Chapter 57. Big Brother... You've Worked Hard!

Chapter 57. Big Brother... You've Worked Hard!

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Today was Itachi's birthday.

And somehow, things turned out like this.

Yuto patted the head of today's main character—Itachi—who seemed to have been somewhat forgotten amidst all the commotion.

What was originally meant to be a simple family gathering for the young clan heir had turned into something much larger, with unexpected guests. Even the orphanage director and Konoha's jinchuriki had shown up.

By now, it was likely that several ANBU were lurking outside, keeping a close watch on the jinchuriki.

But wasn't this supposed to be Itachi's birthday?

What's going on now?

The clan leaders of various families had gathered around a single table. Among them were the perpetually stoic Uchiha clan leader and the stiff-faced Hyuga clan leader, both sitting with arms crossed, their expressions devoid of emotion as they exuded an air of authority.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

On the other hand, the women's side was a completely different story. The moment Kushina entered, she enthusiastically dragged the others over to play mahjong.

Could it be… she got bored outside and came here just to find someone to play with?

Judging by her serious expression, it might even be the Nine-Tails playing on her behalf.

And the Nine-Tails is terrible at it!

Mikoto had gone from initial confusion to curiosity, and now she was fully engaged, laughing as she played.

Yuto's eyelid twitched as he glanced at Itachi, who was happily nibbling away like a chubby hamster. Despite maintaining a level of quiet elegance due to clan etiquette, it was clear from his profile that he'd gained a little weight.

With an inward sigh, Yuto thought, 'Itachi, if your mom gets too into mahjong and forgets to cook for you, come find your uncle.'

This uncle will make sure you're fed well until you're all plump.

Meanwhile, at the mahjong table, Suzune had also been dragged over by Kushina. However, she looked a little nervous, carefully selecting her tiles, perhaps having guessed that it was Nine-Tails playing. Facing a tailed beast would make anyone anxious.

Nono, on the other hand, maintained her usual gentle smile. She seemed calm, though her luck wasn't great—Mikoto had already taken advantage of her several times.

The game's outcome became increasingly clear. After losing a few rounds, Kushina was scratching her head in frustration, likely cursing the Nine-Tails in her mind.

This beast's skills are terrible, but its competitive spirit is huge.

No doubt, the Nine-Tails was still as arrogant as ever, deluding itself into thinking it was letting others win out of pity. Just like back in the day—if not for the "shameless" God of the Ninja World, who surrounded it with 999 hands and ganged up on it, it would have won easily!

After one round, Suzune and Nono looked relieved, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

The big winner? Mikoto, who was laughing cheerfully.

Uh oh.

She's discovered the joy of winning.

Yuto shook his head and turned back to Itachi, who was obliviously enjoying his food.

Eat more, eat more. You might have to survive on takeout from now on.

Shisui sat quietly off to the side, ostensibly reading a "book." Yuto smiled approvingly.

Shisui had arrived earlier, politely greeting all the elders before taking a seat. He sat upright, his gaze fixed forward.

But after a short while, he began to fidget, eventually pulling out a "book" to read in secret.

It seems he's become addicted.

It turns out that children who love learning are likable.

Watching Shisui and Itachi's "growth" filled Yuto with pride as their uncle.

The future of the Uchiha clan… was bright.

But when he turned to look at the clan leaders' table again, his smile froze.

Still sitting there with their arms crossed?

Can't they just eat something?

Even the surrounding clan members were eating cautiously, influenced by the leaders' stern expressions.

As for the Chief Elder… Legendary!

Though his prideful demeanor was a bit much for the eyes, wasn't it time to be honest? At his age, what was the harm in letting go of a little dignity?

Yuto sighed softly and turned back to watch the ongoing mahjong match.

At this moment…

Kushina's gaze had changed—this time, it seemed to be her playing for real!

Actually, thinking about it, if the Nine-Tails had been a bit more impressive, Kushina could have been the protagonist.

Imagine: in the era of the Sage of Six Paths, the God of Mahjong, Nine-Tails, was sealed away. Unexpectedly, a thousand years later, it was awakened by a young girl. Driven by its lifelong pursuit of achieving the ultimate "God Draw," the Nine-Tails began teaching the girl how to play mahjong!

Oh my goodness!

Jiraiya-sensei, here's a new story idea for you!

Just as Yuto smiled wryly at his own thoughts, he heard a low, aged, yet elegant voice from the side.

"Uchiha boy!"

"???" Yuto froze and looked up, seeing Hyuga Hana. After a moment of silence, he glanced at the Chief Elder sitting nearby with a serious expression.

What's going on?

Why aren't you two elders quietly enjoying the food and mending Uchiha-Hyuga relations? Why come to me, the rich man here just to "look after" children?

"..."

Don't ask, kid. The water here runs too deep; you can't grasp it.

The Chief Elder cast a calm glance at Yuto and said nothing more.

At that moment, the elegantly dressed Hana, in her white kimono, turned her gaze toward Suzune's direction and spoke lightly, "They're all fine young women."

"???"

Before Yuto could process what she meant, Hana continued in a calm tone, "Yakushi Nono, a talented medical ninja. Hyuga Suzune…" She paused. "The Hyuga clan's daughters aren't easy to marry off, especially not to an Uchiha..."

She gave Yuto a faint look, ignoring his polite smile, then turned gracefully to leave.

"I'll be going now."

Her words lingered as she walked away.

"Hmph! A big figure from the Hyuga clan coming to the Uchiha—if I don't see her off, wouldn't it make it seem like my Uchiha clan is lacking in manners? It would make people think I, Uchiha Setsuna, am stingy and disrespectful!"

Tsundere Uchiha Setsuna is online.

Yuto's eye twitched as he watched the two elders leave.

Though Hyuga Hana's hair had turned white, her figure hunched and face wrinkled, it wasn't hard to imagine that she'd been a serene beauty in her youth.

No wonder the Chief Elder has been going out dancing every day recently, coming back late with an exhausted expression.

Unfortunately…

Hyuga and Uchiha clans don't get along well.

I guess this arrogant Chief Elder also deserves some credit for this.

With a helpless shake of his head, Yuto sighed inwardly and turned back around. But then, he suddenly felt a scorching gaze on him.

Yuto blinked and looked in the direction of the gaze, only to meet the stern eyes of the Second Elder, Uchiha Ishizawa.

"…"

Could it be that the Second Elder has misunderstood something again?

Yuto's eyelid twitched. Choosing to ignore it, he calmly focused his attention elsewhere.

Surely, later on, the Chief Elder will explain just how deep the waters run here.

At the same time, Ishizawa looked at Yuto, who seemed too ashamed to meet his eyes. The Second Elder snorted softly.

At least the kid knows his place.

The Chief Elder wasn't young anymore, and yet, as a junior, Yuto had still allowed him to take on so much responsibility.

How ridiculous.

Especially earlier, when the Hyuga clan elder had interrogated Yuto, left the conversation unresolved, and walked away with an unhappy face. The Second Elder had watched as his brother, the Chief Elder, had to put on a smile for the younger generation and personally see Hyuga Hana off, all while suppressing his inner irritation.

Witnessing his brother's thinly veiled impatience, Ishizawa had clenched his right hand on the table in frustration.

There were cracks in the wood!

How he wished he could have told his brother, "Brother, that's enough! Don't fear the Hyuga! The Uchiha are the strongest dojutsu bloodline!"

But his brother had said: The waters run deep. You can't grasp it.

He told him not to interfere.

So Ishizawa held back.

Besides, the sight of the Hyuga clan leader and other figures attending the birthday of the Uchiha's young heir was, in a way, a gesture of goodwill.

His brother's efforts were yielding results. As the Uchiha's Second Elder, he knew that acting recklessly would only jeopardize his brother's hard-earned progress, something he would deeply regret.

With a heavy sigh, Ishizawa's gaze became resolute.

Big Brother… you've worked hard!