Chapter 3
KONOHA HOKAGE OFFICE
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair overlooking the tranquil village. From this view, everything seemed so calm and peaceful. However, Hiruzen knew that this was far from the truth. The last couple of days have been pure hell for the old Hokage. It had been a week since the devastation of the Uchiha Clan: an attack from a masked intruder and an unknown secondary force had eliminated 95% of the Clan.
He sighed. Just when the relations between the Uchiha and the Village had turned a new leaf and things were looking bright, tragedy had to strike. Not only was the Uchiha nearly ended, but the village also lost a big part of its military police force and strong shinobi available. As for the Uchiha that did survive, most of them were heavily injured. Women and children were strategically targeted, the only Uchiha children that remained were Sasuke and his sister, Kiyomi. The Clan Head, Fugaku Uchiha, had survived his injuries so there was still leadership in what remained of the clan. However, Fugaku's chakra network had been completely disrupted meaning that his days as a combatant were over.
He was supposed to meet with him today as he had been informed that Fugaku was now in a stable condition and could leave the confinement of his bed. They would have much to discuss. Hiruzen also had another issue to resolve, the issue of Danzō Shimura's death. He had a feeling his former friend was involved with the Uchiha Massacre. Reports indicated that the bodies belonging to the unknown secondary force found near the Uchiha District had animal masks similar to Anbu masks and black cloaks. Through examination, it was found the unknown shinboi were missing Konoha nin. Orphans that had gone missing when they were four years old, the bodies also possessed a cursed seal on their tongues.
Danzō was anti-Uchiha, a trait he had gained from their sensei, the second Hokage, Tobriama Senju. He was responsible for the tension between the Leaf and Uchiha after the attack of the Kyūbi, putting blame on the Uchiha and spreading rumors to the villagers. Hiruzen knew of Danzō's ROOT shinobi but hadn't thought it was this big nor capable of launching such an attack on the Uchiha.
There was also Itachi Uchiha. Reports indicated the only person in the vicinity was Itachi, as the time and location of his sighting matched the possible time of Danzō's death. No one has heard of or seen Itachi since the tragic event. Due to these factors, Itachi has been labeled an S-Rank rogue ninja in the Bingo Book and labeled as an accomplice to the Uchiha Massacre and in league with the masked intruder. Hiruzen did not believe Itachi would slaughter his clan. Itachi did value the village over his clan and was prepared to take action if a Civil War were to break out, but Hiruzen believed he could solve the issue without death.
Hiruzen wanted to wait until Itachi returned for a trial and explanation for his actions, however the Konoha Council had already voted to brandish him a traitor. It was the quick and easy option as opposed to launching a lengthy investigation into the matter. Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, he needed to find a successor, so he didn't have to deal with these problems or politics.
However, Hiruzen was taken out of his thoughts as he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in," Hiruzen responded curiously. He wasn't expecting any visitors at this time.
An older man, the same age as Hiruzen, walked through the doors. The man had mid-length, grey that was slicked back, reaching to just behind his neck. He had onyx eyes with thick long eyebrows with thick edges. The older man also had a long and thin mustache that extended to both sides of his cheeks. He wore a light gray haori over a dark blue yukata with a black hakama, white tabi, and brown scandals.
"Naobito. It's been a while my old friend," Hiruzen said. "A lot has happened since I last saw you."
"Save it for later, Hiruzen. You can catch me up over a drink," Naobito chuckled.
Hiruzen felt a chill run down his spine. He knew the drinking habits of his old friend and knew it would end badly for his wallet.
"I'm assuming you are not simply dropping by to chat with an old friend," he said.
"No, the news of the Uchiha Massacre has traveled fast and far. I wouldn't be surprised if it has reached the other Great Shinobi Nations," Naobito responded. "I also heard about Danzō."
Naobito took a seat, putting his arms across his chest. "That bastard finally got what he deserved. But the main reason I'm here is regarding the Uchiha Clan. How many are left?"
"As of now, ten remain," Hiruzen responded.
"What about my daughter?" Naobito asked.
"She sadly perished on that night," Hiruzen said lowering his eyes.
"I see," Naobito replied somberly. "Is Fugaku still alive?"
"Yes, I received news from the Hospital that he has recovered but has sustained permanent damage to his chakra network. He may never be able to use ninjutsu again," Hiruzen said. "I was planning to head over there before you arrived. We can go now and I'll explain the situation on our way there."
Naobito nodded and the two left Hiruzen's office.
When they arrived at Konoha Hospital they were greeted by the receptionists who led the way to the isolated ward of the Hospital where all the Uchiha were. Hiruzen placed a large number of Anbu to guard the entrance and the corridors. Outside of Fugaku's room were two Anbu, Hiruzen greeted them, and asked them to open the door. They complied, and Hiruzen and Naobito entered the room.
Fugaku sat upright on his bed as nurses were moving around him. He looked at Hiruzen and Naobito as they entered the room with a neutral expression.
"Hokage-sama," he said with a monotone voice.
"Fugaku, how are feeling?" Hiruzen asked sincerely.
Naobito said nothing and simply leaned against a wall with his arms crossed. He gave a big yawn and looked uninterested.
"I'm fine, Hokage-sama," he said as he got up. "We have more important matters to discuss."
Hiruzen felt a pang of guilt and regret, he believed that if he had been more vigilant as the Hokage, this tragedy wouldn't have happened.
He cleared his throat, "Yes... we do."
Silence filled the room until Naobito spoke. "If you two are done, here is our proposal. The remaining Uchiha will be moved to a compound closer to the village and the Police Force building. Preferably near the Hyūga Clan compound."
"This way, the Uchiha Clan can be seen by the villagers rather than being this mysterious group of people who arrest them. Additionally, due to the proximity between the two clans, we can establish a relationship between the two" Hiruzen chimed in.
"What about the political power of the Uchiha? Our image and strength have taken a massive hit," Fugaku inquired.
"Yes boy, we know. That is why I will be replacing Danzō on the Elder council. This will balance out the political power and build back good favor in the village," Naobito said.
"He'll sit on the Elder council until the Uchiha population increases to a healthy amount," Hiruzen added. "So do you agree to this proposal?"
Fugaku thought for a moment, "Yes I agree," he said.
"Splendid, we can discuss more if you would like. I know you're going to stop grab your children from the academy and I'll come with," Hiruzen said.
"Before we go, I need to talk with him alone," Naobito said. "Give us a few minutes."
"Certainly," Hiruzen said before exiting the room with the nurses.
Naobito waited for the door to close before speaking. "So, are you certain that he possesses it?"
Fugaku nodded. "Yes, he formed a dog-shaped hand seal which summoned two wolves."
Naobito rubbed his chin, "After 100 years the Tokusa no Kage Bōjutsu (Ten Shadows Technique) has returned to the Uchiha Clan. Who else knows?"
"Outside the two of us, the man who killed Mikoto has seen it. He may come after Sasuke," Fugaku replied.
Naobito's stern face morphed into a smile. "Things are sure getting interesting," he said.
Fugaku simply nodded, thinking about all that had transpired.
KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY
"Okay class, today we will be doing combat exercises and evaluations. Meet me outside," Iruka said.
As everyone was getting up, Naruto walked in. He grinned and waved at his classmates, but no one smiled back. They all looked tense and nervous as if they were walking on eggshells.
"Yo! Iruka-sensei! I heard we were doing some training today," he said excitedly.
Iruka's eyelid twitched. "Yes, Naruto. Now, head outside," he said.
The students headed outside but stayed silent, whispering among themselves. Naruto noticed the change in atmosphere. He had no idea why the mood was so dreadful.
He knew of the tragedy and hated to see such a strong clan get reduced to a small amount. But it had nothing to do with him or anyone not a Uchiha. There was no point in being this gloomy. He thought everyone would have moved on by now, but apparently not.
Naruto looked around the room for this source. He spotted a gloomy chakra radiating from the Uchiha twins. He could see it permeating off Sasuke; it had affected everyone in the class. It also plagued his sister. Naruto frowned. He did not understand why Sasuke was acting like a baby.
He decided to head towards the Uchiha twins and get a better read of what was happening between them.
"Hey Kiyomi-chan, Sasuke, how are you doing?" he said.
"H-hey Naruto, we're doing alright," she said.
Sasuke said nothing and walked past Naruto.
Naruto watched Sasuke as he walked away from them. "I guess he's still sulking around," he said as he turned towards Kiyomi.
"Yeah, he doesn't speak to anyone anymore, not even me," Kiyomi hung her head. "He's shut me off. I can't even talk to him. I want to help; he's not the only one in pain." she said with tears forming.
Naruto felt a pang of sympathy for her. He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'll knock some sense in him. Don't you worry," he said with a grin, giving her a thumbs up. He put his hands in his pockets as he walked towards Choji and Shikamaru.
A smile appeared on Kiyomi's face. "Thanks... Naruto-kun," she said.
When everyone made it outside, Iruka and the other instructors went around to ensure they had the correct number of students.
"Alright, out here is where we'll be doing combat exercises. These exercises will be on the graduation exam. We will track your performance and improvement as you progress through the years," Iruka said. "There will be Ninjutsu training, ninja tool training, taijutsu training, and individual battles against your classmates."
"Hokage-sama will also be watching your performances. Be sure to do your best today. Got it!" Iruka added.
"Hai, sensei!" the students replied.
"Alright, that's the spirit! Now get into four equal rows in single file order," he said.
The tests began, and the students showed their skills and abilities. Naruto, however, had other plans. He saw an opportunity to sneak away when the teachers were busy with the other students. He wanted to have some fun and take a nap since he was feeling sleepy.
He quickly ran towards a nearby tree and sat down on a tree branch hidden. He watched the students go through the various tests. He took mental notes of who did well.
As expected, the Uchiha twins were exceptional in Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu. Sasuke did well on the Shuriken throw, while Kiyomi struggled to hit a single target.
Hinata Hyūga looked promising so far but looked timid and not assertive. Shikamaru half-assed his way through the exams, barely giving effort. Shino Aburame looked impressive across the board as well.
We've got some talent in this class, Naruto thought.
Meanwhile, Iruka was calling Naruto's name for the Shuriken throw.
"Naruto Uzumaki, come forth," Iruka said. Nothing. "Naruto Uzumaki, come forth!" Iruka repeated; no response again.
Everyone looked around; they had just seen him a few minutes ago. Where could he have gone?
Iruka called Naruto's name one more time, but nothing. He sighed and wrote a zero for the remaining tests and training.
Naruto chuckled to himself from the tree as he continued to watch.
After completing the exercises, the students took a lunch break.
Kiyomi went to Sasuke and tried to eat with him, but he shrugged her off and went to sit by himself. She watched him walk off with a pained expression and took an open seat near her best friend, Hinata Hyūga.
"Is S-s-asuke alright?" Hinata asked shyly.
Kiyomi followed her gaze and felt a knot in her stomach. She hated talking about Sasuke, even though she knew Hinata meant well. He had ignored her ever since the massacre, leaving her alone and broken. She forced a smile and met Hinata's eyes. "He'll be fine," she lied, hoping her voice didn't betray her.
Hinata nodded, but a pang of doubt stabbed her heart. She noticed the dark circles under Kiyomi's eyes and the way she hunched her shoulders. She wanted to save something more, but her words got stuck in her throat. She wished she had more courage and confidence. She bit her lip and averted her gaze. "O-o-kay," she stuttered, feeling something was off.
Kiyomi caught Hinata's uncertain glance, and a wave of guilt washed over her. She didn't want to make her friend feel bad, she just had a lot going on. She didn't know how to let her in and open up. She coughed and shifted the topic. "So, how are you doing?" she inquired, faking nonchalance.
Hinata gave Kiyomi a faint smile. She nodded and lied, "I'm fine," hoping her voice didn't tremble. She cared for her friend and didn't want to overstep.
They ate in awkward silence, avoiding each other's eyes. Kiyomi felt a lump in her throat, wishing she could say something to break the tension. Hinata felt a flutter in her chest, wondering if she should say something to ease the pain. They both wanted to reach out but held back, afraid of making it worse.
Suddenly a voice spoke, "Hey, ladies, what's cooking?" They both jumped, startled by the intrusion.
They turned to see Naruto, with his signature glasses, sitting at the table, munching on dango.
"N-naruto?" Hinata gasped, her face turning red.
"Naruto!?" Kiyomi said, getting a little flustered. "Where have you been?!" Where did he come from? I could have sworn no one else was sitting here, she thought.
"Around. I got bored and decided to take a quick nap," Naruto yawned. "So, what are you two doing? Having fun?" he asked, taking another bite of his dango.
He acted like he was oblivious to the atmosphere, but he was aware of it. He sensed the sadness between them but also saw an opportunity. He wanted to shake things up and make them talk. He had a plan, and he was ready to execute it.
"So Hinata, I saw you at Ichiraku the other day. You've got good taste," he said.
Hinata blushed. "T-t-hanks N-naruto," she said.
"Wait, you like Ichiraku Ramen, Hinata?" Kiyomi asked, getting excited.
"Y-y-es it's my favorite place to eat," Hinata responded.
"Oh my gosh! I love Ichiraku Ramen." Kiyomi said with stars in her eyes.
They proceeded to get into a conversation about their favorite ramen. Naruto quietly slipped away, whistling to himself. On to the other, he thought.
Naruto walked over to where Choji, Shikamaru, and Kiba were sitting.
"Hey, Naruto! Where have you been? I tried to find you when Iruka called your name. Sadly, he gave you all zeroes," Choji said, shaking his head.
Naruto brushed him off with a dismissive gesture. "Don't sweat it. I'm fine," he retorted. He got closer to Shikamaru, who had his back facing him.
"Oi! Shikamaru!" Naruto shouted as he slapped Shikamaru's back hard.
Shikamaru choked on his food and sprayed it all over Ino, who was sitting next to him. Choji and Kiba burst into laughter, while Ino glared at them. Shikamaru wiped his mouth and sighed.
"Naruto, you're troublesome as always," he said, rolling his eyes. "So, you finally decided to return?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I got bored after my nap. Thought I'd come back and see how you did," Naruto said, grinning.
"Well, maybe you wouldn't be so bored if you paid attention in class," Shikamaru said.
"Why would I do that, huh?" Naruto said, raising his voice. "Everyone's so dead and dull here. Walking around like zombies. Who cares if a bunch of people died? It's not my problem," he said loudly.
The room went silent as everyone stared at Naruto in shock and disbelief.
Naruto turned his head and looked towards Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes flashed with anger and his fists tightened.
"H-hey Naruto, I think you should stop talking so loud," Choji said nervously, tugging at his sleeve.
Naruto ignored him. "All this moaning and groaning over the dead! How pathetic!" he said, sneering.
Sasuke had enough and headed straight towards Naruto. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, feeling anger and frustration. He couldn't stand Naruto's arrogance and disrespect.
On the other side of the yard, under a cherry blossom tree, Hiruzen, Naobito, and Fugaku stood. They had just arrived and were observing the scene with interest.
Iruka came over to greet them. "Hokage-sama, Uchiha-sama," he greeted, bowing respectfully.
"Iruka, how are the students performing?" Hiruzen asked with a smile. He felt a sense of pride and curiosity, watching the young ninjas in training. He wanted to see their potential and talent. He hoped they would grow up to be strong and loyal shinobi.
"They are performing quite well, we truly have an exceptional next generation. However, Naruto skipped class again," Iruka replied, frowning slightly.
"Isn't he over there?" Hiruzen pointed at Naruto and Sasuke, standing a few feet from each other, glaring intensely.
Iruka turned to see Naruto and Sasuke, and his eyes widened. He felt a wave of shock and panic, realizing that this wasn't going to end well.
"Apologies Hokage-sama for their behavior," Iruka said, bowing again. He felt a flush of embarrassment and guilt.
Hiruzen waved at him, "It's fine, my boy, no need to apologize. He's just being himself," he said, chuckling. "I should be the one apologizing to you."
"I'll break this up immediately," Iruka said, moving to intervene.
A hand stopped him. "Wait, let's see what happens," Naobito said, his eyes sparkling. "This is getting interesting," he said.
Meanwhile, Sasuke reached Naruto's position and stared at him intensely. He could feel the anger and pain boiling inside him from Naruto's words.
"What did you say, dobe?" Sasuke said angrily, as he got into Naruto's face. He spat the word like venom, trying to provoke him.
"I said you're pathetic," Naruto replied, smiling wickedly. He put his hands in his pockets, which infuriated Sasuke even more.
"You're moping around like a big baby who wet his diaper," he said, taunting him. "Get your act together."
Sasuke had enough, he hated how Naruto was diminishing his pain and suffering like it was insignificant.
"How dare you?!" Sasuke screamed as he threw a punch at Naruto who easily dodged it.
"Wow! Come at me then Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke threw a barrage of punches and kicks at Naruto trying to nail him, but he couldn't land a single attack. Naruto evaded effortlessly.
Sasuke went for a sweep kick but Naruto jumped back looking at the tired Uchiha.
"If you fought this hard maybe you could have saved your clan," Naruto said, egging Sasuke on.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, frustrated that he didn't land a single punch.
"I wonder who you lost? Your brother maybe?" Naruto put his hand over his mouth. "Oh wait, he killed your clan so it can't be him? Hmm, I know... you lost your mother, right?"
Sasuke went silent and fell to his knees.
"Judging from that reaction, you must've seen her die. Here I thought you were strong, I guess I was wrong. You're just weak," Naruto said.
"You're weak child. You still have much to learn", Sasuke heard in his head. He picked up a nearby rock and rushed at Naruto.
"I'll kill you!" he shouted.
Naruto smiled.
"We need to stop this it's gone too far," Iruka said preparing to rush in.
Naobito stopped him again. "No, that kid with glasses has something up his sleeve. I want to see what happens."
Sasuke hurled the rock towards Naruto to create an opening. Naruto tilted his head to the left and was surprised to see Sasuke in front of him with a fist raised.
"You've got spirit, but you're still too slow," Naruto as he causally moved out of the way. He put his foot out, tripping Sasuke.
Sasuke stumbled over Naruto's foot, losing his balance. He was now falling and was going to crack the back of his head on the rock he had thrown.
Sasuke closed his eyes, bracing for the incoming pain, but it never came. He opened his eyes to see Naruto holding him by his shirt collar.
"This mopey mood you have. You need to let it go," Naruto said seriously.
"What?" Sasuke said.
"Believe me, feeling sorry for yourself and meandering around isn't going to change anything." Naruto continued, "I used to be like you. Feeling sorry for myself and wallowing in self-pity."
"Shut up, what do you know!? What makes you think you know anything about me!?" Sasuke said slapping his hand away. This caused him to hit the ground due to the transfer of energy. He fell on his butt, staining his shorts.
"I know that you blame yourself for your mother's death. I know that you feel like you failed her. I know that you feel weak." Naruto said.
Sasuke sat there in silence, replaying her death in his mind. He hated himself for not being stronger.
Naruto bent down to his level. He slightly lowered his glasses, revealing his blue eyes.
"You know, I've been orphaned my entire life," he said shocking Sasuke. "I never knew my parents and I've been on my own for as long as I can remember. I've had to fight for everything I own, nothing was given to me. To rise above my troubles, I had to become strong, just like you need to become strong." Naruto smiled as he watched Sasuke's face. He knew his words were getting through to him. He got up satisfied and turned away from him.
"It's not good to stay like this. If you do, you'll never get stronger," Naruto said walking away. "So do your best, Sasuke! You may need to push yourself, though. Get stronger to avenge your clan and your mother." And get stronger to keep up with me, Naruto thought.
He walked back into the academy building, whistling as if nothing happened.
Sasuke remained on the ground, looking at his hand, deep in thought. The weight of Naruto's words lingered in his mind.
From under the cherry blossom tree, Naobito grinned maliciously. This boy is special. Who is he? he thought.
You never cease to surprise me, Hiruzen thought. He turned towards Iruka. "It seems the situation has resolved itself," he said.
"H-h-ai, Hokage-sama," Iruka replied.
The students returned to class, buzzing with curiosity about what happened. They exchanged glances and whispers, trying to piece together what they had seen and heard.
After that incident Sasuke sat in the back of the class, keeping his silence. He didn't want to talk to anyone. He just wanted to be left alone to think. He felt a storm of emotions raging inside him: anger, sadness, confusion, shame, guilt, fear, and something else. Something that he couldn't name, but that burned like fire.
He couldn't fathom why Naruto had confronted him. It baffled him that someone as arrogant and self-absorbed as Naruto would concern himself with his behavior.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the day and taking Sasuke out of his thoughts. He packed up and slung his bookbag over his shoulder. Kiyomi came over to him.
"Sasuke, are you ready to go?" She asked, her voice gentle and concerned.
Sasuke gave a curt nod and followed her outside the academy building, keeping his distance from her.
Outside, they were greeted by their father, the Hokage, and an older man they had never seen before.
"Tousan!" Kiyomi shouted, running to hug her father. She buried her face in his thighs, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill.
Fugaku gently rubbed the top of her head. Sasuke just glanced at his father and looked away, feeling a surge of resentment and indifference.
"You two did well today. I'm excited to see your development into fine shinobi," Hiruzen said before departing with his Anbu guard.
"Let's head back," Fugaku said.
They walked in silence, an undeniable tension hanging in the air. Sasuke sensed his sister's gaze fixed on him, but he refused to meet them. He knew she was concerned, but the last thing he wanted was her pity; he did not want her to see how weak he was.
He hated himself for what had happened that day. He hated how Naruto had mocked him, how he had failed to land a single hit, how he had fallen to his knees. He hated how Naruto made him feel things he did not want to feel.
His resolve to avenge his clan and exact vengeance for his mother's death had driven him to this point. Thoughts of Itachi had been buried deep since that fateful night, leaving Sasuke grappling with conflicting emotions.
Sasuke found no issue with his mood. He thought strength was only about power, abilities, and prowess. But Naruto had challenged him on this. It wasn't just about physical strength; it was about overcoming pain. This revelation left him perplexed, unsure of how to navigate his emotions.
He did not know what to make of these feelings or what to do with them.
He glanced at his sister, walking beside him with a cheerful smile. She seemed to have accepted their loss and moved on with her life. She had stayed kind, happy, and hopeful after their tragedy. He wondered if her composure was genuine or a facade, performing an act of forgiveness as some form of a noble gesture. Anger and resentment surged within him, feeling as though his sister betrayed their clan, their mother, and him. He believed she was abandoning their pain, suffering, and sacrifices. It felt like she was disregarding everything he was feeling.
He did not want to hurt his sister; his love for her surpassed everything. She was not just his sister but also his twin, his other half. He just wanted her to be angry just like him and eager to get back at those who hurt them. The ones responsible for their pain and suffering. However, she diverged from this and discouraged his harshness, advocating for kindness. Her actions disgusted him, but he would never outright say it.
They reached their new home, a two-story modest home in a quiet part of the village. The house had a large window with a blue awning on the left side. The entrance door is on the right side with two small Uchiha crests on each side.
"This is our new home," Fugaku said.
They walked inside the house. There was a large living room with a kitchen. There was one bedroom on the first floor and no bathrooms. Upstairs there were three bedrooms and one bathroom.
"Uhh, tou-san," Kiyomi asked.
"Yes," Fugaku replied.
"Who is that?" she said pointing to Naobito, unaware of who this was.
Fugaku smiled. "That's your ojiisan," he said.
"O-ojiisan," she said turning to face Naobito. She looked him up and down before running to him and hugging him. "Ojiisan!" she said her voice full of enthusiasm.
Naobito picked her up. "You're beautiful, you look so much like your mother," he said placing her back down.
"He'll be living with us for the time being," Fugaku said. "Kiyomi go to your room upstairs, it's the first one on the right. Sasuke, I need to talk to you."
Kiyomi nodded and went upstairs, leaving Sasuke with the two older Uchiha.
"When you fought that man, you summoned something. Show us," Fugaku said.
Sasuke formed a dog-shaped hand seal, "Gyokuken・Kon(Divine Dog)," he said. Sasuke's shadow started to extend.
However, instead of two wolves, a large bipedal werewolf-like creature arose from his shadow. The werewolf had black fur besides a white undercoat, feet, and forearms. It had a strange symbol on its forehead similar to the two wolves, but this symbol seemed like a combination of the two ones before. The werewolf was also massive, almost standing the same height as Fugaku.
However, the werewolf did not stay for long as it dematerialized as Sasuke collapsed to the floor, extremely exhausted. Fugaku caught him before he hit the ground and set him on the nearby couch gently.
"You said there were two before and one died, right?" Naobito asked.
"Yes," Fugaku replied. "There was one with black fur and the other with white. The white one was decapitated and died."
"Hmm, if I remember correctly, that is an innate trait within the ability. If one of his shikigami persish its traits with be fused into a remaining one." Naobito said. "Gyokuken・Kon(Divine Dog: Totality) aye?"
The two waited until Sasuke regained consciousness, he woke up half an hour later. He opened his eyes to see his father and Naobito deep in a conversation. He sat upright on the couch, rubbing his head.
"Here's some water, Sasuke," Fugaku said giving his son a cup of water.
Sasuke drank it in quick succession.
Naobito spoke up. "You have a powerful technique boy. A kekkei genkai not seen in the Uchiha Clan for over 100 years."
Sasuke said nothing.
"You've something on your mind, boy? Speak," Naobito said.
He looked up at Naobito, "Will it help me kill that man?" he said.
Naobito closed his eyes, "Possibly, but you're still too weak to use it to its fullest capabilities. That brat from earlier was right, you are too dreary."
Sasuke clenched his fists, getting angry again. He was about to lash out, to unleash his fury and pain, but he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. He looked up and saw his father's face, calm and sincere.
"But you can be strong, Sasuke. I believe in you," Fugaku said softly.
Sasuke blinked, stunned. Was this the same man who had always been cold and distant? Who never praised or comforted him? Who always compared him to Itachi?
He felt something wet on his cheeks. Tears. He tried to wipe them away, to hide his vulnerability, but they kept falling.
"I know you must hate me for letting your mother die. I hate myself too for not being strong enough. But she wouldn't want you to be like this. She'd want you to be strong, strong enough to look over your sister. You two may not get along, have fights, and have disagreements, but at the end of the day, she is your twin. As her brother, you must protect her," Fugaku continued.
Sasuke's tears turned into sobs. He couldn't hold them back anymore. He couldn't hold anything back. He felt a wave of emotions crashing over him. Grief, guilt, anger, fear, love, longing. He felt them all, and he let them out.
"I know I haven't been the best father, but I promise you from this point on, I will do everything in my power to protect you and your sister and make you two the strongest Uchiha. Even stronger than your brother," Fugaku said. "Do you understand me?"
Sasuke nodded, unable to speak. He buried his face in his father's chest, feeling his warmth and his heartbeat. He hugged him tightly as if he was afraid to let him go. Fugaku smiled and wrapped his arms around his son.
I promise you, kaa-san, I will avenge you... and I'll protect Kiyomi, Sasuke thought.
7 YEARS LATER, UCHIHA COMPOUND
Seven years had passed since the Uchiha Massacre, and the morning sun cast a warm glow upon the Uchiha residence. Sasuke stirred in his bed as the light pierced through the window curtains. Today marked the academy graduation, where he would become a genin and take one step closer to accomplishing his goals.
He sat upright on his bed, pulling his covers back and slipping into his house shoes. He went outside his room and walked down the hall to his sister's room.
"Kiyomi, wake up," he said, knocking on her door. He heard mumblings indicating she got up, so he carried on downstairs.
He found Naobito on the couch, snoring loudly and drooling on the cushion. He reeked of sake and sweat. Sasuke ignored his grandfather and proceeded to the kitchen where his father, Fugaku, was engrossed in clan documents.
Even with the compound rebuilt, there was a lot he needed to handle and plan for the future. Sasuke exchanged a nod with his father, a silent acknowledgment of the day's significance, and went to prepare a light breakfast. Sasuke had three eggs, a sausage, and toast with no jam. After his meal, he took a quick visit upstairs for his oral hygiene and skin care rituals. Returning to his room, Sasuke donned his new attire, examining his physical changes reflecting his growth and the passage of time.
Examining himself in the mirror, he observed his sharper angles, facial features, and spikey, shortened hair. He wore a dark blue top with a high collar, buttons, and the red and white Uchiha crest. He also wore loose grey pants with black shinobi sandals. He stood at an impressive height of 5'9", taller than most boys his age.
Satisfied with his appearance, Sasuke grabbed his bag and headed to see if his sister was ready to leave. Before he could knock, the door creaked open, revealing a room transformed over the years. Posters adorned the walls, each showcasing Kiyomi's eclectic taste. There were Ichikaru Ramen vouchers, homework, and empty boxes littered around. The room had an air of organized chaos, reflecting her vibrant personality.
"Kiyomi, we're leaving," Sasuke called.
The door opened wider, revealing an older Kiyomi. Her once-childish features had given way to a graceful maturity, emphasized by the confident glint in her eyes. Her long black hair cascaded beyond her waist, framing her face and drawing attention to the Uchiha crest earrings. She wore a stylish ensemble—a black top paired with a dark blue skirt featuring straps over her shoulders. Two bands adorned each of her arms, and thigh-high black socks seamlessly connected to her black sandals. She stood at 5'8", quite tall for a girl her age.
"Otōto-chan!" Kiyomi exclaimed, embracing Sasuke in a tight hug. "Are you excited? Today is the day we become genin!"
"Yes, I know. Can you let go of me?" he asked irritated.
Kiyomi frowned as she released her brother. "Do you always have to be such a buzz kill? Can you try being a little more positive?" she said.
Sasuke said nothing and headed downstairs with Kiyomi following him. They came across Naobito still passed out and blissfully unaware of the world.
"Looks like someone had a good time last night," Kiyomi remarked.
Naobito snorted in his sleep, muttering something unintelligible.
"Should we wake him?" she said, mischief in her eyes.
Sasuke shook his head. "No, he'll be in a poor mood, and we don't have time to deal with his antics."
As they were about to head out, their father came out from the kitchen.
"Good morning, tousan," Kiyomi said. "Do you know who our sensei is going?" she asked.
Fugaku shook his head. "You will know who your sensei is after the exam. That is if you two are on the same team."
Kiyomi got a little nervous, she had been expecting to be on the same team as Sasuke. Sasuke raised an eyebrow as he also expected them to be on the same team.
"Wait, so there's a chance Sasuke and I won't be on the same team?" she asked.
"Yes, it is possible. Genin squads are typically constructed with to be well-rounded and versatile for any mission," he said. "Depending on your skill set you may be a team with a sensor, medic, or even sealing-type shinobi. With the Sharingan, we are naturally better at taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. Your teammates will be able to counter your deficiencies," Fugaku added.
Kiyomi's head dropped. "Well that's a bummer," she pouted.
Fugaku smiled. "Don't worry, I believe whatever team you two are placed on you'll do well and represent the Uchiha with pride."
Kiyomi brightens up at her father's comments. "Hai tousan, we'll do our best," she said with a smile.
The two departed their house, waving goodbye to their father, and journeyed to the academy. As they walked through the new compound, they spotted some Uchiha hanging around.
There was Tekka, Yakumi, and Naka Uchiha who were the other remaining Uchiha males outside of Fugaku, Naobito, and Sasuke. Naka married a female Uchiha survivor, Naori, and they had a son on the way. They were headed to the hospital.
Tekka was getting ready to go on patrol. He was young and single, but he primarily worked in the Konoha Military Police Force as a lieutenant. Yakumi on the other hand had married a village girl and moved away from the clan compound. This was due to an incident involving him and Sasuke where Sasuke nearly beat him to death for trying to make a move on his sister when she was 13.
As they headed towards the compound gate, they heard a familiar voice cry out to them. "Hey Sasuke-chan, Kiyomi-chan!"
The twins turned around to see Izumi Uchiha, a 20-year-old with long brown hair going past her shoulder. She wore a long-sleeved, high-collared purple shirt with the Uchiha clan symbol on the back, baggy blue pants, a shuriken hostler on her right leg, a red armband on her left arm, and a long purple fingerless glove that ran nearly the length of her arm. She also had on a jōnin flak jacket.
"Izumi-chan!" Kiyomi cried out hugging her.
"Off to the graduation exam, I assume?" she said.
"Yes," Sasuke replied. "Are you going to be our teacher Izumi-senpai?"
Izumi was one of the few remaining Uchiha who liked the twins, however, she was also avoided by the remaining clan members due to her close connection with Itachi. Luckily not many villagers knew of her connection, so she avoided hate and glances from them.
"Who knows?" she said playfully. "It was nice seeing you two, but I have a meeting to attend to. Good luck" Izumi said before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
After they reached the gate of the clan compound, they spotted Hinata heading out as well. The Uchiha and Hyūga Clan compound gates met at an intersection. Hinata was being escorted by branch members of the Hyūga Clan.
"Hey, Hinata-chan!" Kiyomi called out, waving to her best friend.
Hinata smiled and waved back to her friend. She also saw Sasuke give a brief wave towards her, causing her to blush and turn red. Sasuke was confused by this action, while Kiyomi just sighed.
In a short while, they reached the academy gates and saw their classmates and parents crowding the entrance. Everyone was excited to finally become a real shinobi and take on missions.
Sasuke stood still, looking at the entrance. Bracing himself for the next steps in his journey.
Kiyomi turned to her brother. "Are you ready, Sasuke?" she asked.
Sasuke looked at her. "Yeah, let's become shinobi," he said walking towards the entrance.
/END OF CHAPTER/