Chapter 12

Moe's fingers twitched as he focused, the energy swirling in his palm. The spiraling sphere of chakra wobbled, flickering unstable—just like the countless times before. But this time, something was different.

His Sharingan spun, analyzing the movements of chakra within the Rasengan. He could see it. The flow, the imperfections, the way it unraveled before it could take full shape.

I'm close… I just need—

He adjusted his grip, adding a slight twist with his wrist, and—

FWOOOM!

The Rasengan formed, fully stable, glowing with power.

Moe's eyes widened. He had done it. He had really done it.

For a few seconds, he just stared at the sphere in his palm, awestruck. But the strain of maintaining it was too much, and it dissipated in a burst of wind.

Moe stumbled back, breathing hard—but grinning.

I did it!

But before he could celebrate further, a voice called out.

"Oi, squirt!"

Moe froze.

Turning slowly, he saw none other than Shisui Uchiha standing a few feet away, arms crossed, watching him with an amused smirk.

"Oh… uh…" Moe tried to play it cool. "H-Hi, Shisui-niisan."

Shisui raised an eyebrow. "So, you've been sneaking off to train? And using your Sharingan to cheat, huh?"

Moe pouted. "It's not cheating!"

Shisui chuckled. "Relax, kid. I'm impressed. You learning Rasengan on your own? That's crazy."

Moe's pout deepened. "You're not gonna tell Mommy, are you?"

Shisui rubbed his chin, pretending to think. "Hmm. What do I get in return?"

Moe scowled. "You're the worst."

Shisui laughed, ruffling Moe's hair. "Kidding, kidding. But seriously, you should at least let someone help you train. What if you get hurt?"

Moe crossed his arms stubbornly. "I'm strong."

Shisui sighed, but before he could say more, another voice cut in.

"You're reckless."

Moe turned to see Itachi Uchiha approaching, his expression unreadable as usual.

The older boy stopped beside Shisui, glancing at the spot where Moe had just used Rasengan. "You're pushing yourself too hard."

Moe frowned. "I'm fine."

Itachi studied him for a moment, then sighed. "You sound like Sasuke."

Shisui grinned. "And Naruto."

Moe groaned. "Why does everyone compare me to those two?"

Shisui laughed again, but Itachi's expression remained serious. "Come. Father wants to see you."

Moe blinked. "Huh? Why?"

Shisui shrugged. "Dunno. But when Fugaku Uchiha calls, you don't keep him waiting."

Moe hesitated. He had never really spoken much with Fugaku. The head of the Uchiha clan was intimidating, strict, and rarely smiled. Moe had always felt like an outsider among the Uchiha—probably because he had been adopted into the Namikaze family.

Still… this was a chance to prove himself.

"Alright," Moe said, determination settling in his eyes.

As they walked, he stole one last glance at his hand, remembering the feeling of holding the Rasengan.

He had taken the first step.

Now, he just had to keep going.

The Uchiha Clan Compound

The Uchiha district was as pristine as ever. Traditional houses lined the streets, and several clansmen turned to watch as Moe, Shisui, and Itachi made their way through. Some whispered, others simply observed.

Moe ignored them. He was used to it.

Finally, they reached the grand residence of Fugaku Uchiha.

Inside, the clan leader sat with his usual stern expression, arms folded. His wife, Mikoto Uchiha, stood beside him, smiling warmly.

Sasuke was there too, looking at Moe with mild curiosity.

"You've been training in secret," Fugaku stated, wasting no time.

Moe stiffened. "…Yes."

Fugaku nodded. "Good."

Moe blinked. "Huh?"

"I expected nothing less from the son of the Fourth Hokage."

Moe's eyes widened. He had always thought Fugaku didn't consider him a true Uchiha.

"However," Fugaku continued, his gaze sharp, "you lack discipline."

Moe flinched. "I—"

"You will now train under me," Fugaku declared.

Moe's mouth fell open. Wait… what?!

Even Shisui looked surprised. Itachi, however, simply nodded, as if he had expected this.

Mikoto smiled gently. "You have talent, Moe. It would be a shame to let it go to waste."

Sasuke crossed his arms. "Tch. Don't slow me down."

Moe scowled. "I won't!"

Fugaku stood. "Then prove it."

And just like that, Moe's life was about to change.

Moe shifted uncomfortably under Fugaku's intense gaze. Training under the Uchiha clan head? He hadn't expected this.

"Your Sharingan has awakened early," Fugaku said. "That alone is proof of your potential. But raw talent means nothing without proper guidance."

Moe clenched his fists. "I… I want to be strong."

Fugaku nodded approvingly. "Then your training begins tomorrow."

Moe swallowed hard. This was really happening.

Before he could overthink it, a soft hand suddenly ruffled his hair.

Moe blinked up at Mikoto Uchiha, who smiled down at him warmly.

"You must be hungry after all that training, hmm?" she said.

Moe hesitated, glancing at Fugaku, who simply turned away as if dismissing him.

Mikoto chuckled. "That's a yes. Come, let's get you something to eat."

Without waiting for an answer, she gently took Moe's hand and led him toward the kitchen.

Uchiha Compound – Mikoto's Kitchen

Mikoto set a steaming bowl of rice and grilled fish in front of Moe. The rich, savory smell made his stomach growl.

He hadn't realized how hungry he was.

"Eat up, sweetheart," Mikoto said, sitting across from him.

Moe hesitated. "Um… thank you, Auntie Mikoto."

Her expression softened. "Oh, how sweet! You're such a polite boy."

Moe's face turned slightly pink as he quickly shoveled rice into his mouth.

Mikoto giggled. "You really remind me of Naruto when he was little."

Moe blinked. "Really?"

She nodded. "When Kushina used to bring him over, he would always eat so fast, afraid someone might take his food." She sighed, a bit nostalgic. "Kushina and I used to sit together and talk about our boys a lot."

Moe looked down at his bowl. His mother rarely talked about the past like that. It was nice hearing it from someone else.

Mikoto smiled warmly. "You're family, Moe. You always will be. Never forget that."

Moe swallowed hard, something warm settling in his chest.

"…Thanks, Auntie Mikoto."

She ruffled his hair again. "That's my little nephew."

For the first time, Moe felt like he truly belonged in the Uchiha clan.

While Moe was bonding with his newfound family, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were in the middle of an intense sparring session.

Kakashi leaned against a tree, watching with his signature lazy expression. Rin and Obito stood nearby, arms crossed.

"You're holding back," Obito muttered to Kakashi.

Kakashi didn't deny it. "They're still growing."

Rin smirked. "You mean Naruto's still growing. Sasuke's already making you work for it."

Obito laughed. "Yeah, and Sakura's getting sharper. If Naruto doesn't catch up, he'll be the dead last again."

Kakashi hummed in agreement. "He just needs the right push."

Right on cue, Naruto suddenly formed a shadow clone and launched himself at Sasuke. The two clashed mid-air, their attacks sending a shockwave through the field.

Obito grinned. "See? The kid's got fire."

Kakashi's gaze drifted to the distance, where the Uchiha compound stood. He had a feeling Moe was about to awaken his own fire soon enough.

Later That Night – Namikaze Household

Moe finally returned home, his stomach full and his heart lighter.

As soon as he stepped inside, a familiar red-haired blur tackled him.

"There you are, squirt!" Kushina lifted him into her arms, spinning him around. "I was about to send out a search party!"

Moe laughed. "Mommy, stop! I just—"

Kushina suddenly squinted at him. "Wait… did I just smell grilled fish on you?"

Moe froze. "Uhhh…"

Kushina gasped dramatically. "Traitor! You let Mikoto feed you before coming home?!"

Minato chuckled from the kitchen. "Guess that means I don't have to make extra for dinner."

Moe fidgeted. "I—I can still eat!"

Kushina grinned. "That's my boy!" She pulled him into a hug. "So? What happened?"

Moe hesitated, then looked up at her with bright eyes. "Fugaku's gonna train me."

Kushina blinked. Then, after a moment, she smiled proudly. "That's my little squirt. You're really growing up, huh?"

Moe hugged her tighter. "Mommy… I wanna make you proud."

Kushina's heart clenched. She pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Oh, sweetheart, you already do."

Moe buried his face in her shoulder, a smile on his lips.

The morning sun rose over Konoha, casting golden light on the Uchiha compound. Moe stood in the courtyard, heart pounding as Fugaku Uchiha watched him with his usual unreadable expression.

"I will not go easy on you," Fugaku said, arms crossed. "If you wish to train under me, you will be treated like any other Uchiha."

Moe straightened his back. "I'm ready."

Fugaku nodded. "Good. Show me what you've learned."

Moe inhaled deeply, forming a Rasengan in his palm. His Sharingan spun as he carefully controlled the swirling chakra. He had spent nights perfecting it, and now—

Fwwoom!

The sphere of energy stabilized in his hand, glowing bright.

Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly in approval. "Impressive. But power is nothing without discipline. Come."

Without another word, he turned and led Moe deeper into the compound.

The next few hours were some of the hardest Moe had ever faced.

Fugaku drilled him relentlessly, forcing him to dodge kunai, counter attacks, and refine his Sharingan. The older Uchiha was merciless, his movements precise and calculated.

Moe panted, sweat dripping down his face. His body ached, but he refused to back down.

"Again," Fugaku ordered.

Moe pushed forward, activating his Sharingan to track Fugaku's movements. He dodged a strike—barely—then countered with a kunai swipe.

Fugaku blocked effortlessly. "Your reaction time is improving."

Moe grinned despite his exhaustion.

As the session ended, Fugaku finally spoke again. "You have potential. But you need guidance."

Moe nodded. "I won't let you down."

For the first time, a ghost of a smile appeared on Fugaku's face. "We shall see."

Back at home, Kushina paced around the kitchen, frowning.

"That little squirt is up to something," she muttered.

Minato looked up from his tea. "Moe?"

Kushina huffed, crossing her arms. "He's been sneaking out more often. And now Fugaku's training him? What if he gets hurt?"

Minato chuckled. "He's growing, Kushina. He wants to prove himself."

Kushina pouted. "He doesn't need to prove anything to me. He's already my precious little boy."

Just then, the front door opened, and Moe stepped inside, looking exhausted.

Kushina rushed over. "Moe! You're all sweaty! Did that grumpy old Fugaku push you too hard?"

Moe flinched. "Mommy, I'm fine!"

Kushina sighed and pulled him into a hug anyway. "You work too hard, squirt."

Moe melted into her arms. "I just… wanna make you proud."

Kushina smiled, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You already do, baby."

Moe clung to her tighter, burying his face in her shoulder. "Love you, Mommy."

Kushina's heart squeezed. "Oh, sweetheart… I love you too."

Minato watched the scene with a warm smile.

His family was growing stronger.

And with the trials ahead, they would need to be.

The air in Konoha was shifting. Unseen forces stirred in the distance, and the Akatsuki—an organization thought to be lying dormant—was beginning to move again.

And now, their gaze had turned toward Konoha.

At the Hokage's Office

Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, sat behind his desk, scanning the intelligence reports. His brows furrowed. Akatsuki activity had increased.

Across from him stood Kakashi, Rin, and Obito, along with Jiraiya and Tsunade.

"This isn't good," Jiraiya muttered. "They've been quiet for years, but suddenly, we're hearing about them gathering forces again."

Rin frowned. "Do we know what they're after?"

Minato exhaled. "Not yet. But we suspect they're moving toward the Tailed Beasts again."

A tense silence filled the room.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "That would mean Naruto and—" He hesitated. "Moe?"

Minato nodded grimly.

Tsunade crossed her arms. "We can't take any chances. If they're after Jinchuriki, Konoha will be a major target."

Obito clenched his fists. "And you're sure Itachi isn't involved?"

Jiraiya nodded. "He's been keeping tabs on them, but he's not part of their ranks. If anything, he's trying to sabotage them from the shadows."

Minato set his hands on the desk. "We need to be prepared. Kakashi, Rin, Obito—you'll be training Naruto and the others harder. And I want an additional team monitoring Moe at all times."

Kakashi nodded. "Understood."

Rin smiled. "They're getting stronger. They won't go down easily."

Obito smirked. "Yeah. Let's see those Akatsuki guys try something."

Minato's expression remained serious. He hoped it wouldn't come to that.

But deep down, he knew the storm was coming.

Meanwhile – Akatsuki Hideout

Tobi—the clone of Obito—stood in a darkened chamber, his one swirling eye glowing ominously.

Before him, Pain sat on his stone throne, fingers interlocked.

"The time is approaching," Tobi said. "We must begin moving."

Pain's Rinnegan eyes met his. "We have waited for years. What makes now the right moment?"

Tobi's voice was eerily calm. "Because Konoha has grown too strong."

A chuckle echoed through the room. Kisame Hoshigaki leaned against the wall, Samehada resting on his shoulder. "So we're finally making a move? It's about time."

Deidara scoffed. "Tch. I still say we should've blown them up already."

Tobi ignored them. "The Nine-Tails… and the child."

Pain's gaze sharpened. "You mean the other one?"

Tobi nodded. "Moe Uchiha. He's becoming a problem. His growth must be stopped before he becomes a true threat."

Pain was silent for a long moment. Then, he slowly nodded. "Then we move forward."

The Akatsuki had set their sights on Konoha.

And they would not stop until their mission was complete.

The days following the Hokage's briefing were filled with tense preparation. The looming threat of the Akatsuki meant that Konoha had to be ready.

For Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and their fellow Genin, it meant intensified training under Kakashi, Rin, and Obito.

For Moe, it meant being watched more closely than ever.

For Minato, it meant ensuring his family—and his village—survived what was coming.

Namikaze Household – Kushina's Worries

Night had fallen, and in the Namikaze home, Kushina sat by Moe's bedside, gently running her fingers through his dark hair as he slept.

She could see the faint shadows under his eyes. Her little squirt had been training so hard lately. Too hard.

Minato stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "You're worried."

Kushina sighed. "Of course I am. First, it was Naruto getting into trouble, and now Moe's sneaking off for secret training. I barely get time to just… hold him anymore."

Minato walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's growing up, Kushina."

She huffed. "I know, but—"

Moe stirred slightly in his sleep, mumbling, "Mommy…" as he clung to her arm.

Kushina's heart melted instantly. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "My little squirt," she whispered.

Minato chuckled. "Looks like you still have plenty of time to hold him."

Kushina shot him a playful glare before relaxing. "Yeah… but that doesn't mean I won't keep an eye on him."

She had a bad feeling in her gut. The Akatsuki was moving. And they had her baby in their sights.

The morning sun cast long shadows over the training field as Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura faced off against Kakashi.

"Well, well," Kakashi mused, flipping open his book. "You three have been training hard. Maybe this time, you'll actually land a hit on me."

Naruto smirked. "Tch, you're gonna eat those words, Kakashi-sensei!"

Sasuke activated his Sharingan. "Let's just get this over with."

Sakura took a stance. "We're stronger now."

Kakashi chuckled. "Then show me."

BOOM!

Naruto rushed forward with a shadow clone feint, Sasuke covered him with a barrage of fire jutsu, and Sakura ripped up the ground with a chakra-enhanced punch.

Kakashi vanished in a blur, dodging every attack effortlessly.

"Too slow," he called out, reappearing behind them.

Sasuke spun, Sharingan flashing. "Got you."

A Chidori crackled in his palm as he lunged.

Kakashi's lone eye widened. "Hoh…"

Just before Sasuke could land a hit—Kakashi vanished again, reappearing behind Naruto.

"Not bad," he admitted. "But you'll have to do better."

Naruto gritted his teeth. "Then we'll just keep trying!"

The training continued, their bond as a team growing stronger with each exchange.

Deep in an unknown location, Pain and Tobi stood before the gathered Akatsuki.

"The time has come," Pain said. "Konoha is too strong. We must strike before they grow stronger."

Tobi's lone eye gleamed. "We will begin with reconnaissance. Our first target… is Moe Uchiha."

Kisame grinned. "Heh. I'll take care of the little brat."

Pain shook his head. "No. We do not act rashly. We send someone to observe first."

A figure stepped forward.

Zetsu.

"He won't even know I'm there," he said with a dark chuckle.

Tobi nodded. "Good. If he shows promise… we will take him."

The Akatsuki's plan had begun.

And Konoha had no idea.

Moe sat on the porch, idly twirling a kunai in his fingers. The past few days had been intense—his training, his secret Rasengan attempts, and now, an increasing sense of unease he couldn't shake.

His Sharingan had activated by accident last night, and when he looked into the shadows of the trees near his home… he thought he saw something. A presence. Watching.

"Probably just my imagination…" he muttered to himself.

But even as he tried to ignore it, his instincts screamed at him that something wasn't right.

His thoughts were interrupted when the front door slammed open and Kushina stormed out, looking incredibly flustered.

"Moe! Time for breakfast, sweetheart!" she called, her voice just a little more high-pitched than usual.

Moe raised an eyebrow. "Mom, why are you acting weird?"

Kushina twitched. "N-No reason! Just come inside already!"

Moe sighed, hopping up and following her in.

Unbeknownst to him, Zetsu, hidden in the shadows, observed the exchange with interest.

"So this is the boy…" the dark half of Zetsu whispered.

The white half chuckled. "He's cute. I can see why they dote on him."

The dark half grinned. "Let's see how strong he really is."

Zetsu melted back into the earth, his reconnaissance mission just beginning.

Kakashi's Dirty Secret – The Discovery

At Konoha's main training field, Kakashi stood under a tree, calmly flipping through one of his beloved books, his visible eye half-lidded in relaxation.

Rin, standing nearby, noticed.

"Hey, Kakashi, what are you reading?" she asked casually.

"Hm?" He glanced up. "Oh, just some light reading."

Rin tilted her head, stepping closer. "Let me see."

Kakashi instinctively pulled the book back. "That's not necessary."

Rin squinted. "...Kakashi."

She snatched the book before he could react.

She flipped it open.

She read the first few lines.

She turned the page.

Her face went completely red.

"...Kakashi," she said slowly, "WHAT. THE. HELL. IS THIS?!"

Kakashi took a cautious step back. "Now, Rin, let's not overreact—"

"This is smut!" Rin screeched. "18+ explicit filth! YOU'VE BEEN READING THIS IN PUBLIC?!"

Obito, who had just arrived, burst out laughing. "Wait, wait, wait—you mean those pervy books Kakashi always reads are actually—"

"WRITTEN BY JIRAIYA-SENSEI?!" Rin screamed, her fist shaking as she turned another page she really shouldn't have.

Obito fell to the ground wheezing. "Oh man, Rin's pissed."

Rin's eyes glowed with fury. "KAKASHI. I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."

Kakashi turned and ran for his life.

"GET BACK HERE, YOU PERVERTED BOOKWORM!" Rin launched after him, tackling him in front of the entire training squad.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stopped mid-training to stare in horror.

Might Guy, who happened to be passing by, struck a dramatic pose. "Kakashi! You have fallen to the corrupt ways of Jiraiya-sama's literature! I am disappointed, my eternal rival!"

Tsunade, sipping sake nearby, smirked. "Hah. Finally."

Jiraiya, who was also there, pouted. "Hey, my books are masterpieces!"

Rin turned her glare toward him.

Jiraiya wisely left.

As Kakashi cried for mercy, Rin pummeled him senseless.

Meanwhile – Akatsuki's Plans Deepen

Far from Konoha, Tobi sat in the shadows of the Akatsuki hideout, his lone eye fixed on the reports from Zetsu.

"So… Moe Uchiha," he mused.

Pain looked at him. "What did Zetsu find?"

Tobi's lips curled into a dark smirk. "He's stronger than expected. He's been training in secret, growing at a dangerous rate."

Kisame chuckled. "Heh. You sound worried. It's just some brat."

Tobi's eye sharpened. "No. He's an Uchiha raised by the Yellow Flash and the Red-Hot Habanero. His Sharingan is awakening faster than it should."

Pain was silent.

Tobi leaned forward. "We need to move soon."

Pain nodded. "Then we begin phase one."

The Akatsuki had decided.

Their attack on Konoha would begin soon.

And Moe Uchiha was at the center of it all.

Filler Chapter: The Baby Incident

It started as a normal day.

Minato was buried under paperwork, Kakashi was recovering from Rin's recent assault over his book collection, and Moe was supposed to be playing at home.

Except… he wasn't.

Because he had just turned into a baby.

Earlier That Day – The Incident

Moe had been wandering around Tsunade's office. Big mistake.

"Man, she has so many weird potions," he muttered, peering at the shelves of glowing vials.

One, in particular, caught his eye—a small bottle labeled "DO NOT DRINK."

Moe squinted.

"Well, now I have to drink it."

Before his brain could catch up with his idiocy, he grabbed the vial and took a sip.

The world blurred.

His limbs shrunk.

His vision warped.

Then, everything went black.

Namikaze Household – Kushina's Horror

Kushina hummed as she folded laundry, feeling particularly cheerful. Her baby Moe had been growing so fast, but at least she still had time to dote on him.

"Mommy?"

She turned around—
And saw a tiny, chubby, INFANT Moe sitting in a pile of his now-overgrown clothes, blinking up at her.

…

"…AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

The Chaos That Followed

Minato nearly fell out of his chair when Kushina barged into his office, holding baby Moe like an unstable grenade.

"Minato, FIX IT."

The Hokage blinked. "Uh… what?"

She shoved the babified Moe into his arms. "Moe. Our Moe. Look at him."

Minato blinked at the tiny bundle in his arms. Moe gurgled and clapped his hands.

"…Well. That's unexpected."

"Unexpected?!" Kushina's hair flared violently. "Minato, my baby is a baby again! I just got him to stop wetting the bed, and now I have to go through it again?!"

"I'm sure there's an explanation," Minato said weakly.

"Kushina, why are you screaming—"

Rin and Kakashi entered the room.

They froze at the sight of baby Moe.

Rin: "…Oh my god."
Kakashi: "…I'm not babysitting."

Kushina shoved Moe into Kakashi's arms.

"You are now."

Moe, the Menace (Baby Edition)

Kakashi sat on the floor, glaring at baby Moe, who was now gleefully chewing on his mask.

"…I hate this."

Rin cooed. "Awww, but he's so cute! Look at his little hands!"

"Gah!" Moe babbled, smacking Kakashi in the face.

Naruto entered the room, saw baby Moe, and immediately burst out laughing.

"PFFFFT—WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?!"

Kushina, arms crossed, growled, "He got into Tsunade's stuff."

Obito, arriving late, stared.

"…Can we keep him like this?"

Kushina threw a frying pan at him.

The Hunt for a Cure

Tsunade snorted into her sake when she heard what happened.

"You mean the baby potion? Yeah, he'll be fine in a few hours. It wears off."

Kushina twitched. "YOU HAD A POTION THAT COULD TURN PEOPLE INTO BABIES?!"

Tsunade shrugged. "Jiraiya bet me I couldn't make one. I won."

Kushina threw another frying pan.

Four Hours Later – Moe Returns to Normal

True to Tsunade's word, Moe poofed back to his normal self mid-nap.

He blinked blearily. "Ugh… what happened?"

Kushina hugged him so hard he thought he'd suffocate.

"YOU ARE NEVER GOING NEAR TSUNADE'S OFFICE AGAIN."

Moe had never been more afraid in his life.

Meanwhile, Kakashi, Naruto, and Obito sat in the corner, mildly disappointed.

"I kinda liked baby Moe," Naruto admitted.

Kakashi sighed. "Yeah… he was quieter."

Obito grinned. "We should trick him into drinking it again."

Kushina cracked her knuckles.

They wisely ran for their lives.