Konoha: Deceiving Itachi for Seven Years in Crossdressing, Obito Comes Chapter 15: Fugaku's Realization - "My Son Has Grown!"

The night persisted.

Qingchuan slept soundly, completely unaware of the unfolding events.

What should have been a simple transfer due to school age requirents had unexpectedly drawn the attention of the Hokage himself.

Sarutobi Hiruzen neither refused nor agreed to Orochimaru's request.

With a simple "Understood," Orochimaru departed imdiately.

Between master and apprentice, excessive explanations were unnecessary.

The Third Hokage couldn't make hasty decisions regarding Uchiha matters, even for a young girl.

The night deepened.

Hiruzen continued working through stacks of docunts.

Orochimaru's request wasn't urgent, yet carried complications...

Informing Uchiha Fugaku about transferring a young Uchiha girl into the academy early was unavoidable.

The clan leader's approval needed to be sought.

......

As dawn's first light erged,

Itachi Uchiha sprang from bed, washed swiftly, and waited eagerly at the dining table.

He'd promised Haruko about the early enrollnt.

Having waited in vain for his father's return last night,

This morning would be his only chance.

Admittedly nervous,

This marked Itachi's first formal request to his father -

Not for himself, but for another.

Fugaku's reactions remained unpredictable.

But a promise must be kept.

This was a man's vow!

Soon,

Mikoto served breakfast as the family of four gathered.

Itachi ate hurriedly, then sat in tense silence.

Fugaku imdiately noticed.

"Is sothing troubling you, Itachi?"

"Yes, Father." The boy straightened.

"My... friend wishes to enroll early. She needs clan authorization."

Itachi carefully delivered his rehearsed speech.

"Haruko's parents are deceased. Without family elders..."

"I humbly request your approval."

Determination steeled his voice.

Mikoto discreetly carried Sasuke away, leaving father and son alone.

Fugaku studied his heir with complex emotions -

Sternness, concern, and... burgeoning pride.

His son showed discerning judgnt.

Fugaku recalled his own youthful pursuit of Mikoto, overcoming countless rivals...

The Haruko girl had left favorable impressions -

Refined deanor, promising beauty.

If her talents matched, suitors would swarm like bees to honey.

His son displayed foresight matching his own.

Good!

The boy was maturing!

Only one concern remained -

Itachi's training mustn't suffer.

For an Uchiha heir, strength was non-negotiable.

"How's your Great Fireball practice progressing?"

Fugaku deflected, testing priorities.

"Mastered, Father." Itachi lowered his head, heart sinking.

All his carefully prepared argunts seed ignored.

Was training all Father cared about?

"Leave Haruko's enrollnt to . Focus on training."

Fugaku's lingering concern vanished, satisfied with Itachi's answer.

His son excelled at everything except deception.

"I'll personally discuss this with the Hokage."

Patting Itachi's head,

Fugaku's chest swelled with paternal pride.

Such a gifted son truly brought joy...

Itachi stood stunned.

"Father... agreed?"

......

Noon found the Hokage Tower office

shrouded in tobacco haze.

Hiruzen puffed his pipe, frowning at two docunts -

Haruko Uchiha's sparse file from ANBU's overnight investigation,

And the weightier docunt beside it:

An enrollnt application personally delivered by Uchiha Fugaku himself.

Even Itachi's enrollnt hadn't warranted such personal attention from the clan leader.

"A girl compelling joint appeals from Orochimaru and Fugaku..."

Hiruzen murmured, sucking empty air from his exhausted pipe.

After prolonged contemplation,

He finally stamped the application with his personal seal.