Chapter 325: family

"How were you able to sense that?" Mitsuru asked Kaida, ignoring Itachi's question altogether, which only resulted in his increased worry. Because with things said and done, he was just an 11-year-old boy, and seeing a doctor—not just any doctor, but one of the best Konoha has—doing this, he was understandably worried.

"What do you mean, sensei? Is he really sick? What happened to him?" Kaida asked. Since it was never exactly stated in the anime about Itachi's illness, Kaida was actually curious as well as worried whether it was one of the diseases which could be treated in early stages or not.

Because in his previous life, even diseases like cancer could be treated if they were identified early. So he was hoping for such a case with Itachi as well, but Mitsuru's behavior was increasing his worries as well.

"Huh! Don't worry, you are not in danger... for now. The disease you are having is very... unique. This is known as Chakritis, a chakra decay disease common among clans like Uzumaki and Senju because of their potent chakra.

In later stages, it is almost fatal. Luckily, you are still at the beginning. Even though I have to do some tests to check the exact level of your disease, but it should be curable, so don't worry," Mitsuru explained.

"But if it is common in Uzumaki and Senju, why does he have it?" Kaida asked.

"To be clear, it is not common for them as well. One in a hundred has this disease. As for why he has it, I can only guess it is because of his potent chakra and over-training," Mitsuru said.

"So what is this disease actually?" Itachi asked.

"Your chakra pathways are decaying. But since our chakra also has healing properties, the speed of decay is very slow. So, if left unused, you will not even feel anything for your life. But... when you use chakra for any use, the speed of decay increases, decaying your chakra networks slowly.

The ease of your chakra usage will begin to decrease. If left untreated, it will start to pain to use any jutsu.

Then at the second stage, it will start affecting your body too, starting from lungs—the one part we use most during medication and also the one with many tenketsu points as well, resulting in it being targeted first.

Your lungs will hurt like crazy, and coughing blood will become the norm. Then it is only a slow and painful death, the more you use your chakra," Mitsuru said with a sigh.

"Then isn't it simple to just not use chakra?" Kaida asked.

"Well, some do. But having this disease in itself means your talent as a ninja is exceptional, and very few can resist the temptation to become stronger once they know how it feels. Anyway, I am sure Itachi doesn't have to worry about such things. He would be fine after treatment, though I will need to do some tests to be sure.

Make sure to come back tomorrow at the same time, and just to be on the safe side, don't use any chakra till I give you permission," Mitsuru said.

"But I have already taken some missions..."

"Do you want me to have a talk with your father?"

"...NO," Itachi said.

"Okay, then no chakra till I say. Now you guys can leave," Mitsuru said as she went back to her work, because the hospital was as busy as ever.

With Mitsuru gone, Kaida and Itachi decided to walk back home.

…

"When are you going to do it?" Kaida asked as they were going toward the Uchiha compound.

"What?" Itachi asked.

"You are not going to thank me for saving your life. I swear these rich kids take all things for granted," Kaida said, acting like he was some elder talking about a youngling.

"It is your duty to serve me, as I am your next master," Itachi said, which resulted in Kaida going wide-eyed.

"Wait, did you really try to make a joke? Hah! Is this how you feel seeing kids grow up?" Kaida said, wiping away a fake tear from his face.

"You know that I am older than you, right?" Itachi asked.

"But I am more powerful," Kaida said.

"I was going easy on you during our last fight," Itachi said.

"And I was not even trying," Kaida said.

"Hahahaha."

Kaida and Itachi chuckled as the tension from getting such news faded away.

"Thanks. I don't know how you were able to 'guess' something like that, but I guess I owe you one now," Itachi said after the laugh.

"Don't worry about it. Anyway, are you going to tell your father about this? Or should I help you with that?" Kaida asked.

"Thanks, but I think I can handle that myself," Itachi said. At that, Kaida and he parted ways after a firm handshake.

…

"What do you mean, you can't take missions?" Fugaku asked.

"Today Kaida once again came to me..." Itachi reported the scenario to Fugaku without a speck of emotion on his face, because he was talking to the clan head of the Uchiha clan and not to his father at the moment.

But as his report progressed, Fugaku's eyes went wider and wider, with his heartbeat increasing as well. His son had such a dangerous disease.

ding

Fugaku rang a bell as soon as Itachi finished his report.

"Yes, sir," his secretary came to his office as soon as he did that.

"Cancel all of my meetings for today... and tomorrow as well. Also, schedule an official meeting with Lord Third as soon as he is free."

"Sir, but you have a meeting with..."

"All of my meetings. Am I clear?" Fugaku asked, his pitch increasing a little at the end.

"Yes, sir," the secretary said and left the office.

"Dad, I am fine, and so fine that I don't even feel anything at the moment. Also, please don't ask for any favor. There is really no need for this," Itachi said, clearly understanding what was about to happen.

Fugaku was so worried about Itachi's health that he was going to ask Hiruzen to bring back Tsunade to Konoha for his treatment. And from what he knew about the scenario, Fugaku would have to return this favor with interest.

"Do you think I worry about some favor above your health? For now, shut up and come with me. We are going back home," Fugaku said as he and Itachi silently walked back to their house.

Even though they didn't exchange any words, Itachi could easily feel the worry of his father, and he knew the situation was only going to get worse at his house. And man, was he correct.

As soon as his mom and little brother found out about the disease, the house was turned upside down, with calling doctors to getting all of medicines and food recommendations.

'That f**ker had to bring this smoke thing up,' Itachi cursed in his mind. The medical ninja of the Uchiha clan recommended an herb whose smoke was usually used for the cure of the disease.

And the next hour, his whole house was filled with the smoke of this herb, with all of the herb purchased by his father not just from Konoha but from nearby villages as well.

…

And the person who was behind all this was eating lunch at his house leisurely.

'With this, I have handled one more problem successfully. My super team is coming along well. With Itachi training once again, Might Guy as motivated as always, Shisui's survival guaranteed, and Itachi's health secured—just these people were enough to handle almost all of the stuff the future held. That is, if things happened normally.'

'But things are not going to be normal with how much I have f**ked all of these scenarios. So let's keep on increasing the members of this super team...'

"Focus on your food, young man. You can think about whatever you were thinking after eating," Hae said as she saw Kaida deep in thought.

"I was just thinking how good the food tastes today, aunt," Kaida said with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah."