Reality

---

Both Fugaku and Mikoto froze at the sight of Itachi's expression, concern deepening on their faces.

" Itachi, what happened? Why are you—"

"Itachi, enough," Fugaku interrupted gently but firmly. His gaze softened as he looked between his wife and eldest son. "Mikoto, why don't you check on Sasuke? I'll speak with Itachi."

Mikoto hesitated, glancing between them. After a moment, she sighed, moving to the cradle where Sasuke continued to cry. She gently lifted him, murmuring soothing words as she rocked him.

"Come," Fugaku said, gesturing for Itachi to follow him into the courtyard.

Outside, the cool air sharpened the senses, and the soft chirping of birds filled the silence. Itachi stood before his father, his gaze lowered, guilt weighing heavily on him.

"I'm sorry..." Itachi's voice was barely a whisper, carrying years of pent-up emotion.

"Look at me," Fugaku commanded, his tone firm but not harsh.

Slowly, Itachi raised his head, his dark eyes clouded with confusion and regret.

"Are you going to explain what's going on?" Fugaku's gaze was steady, waiting.

"I... I can't," Itachi's voice cracked, a reflection of the struggle within him.

Fugaku studied Itachi closely before responding. "Very well. I won't push you for answers."

Without warning, Fugaku stepped forward. Slap!

The sound of Fugaku's hand connecting with Itachi's face echoed in the stillness. It wasn't a strike of anger but a shock intended to wake his son from the fog of guilt.

"Do you think this is how we handle things?" Fugaku asked, his arms crossed. "Do you intend to keep worrying your mother and brother like this?"

Itachi instinctively touched his cheek, the physical pain insignificant compared to the emotional storm inside.

"My son will not apologize without action!" Fugaku's voice grew sharper, his posture unyielding. "The Uchiha clan does not raise cowards. You are Itachi Uchiha, my son."

The guilt and sorrow consuming Itachi began to fade, replaced by something stronger.

"As a shinobi and as a man, you don't run from mistakes. You don't drown in regret," Fugaku continued, his words piercing through Itachi's haze. "You learn. You make sure they don't happen again."

Each word struck Itachi like a blade. His father was right—he had been so wrapped up in guilt that he had forgotten his purpose. This was his chance to change.

"You have the power to prevent the tragedies that haunt you," Fugaku said, his gaze softening. "Don't let history repeat itself."

Itachi took a deep breath, his father's words grounding him. The guilt still lingered, but now it was tempered by a newfound resolve.

"I understand now, Father," Itachi replied, his voice steadier. "I won't let it happen again. I'll protect the village, Sasuke, and... you and Mother. No matter what."

Fugaku nodded approvingly, his usual stern expression easing into a rare, small smile. "That's more like it."

Itachi looked up at the sky, feeling the weight of his new resolve settle over him. He had been given another chance, and this time, he wouldn't fail.

As determination took root, a surge of chakra stirred within him. His dark pupils trembled briefly before shifting into a vivid crimson.

Unaware of the transformation, Itachi raised his head to face his father. With newfound clarity, he said firmly, "Father, I was wrong. What I did was reckless, and it won't happen again."

Fugaku's sharp gaze caught the shift in his son's eyes. "Sharingan...?" he muttered, his expression betraying rare surprise.

Itachi's Sharingan, fully awakened at just five years old, was an extraordinary achievement. In the depths of his red eyes, a single black tomoe spun.

Itachi blinked, realizing the enhanced clarity of his vision. A small, proud smile tugged at his lips. The Sharingan—symbol of the Uchiha clan's power—had awakened. Though strength wasn't everything, Itachi knew he needed it to protect those he loved.

"As expected of my son!" Fugaku's voice rang with rare pride, a chuckle breaking the quiet tension. For a moment, the stoic head of the Uchiha clan became simply a father, overwhelmed with joy at his son's potential.

Itachi's heart warmed at his father's rare display of emotion. "Father..."

Hearing Fugaku's approval, Itachi's tense expression softened. His father's pride, always difficult to earn, now filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

A sudden wave of dizziness hit him, and Itachi instinctively deactivated his Sharingan. "Not enough chakra yet," he thought. He was still a child without formal chakra training, so it wasn't surprising that his reserves couldn't sustain the dojutsu.

Fugaku's laughter drew Mikoto from inside the house, carrying Sasuke in her arms. "What's going on, Fugaku?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. It was rare to see her husband so openly expressive.

Fugaku quickly composed himself, clearing his throat with an embarrassed cough. "Itachi has awakened his Sharingan," he said, pride evident in his tone.

Mikoto's eyes widened. "At five years old?" She glanced at Itachi, shock and pride in her gaze.

Itachi approached her, bowing respectfully. "Mother, I'm sorry for worrying you earlier. I acted foolishly."

Mikoto's gaze softened. "As long as you're all right, that's what matters. But... does it hurt?" She touched the faint red mark on Itachi's cheek.

"I'm fine," Itachi reassured her. Compared to the relief and clarity he now felt, the physical discomfort was trivial.

In Mikoto's arms, Sasuke cooed, his wide eyes fixed on Itachi. Itachi smiled softly, reaching out to gently touch his brother's cheek. "Did I scare you, Sasuke? I'm sorry. I won't act that way again."

The tension that had filled the house seemed to dissolve, replaced by a sense of familial warmth.

---

After some time, Fugaku left to attend to his duties as the head of the Uchiha clan and captain of the Konoha Military Police Force. Sasuke's birth had temporarily excused his absence, but pressing matters awaited him.

Shortly after Fugaku's departure, lunch arrived, brought by a member of the Uchiha clan. Itachi, mindful of Mikoto's recent recovery from childbirth, helped her feed Sasuke before the infant drifted to sleep.

As they ate, Mikoto glanced at her son with a proud smile. "It's truly amazing that you awakened the Sharingan so young, Itachi," she said warmly. "Your father was proud to see that power in you."

Itachi smiled softly, nodding. "I know, Mother. I'll make sure it's a power that protects you all."

Only he understood the full depth of what that meant. In his previous life, he had unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan and wielded the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror. Now, with his soul carrying a lifetime of experience, reawakening the Sharingan felt almost like destiny.

This reawakening also confirmed something crucial: this wasn't an illusion or genjutsu. It was real.

The realization filled him with profound relief. He had been given a second chance—a chance to prevent the tragedies before they happened.

"Itachi?" Mikoto's gentle voice broke through his thoughts. "You seem happy."

Itachi nodded, smiling a little wider. "I am, Mother. I'm just... grateful."

Mikoto's gaze warmed. "I'm glad to see you smiling again. I was so worried earlier..."

"You won't have to worry about me again," Itachi promised, his voice resolute.

Mikoto smiled, trust shining in her eyes. "I believe you."

The atmosphere lightened as they continued their meal, and the tension that had weighed on the household earlier was replaced with warmth and harmony.

After they finished eating, Itachi insisted on helping with the dishes, much to Mikoto's amusement.

"Please, Mother, you should rest," Itachi said, gathering the dishes. "Let me handle this."

Mikoto chuckled softly, watching her son with pride. "Thank you, Itachi."

As Itachi moved toward the kitchen with a contented smile, he felt an overwhelming sense of purpose. He had been given a second chance at life, and this time, he would not fail.

"I won't let those tragedies happen again."

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