"My big brother trains with me every single day," Karin said pointedly to Sasuke.
Sasuke's body went rigid. He turned toward Uchiha Itachi, his gaze brimming with unspoken resentment.
The meal concluded with everyone pleasantly full and content. The broths in the three pots had gradually cooled, leaving the table in a state of glorious disarray—empty plates stacked haphazardly, chopsticks scattered, and remnants of sauce dotting the surface.
"Karin, tidy things up a bit," Sora instructed her casually.
Karin immediately set down her chopsticks. Faced with the impressive aftermath of the feast, she showed no trace of reluctance; instead, her expression lit up with eager resolve, as if this were another important task.
"I'll walk Kaede-senpai and the kids home," Sora announced.
Uchiha Itachi rose smoothly to his feet, and Sasuke followed suit without a word.
"Akashi-senpai, I'll take my leave now," Itachi said politely to Sora.
Sasuke trailed behind Itachi. As they departed, he cast one final glance back at Karin—a complicated swirl of emotions in his dark eyes, difficult to decipher—before turning and vanishing into the night.
"Big Bro Sora, thank you so much! Today was the best!" Naruto beamed with his infectious wide grin, waving energetically. "My house is right up ahead. Kaede-senpai, Big Bro Sora, Ino—see ya!"
Sora, Yamanaka Kaede, and Ino escorted Naruto safely to his door, watching as he bounded away with uncontainable excitement.
The trio then continued toward the Yamanaka clan district.
"Kaede, what did you think of my hot pot tonight?" Sora asked conversationally as they walked.
Kaede strolled beside him, not responding immediately—her thoughtful silence stretching for a few moments.
"I'm seriously considering turning this into a restaurant," Sora continued. "Any interest from the Yamanaka clan side?"
Kaede halted abruptly and turned to face him directly.
"So... you're inviting us to become partners."
Sora's smile widened knowingly.
"I have some additional hot pot bases and seasoning blends prepared," he said. His hands moved swiftly through a series of familiar seals.
"Summoning Technique!"
A burst of white smoke erupted in his palm. When it cleared, several compact scrolls materialized in his hand—each neatly labeled "Hot Pot Base" or "Seasonings."
"Take these back for your parents to sample," Sora said, extending the scrolls toward Kaede.
Kaede accepted them carefully, noting the faint, lingering warmth of chakra still emanating from the paper—a subtle reminder of the summoning.
"Get back to me in a couple of days," Sora added lightly.
Kaede nodded and securely tucked the scrolls away. Ino watched from nearby with wide-eyed curiosity but wisely refrained from prying questions.
Kaede resumed walking toward home.
Sora fell into step beside her, with Ino trailing just behind. Kaede's grip on the scrolls remained firm, almost protective.
Back at the apartment, Karin watched Sora and the guests depart, leaving her alone in the suddenly vast and quiet space. The three cooling pots on the table, towering stacks of used dishes, and scattered tissues across the floor left her momentarily daunted. The post-feast chaos was far more extensive than she'd anticipated.
She began gathering the plates and bowls, carrying them carefully to the kitchen sink. Turning on the faucet, warm water cascaded over the dishes; she added soap, watching bubbles foam and rise in her hands. With meticulous care, she scrubbed each item clean, rinsing away every trace of sauce and grease until they gleamed.
The kitchen echoed only with the steady rush of water and her soft, rhythmic breathing. As she worked, Karin's thoughts wandered freely.
Today's victory had filled her with a profound, unprecedented satisfaction. She had genuinely defeated Uchiha Sasuke—that perpetually superior prodigy—felling him with a single punch of her own. The sensation surpassed even the richest flavors of the hot pot.
Brother Sora.
She recalled his cold, unyielding demeanor on the training field—intimidating and relentless. Then she thought of his warmth when he hugged her and ruffled her hair. He was such a contradictory person. His strictness frightened her; his kindness made her feel profoundly safe.
He provided her food and shelter, taught her to become stronger. He insisted she was no longer a disposable blood pack—she was a Konoha shinobi, Akashi Sora's little sister.
It all still felt surreal, like a fragile dream.
By the time she finished restoring order—everything spotless and neatly arranged—Sora returned.
He stepped inside, surveying the immaculate living room and dining area, the precisely organized kitchen dishes, and broke into a genuinely pleased smile.
"Well done, Karin," Sora said warmly.
Karin's cheeks flushed bright red at the simple compliment. She ducked her head in shy embarrassment.
"Excellent work," Sora added with a light laugh. "Get some rest now."
Karin retreated to her room and slipped into bed. Though her body ached with deep fatigue, her heart brimmed with contentment. She replayed Sora's praise—"well done"—and the lingering warmth of his hand on her head. She resolved silently: tomorrow, she would push herself even harder.
...
At the Yamanaka clan's flower shop, lights glowed brightly well into the night.
Yamanaka Inoichi—the clan head—sat at the table, carefully examining the hot pot base and seasoning scrolls Sora had provided. Yamanaka Kaede stood attentively beside him.
"These came from Akashi Sora?" Inoichi asked, his voice deep and measured.
"Yes, Father."
Inoichi unrolled one scroll, revealing solidified crimson blocks alongside packets of dried chilies and assorted spices. He dipped a finger cautiously, tasting a small sample.
His brow furrowed briefly at the initial intensity, then his expression shifted to one of intrigued complexity.
"This flavor..." Inoichi murmured thoughtfully to himself.
Fragrant, numbing, fiercely spicy. The sensations layered and intertwined in his mouth, delivering a bold, overwhelming impact utterly foreign to Konoha's traditionally subtle, light cuisine.
He opened another scroll, studying the detailed seasoning recipes with keen interest—occasionally tasting a pinch of the powdered blends.
"What do you think, Father?" Kaede inquired.
Inoichi remained silent for a long moment, deep in contemplation.
"This taste is remarkably novel," he said at last. "Nothing comparable exists in Konoha."
"Akashi Sora wishes for the Yamanaka clan to partner with him—to open a restaurant together," Kaede explained.
Inoichi set the scroll down and regarded his daughter intently.
"That young man is far from ordinary. On the surface, bright and approachable—but his mind is profoundly calculating."
"His outreach isn't solely about profit," Inoichi continued gravely. "He seeks access to our intelligence network and broader influence within the village."
Kaede said nothing—she recognized the truth in her father's assessment.
"Nevertheless, this concept holds genuine potential," Inoichi conceded. "If managed skillfully, it could generate substantial revenue for the clan."
"The Yamanaka clan requires fresh income sources," he stated solemnly. "Family expenditures continue to rise. Relying solely on the flower shop and intelligence assignments is growing increasingly unsustainable."
He turned fully to Kaede.
"Your thoughts?"
Kaede considered her response carefully.
"Akashi Sora does not engage in unprofitable ventures," she replied. "Proposing partnership indicates complete confidence in the project's viability."
"Furthermore, his close relationship with the Third Hokage and position as Lord Jiraiya's disciple would benefit us politically as well."
Inoichi listened to his daughter's measured analysis, clear approval reflecting in his eyes.
"Tomorrow, I will visit Akashi Sora personally," Inoichi decided. "We will discuss terms face-to-face."
Kaede nodded in agreement.
...
Uchiha clan grounds.
Sasuke returned home in stormy silence, marching straight to his room. He stripped off his shirt, exposing the vivid purple bruise spreading across his back.
"Damn it!" Sasuke snarled, driving a furious fist into the wall.
He could not—would not—accept today's defeat. He, the vaunted Uchiha prodigy, had been humiliatingly floored by that red-haired transfer student—in full view of the entire class. His pride, his self-image as untouchable superior, had suffered a crushing blow.
Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut; the spar replayed relentlessly in his mind. He vividly recalled Karin's substitution to evade his fireball, her sudden strike from behind.
He had sensed it—her chakra signature, her approach trajectory. Yet his body had failed to respond in time.
"Weakling."
Karin's words echoed, alongside Sora's offhand remark at the dinner table.
"My brother mastered Sage Mode!"
Sage Mode—what exactly was that? Stronger than the Sharingan?
Sasuke's fists clenched until his knuckles whitened.
He refused to lose again.
He needed to become far stronger.
He stormed out to the courtyard and launched into intense taijutsu drills.
Each punch and kick exploded with venting fury. Sweat poured down, soaking his clothes until they clung cold and sticky to his skin.
"Sasuke."
Uchiha Itachi's calm voice sounded from behind.
Sasuke halted abruptly, back turned, chest heaving with ragged breaths.
"You needn't dwell on today's events," Itachi said evenly. "Victory and defeat in training spars are commonplace."
"I didn't lose!" Sasuke spun around, shouting defiantly at his brother. "I will not lose!"
Itachi regarded his younger brother's stubborn face—twisted slightly with raw anger.
"Akashi Sora's training regimen for Karin is exceptionally effective," Itachi observed factually. "Her progress is rapid."
Sasuke's body tensed further.
"Brother—who is that Akashi Sora, really?" Sasuke demanded, unwillingness thick in his voice.
Itachi paused for a contemplative moment.
"He is extraordinarily strong," Itachi replied. "And... a highly unique individual."
"Unique?" Sasuke frowned, puzzled.
"His thought processes differ fundamentally from most," Itachi explained, meeting Sasuke's intense gaze. "What you perceive is only what he chooses to reveal."
Sasuke felt a wave of confusion. He searched his brother's profoundly deep, inscrutable eyes for clearer answers.
But Itachi's expression remained as serenely impassive as ever—like an ancient, undisturbed well.
"If your goal is true strength, do not obsess over immediate outcomes," Itachi advised. "Observe carefully. Reflect deeply. Discover your own path."
With those words, Itachi turned and departed.
Sasuke stood alone in the courtyard, watching his brother's silhouette fade into the moonlight.
He burned with desire to grow stronger.
He would defeat Karin—surpass everyone standing in his way.
He would prove, beyond doubt, that the Uchiha clan's prodigy was no weakling.