"Son, why are you not yet asleep?"
Madara's deep voice brought Shiro back to his senses.
"Father."
"Yes, be good. Co closer to . Lie in my arms, and rest your head." Madara held Shiro tightly, a rare, peaceful expression on his ancient face. "My dear boy, I do not know why, but I feel a warmth spreading through my body whenever I hold you. And tonight, the feeling is even stronger. It is as if all the muscles and bones in my body are being remade."
Shiro understood that this was the effect of his upgraded talent, [Body of bedrock LV2]. He was surprised Madara could feel the change so quickly. The improvent was truly remarkable.
"Father, I believe you will be able to return to your youthful state soon! And when you do, you must take out to play."
"Hahahaha, of course! We can go wherever you wish. As long as you desire it, the entire world is yours! Your father never lies. Now, go to sleep."
"Mmm."
The next day, Madara and Shiro had just woken up to find Obito standing silently beside their bed. Madara had slept so soundly with Shiro in his arms that he hadn't even sensed Obito's arrival.
"How did you get in here?!" Madara bellowed.
Obito simply pointed to his eye. "As long as I have this, I can go wherever I please."
"From now on, you are forbidden from entering my bedroom without my express permission!" This was not just the grumpiness of being woken up; Madara was genuinely furious. "Where is that useless dog, Danzō? What is the point of him guarding the door if he does not even bark when soone enters the room?!"
Obito completely ignored Madara's tirade and sat beside Shiro. "Shiro, today it is finally my turn to accompany you."
Black Zetsu oozed in through the crack under the door. "Yes. I have waited for this day for far too long."
In this small, strange family, Shiro was a precious commodity. However, under Madara's tyrannical rule, the "nannies" were only allowed to spend one day a week with him, and only during the day. For the rest of the ti, Madara almost never let him out of his sight.
"No!" Before Shiro could speak, Madara rejected their request, his face a cold mask of authority. "Today is Shiro's birthday. He will accompany ."
"Old man, do not push your luck!" Obito retorted, his usual playfulness gone. "We only have one day a week to be alone with Shiro. Are you going to deprive us of even that? The rules cannot be broken!"
White Zetsu poked its head out from the floor. "That's right! Lord Madara, you must listen to the voice of the people!"
Madara replied with disdain, "Hmph! My rules are the rules!"
"You tyrannical old relic! I will not stand for this!"
"What did you just say to ?! Are you rebelling? Do you dare to say it again?!"
"I said you are tyrannical—"
The two were on the verge of a full-blown fight when Shiro intervened. "Father! Nii! Please stop fighting!"
"Today is my birthday."
Seeing Shiro speak, Obito fell silent. He and Madara locked eyes, the air between them crackling with a palpable tension.
"Hmph!" ×2
They both turned their heads away, refusing to look at each other.
"Sigh…" Shiro shook his head with helpless exasperation. On one side was his father, on the other, his nannies. It was truly difficult to be fair. He had to find a balance.
"Father, please don't be angry," Shiro began, first placating Madara. "Their request is not unreasonable. They truly care for your son. It is only one day a week, so please let spend ti with them. I promise, I will be back before the sun sets, and we will celebrate my birthday together then."
With that, Shiro turned to Obito and Zetsu. "my father only wanted to celebrate my birthday with . He loves very much. You know what kind of person he is. He has never been one to be arbitrary."
He's not arbitrary? Is that a joke? Obito and Zetsu thought in perfect unison. However, even as they complained internally, they knew Shiro was doing his best to diate. Seeing Shiro wink at him, Obito understood and reluctantly admitted fault to Madara.
"Madara, I just called you a tyrannical old relic. I was wrong. I should have been more honest about my feelings."
"You…!" Madara instantly beca furious. "Is this your idea of an apology? If it were not for the fact that you are Shiro's nii , believe , I would let you see Rin again, right now!"
Seeing the situation was about to escalate, Obito imdiately activated his Kamui, absorbing Shiro into the other dinsion. Madara felt Shiro's presence vanish and knew it was Obito's trick. "Boy! Give back my son! Now!"
Obito chuckled. "Old man, according to the rules you set, Shiro belongs to Zetsu and during the day! I will send him back to you this evening! Goodbye!" Ignoring Madara's furious protests, Obito used his Kamui once more and disappeared completely.
"Lord Madara, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now," Black Zetsu said, before oozing back out through the crack in the door. As White Zetsu escaped into the ground, it offered a final, comforting word. "Bye-bye, Lord Madara! Don't worry, we will take good care of Shiro!"
"This is rebellion! All of you, traitors! If you do not send my precious son back before dinner, you know what will happen!" Madara shouted into the empty room. He dressed and stord out of the bedroom, his anger still simring. Looking at Danzō lying obediently at the door, Madara barked, "What are you looking at! You can't even guard a door properly! You are truly a worthy apprentice of Tobirama! You get no food today!"
Danzō looked up, his expression one of pure grievance. "Woof…"
In front of the Uchiha clan's new settlent, a spatial vortex appeared, and Obito erged, holding Shiro.
"Daddy! Where are we going to play today?"
Obito pinched Shiro's nose lovingly. "When I finish my work, I will take you wherever you wish to go."
"Then let's go get so special snacks!"
"No problem!"
The two chatted as they walked toward the Uchiha compound. As they passed, the Uchiha clan mbers would stop their work and greet them respectfully. "Good morning, Shiro-dono."
"Hello. You are all working hard."
"It is no trouble at all. As long as you enjoy your als, we are content."
Ever since Madara had demonstrated his overwhelming power, the clan mbers' attitude toward him and his son had changed dramatically. What was once a superficial awe masking doubt was now a pure, heartfelt admiration. With such a great father, it was only natural for the son to benefit from his glory.
After a short while, the two arrived at the door of Uchiha Fugaku's house.
"Nii san what are we doing here?"
"I have sothing to discuss with Itachi. I want him to join my organization."
Inside the house, Fugaku, Mikoto, and the others were gathered in the living room. Uchiha Yakumi was also present, having just finished treating Sasuke and Izumi. "Sir, they will awaken soon. They were only drugged; they are not seriously injured."
"Good. That is a relief." Fugaku sighed. "That monster, Orochimaru, he disappeared from the village for so long, only to reappear here and attack Sasuke and Izumi! What is he planning?!" Fugaku was filled with rage, his heart aching at the sight of his unconscious son.
Uchiha Itachi stood to the side, his face an expressionless mask. He had not told his family that Orochimaru's true target was him. He did not want to worry them. But a profound guilt gnawed at him for having brought this trouble upon his brother and his friend.
"Hm?" Fugaku sensed soone approaching and turned quickly, only to see Obito walking into the living room, holding Shiro. "Shiro-dono, Obito…?" Looking at the masked man, Fugaku's expression was complicated. Even now, he found it hard to believe that this was the sa chattering, clumsy boy he had known years ago.
"Fugaku, I have sothing to discuss with you," Obito said, getting straight to the point. "I have an organization called the Akatsuki, founded to serve Madara's great cause. This organization… requires the power of your son, Uchiha Itachi. He will join us, starting today."
Before Fugaku could respond, Itachi refused directly. "I am sorry. I do not wish to go at this ti." Madara's grand plan had nothing to do with him. All he wanted was to stay by Sasuke's side and protect him.
Obito narrowed his visible eye slightly, his gaze drifting to the unconscious Sasuke. "Itachi," he said quietly, "you will go."
"Orochimaru… is a mber of the Akatsuki."
"Don't you want to see him again?"
Hearing that na, a barely perceptible flicker of murderous intent flashed in Itachi's eyes. After a mont of heavy silence, he spoke, his voice soft but firm.
"Alright. I'll join."
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