The evening sun cast a warm glow over Konoha, but for Kizashi, its beauty was overshadowed by the tension hanging in the air like a shroud. The urgency of their situation left no room for distractions. He stood in the Uchiha compound's main hall, surrounded by a small council of trusted allies—Izumi Uchiha, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, the ever-cautious Itachi, Shisui who bore a grim expression, and the Uzu ninja that was recruited to aid in altering the seal. Little Sasuke kept trying to listen under the door for what was going on.

At the center of the room, a makeshift table overflowed with scrolls containing fūinjutsu formulas, sketches of sealing matrixes, and hastily drawn diagrams—each a piece of a puzzle that had grown infinitely more complex.

"Sakura is strong, but she's still a child," Fugaku remarked as he studied the scrolls laid out before him. "To train her in these conditions—at such a young age—runs the risk of breaking her spirit. We need to tread carefully."

"She may be strong, but she's also fragile right now," Izumi added, her voice steady yet laced with concern. "The trauma she's experienced could affect her stability." She turned to Kizashi, empathy etched in her features. "Have you spoken with her since she was brought here?"

Kizashi nodded, albeit reluctantly. "I've assured her that she is safe, but it's hard to mask my own fear around her. The last thing I want is for her to feel that weight."

"It's imperative that we keep her grounded," Itachi contributed, his tone calm yet commanding. "If we can manage to alter the part of the seal that links her to Danzo, we may be able to allow her to master her powers. Otherwise, the risk of the beast emerging could be too great."

Mikoto stepped forward, placing a hand on Kizashi's shoulder. "What do you need from us? I know we all might be reluctant, but we can share the burden of training and protecting her."

Kizashi appreciated the support. "The altered seal needs to be memorized perfectly. It was constructed by Danzo, which means no detail can be overlooked. Kenji and Akane, you two have the best sealing knowledge to assist me for this. Haruka, you are the only one who can confidently assess the original seal and its hidden patterns."

Shisui paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "But what of Danzo? Is there any information that we can gather on his movements? He won't sit idle after this failure. He will be looking for opportunities to reclaim the power he lost with Sakura's capture. We have to anticipate his moves in advance."

Kizashi exchanged a knowing glance with Fugaku. "They may come for her again, but if we can thwart this next attempt, we could expose some of their operations. Doubling down on our defenses would scare off any immediate retaliation for the time being."

"Chiharu and Itsuki will join you Shisui. Given your sensory abilities. I need you to detect any signs of Danzo's men."

Kizashi weighed his options. "We can also arrange for Ino and Sasuke to train alongside Sakura. If they grow together, they can help each other expand their abilities, while remaining protected. Ino's presence might also ease some of Sakura's trauma. And Shisui, form a task force to track Danzo's whereabouts."

As plans were formulated, the head doctor from Konoha General approached, his expression grave.

"We need to test the efficacy of the altered seal soon," he stated. "I'm afraid if we delay, the three-tails may break free during Sakura's training. The more she uses chakra, the more unstable her situation becomes."

Kizashi felt a swell of determination surge through him. "We won't allow it to come to that. I will not let this village turn my daughter into a weapon."

They would proceed with training and altering the seal simultaneously—balancing both as smoothly as they could manage. Kizashi felt the weight of responsibility, yet a flicker of hope ignited within him. He had allies—friends—who understood the gravity of his task. Their hearts were light with the weight of common purpose.

"We can't forget the importance of Sakura's emotional state, too," Izumi interjected. "In addition to physical training, she needs emotional support."

Mikoto nodded in agreement. "Her bonds with others are just as crucial as her strength. Izumi, would you be willing to mentor her? You have a way with children and can offer her guidance without putting her under excessive pressure."

"Of course, I'd be honored," said Izumi, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.

Just then, a burst of energy broke through the tension. Little Sasuke, who had stretched himself too far in an attempt to eavesdrop, stumbled into the room. His cheeks flushed from the effort and his onyx eyes wide with curiosity. "What are you talking about? Is it about Sakura? I want to help too!"

Kizashi knelt to meet the young Uchiha's gaze. "Sasuke, this is a very complicated matter. We're discussing how to keep Sakura safe and help her grow strong. But it's also much more than that. Can you handle such responsibilities?"

Sasuke nodded earnestly, determination brightening his features. "I'm strong! I can protect her!" There was such fierce sincerity in his voice that laughter bubbled up around the group, if only momentarily.

Fugaku chuckled and tousled his son's hair. "You have a good heart, Sasuke. "

Sakura had been in a deep sleep with a fever. The young pinkette begun to stir, groaning and trying to hold on to the last vestige of sleep.

"Sa-chan," Kizashi said gently, "there's something important we need to talk about."

"We need to change the seal Danzo placed on you. It connects you to something dangerous—the beast inside you."

"Papa, I heard him.. h-he's not a monster and he wants to be called Isobu-san."

To hear Sakura expressing a connection to the three-tails within her unsettled everyone, and they exchanged apprehensive glances, muffling their reactions.

Kizashi maintained his calm demeanor, though inside, his heart raced. "Sakura, the creature you feel—Isobu, as you call him—he's not inherently evil, but we need to be cautious. The connection Danzo established amplifies the danger. We must alter the seal to keep both you and the village safe."

Sakura sat up slowly, her pink hair tousled and her eyes still bleary from sleep. "But Papa… he doesn't want to hurt anyone. I can feel it. Sometimes he just feels… lonely." She inhaled sharply, a touch of anxiety flickering over her features. "What if he's scared?"

Fugaku stepped forward, his authoritative presence easing the tension. "It's understandable to feel compassion for Isobu, Sakura. He's been trapped, and conflict often generates fear. It's important to know you're not alone—your friends and family are here to support you through this."

The young pinkette looked around the room, her gaze landing on each concerned face. "Are you all… are you really going to help me?"

Mikoto crouched down to be eye level with Sakura, her tone gentle and nurturing. "Sakura-chan, we are a community, and we protect each other. You're not just a duty for us, you're family. We can help you understand your powers, and we can help Isobu too. But first, we need to ensure you're safe from the connections Danzo made."

"But what if I turn into a monster?" Sakura asked, her voice trembling with anxiety. "What if I hurt someone?"

Izumi knelt beside her and took her hands gently. "Listen to me, Sakura. The fact that you care, that you worry—it shows how strong your heart is. You're not a monster. You're a brave girl who can learn to harness these powers. We will help you control them, and we'll be by your side every step of the way."

Sasuke piped up eagerly, his small hands balled into fists. "Yeah! We'll train together, and I'll make sure to protect you from anyone who tries to hurt you! You're my friend, and I won't let anything happen." His sincerity sparked a small smile on Sakura's face.

"Is it… Is it okay if I keep talking to him?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, glancing back at her father. "I want to help him, and I want him to help me too."

Kizashi considered her words, understanding the depth of her desire to form a bond with Isobu. "If we can ensure your safety first, then yes. Building a connection with him may help both you and him."

As they engaged in further discussions about training schedules and safety measures, Sakura's small voice broke through the murmur: "Can we train in the forest? It would be nice to hear the sounds of nature while I meditate. Isobu-san has never been to the ocean. He wants to be near something thay reminds him of home "

Mikoto laughed softly, ruffling the girl's hair. "Of course! Fresh air and the whispers of the leaves can be quite calming. It's an excellent idea."

Sakura's cheeks flushed in delight, her earlier anxieties slowly melting away. "Thank you, everyone. I…I feel like I can do this with all of you by my side."

"We're in this together, Sakura," Kizashi said. "No one fights alone, especially not in this family."