Hokage's Office.
Wisps of smoke curling from the pipe blurred the deeply wrinkled face of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"So, you had just arrived in Sunagakure when the One-Tail's seal conveniently went berserk?"
Hiruzen's voice was calm and aged, betraying no emotion.
"Yes."
Sora stepped forward, his face showing just the right amount of lingering shock.
"We had only just handed the scroll to the Fourth Kazekage when that massive tanuki began destroying the village. The situation was extremely chaotic—the Kazekage personally stepped in to suppress it. Worried about getting caught up in it and becoming a burden to Sunagakure, we took advantage of the confusion to escape and return."
His words were watertight.
They explained their early return, absolved them of any moral failing for "not helping," and even subtly highlighted the Konoha ANBU's "big-picture awareness."
Hiruzen took a deep puff, exhaling a murky smoke ring.
His seemingly dim eyes swept over Sora and Itachi's faces.
"You've both worked hard."
After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"I'll contact Rasa personally. You completed this mission well."
Another formulaic, empty encouragement.
Sora inwardly rolled his eyes but put on an excited, flattered expression.
"It's our honor to serve the village!"
Uchiha Itachi, standing beside him, remained silent throughout.
He was the perfect backdrop—his silence confirming everything Sora said.
"Mm, go rest." Hiruzen waved his hand. "The village has been peaceful lately—you can take a vacation."
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Sora pulled Itachi along, bowing respectfully before exiting the office.
Only when the heavy wooden door closed behind them, cutting off the Hokage's view, did Sora exhale deeply.
He turned to Itachi with a brilliant, survivor-like smile.
"Done! Let's go eat at Ichiraku! My treat!"
He reverted fully to his carefree "little sun" persona.
Itachi glanced at him, said nothing, and merely nodded lightly.
The two walked side by side on Konoha's streets.
Bright sunshine, bustling pedestrians—a scene of peace and prosperity.
Utterly different from the deadly, sand-filled wasteland they'd left behind.
"Itachi."
At the fork where they'd part ways, Sora stopped.
"You haven't forgotten our agreement, right?"
His voice was soft, face still bright with a smile—but his amber eyes held no laughter.
Itachi stopped too.
He didn't look at Sora, just gazed at the Uchiha clan grounds ahead—isolated by an invisible wall.
"I remember."
Just three words.
Yet heavy as mountains.
"Good."
Sora nodded satisfactorily, his smile turning genuine and radiant again.
"Then I'm off! Ramen awaits!"
He waved and dashed off toward Ichiraku, humming a tune.
Itachi stood quietly, watching the figure vanish into the crowd—for a long while unmoving.
Then he turned and headed home.
The path home, walked countless times, felt extraordinarily long today.
At the Uchiha clan grounds entrance, the massive fan crest gleamed cold and proud in the sun.
Patrolling police force clansmen stopped to bow respectfully upon seeing him.
"Lord Itachi."
He returned each greeting and passed through familiar streets.
Opening the house door.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home, Itachi."
His mother, Uchiha Mikoto, emerged from the kitchen in an apron, smiling gently.
"The mission must have been tough."
"Mm."
"Big brother!"
A small figure rushed from the living room, hugging his leg.
Sasuke.
Itachi looked down at his little brother's upturned face—full of admiration and joy.
The massive waves Sora had stirred in his heart miraculously calmed a bit.
He reached out, gently poking Sasuke's forehead with two fingers.
"Sorry, Sasuke."
"Not again..."
Sasuke rubbed his forehead, puffing his cheeks in dissatisfaction.
Itachi said nothing more.
He crossed the living room and headed straight to the study deepest in the residence.
His father, Uchiha Fugaku, was waiting.
Sliding open the paper door.
Fugaku, in full clan head attire, knelt at the head seat, polishing a samurai sword.
He didn't look up—his movements meticulous.
The room's air was oppressively heavy.
"Father."
Itachi knelt opposite him, bowing his head.
"I have something important to report."
Fugaku's polishing paused.
"A village mission?"
"No." Itachi looked up, black eyes meeting his father's. "It's about the rise or fall of the Uchiha clan."
"Oh?"
Fugaku finally set down the sword and raised his eyes.
Eyes much like Itachi's—but filled with authority and ambition.
Three tomoe slowly emerged in his sockets.
He was scrutinizing his son with the Sharingan.
Itachi didn't avert his gaze.
He recounted everything from his conversation with Sora by the stream—the shocking plan—in full detail.
Of course, omitting the Mangekyō part.
He only said Akashi Sora had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
The study fell into dead silence.
Fugaku's stern expression gradually vanished.
Replaced by shock, absurdity, disbelief.
"What did you say?"
His voice distorted from overwhelming shock.
"A war orphan? An outsider? Awakened our Uchiha Sharingan?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
A massive chakra burst from him—the entire study hummed.
"Father, please calm down."
Itachi remained kneeling, unmoving.
"I confirmed it with my own eyes—genuine three-tomoe Sharingan."
Fugaku's chest heaved; he stared fixedly at Itachi.
"Some unknown brat thinks that with a pair of eyes from who-knows-where, he can make the entire Uchiha clan support him as Hokage?"
"Is he insane, or are you?"
"This is a trap! A trap from that old fox the Third to probe and divide us!"
Facing his father's rage, Itachi's response was terrifyingly calm.
"He instructed me to tell only you."
"In the eyes of the village higher-ups, he's still the perfect, pure-blooded civilian genius."
"His identity is our greatest trump card."
"He said it's the perfect leverage point to shift the situation."
Itachi relayed Sora's words verbatim.
Fugaku's anger gradually subsided.
He wasn't a fool.
On the contrary—as the clan head who'd led the Uchiha this far—his political sense was far sharper than most.
After shock and fury, extreme rationality returned.
A trap?
Unlikely.
If this were the Third's scheme, the cost would be too high.
A talent rivaling Itachi and Shisui—a perfect Hokage candidate—as mere bait for a probe?
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't that extravagant.
Then...
What if it was all true?
A boy with Uchiha blood—but not bearing the Uchiha name.
A "one of us" with no clan background, highly favored by the Third and higher-ups.
If, with the Uchiha's secret support, this boy ascended to Hokage...
What would it mean for the Uchiha?
Fugaku's heart pounded uncontrollably.
The curse plaguing the Uchiha for decades—exclusion from the core of power, that humiliating curse—would break without effort!
No coup needed.
No bloodshed.
Just push this boy to that seat.
This...
This was Amaterasu's gift—the Uchiha's only redemption!
Fugaku looked at his son—at those calm, resolute eyes.
He suddenly understood.
Why Itachi made this choice.
Because it was the only path to save both village and clan.
"I understand."
Fugaku slowly closed his eyes; when he reopened them, the three tomoe had vanished.
Leaving only bottomless, grave black.
"We'll do as he says."
"From today, Akashi Sora is the Uchiha clan's highest-level secret."
He looked at Itachi, solemnly enunciating.
"Itachi, you've done well."
"This is the closest the Uchiha has ever been to that position."
Receiving his father's approval brought Itachi no joy.
He merely nodded lightly.
"Yes."
He stood to leave.
"Wait."
Fugaku stopped him.
Itachi paused and turned.
Fugaku didn't look at him—instead resuming polishing the cold samurai sword with silk.
"Tell that brat Akashi Sora."
"Don't think that with our support, he can do whatever he wants."
"The Uchiha's future must remain in Uchiha hands."
With that, he said no more.
Itachi paused silently, bowed deeply, and exited the study.
The paper door slid shut slowly.
Leaving Fugaku alone.
He stopped polishing, gazing quietly at the blade—sharp enough to reflect his face.
On the blade, a pair of crimson eyes—distinct from three-tomoe, eerie yet magnificent—flashed briefly.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Akashi... Sora?"
He murmured the name.
Done.
Another solid step toward that supreme position.
And a huge one—binding the future clan exterminator Uchiha Itachi firmly to his chariot.
Sora's mood was unprecedentedly light.
The thrill of orchestrating everything, turning the future upside down—it was more intoxicating than developing an S-class ninjutsu.
Sigh, my damn talent.
Sora inwardly rebuked himself insincerely again.
Someone as hardworking as him deserved a reward.
Barbecue it is!
Yes—to the Akimichi clan's BBQ Q! Let premium wagyu fat soothe his heart, shattered from worrying about ninja world peace!
Decided, Sora turned without hesitation toward the village's busiest commercial street.
The barbecue aroma reached him from afar.
Sora contentedly pushed aside the noren curtain.
"Welcome!"
The staff's enthusiastic greeting, mixed with sizzling meat sounds, filled the space with happy, everyday warmth.
Sora took a window corner seat, ready to order a deluxe set.
Then his movement froze.
At a nearby table, a familiar figure caught his eye.
Brilliant golden long hair tied in a neat high ponytail.
Yamanaka Kaede.
His ANBU teammate.
Today she wasn't in standard ninja gear but a simple pale purple yukata—softening her ANBU sharpness, adding a warm big-sister vibe.
Across from her sat a middle-aged couple in their forties.
The man refined and steady. The woman well-maintained, elegant—with features seven or eight parts similar to Kaede's.
Family dinner?
Sora instinctively minimized his presence.
Running into a colleague off-duty was awkward enough.
Especially during a family gathering.
He quietly shrank bit by bit into the shadows.
If I can't see them, they can't see me.
However.
"Oh? Isn't that..."
Kaede's mother across from her suddenly let out a surprised, delighted exclamation.
She'd seen him.
Busted.
Sora's heart sank.
Kaede followed her mother's gaze—pausing upon seeing Sora, then smiling unexpectedly.
She lightly waved at him.
No escape now.
Sora stood from his corner, flashing his signature energetic smile.
"Kaede-senpai, what a coincidence! You here for barbecue too?"
He greeted while subtly edging toward the door with his heels.
"Yeah." Kaede stood, smiling back. "With my parents."
"Oh my, Kaede—this is that teammate you always mention?" Her mother stood too, eyeing Sora up and down with a mother-in-law-meets-potential-son-in-law mix of scrutiny and enthusiasm.
Sora felt uncomfortably scrutinized.
"Come over, young man! Eating alone? Join us! Don't be shy!"
Kaede's mother issued an irresistibly warm invitation.
Kaede's face flashed embarrassment. "Mom, don't—you'll scare the junior."
"What's wrong with that? Your teammate is half my son! Come, come—sit!"
Her mother brooked no refusal, walking over, grabbing Sora's wrist, and pulling him to the seat.
No declining such hospitality.
Sora inwardly wailed.
I just wanted a quiet barbecue!
Why does this feel like being dragged to a blind date?
In the end, he was planted in the seat—right beside Kaede.
"Hello, I'm Kaede's father—Yamanaka Inoichi." The silent man nodded mildly at Sora.
Yamanaka Inoichi?
Yamanaka clan head—Ino's father?
Sora inwardly jolted again.
This meal's stakes were high.
"Hello, Uncle and Aunt—I'm Akashi Sora, Kaede-senpai's teammate. She's always looked out for me."
"Oh my, what a handsome boy!" Kaede's mother grew more pleased, enthusiastically pushing a plate of freshly grilled beef tongue to him. "Here, eat more! You're so thin—being a ninja must be hard, right?"
"It's fine—serving the village is my honor." Sora took a piece, spouting pleasantries.
This damn meet-the-parents vibe—what's going on!
"How old are you this year, Sora?"
Here it comes.
The deadly Q&A begins.
"To answer Aunt—I'm thirteen."
"Thirteen?!" Kaede's mother and Inoichi exclaimed in unison, surprised.
"Already in ANBU at that age? Impressive!" Her mother praised.
Inoichi gave him a couple extra glances.
"Then... anyone else in your family?"
Here we go again.
Killer question combo.
Sora's smile froze briefly but quickly recovered.
In a tone with just the right youthful melancholy yet feigned strength, he said softly: "My parents died in the war—I'm an orphan."
The air instantly quieted.
Her mother's enthusiasm turned to pity and apology. "Ah... sorry, child—Aunt didn't mean to..."
"It's okay, Aunt." Sora shook his head, forcing a bright smile. "It's in the past. Now I have the village, Lord Hokage, and comrades like Kaede-senpai—I'm doing great."
Flawless answer.
Earned sympathy while showing positivity and love for the village.
Sure enough, her mother now looked at him like a long-lost son.
Yamanaka Kaede watched his impeccable smile—feeling an inexplicable pang of heartache.
She placed a piece of meat in his bowl.
"Eat."
"Thank you, Kaede-senpai!" Sora replied immediately, then—to shift the heavy topic—loudly praised to her parents.
"You don't know how amazing Kaede-senpai is on the team! So reliable, thoughtful—always looks out for me on missions!"
Perfect flattery.
Her parents beamed with pride.
"Really? This girl—just too responsible." Her mother complained verbally but overflowed with smiles.
She glanced at her daughter—blushing from the direct praise—and sighed faintly.
"Yeah, everything's great—except she can't get married."
"We're so worried."
"Cough!" Kaede nearly choked on her meat.
"Mom! What are you saying!" Her face flushed to her ears.
"How is that wrong?" Her mother ignored the protest, unloading woes to Sora. "Sora, you judge—is our Kaede not pretty? Stable job, good personality—why no takers?"
"There really aren't many unmarried women her age left in the village!"
Unmarried... leftover woman?
Sora's brain crashed.
He stiffly turned to glance at Kaede beside him—who wanted to burrow into the floor.
Kaede-senpai... is only in her early twenties, right?
That counts as a leftover woman?
This world's marriage market is way too competitive!
"Mom! Say one more word and I'm leaving!" Kaede finally snapped her ultimatum.
"Alright, alright—no more." Her mother waved but her "my daughter can't marry" expression didn't fade.
The meal ended in half-awkward, half-bizarre atmosphere.
Sora felt more exhausted than fighting Shukaku.
"Thank you for the treat, Uncle and Aunt!" At the BBQ shop door, Sora bowed ninety degrees, desperate to flee.
"Don't mention it—come home often!" Her mother waved enthusiastically.
Sora nodded repeatedly, turning to escape via body flicker.
"Akashi-kun."
The mostly silent Yamanaka Inoichi suddenly called him.
Sora stopped and turned.
"Anything else, Uncle?"
Inoichi walked slowly to him—those pale purple eyes calmly fixed on Sora.
A gaze that could see through hearts—the Yamanaka clan's scrutiny.
Sora's heart tightened inexplicably.
But his face remained innocently smiling.
Inoichi looked at him—and smiled too.
Warm, refined—yet sending a chill down Sora's spine.
"You're an outstanding child."
Inoichi spoke.
"Kaede is lucky to have a teammate like you."