Naruto-(Crimson Eyes in a Quirked World)

Itachi nodded, quietly taking in her words, as little Momo continued to giggle in his arms.

As Itachi sat with his mother, Momo still giggling in his arms, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, sighed, and Yana raised an eyebrow.

"Let me guess… Keigo?" she asked with a smile.

Itachi nodded and picked up the call. No sooner had he put the phone to his ear than a loud shout erupted from the speaker.

"Itachi!" Keigo's excited voice boomed through the phone, so loud that Itachi had to pull the phone away from his ear slightly.

"What happened now?" Itachi asked, his tone as calm as ever, though he already sensed Keigo's usual chaotic energy.

"Itachi, I just heard that in four days there's a parent-teacher meeting!" Keigo shouted, sounding both anxious and hyper at the same time.

Itachi sighed, slightly exasperated. "So, that's the problem?"

Keigo groaned on the other end of the line. "It's easy for you! Good grades, perfect scores, always calm and collected. But what about me?!"

"You'd be fine if you actually studied like I told you," Itachi replied evenly. "Your scores are decent, but your behavior… that's another issue."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Keigo grumbled. "You don't have to remind me."

There was a brief pause before Keigo perked up again. "Anyway! I wanted to tell you that I'm going to the cyber games zone later. I'm going to play some games, so... you wanna come with me?"

Itachi opened his mouth to decline when Keigo immediately continued, "Great! You're coming, then. I'll wait for you!"

Before Itachi could protest, Keigo hung up the phone. Itachi and Yana both sweatdropped at Keigo's sheer persistence.

Yana laughed softly. "I feel bad for you sometimes, Itachi."

Itachi sighed, shaking his head as he pocketed his phone. "He doesn't really give me a choice."

After a moment, Itachi turned to his mother, remembering the other part of the conversation. "By the way, Mother, there's a parent-teacher meeting in four days."

Yana nodded, already used to these updates. "I'll be there," she said with a smile.

Itachi nodded in return and stood up, preparing to leave for the game zone. "I'll head out now."

Yana smiled warmly at her son. "Enjoy yourself."

As Itachi moved toward the door, he hesitated for a moment and then turned back toward his mother. "Mother, try to come to the meeting alone, okay?" His voice was gentle but carried an undertone of concern.

Yana looked at him with a sad smile. "Itachi, it's been almost four years now... You and your father haven't spoken to each other."

Itachi's expression remained stoic, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes. "He should apologize first. Then I'll forgive him. It's that simple."

Yana sighed softly, but she didn't press the matter further. "Alright, dear. Take care."

Itachi gave her a small nod. "Goodbye, Mother," he said, and with that, he left the room, heading out to meet Keigo, his mind still lingering on his family's unresolved tension.

Itachi arrived at the game zone, spotting Keigo standing outside, waiting impatiently. Keigo's eyes lit up when he saw him, a mischievous smirk already forming on his face.

"Itachi!" Keigo called out, his voice full of energy. "I knew you'd show up. And this time, I'm going to take you down!"

Itachi sighed softly, his expression calm as usual. "I didn't come to compete with you, Keigo."

Keigo grinned, undeterred by Itachi's response. "That's what you said last time, but you still wiped the floor with me in the game. You beat me with a huge margin!"

Itachi's lips twitched into a small grin. "You're not good at that game. That's not my fault."

Keigo narrowed his eyes, still smirking. "Today's a different day. This time, I'm gonna win. Just watch."

Itachi raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "The sun never rises from the west, Keigo."

"We'll see about that," Keigo said with a determined look as they walked into the game zone.

They chose a 1v1 VR MMO game and geared up, stepping into the virtual world. The match began, and Itachi, with his usual calm precision, swiftly outmaneuvered Keigo. Despite Keigo's spirited attempts, Itachi easily defeated him once again.

Keigo groaned, slumping back in his chair. "How are you so good at this?"

Itachi removed his VR headset, his expression still relaxed. "Because I know how to fight."

Keigo shook his head in disbelief, but then a new glint appeared in his eyes. "Alright, let's fight with swords this time. A real duel."

Itachi glanced at him, then nodded. "Okay."

ch 18 end

They geared up again for the sword duel. This time, the match was far more intense. Keigo fought fiercely, pushing himself harder than before. His attacks were fast and aggressive, and for a moment, Itachi felt a slight thrill in the challenge. But even as the battle grew closer, Itachi still managed to beat him, though this time he only had 25% health left.

Keigo slumped in his seat again, panting. "I was so close! I almost had you!"

Itachi gave a small nod. "You've improved. You're good with swords."

Keigo's face lit up with a smile at the compliment. "Yeah, but not as good as you."

"If you keep practicing, you'll get there," Itachi replied calmly.

Keigo smiled wider, looking genuinely grateful. "Thanks, Itachi. That means a lot coming from you."

As they left the game zone, Keigo glanced over at Itachi with a gleam in his eye. "So… are you going to join UA High?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes."

Keigo's face broke into a wide grin. "I'm going too! I'm going to be a hero, just like you."

Itachi looked at him, his usual stoic expression softening slightly. "You'll make a good hero."

Keigo beamed, then his playful side kicked in. "And when I do, I'll get all the ladies!" he said with a wink, trying to tease Itachi.

Itachi sweatdropped, shaking his head. "Sure, Keigo…"

Keigo laughed, slapping him on the back as they continued down the street. Despite the banter, Itachi couldn't help but appreciate Keigo's unshakable spirit.

Itachi returned to the mansion after his time at the game zone, and as soon as he reached the backyard, he began training again. His Sharingan activated, swirling with its three tomoe, and he skillfully performed his kunai trick. Each kunai hit multiple targets in succession, with pinpoint accuracy. Erika watched him from a distance, a proud smile on her face.