Chapter 2
The next morning, Hinata left home early to volunteer at the orphanage. The morning air was crisp, and the village streets were already bustling with early risers. As she walked, the tiny Susanoo keychain swayed gently from her bag.
Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha jogged through the village, his usual routine since agreeing—albeit reluctantly—to stay in Konoha a little longer. It had taken time, but the villagers had grown accustomed to his presence. Surprisingly, no one openly feared him anymore. Some even greeted him, though he usually only responded with a curt nod.
He wasn't the type to care for trivial things like merchandise, but he'd heard rumors of plushies being made in his image. The first time Naruto had gleefully shoved a Susanoo plushie in his face, Sasuke had stared at it blankly, then tossed it aside without a word. The idea of people owning tiny versions of his chakra avatar was… bizarre, to say the least.
'Who even buys these things?' he had thought at the time.
His answer came unexpectedly that morning.
As he jogged past a familiar figure, he barely spared her a glance—a Hyuga. Her name was… what was it again? He knew her, of course. Naruto spoke about her often, and she had fought bravely in the war. But Sasuke had never interacted with her much.
It wasn't until his gaze landed on her bag that he slowed his pace.
A small purple keychain dangled from it—a tiny Susanoo. His Susanoo.
Sasuke came to a stop, his dark eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. 'Seriously?'
For a brief moment, he considered just moving on, but something made him stay. Did she even know it was his Susanoo, or was this just a coincidence?