Naruto: The Beautiful Uchiha is Actually Me?

Chapter 8: Itaru probably won't be coming today, right?

"what?"

Yan Yi glanced at Ban Jian with a blank expression, not understanding what those words meant.

Itama realized that what she said had caused a misunderstanding, and hurriedly explained, "I just think you're cute, like a little animal, nothing more."

"Oh...I see."

Yan Yi didn't dwell on the implication of Ban Jian's words. Instead, she glanced outside the cave, blinked her big eyes at Ban Jian, and said in a pleading tone, "Ban Jian... I want to go outside the cave and take a look... I mean, is there a safe little river? I want to... take a bath..."

Having not showered or changed clothes for two days, and having experienced escape and injury, Yan felt uncomfortable all over.

"bath...?"

Itama began to think, searching through his memories, and soon he thought of a good place. Although it wasn't exactly a river, there was indeed a small pond connected to a stream, and it was not far from here.

"Okay, I'll carry you there! It's very close, and it's quite secluded!"

Banma squatted down and carried Yan Yi on his back. After taking a few detours, they arrived at a stream that looked like no one had ever been there before.

Wow...this place is so beautiful.

The stream flows gently, its water crystal clear. A small pool not far away reflects the shadows of the leaves above, its surface obscured by rocks, creating a serene atmosphere.

However, perhaps the water was too clear, because there wasn't a single fish.

He placed Yan Yi on a flat rock by the stream, and Banjian hesitated for a moment, blushing as he asked, "Uh... do you need me to help you wash...?"

"Ah! No...no need, right? I should be able to do it myself..."

Aside from his family, Yan Yi had never been completely open with a stranger. Although he often ran around naked at home and seemed quite unashamed, this wasn't home. Even though Itama was about his age, Yan Yi still felt shy.

Seeing that Yan Yi indicated he could do it, Itama breathed a sigh of relief. Among the four brothers, he was the most shy... and his personality was also a bit... cowardly? Or better yet, docile.

"I'll be waiting for you over there..."

After finishing his sentence, Banma walked to the other side of the tree and sat down. He didn't dare to go too far, lest something happen to Yan Yi.

Seeing that Itama had left, Yan Yi slowly took off his clothes and struggled to reach for his clothes in the water...

"Uh..."

With both feet wrapped in bandages, taking a bath by myself seems a bit... impossible.

After fiddling around for about ten minutes, Yan Yi, whose clothes weren't even completely soaked, gave up. "Anyway, we're all guys..." he thought, and quietly called out towards the partitioned area...

"Itama...I...you..."

Hearing the sound, Itama immediately turned around and glanced at Yan Yi. Sure enough... with his legs immobile, taking a bath by himself was too much of a struggle.

Left with no other choice, Itama walked over to Yan Yi, blushing slightly, and said, "Let me help you..."

"Um...sorry...and thank you..."

......

Without saying a word, Itama quickly washed Yan's entire body, then took out his own handkerchief and barely managed to dry him off.

"call..."

Yan felt refreshed after washing up. Although her face was flushed the whole time, she wasn't too embarrassed. Anyway, everyone's probably in the same boat, so there's nothing to be shy about, right...?

"I'll carry you back..."

After taking a shower, Yan Yi felt much better and seemed to have forgotten her sad memories. She and Ban Jian chatted back to back in the cave. Yesterday, Yan Yi had only listened to Ban Jian's stories, but today Yan Yi seemed much more open, and the two of them suddenly had a lot more to talk about.

They discussed all sorts of fun things, like what shape of small stone to use to skip stones the furthest.

At noon and in the evening, Banjian would go back for half an hour and then bring Yan back some food. He enjoyed this situation, as if he were really raising a stray kitten.

Watching Yan Yi's adorable expression as he ate his meal, Itama even had a fleeting thought of hoping he would recover more slowly...

Realizing this, Itama immediately reflected on himself. Although he liked this feeling, Yan Yi's family must be very worried about him... Yan Yi must also be very sad and upset.

At night, Itama lay in bed reminiscing about the happy day, but as she thought about it, she gradually became a little sad...

Yan Yi will eventually leave me; he has his own destiny. And after this departure, I don't know if we'll ever meet again... Besides, Yan Yi's family might be enemies. Will I encounter him on the battlefield? If we really have to draw our swords against each other, what should I do...?

Worried, Banma gradually drifted off to sleep.

This went on for several days until the sixth day, when Yan Yi's foot injury had almost healed. Unfortunately, it started pouring rain outside today.

It had been a long time since we'd had such a torrential downpour. The sound of rain outside the cave was particularly loud, with raindrops constantly hitting the leaves. Sometimes, when the wind blew through the cave entrance, it would even bring a lot of rainwater in.

Yan stared blankly at the cave entrance, feeling a little lost.

I guess it won't be coming to Banma today...?

Fortunately, Itama brought a lot of food with him recently, and he still has plenty of dry rations left, so it won't be a problem if he doesn't come back for a day or two. Besides, his foot injury is almost healed, and he might be able to leave soon...

In the Senju clan's territory, a meeting is being held at Itama's house.

As for why, it's because they all noticed Itama's recent strange behavior. Aside from meals and training, he's practically never seen, and even after eating, he always takes a lot of food with him when he goes out.

All of these things have already caught the attention of Itama's father, Senju Butsuma.

The brothers knelt before the Buddha, none daring to look up at their father. The Buddha merely glanced at the four brothers indifferently and slowly asked, "Itama, explain your recent situation."

Itama is in a really bad mood right now. It rained today, and not only was she unable to visit Genichi, but her father even noticed her actions.

"Father...I..." Itama was extremely nervous, his hands clenched into fists, and his voice trembled.

Although Butsuma absolutely refused to believe that his youngest son, Itama, would do anything to betray the family, this incident had forced him to suspect that Itama might be taking care of someone else outside...

"Are you trying to say that you've been secretly keeping animals again?" The Buddha's voice was very serious, devoid of any emotion.

Hearing what the monk said, Itama could only nod.

Butsuma's eyes flashed with anger, and he slammed his hand heavily on the table, shouting, "Do you think I, Senju Butsuma, led my clan to where I am today?! Your lies are utterly ridiculous! The food you take out every day isn't something a kitten or puppy could eat! And what about the herbs? How do you explain that?"

Itama was terrified by Butsuma's sudden outburst of rage. He looked up in fear, tears streaming down his face, and stammered, unable to utter a single word.

"It's over... What do I do... If Father finds out about Yan Yi, he'll definitely kill her... Waaaaah..."

Itama was in a state of utter confusion; he had no idea how to answer. If his father sent people to search the place, he would certainly not let him off the hook...

The monk was like an erupting volcano, his gaze fixed intently on his good-for-nothing youngest son. Although he didn't know who the son was secretly helping, the son's lying attitude had already filled him with immense disappointment.

Just as Butsuma was scolding Itama to stop crying, his elder brother Hashirama Senju stood up and blocked Itama's path, staring intently at Butsuma.

"Hashirama, what do you mean...? Are you going to talk back to me too?"

Hashirama wasn't exactly a smooth talker either, but all he wanted was to protect his younger brother. His brother was still young, and their father shouldn't be yelling at him like that...

In fact, Buddha rarely gets this angry. One reason he was angry this time was that the Feathered Robe Clan had killed several of his clan's elites a few days ago, and they still hadn't gained any advantage in their recent counterattack.

Upon returning home, he discovered that his youngest son might be secretly taking care of someone, and he suspected that this person was likely from a rival family. If it were a friendly family, Itama wouldn't need to be so secretive!

The tile room and the board room were about the same size. At this moment, the tile room was powerless to fight against its father. It could only hold the board room's hand tightly, trying to give him a sense of reassurance.

Seeing his father's rage and his elder brother's defiance, Tobirama felt a sense of foreboding... If the argument continued, his elder brother and younger brother would surely be beaten...

Thinking of this, Tobirama couldn't sit still any longer. He slowly stood up, pressed down his elder brother Hashirama's arm that was still blocking their father's way, and looked at his father apologetically, saying, "Father, please calm down. My brother didn't mean to talk back to you. I know about our fourth brother... he does keep animals outside, but..."

Seeing that Tobirama had smoothed things over, Butsuma gradually calmed down and his anger subsided.

"But what?"

Tobirama's mind raced. He had no idea what Itama was keeping, and Itama's behavior was indeed unusual. But for now, he had to smooth things over first.

"However, that animal was a litter of lion cubs..."

"what?"

Tobirama continued, forcing a smile, "I went to see it too. The lioness was probably killed by the ninjas, leaving only a litter of lions without anyone to care for them. My fourth brother has always been simple and kind-hearted; he just wanted to help those animals..."

"As for the herbs, it was just a coincidence. When I was sparring with my clansman Afeng, I accidentally injured his younger brother. Itama is on good terms with him, so I asked him for help..."

This was the best lie Tobirama could come up with in a moment of desperation; the herbs were only there because it happened to be that way, which was why Tobirama dared to continue spouting nonsense...

Although Butsuma still had some doubts, he slowly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Tobirama's completely unashamed expression. He admired Tobirama, his second son, the most. Not only had he always been talented and hardworking, but he was also mature in his actions and steady in his character.

"Alright... since you said it, then I misunderstood you... but don't keep those strange things outside in the future... ninjas need to be decisive in killing, not too merciful!"

"I understand... I will educate my fourth brother properly. It's hard for you to lead the clan, and I understand."

"Hmm... Tobirama, you're the most sensible one."

After speaking calmly, the Buddha put on his bamboo hat and left first.

After his father left, Tobirama breathed a sigh of relief. At least for now, his father wouldn't continue his rage, and his fourth brother wouldn't be beaten anymore.

While wiping away her tears, Itama whispered to the three of them, "Thank you, brothers..."

Tobirama simply smiled faintly and patted Itama's head.

"Let's go back to our room first..."