In the stillness of the dense forest, the only sound was the faint rustling of footsteps.
By the campfire, the surviving Uchiha quietly gathered and sealed the bodies of their fallen comrades into scrolls.
After such a brutal battle, silence hung over the group like a heavy shroud.
Staring absentmindedly into the flickering flames, Itachi's eyes reflected the blaze—but his mind was somewhere far away.
Beside him, Artoria sat without a word. Her posture was upright, regal even, with hands folded neatly atop her lap.
"King... has anyone ever died for you?" Itachi's voice broke the silence—soft and uncertain.
When he carried Uchiha Hikaru back from the ambush site, he couldn't shake the feeling that everyone around him was watching.
Even though Artoria had insisted no one was looking his way, he couldn't escape the sensation that their eyes were on him... full of judgment... full of blame.
"Yes," Artoria answered calmly. "Many have."
"Were you... sad when they died?"
"I was," she replied, "but I don't stay sad forever."
Itachi wanted to ask why—but after a moment's thought, he kept silent.
He was not like Artoria. That much he already knew—he'd realized it back in the hollow during their conversation.
He was just one person. She was a king—a sovereign who carried the hopes of an entire nation.
Artoria's life held a meaning far beyond herself. She lived to protect her kingdom and its people. Even if it meant sacrificing her own life, even if it meant enduring unbearable pain, she would accept it without hesitation.
To her, the real tragedy wasn't death. It was failing to protect the country she loved.
She believed that dying for Britain was an honor.
That kind of unshakable conviction—an ideal beyond comprehension—was something Itachi couldn't relate to.
Even when she had declared herself a guardian of the Land of Fire, he hadn't been able to empathize with her sense of duty.
In fact, in this very moment... she probably believed this victory was something to celebrate.
With one-third the enemy's numbers, they had utterly destroyed an ambush force.
By all definitions, it was a complete success. The fallen had died honorably, giving their lives in defense of the Land of Fire.
But... was he supposed to feel the same?
Itachi lowered his eyes.
Uchiha Tera, their squad leader, was dead.
They had lost their commanding officer and several more Uchiha in the ambush. The cost was immense.
No wonder his father... had lost control.
Since arriving at the battlefield, Itachi had heard his father mention Uchiha Tera's name more than once.
Apparently, the two had grown up together. Tera had been one of his father's most trusted comrades—his right hand.
And now he was gone.
Rustle.
The soft sound of shoes shifting against dirt pulled Itachi from his daze. He looked up from the fire.
Beside him, Artoria had already vanished into the shadows.
"What's wrong? Still shaken from earlier?"
The harsh voice belonged to Uchiha Hikaru—the genin who'd been captured by the Iwa-nin. His face was sharp and menacing, with a cold, threatening look in his eyes.
But surprisingly, the enemy hadn't harmed him. Likely hoping to study the Sharingan further, they had only used a strong sedative to knock him out—no physical damage.
Once returned to camp, the medics revived him quickly.
"I... I'm fine," Itachi muttered, eyes dropping to the fire once more.
He avoided looking at Hikaru. Inside, he braced himself for blame—for accusations.
Would he call him out? Say it was his fault? Say that he hesitated? That he let him get captured?
"I heard you were the one who brought me back. Thanks."
Itachi blinked.
Despite his sinister features, Hikaru's voice was surprisingly soft. "I heard you're only five? And already on the battlefield. You survived... That's pretty damn impressive."
He's... thanking me?
Itachi had expected shouting, not gratitude.
Had the interrogation unit not learned that the Iwa-nin only managed to surround them because they took a half-day rest?
"Right, forgot to introduce myself," Hikaru said, smacking his forehead. "Uchiha Hikaru. I graduated as a genin just last year."
He grinned suddenly, and though his sharp features made the smile look a bit terrifying, Itachi still felt a strange warmth in it.
"Nice to meet you, senpai. I'm Uchiha Itachi," he replied politely. "But... the one who saved you was my father, not me."
"I know," Hikaru nodded. "But you carried me back, didn't you?"
Then he scratched his head awkwardly. "Honestly, I'm gonna get laughed at when I get back."
"Captured by the enemy... That's not something you see often in Uchiha history. It's a serious disgrace."
"If my old man hears about this, he'll probably drill me into the ground…"
He kept talking.
From the ambush, to his terrifying father, to daily life at the ninja academy.
Despite his intimidating face, Hikaru was unexpectedly chatty.
Itachi didn't say much. He only answered when prompted.
Questions like whether his own father was strict too... and whether he'd be joining the academy next year.
Truthfully, this was the longest conversation Itachi had ever had with someone outside his family.
It felt strange.
"That genin over there!"
A cold voice called out from across the camp, cutting their talk short. "Stop dawdling and pack up. We're moving out!"
"Coming!"
Hikaru waved in the direction of the voice and stood, brushing off his clothes. "By the way, I think your dad might be even scarier than mine."
"I heard Captain Tera was really close to him. Can't believe he died today... And your father? He doesn't look like he's changed at all."
"Already gathering the jōnin, making plans for retreat—like nothing happened."
Hearing that, Itachi paused.
He looked off toward the edge of camp where his father stood—temporarily acting as squad leader, issuing orders.
His father's face was as calm and expressionless as always, like a mask that never cracked.
But as his son, Itachi noticed what others might not.
There were changes—subtle, but there.
Sadness. Pain. Guilt. Regret. Rage?
He wasn't sure what the emotions were exactly, but they were there.
And that realization made something twist uncomfortably inside him.
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Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 200, 400 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!