chapter:11. Father and son

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."