Chapter 3 : Mama's boy

In the grand hall, Yana and Takashi watched as Erika led Itachi to his room. Yana glanced at Takashi, her voice tinged with irritation. "You don't seem impressed, Takashi."

Takashi crossed his arms, his expression hard. "What did he say his quirk was again? Seeing everything in slow motion... Is that it?"

Yana's eyes narrowed, defensive. "And predicting movements, which is a very powerful quirk, Takashi."

Takashi shook his head, dismissive. "He's not going to be a great hero, Yana."

Yana's anger flared, her voice rising. "What are you saying, Takashi? Itachi has a quirk. He will become a hero. I believe in him."

Takashi sighed, frustration evident. "Okay, let's say he becomes a hero. What's he going to do? Dodge attacks all day? What about offense? How will he handle someone with a strong physical quirk?"

Yana fell silent, the weight of Takashi's words hitting her. She didn't know how to respond.

Takashi took her silence as validation. "Exactly. Even if he trains his body, he'll never stand a chance against someone with superior strength. If he had inherited my quirk, maybe he could've become a renowned hero. But instead, he got something else... a weak, useless quirk. He's practically quirkless."

Yana's face flushed with anger. "Takashi, mind your words—"

Before she could finish, her eyes widened in shock. Standing at the base of the stairs, quietly watching, was Itachi. His face was expressionless, but his eyes—his eyes told a different story. Beside him, Erika gripped his hand tightly, her face pale.

"Itachi..." Yana whispered, her heart breaking as she realized he had heard everything.

Takashi turned, his eyes meeting his son's narrow, sad gaze. He sighed, trying to compose himself. "I told you to stay in your room, Itachi."

Itachi's eyes were filled with sorrow and hurt, yet his voice remained calm. "I was hungry... so we were heading to the kitchen." His voice was quiet but firm. "But I heard everything."

Yana's heart shattered at the sight of her son, his small body carrying the weight of emotions far too heavy for him. "Itachi, I—"

He nodded slightly, acknowledging her words, but said nothing more. With measured steps, he descended the stairs and headed straight for the kitchen, Erika following behind silently.

In the kitchen, Itachi quietly took some food and turned back toward his room. As he passed his mother, Yana's eyes filled with shock as she noticed his quirk had activated, two tomoe spinning slowly in his eyes.

"Itachi... your eyes..." she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Itachi looked at her, his face still emotionless, yet his eyes carried the weight of sadness that no child should bear. "Thank you, mother," he said softly before turning and walking back to his room, leaving Yana standing there, frozen, her heart torn between guilt and sorrow.

As Itachi entered his room, the air felt heavier. The door clicked softly behind him as Erika stood near the cradle, hesitant. She looked at Itachi, her heart aching for the young boy who had endured too much for his age.

"Itachi..." she began, but he raised a small hand, his gaze still calm but distant.

"Erika," he said softly, "Could you leave me for a moment?"

Surprised by the maturity in his voice, she hesitated but nodded. "Of course, young master." She offered him a gentle smile, though her eyes shimmered with worry. After one last glance, she quietly exited, leaving Itachi alone with his thoughts.

The silence in the room seemed to echo. Itachi stood by the window, gazing out at the moonlit sky, a soft breeze brushing through the curtains. His small hands clenched into fists by his sides as he thought back to his father's harsh words, the weight of them settling like a stone in his chest.

"Practically quirkless..." The words repeated in his mind, their sharpness cutting deeper than any blade.

He was just a child in this new world, but he was no stranger to pain. The scars of his past life still lingered, haunting him in ways he couldn't yet explain. Here, in this life, he had been given a new beginning, but those who should have believed in him—the ones meant to love him unconditionally—had already cast doubt on his future.

Why does power always have to define worth? he wondered. In my previous life, it was the same. Power, strength, control... It always led to suffering.

Itachi's eyes, now heavy with the weight of old and new sorrows, filled with a single tear. It rolled down his cheek silently, leaving a cool trail against his skin. He quickly wiped it away, annoyed at the vulnerability it betrayed. He wasn't just mourning his father's words—he was mourning the expectations this world seemed to place on him, even as a child.

In this world, too, strength is everything. And yet… what does it really mean to be strong?

He glanced down at his small hands. They seemed so fragile, so powerless. But inside him, he knew there was more—there was resolve. In his old life, he had fought to protect what he loved, sacrificing everything. Could he find a way to do that again, even here, even now?

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"Itachi?" Yana's voice came through gently, hesitating at the threshold. Without waiting for his response, she entered slowly, her face lined with concern. She saw him by the window, his back to her, and immediately sensed the gravity of the moment.

Yana moved closer, sitting down on the bed beside him, her presence tender and quiet. She reached out and touched his small hand, which lay limply by his side. "Itachi... I'm so sorry you heard all of that." Her voice trembled slightly. "Your father... he doesn't understand."

Itachi remained silent, his gaze still focused on the night sky, but Yana noticed his other hand gripping the windowsill tightly. She continued, her heart heavy. "You're so young, but you already carry so much. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone, least of all your father. You're special, Itachi. Not because of your quirk, but because of who you are."

He turned to her slowly, his dark eyes meeting hers, and Yana's breath caught when she saw the depth of sadness in them. He looked at her with a wisdom that didn't belong to a child, and yet he still seemed so lost.

"I don't want to disappoint you," Itachi whispered, his voice barely audible, but it carried the weight of his turmoil.

Yana felt her chest tighten, tears welling in her eyes. She gathered him into her arms, holding him tightly, as if to shield him from the harshness of the world outside. "You could never disappoint me, Itachi. Never."

As she held him close, Itachi closed his eyes, allowing himself this brief moment of comfort. The warmth of his mother's embrace reminded him that, despite the pain, there was still love in this world. And perhaps, that was enough.

She pulled back slightly, her eyes soft but concerned, and spoke quietly, "Itachi… I saw your eyes earlier. The two tomoe… What happened?"

Itachi stilled for a moment. He had been expecting this, but it didn't make the moment any easier. He knew she deserved the truth, but how could he explain something so complex, so deeply rooted in who he was—a child now, yes, but with the soul of a man who had seen and endured far too much?

Taking a deep breath, he looked up at her, his dark eyes, no longer adorned with the tomoe, reflecting both innocence and the wisdom of his previous life. "I... I don't know, Mother. I just felt something inside when I heard Father's words. It... made me feel strange." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "It wasn't like before, but it was there, just for a moment."

Yana's brows furrowed slightly, her gaze searching his face for more. She wanted to press, to understand, but she could see the turmoil in him. The weight of the world already rested on his small shoulders, and she didn't want to burden him further. She nodded slowly, as if weighing his words, her heart torn between concern and trust.

"I see," she finally said, her voice gentle. "Perhaps... it's something that will happen as you grow. Your quirk may evolve differently than we expect." She smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Just know, Itachi, whatever it is, I will always be proud of you."

Itachi felt a pang of guilt. He had given her just enough of the truth to satisfy her for now, but deep inside, he knew his Sharingan—his tomoe—was something far more than just a quirk. It was a remnant of the world he came from, a world of blood, sacrifice, and endless battle. Yet, in this moment, he wasn't ready to share that part of himself.

Instead, he gave her a small, reassuring nod, forcing a smile to his lips. "Thank you, Mother."

Yana sighed softly, her expression softening as she placed a gentle hand on his head, smoothing down his dark hair. "You should sleep now, my little one. You've had a long day." Her voice was soothing, the kind that could easily lull a child to sleep.

But Itachi didn't move. His mind was still restless, swirling with thoughts and unresolved emotions. Yana noticed his hesitation and, with a tender smile, gestured for him to lie down. "Come here," she said softly, patting her lap.

Itachi's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected her to offer such comfort—such warmth—but something inside him, something long buried, craved it. Without another word, he shifted closer and gently rested his head on her lap.

Yana gently stroked Itachi's hair, her fingers gliding through the soft strands as his head rested on her lap. The warmth of her touch seemed to calm him, and the quiet of the night wrapped around them like a protective blanket. She looked down at him, her heart swelling with pride and affection, yet curiosity tugged at her thoughts.

"Itachi," she began softly, breaking the silence, "what kind of hero do you want to be?"

Itachi's eyes opened slowly, thoughtful and calm. He had already considered this question many times in his mind. He didn't need to think long. "I don't want to be a hero for money or fame," he said quietly, his voice carrying a maturity far beyond his years. "I like peace. So... I want to be a hero for peace."

Yana paused, letting his words sink in. Her chest swelled with pride, yet a quiet awe followed. At his age, most children spoke of wanting to be like their favorite heroes, inspired by grand battles and glory. But her son—her Itachi—was different. There was a calmness, a depth to him that was hard to put into words. She felt it every time she looked into his eyes, and now, hearing these words, she knew it even more.

She smiled softly, her voice tender. "A hero for peace... that's a beautiful answer, Itachi." She gently patted his head, her fingers brushing his temple. "Is that like All Might? He's the symbol of peace, after all."

Itachi's small body shifted slightly, and he turned his head just enough to look up at her, his dark eyes serious, reflecting a wisdom no four-year-old should have. "No, not like All Might."

Yana blinked in surprise. "But you know he's the one people look to for peace, don't you? He's loved by so many because he's their beacon of hope." She spoke gently, trying to understand what her son meant.

Itachi nodded, his expression calm yet firm. "I know, Mother. All Might is a great hero... but I don't want to be him."

Yana's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by his response. "Then who do you want to be?" she asked, her voice soft but curious.

"I want to be Itachi Yaoyorozu, not All Might." His voice was resolute, steady, yet somehow filled with a quiet longing. There was no envy in his tone, no desire to follow in someone else's footsteps. It was clear he had already forged his own path, even at such a young age.

Yana's heart swelled. For a moment, she couldn't speak, the depth of his words washing over her. She understood now. He didn't just want to be a hero in the shadow of another; he wanted to carve his own identity, his own path to peace, and his own way of being a hero.

With a soft chuckle, she gently cupped his cheek, her eyes shining with admiration. "Are you really just four years old, Itachi?" she asked, her voice teasing but filled with warmth.

Itachi gave a small smile, that same knowing smile that often made her wonder just how much he really understood about the world. "Yeah," he replied simply, as if it were the most natural thing.

Yana exhaled a quiet laugh, her heart filled with both awe and pride. She gently kissed his forehead, lingering for a moment as she cradled his face. "You're going to be amazing, Itachi. Not because of a quirk, or because of what others think, but because of who you are. My dear will become a strong and handsome hero.!"

Itachi's smile softened, and though he didn't speak, the peace that settled in his chest was evident in the way he closed his eyes, resting again on his mother's lap. Her words, her touch, her unwavering belief in him—those were the things that mattered most.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room as Itachi slowly stirred from sleep. His dark eyes fluttered open, taking in the familiar surroundings. The warmth of his mother's presence from last night had already faded, and he immediately noticed she wasn't there. Sitting up slowly, he looked around the empty room, a sense of quietness settling in his chest.

She must have left early, he thought, his expression calm but with a faint hint of longing. The comforting touch of her hand on his head from the night before lingered in his memory. He sighed softly, allowing the peaceful moment to fade as he began to ready himself for the day ahead.

A gentle knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Come in," he called out, his voice steady and composed.

The door creaked open, revealing Erika, her ever-kind smile lighting up the room as she entered, holding a steaming cup of coffee on a small tray. "Good morning, young master," she greeted, her tone warm and familiar.

Itachi smiled faintly, appreciating her kindness. "Good morning, Erika," he replied softly. His small hands reached for the cup, and as he took a sip, the rich, warm flavor of the coffee touched his senses, the slight bitterness balanced by just the right amount of sweetness. It wasn't often that he indulged in these little comforts, but today, it felt like a small ritual grounding him before the day began.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Erika asked, her voice gentle but curious, watching him with concern.

Itachi set the cup down, his smile remaining as calm as always. "I'm fine, Erika. Thank you." There was tranquility in his words, though the sharpness in his gaze hinted that his thoughts were already elsewhere, planning, thinking ahead.

Erika nodded, relieved by his response. "That's good to hear," she said, her eyes briefly glancing over him as if to ensure there were no hidden worries. Then she added with a soft chuckle, "You should get freshened up. Breakfast is ready, and it's not good to start your day on an empty stomach."

Itachi nodded, grateful for her attention to detail. "I'll be down shortly," he said, standing up from his bed, his small form moving with a grace and maturity far beyond his years. He glanced toward the door as Erika excused herself, leaving him alone once again.

Itachi descended the stairs with quiet steps, the faint clinking of dishes and the murmur of voices guiding him toward the dining hall. As he entered, the atmosphere shifted immediately. His mother, Yana, sat at the head of the table, her face lighting up the moment she saw him. She greeted him with a warm smile, her love always a source of comfort for him.

"Good morning, Itachi," Yana said softly, her voice gentle and welcoming.

Itachi nodded respectfully, his voice calm as he replied, "Good morning, Mother."

He didn't look at his father, Takashi, who sat opposite Yana, his posture stiff and rigid, eyes already narrowing as Itachi walked past him without a word. The tension that had simmered beneath the surface for some time now felt more tangible than ever in the room. The air grew heavy, pressing down on all of them like an invisible weight.

Takashi's eyes darkened, his displeasure clear as he watched his son sit at the table, calm and unaffected by the cold tension between them. Finally, he broke the silence, his tone sharp with irritation. "It seems my son has forgotten his manners. You greet your mother but not your father?"

Itachi paused for a moment, his face expressionless. "Good morning," he said simply, before turning his attention to his food. The weight of Takashi's disapproval hung in the air, thick and suffocating, but Itachi remained composed.

Yana, sensing the growing tension, quickly stepped in, her voice warm yet slightly forced in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Itachi, you'll be attending kindergarten from tomorrow," she said, smiling softly. "It's a well-known school, where you can make friends. Isn't that exciting?"

Itachi looked up from his plate, offering his mother a polite smile. "Whatever you wish, Mother."

Yana returned his smile, a hint of pride in her eyes. "I know you already know how to read and write, which is quite impressive for your age. But schooling is compulsory, and it'll be good for you."

"I understand," Itachi replied with a nod, his tone respectful yet distant.

Takashi remained silent throughout the exchange, his displeasure simmering beneath the surface. Without a word, he stood up abruptly, pushing his chair back. "I'll take my leave," he said to Yana before walking out of the room, his footsteps heavy as he disappeared through the door.

Itachi watched his father leave, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he turned to his mother. "Mother, I want to ask a favor."

Yana, always attuned to her son, looked at him with a gentle smile. "Anything, Itachi. What is it?"

"I want to work on my physical strength," Itachi said calmly, his dark eyes meeting hers with a quiet determination.

Yana's smile faltered slightly. "But, dear… you're only four years old. I don't think it's the right age to start serious physical training."

Itachi didn't argue, simply nodding in understanding. "I see."

Yana, sensing his resolve, thought for a moment before offering a compromise. "If you want, you can start some light exercises at home for a year. Then, when you're ready, I'll enroll you in a dojo where you can learn different fighting styles. Does that sound fair?"

Itachi nodded, his respect for his mother clear in his calm acceptance. "Thank you, Mother."

Yana smiled softly, her heart warmed by her son's maturity. "You're welcome, my dear."

As they resumed their meal, Yana glanced at him again, her curiosity piqued. "Itachi… I've heard from Erika that you've been reading rather complicated books lately. Philosophy, history… those are heavy subjects for someone your age."

Itachi sighed lightly, glancing over to Erika, who was standing by the door, sweating nervously. She quickly turned away, pretending to whistle, clearly uncomfortable under his gaze.

Yana chuckled at the exchange, her tone light. "You know you shouldn't spend all your time in one room, right?" she teased gently, looking back at her son with a smile.

Itachi nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Yes, Mother."

Yana continued, her voice soft but firm. "And you really should reduce your coffee intake. It's not good for you."

Itachi raised an eyebrow, his expression almost playful. "That's your fault. You gave me a sip once, and now I'm addicted."

Yana sighed, shaking her head with a mock look of regret. "That's the one thing I truly regret," she said with a chuckle.

Itachi smiled, the warmth between them a stark contrast to the cold atmosphere that had filled the room earlier. He stood up from the table, bowing slightly. "I'll take my leave now, Mother."

Yana nodded, her eyes soft with affection. "Of course, dear. Take care."

Itachi sat down at his desk, his young hands neatly aligning the blank paper in front of him. He had a focused look on his face as he began mapping out his timetable, Erika standing nearby with a curious gaze. She leaned over slightly, her voice soft. "What are you doing, Itachi?"

Without looking up, he responded, "From tomorrow, I'll start working on my body." His thoughts wandered for a moment, reflecting on the power of his two-tomoe Sharingan. I need to work on controlling it… but still, without chakra, it might have some side effects. I need to test and monitor that closely.

He took his pen, writing down the details with precision. After a moment, he turned to Erika, who was still watching him. "Do you know the school timings for the nursery?"

Erika thought for a moment, then nodded. "Around 9 AM to 4 PM."

Itachi nodded and resumed his planning. After a few more minutes, he looked over his completed schedule, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Done," he murmured to himself, setting the pen down.

Erika, still standing beside him, glanced at the timetable with a raised eyebrow. "Itachi, isn't this a bit… intense?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "5 AM exercise until 7:30, then study from 6 to 7, and quirk training from 10? You're only four, after all…"

Itachi glanced at her, his face calm and thoughtful. "I don't think so." he replied, his tone quiet yet certain and he thought, "I've done far tougher exercises in my previous life "At first, it might be challenging, but I know my body. It feels… familiar. Now that I've regained my Sharingan, I feel like I can handle this."

Erika watched him, still concerned but knowing the determination in his eyes. She sighed softly. "If you say so, but if you ever need help, I'll be here. Don't push yourself too hard."

Itachi gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I know, Erika. But please, don't tell my mother about this."

Erika blinked, surprised. "Why not? She gave you permission to train, didn't she?"

He nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his young face. "She did… but if she sees this timetable, she'll reduce the time for me. She worries too much."

Erika sighed, her concern still evident, but she understood. "Alright," she said with a smile. "I won't say anything. Just… take care of yourself."

Itachi smiled back, appreciating her understanding.

Itachi woke up at exactly 4:55 AM, the room still bathed in early morning darkness. He glanced at the time and whispered to himself, "Okay." Just then, a soft knock came at his door. "Come in," he called out.

Erika opened the door with a smile. "I came to wake you up, but you're already awake," she said, holding a cup of coffee. "I brought this for you."

Itachi returned her smile, nodding. "Thank you, Erika." He took the cup, savoring the warmth of the drink as it flowed through him, a small comfort before the physical challenge ahead. After a moment, he set the cup down and said, "Shall we move to the backyard?"

Erika nodded, and they both made their way outside. The yard was vast, about 300 square meters, the early morning air cool against Itachi's skin. He began with running, his small legs propelling him across the yard in steady strides. But after just five laps, he could feel it—the burn of fatigue deep in his muscles, his breath coming in heavy gasps. I really have low stamina, he thought, frustrated. He slowed to a stop, sweat pouring down his face, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

Erika hurried over with a towel and a bottle of water, her expression one of quiet concern. "Here, clean yourself up," she said softly.

Itachi nodded, taking the towel to wipe the sweat from his face before gratefully accepting the water. "Thank you," he said between breaths.

Erika smiled, but her eyes lingered on him, her thoughts swirling with questions.

Despite his exhaustion, Itachi wasn't finished. He moved on to push-ups, his body trembling with effort as he completed twenty, his arms shaking by the end. He collapsed momentarily, catching his breath once more. It's good that I'm starting this early, he thought, pushing himself to keep going. After a short break, he transitioned into sit-ups, managing thirty before moving on to crunches, completing another thirty repetitions.

From a distance, Erika watched him with wide eyes, unable to believe what she was witnessing. He's only four years old, she marveled silently. And without a strength-enhancing quirk... How is he managing this?

She had so many questions. Could his ocular quirk, be enhancing his physical capabilities too? She recalled the moment she first saw his eyes, noticing how they now had two tomoe instead of one. Is that part of his strength?

By 7 AM, Itachi was drenched in sweat from his morning workout. Erika approached him with a towel and a bottle of water, concern in her voice as she said, "That's enough for now, Itachi. I think you should get ready for school."

Itachi nodded, accepting the towel and wiping his face. His body ached, but he felt satisfied. He made his way to his room, freshened up, and put on his school uniform—a crisp white shirt, a neatly tied tie, and shorts. Looking at himself in the mirror, he sweatdropped and muttered, "This looks so weird."

Erika, standing beside him, chuckled softly. "It looks good on you, Itachi."

He turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, really. Trust me, you pull it off. Some kids look awful in school uniforms, but not you."

Itachi sighed, the corner of his lips twitching into a small smile. Konohagakure's school uniforms were way better, he thought.

He made his way to the dining hall and found his mother and father already seated. Yana's eyes lit up as she saw him. "Ahh, my baby looks so cute!" she cooed.

Itachi sweatdropped again, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Thank you, Mother," he replied, taking a seat at the table.

Yana smiled warmly. "Get something to eat. You'll need your energy for your first day of school."

Itachi began eating, the food comforting him after the intense workout. "Are you excited for your first day?" Yana asked, her voice filled with encouragement.

"Not really," Itachi replied honestly, shrugging slightly.

Yana sighed, a playful pout on her lips. "You should be. You'll make new friends today."

Itachi gave her a small nod, not wanting to disappoint her. "Okay."

At that moment, Takashi, who had been sitting silently, stood up. His tone was as cold as ever as he spoke. "Just focus on your studies. I don't want the Yaoyorozu name being tarnished." Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the room.

Itachi said nothing, continuing to eat in silence. Yana clenched her fists in frustration, muttering, "I want to hit that man over the head sometimes…"

Itachi glanced at her, a gentle smile on his lips. "It's okay, Mother. As long as you and Erika believe in me, that's more than enough."

Yana's frustration melted as she looked at her son, her heart swelling with pride. "You and Erika sure are close," she remarked with a soft smile.

Itachi chuckled, a rare warmth in his eyes. "You could say that."

Finishing his meal, Itachi stood up and said, "I'll be going now, Mother."

Yana quickly stood up as well. "Wait, Itachi!" she called, stopping him in his tracks. He turned to face her, curiosity in his eyes.

Yana walked over and pulled him into a gentle hug, kissing his forehead tenderly. "Make some friends today, okay?" she whispered.

Itachi looked up at her, a soft smile on his face. "I will."

And with that, he turned and left, his heart feeling just a little bit lighter as he walked toward his first day of school.