Chapter:12 Intense boy!

Itachi nodded and resumed his planning. After a few more minutes, he looked over his completed schedule, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Done," he murmured to himself, setting the pen down.

Erika, still standing beside him, glanced at the timetable with a raised eyebrow. "Itachi, isn't this a bit… intense?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "5 AM exercise until 7:30, then study from 6 to 7, and quirk training from 10? You're only four, after all…"

Itachi glanced at her, his face calm and thoughtful. "I don't think so." he replied, his tone quiet yet certain and he thought, "I've done far tougher exercises in my previous life "At first, it might be challenging, but I know my body. It feels… familiar. Now that I've regained my Sharingan, I feel like I can handle this."

Erika watched him, still concerned but knowing the determination in his eyes. She sighed softly. "If you say so, but if you ever need help, I'll be here. Don't push yourself too hard."

Itachi gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I know, Erika. But please, don't tell my mother about this."

Erika blinked, surprised. "Why not? She gave you permission to train, didn't she?"

He nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his young face. "She did… but if she sees this timetable, she'll reduce the time for me. She worries too much."

Erika sighed, her concern still evident, but she understood. "Alright," she said with a smile. "I won't say anything. Just… take care of yourself."

Itachi smiled back, appreciating her understanding.

Itachi woke up at exactly 4:55 AM, the room still bathed in early morning darkness. He glanced at the time and whispered to himself, "Okay." Just then, a soft knock came at his door. "Come in," he called out.

Erika opened the door with a smile. "I came to wake you up, but you're already awake," she said, holding a cup of coffee. "I brought this for you."

Itachi returned her smile, nodding. "Thank you, Erika." He took the cup, savoring the warmth of the drink as it flowed through him, a small comfort before the physical challenge ahead. After a moment, he set the cup down and said, "Shall we move to the backyard?"

Erika nodded, and they both made their way outside. The yard was vast, about 300 square meters, the early morning air cool against Itachi's skin. He began with running, his small legs propelling him across the yard in steady strides. But after just five laps, he could feel it—the burn of fatigue deep in his muscles, his breath coming in heavy gasps. I really have low stamina, he thought, frustrated. He slowed to a stop, sweat pouring down his face, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

Erika hurried over with a towel and a bottle of water, her expression one of quiet concern. "Here, clean yourself up," she said softly.

Itachi nodded, taking the towel to wipe the sweat from his face before gratefully accepting the water. "Thank you," he said between breaths.

Erika smiled, but her eyes lingered on him, her thoughts swirling with questions.

Despite his exhaustion, Itachi wasn't finished. He moved on to push-ups, his body trembling with effort as he completed twenty, his arms shaking by the end. He collapsed momentarily, catching his breath once more. It's good that I'm starting this early, he thought, pushing himself to keep going. After a short break, he transitioned into sit-ups, managing thirty before moving on to crunches, completing another thirty repetitions.

From a distance, Erika watched him with wide eyes, unable to believe what she was witnessing. He's only four years old, she marveled silently. And without a strength-enhancing quirk... How is he managing this?

She had so many questions. Could his ocular quirk, be enhancing his physical capabilities too? She recalled the moment she first saw his eyes, noticing how they now had two tomoe instead of one. Is that part of his strength?

By 7 AM, Itachi was drenched in sweat from his morning workout. Erika approached him with a towel and a bottle of water, concern in her voice as she said, "That's enough for now, Itachi. I think you should get ready for school."

Itachi nodded, accepting the towel and wiping his face. His body ached, but he felt satisfied. He made his way to his room, freshened up, and put on his school uniform—a crisp white shirt, a neatly tied tie, and shorts. Looking at himself in the mirror, he sweatdropped and muttered, "This looks so weird."

Erika, standing beside him, chuckled softly. "It looks good on you, Itachi."

He turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, really. Trust me, you pull it off. Some kids look awful in school uniforms, but not you."

Itachi sighed, the corner of his lips twitching into a small smile. Konohagakure's school uniforms were way better, he thought.

He made his way to the dining hall and found his mother and father already seated. Yana's eyes lit up as she saw him. "Ahh, my baby looks so cute!" she cooed.

Itachi sweatdropped again, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Thank you, Mother," he replied, taking a seat at the table.

Yana smiled warmly. "Get something to eat. You'll need your energy for your first day of school."

Itachi began eating, the food comforting him after the intense workout. "Are you excited for your first day?" Yana asked, her voice filled with encouragement.

"Not really," Itachi replied honestly, shrugging slightly.

Yana sighed, a playful pout on her lips. "You should be. You'll make new friends today."

Itachi gave her a small nod, not wanting to disappoint her. "Okay."

At that moment, Takashi, who had been sitting silently, stood up. His tone was as cold as ever as he spoke. "Just focus on your studies. I don't want the Yaoyorozu name being tarnished." Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the room.

Itachi said nothing, continuing to eat in silence. Yana clenched her fists in frustration, muttering, "I want to hit that man over the head sometimes…"

Itachi glanced at her, a gentle smile on his lips. "It's okay, Mother. As long as you and Erika believe in me, that's more than enough."