, but she quickly recovered and offered a faint smile. "I'm sorry, but all of our medicinal supplies have already been contracted out to Konoha's Medical Division and the other major clans. There's really nothing left. I hope you understand. If the Uchiha need supplies, perhaps you can buy them through the Medical Division."
"As for joining the Police Force, Shikaku will have to decide once he returns. And whether or not our clan members are willing would depend on a vote. You know how democratic the Nara are—we value consensus," she added.
"Yoshino, what I mean is—going forward, all of your medicinal supplies, aside from what's reserved for the Medical Division, the Uchiha will purchase in full. I'm serious, not joking. Please tell Shikaku," Fugaku said firmly.
"All of it…?" Yoshino was stunned. Was the Uchiha proposing a long-term partnership?
"Take a look at this." Fugaku pulled out a Universal Capsule and tossed it to the ground. Poof! A puff of smoke, and a small villa materialized before Yoshino's eyes.
"This—" She was shocked.
"This is the Universal Capsule, a secret technique unique to the Uchiha. It's not your standard summoning technique or sealing scroll. Even a civilian can use it.
"I can promise you, if the Nara Clan works with us, you'll become the largest medicinal supplier in the entire shinobi world.
"With this capsule, you won't have to worry about transportation weight. You won't be limited to the Land of Fire anymore. Anyone could carry Nara medicine to the other great nations with ease.
"These capsules can prevent moisture damage, store ninja tools, and most importantly, their space is much larger than any traditional scroll—and far more convenient.
"So what do you think about our cooperation?" Fugaku said earnestly.
"This…" Yoshino was clearly tempted. But recalling Shikaku's warning, she clenched her jaw and turned him down. "I'm sorry, Clan Head Fugaku. Your offer is extremely tempting. But our orders are already booked up for the next three years…
"We value trust above all. The Nara Clan cannot break our contracts at will. But if we have excess supplies, we'll definitely consider working with the Uchiha."
"…I understand. Then I'll take my leave." Fugaku knew that after everything he'd said, her refusal made it clear—the Nara didn't want to get involved with the Uchiha. Even with huge profits on the table, they'd think long and hard, carefully weighing the risks.
After he left, Yoshino sighed and returned inside. She addressed Shikaku, who was seated in the living room.
"Shikaku, Fugaku was your classmate. Why didn't you see him?And our medicines are piling up in storage. Why not sell them to him?This could've been our clan's big break into the shinobi world!And think of all our younger clan members—joining the Konoha Police Force is a dream job. Government benefits, stable career!"
"Yoshino… it's not that I don't want to sell. It's that I can't." Shikaku let out a bitter smile. "Right now, the Uchiha Clan's position is awkward—they're on the verge of destruction.
"If we sell them strategic resources like medicine, and they stage a coup, we'd be labeled as aiding the enemy.
"Plus, the Konoha Police Force has always been dominated by the Uchiha. You could even call it their personal militia. What if this is just their way of tying us to their war chariot?
"Think about it—if we send people to the Police Force, what will the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the other advisors think?
"They'll assume we're strengthening our own influence by siding with the Uchiha.
"If the Uchiha do rebel, Danzo won't hesitate to retaliate. By then, forget our positions in the Medical Division—we might face total annihilation.
"I won't risk our entire clan over some old friendship or temporary gain. Unless the Uchiha reconcile with the Hokage faction, I won't even consider an alliance."
"…What a shame, though. That would've been a huge deal," Yoshino sighed.
"It's nothing to regret. If the Uchiha are wiped out, that Universal Capsule will still fall into the hands of the Hokage—or Danzo. By then, we can sell our medicine across the shinobi world just the same. As for the Police Force, it'll be restructured, and we'll still be able to send in our own people," Shikaku said calmly.
Treason is punishable by extermination. Betray the village, and the entire clan dies—Men executed, women enslaved, and all assets confiscated.
If the Uchiha perished, what was theirs would become everyone's.It wasn't worth it to chase short-term profits only to earn the enmity of the Hokage and Danzo.