Inside the Akamichi BBQ restaurant, steam rose in waves, fat sizzling on the grill with a tempting hiss. The rich aroma was enough to make any hungry shinobi's mouth water.
Yet in the window booth, the atmosphere felt somewhat stifled.
Yamato and Yamanaka Kaede sat across from each other, Uchiha Itachi alone on one side. The meat on the table had been replaced once, but hardly anyone had touched their chopsticks.
The curtain parted.
In that instant, the restaurant's usual clamor seemed to quiet.
Several familiar gazes turned sharply toward the entrance.
Sora wore a brilliant smile as he stepped aside, fully revealing Karin behind him to the trio's view.
Kaede's movements froze.
Yamato's hand, holding tongs, paused mid-air.
The girl was no longer the pitiful creature trembling in a sack, covered in filth and the stench of blood.
She now wore clean clothes—though clearly oversized cotton ones—and her flame-like red hair had been trimmed neat and short, revealing a pale, delicate face.
She resembled a kitten soaked by rain and then carefully dried—timidly hiding behind Sora, her large eyes filled with fear of this unfamiliar world.
"Sorry we're late."
Sora pulled out the chair beside Itachi and gently pressed Karin's shoulder, guiding her to sit.
The girl's body was rigid as a board; she practically wedged herself into the gap between the chair and wall, as if wishing to vanish.
Sora sat casually, effortlessly picking a sizzling strip of pork belly from the grill and placing it on his plate.
"Reporting to the Hokage took some time, and I took her shopping along the way," he explained, as if it were the most ordinary thing.
Kaede stared at the scene, opening her mouth but finding no words.
The sight was too bizarre.
The man who, not long ago, had leveled an entire forest with a single technique was now patiently cutting grilled meat into small pieces with scissors and placing them in the red-haired girl's bowl.
The girl merely stared fearfully at the meat in her bowl, unmoving.
Sora raised his teacup toward the group.
"Don't just sit there—eat."
His face bore that snow-melting, radiant smile.
"Come on, let's toast first."
"To celebrate me, Akashi Sora, officially becoming a big brother from today onward!"
Bang!
Kaede slammed her teacup down, splashing a few drops.
"Sister?"
She glared at Sora, her pretty face flushed with anger.
"Akashi Sora, have you lost your mind? You call this a sister? You clearly kidnapped her from the Land of Grass!"
Her voice was low but seething with suppressed fury, drawing curious glances from nearby tables.
Karin flinched violently at the outburst, shrinking tighter; the tiny bit of courage she'd mustered vanished instantly.
"Kidnapped?"
Sora sipped his tea leisurely, unflustered.
"Senior Kaede, choose your words carefully. This is called 'protective retrieval.'"
He set down his cup and grinned at her.
"Besides, I've already received the Hokage's approval. Legally, from today, I am Uzumaki Karin's official guardian."
"Right, Yamato?" He suddenly turned to the silent Wood Release user.
Yamato paused, then nodded.
"Yes. The captain did... complete the adoption procedures in the Hokage's office."
Though he found the whole affair bizarre, the Hokage's word was absolute.
"Uzumaki... Karin?"
Kaede's attention snagged on the surname.
"Exactly." Sora's smile gained a righteous "justice" edge. "The orphan of our village's most loyal allies, suffering abuse outside. How could we Konoha shinobi stand idly by?"
"I brought her back, gave her a home and a bright future. This is the embodiment of the Will of Fire."
His words were grand and impeccable.
Kaede was rendered speechless.
She could question Sora's actions, but not the Hokage's decision—or the lofty banner of the "Will of Fire."
Perfect.
Suppressing emotion with authority was always the most efficient method.
Sora praised himself inwardly.
He placed a grilled mushroom in Karin's bowl.
"Eat. It won't taste good cold."
Karin glanced timidly at him, then quickly at the still-fuming pretty sister across the table. Finally overcoming hunger, she cautiously picked up chopsticks, took a small piece of meat, and popped it into her mouth.
Delicious.
The best thing she'd ever tasted in her life.
Sora watched satisfactorily.
The asset's feeding phase was proceeding smoothly.
He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention again.
"Alright, with the identity issue settled, next matter."
He surveyed his three teammates.
"Since she's my sister now, she can't just stay home gathering dust. So, I'm enrolling her in the Ninja Academy."
This decision surprised Yamato and Kaede again.
"But at her age..." Yamato hesitated. "And she has no foundation."
"Foundation can be built; age isn't an issue." Sora waved dismissively, resolute. "The important thing is integrating her into Konoha—making her understand this is her true home."
His gaze swept over their faces.
"So, here's the question."
"Who's familiar with the academy enrollment process?"
"Especially for a special case like her—an auditor with... unique background. Tomorrow, someone come with me to handle Karin's admission."
Silence fell again.
Kaede turned away, clearly signaling "not me." She was still angry.
Yamato looked troubled, pondering. As a by-the-book shinobi, he had little experience with such "exceptions."
Sora's eyes finally settled on the boy who hadn't spoken a word all evening, silently piling meat on his plate.
Uchiha Itachi.
Just as the awkward silence threatened to freeze even the meat's aroma,
Those dark eyes lifted.
Itachi set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a napkin—elegantly, unlike a typical shinobi.
"I'll go with you."
His voice was flat, yet it shattered the stalemate like a stone in a pond.
Kaede and Yamato looked at him in surprise.
Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Itachi met his gaze calmly, his dark eyes unruffled.
"My younger brother Sasuke enrolled not long ago. I'm still familiar with the process."
The reason was simple and sufficient.
The surprise on Kaede and Yamato's faces turned to understanding.
Ah—so for his brother.
The Uchiha clan's genius, renowned in both clan and village, was privately such a doting older brother?
The contrast inexplicably cooled much of Kaede's nameless anger.
Sora eyed Itachi.
Well, well.
A total brother-complex.
No wonder.
His smile grew even brighter.
"That's perfect!"
He slapped his thigh dramatically.
"Maybe the two kids will even end up in the same class! They'll look out for each other!"
He turned to Karin—who was still timidly nibbling—and introduced cheerfully.
"Karin, this is Big Brother Uchiha Itachi. Tomorrow, he'll help us with your enrollment."
Karin stiffened again.
She peeked up briefly at the black-haired boy exuding "keep away" vibes, then ducked her head lightning-fast.
This brother seemed even scarier than the pretty sister.
"Then it's settled!"
Sora raised his teacup, as if sealing a major decision.
"After reporting tomorrow, I'll leave it to you, Itachi."
Itachi merely nodded lightly, saying no more.
This welcome banquet—filled with bizarre tension—ended on an oddly harmonious note.
Yamato paid the bill; Kaede excused herself first and slipped away.
Itachi simply nodded to Sora before vanishing into the night.
Sora held Karin's hand on the walk home.
"Don't be afraid."
He felt the faint tremble in her palm.
"They're not bad people."
"From now on, they're your comrades."
Karin didn't reply, only clutching his sleeve tighter.
The next day.
Morning sunlight filtered through the window, spilling onto the floor.
Sora unusually rose early.
He laid out a new outfit—one bought yesterday—by Karin's bedside, then prepared a simple breakfast in the kitchen.
Two slices of toasted bread, a cup of hot milk.
When he set it on the table, Karin was already dressed, standing awkwardly in the living room.
The new clothes fit well—a light purple dress that made her fiery red short hair stand out more vividly.
But her small face still brimmed with timidity.
"Eat."
Sora pointed to the table.
They ate the simple meal in silence.
The doorbell rang on time.
Sora opened it.
Uchiha Itachi stood outside, in casual civilian clothes rather than Anbu gear.
He looked like an ordinary big brother heading out—if one ignored his striking looks and calm aura.
"Let's go."
Itachi was concise.
Sora took Karin's hand; the three headed toward Konoha's central district.
The Ninja Academy.
Cradle of Konoha's future, where countless children's dreams began.
It was peak arrival time.
Children in groups of twos and threes, backpacks slung, laughed and played at the gate.
Their faces glowed with innocent joy.
Karin had never seen such a scene.
Overwhelmed by the vibrant energy, she instinctively hid behind Sora, peeking only through the gap in his arm at this wondrous world.
Every child seemed so happy.
They laughed loudly, chased friends.
Utterly unlike the dark, damp black market of bites and pain.
"This is where you'll study and live from now on."
Sora's voice sounded above her.
Karin's small hand tightened unconsciously.
The three didn't linger at the gate, heading straight into the building toward the administrative office.
The hallway echoed with children's crisp chatter.
Unlike the outside bustle, the office was quiet—only the rustle of papers.
A bespectacled, stern-looking middle-aged female teacher buried herself in files.
"Hello, teacher."
Sora approached with his standard sunny smile.
"We're here to handle enrollment for this child."
The teacher looked up over her glasses, scrutinizing the trio.
An overly handsome, cheerful boy.
A cool, aloof black-haired boy.
And a red-haired girl hiding behind, like a frightened animal.
Odd group.
"Auditor?"
She took the recommendation letter from Sora—issued by the Hokage's office—her tone cool and official.
"Special approval from the Hokage... Uzumaki Karin?"
She glanced at the letter, then at the hidden Karin.
"All documents ready? ID, guardian proof, village registry."
"Of course."
Sora neatly laid out the files.
The teacher examined them one by one.
The office atmosphere grew tense.
Karin's breathing lightened.
"Guardian... Akashi Sora?"
The teacher paused, looking at Sora incredulously.
Here it comes.
Not so smooth after all.
Sora's smile unchanged.
"Teacher, this is specially approved by the Hokage. The signature and seal are there."
His tone remained gentle but firm.
The teacher faltered.
She rechecked the seal, confirmed it genuine, then reluctantly proceeded.
"Done."
She handed over a new student file.
"Procedures complete. Uzumaki Karin is now an auditor at our Ninja Academy."
"Given her age and lack of foundation, she'll start in Year 1, Class 2—to adapt first."
"Her homeroom teacher is Umino Iruka."
Success.
Sora relaxed inwardly, taking the file.
"Thank you, teacher."
Still grinning, as if oblivious to the earlier tension.
Procedures done, they left the office into the hallway's lively noise.
Sora held Karin's hand, clearly feeling its coolness and faint tremble.
Itachi walked on the other side, silent as a shadow, yet forming a barrier against curious stares.
Year 1, Class 2.
The wooden sign hung on the door; even from afar, children's chatter spilled out.
Umino Iruka.
Sora recalled the file on the name.
A standard Konoha chunin—unremarkable, yet fanatically devoted to the Will of Fire.
Most importantly, one of the few who showed kindness to Uzumaki Naruto.
Entrusting Karin to him was the safest choice.
A kind, positive teacher deeply indoctrinated in the Will of Fire—the ideal mold for a "proper Konoha shinobi."
"Hello, Iruka-sensei."
Sora stood at the classroom door, beaming.
Iruka turned from the blackboard, surprised by the trio.
A energetic boy, a stoic boy, and a girl hiding behind with only a tuft of red hair visible.
"You are?"
"We're here for this child's enrollment." Sora handed the file, gently pulling Karin forward. "Uzumaki Karin—new auditor."
Iruka took it; seeing the Hokage's seal and signature, his demeanor grew serious.
His gaze softened on Karin with natural teacherly warmth.
"Welcome, Karin." He crouched to eye level. "I'm your homeroom teacher, Umino Iruka. Come to me anytime at school."
Karin startled at the sudden kindness, shrinking back until nearly glued to Sora's leg.
Iruka paused awkwardly.
"Sorry, sensei—she's shy," Sora smoothed over with a grin, ruffling Karin's hair. "Please take good care of her."
"It's my duty," Iruka said earnestly, standing.
His eyes flicked to Sora, then Itachi.
He recognized the Uchiha genius.
For Itachi to personally escort her—the red-haired girl's background was likely extraordinary.
"We'll arrange everything properly," Iruka assured.
Ding-a-ling—!
The bell rang sharply.
Children swarmed from the halls into classrooms.
"Class is starting," Iruka nodded to Sora and Itachi. "You can rest assured."
Sora didn't leave immediately.
He smiled at Iruka. "Sensei, mind if we observe a bit? To see her settle in."
Iruka hesitated, then nodded.
He led Karin to the podium.
Sora and Itachi leaned against the back door, watching quietly without entering.
The once-noisy classroom fell silent due to the new girl and the two imposing "adults" at the door.
Dozens of curious child eyes fixed on Karin at the podium.
Pure, innocent curiosity—no malice.
But to Karin, it felt like being stared down by dozens of beasts.
Her body shook uncontrollably, face paling, barely standing.
Sora tsked inwardly.
Mental resilience too weak—needs serious training.
He scanned the room.
By the window: a black-haired kid with arms crossed, cool expression.
Uchiha Sasuke.
In the back corner: a blond boy in bright orange, yawning boredly.
Uzumaki Naruto.
Interesting.
The future Team 7, gathered early in this way.
Just then, Itachi beside him made a subtle movement.
His gaze pierced the room, landing precisely on Sasuke.
He nodded faintly.
A brotherly greeting only they understood.
Sasuke—who'd worn an "I care for no one" face—straightened instinctively, puffing his small chest while struggling to maintain arrogance.
Sora caught it all.
Brother-complex confirmed.
On the podium.
Iruka cleared his throat, redirecting attention.
"Everyone, quiet down!"