Morning light seeped through the streets of Konoha.
Uchiha Hiko sat alone in a small breakfast shop near the Ninja Academy, eating quietly—just as he had for the past six months. His posture was relaxed, his expression unreadable. Another Uchiha starting an ordinary day.
But his senses were sharp.
Without turning his head, he watched the academy gate from the corner of his eye.
A black-haired boy in Uchiha attire entered, schoolbag slung over one shoulder.
Sasuke Uchiha.
The moment Sasuke disappeared behind the gate, a familiar, cold voice echoed in Hiko's mind.
"Copy successful. Minor Indra Chakra acquired. Fusion available. Proceed?"
"Proceed."
He didn't speak aloud, only felt a faint warmth behind his eyes—controlled, fleeting. The world sharpened slightly. Lines became clearer. Depth felt more precise. When he blinked, he could sense the flow of chakra in the shop—weak, scattered, ordinary.
Nothing extraordinary.
Good.
Hiko set down his chopsticks, paid, and stood.
Just another morning.
As he left, shadows across the street shifted—ANBU operatives slipped into the rooftops, vanishing into the upper districts.
In the Hokage's office, the scent of tobacco lingered.
"Report."
An ANBU knelt, head bowed.
"Hokage-sama. Uchiha Hiko went to the breakfast shop near the Ninja Academy as usual. He left shortly after Sasuke entered school. No abnormalities detected."
The Third Hokage exhaled slowly, tapping ash from his pipe. Half a year of the same report.
Same shop. Same time. Same departure.
Too consistent to ignore.
Was Hiko observing Sasuke? Or Naruto?
Either possibility made Konoha uneasy.
"Continue observation," the Hokage ordered. "Summon Shisui."
The ANBU vanished.
Hiko walked with purpose toward the Uchiha Police Force headquarters. His pace was unhurried.
Another day. Another step closer.
Six months ago, he had been an overworked office worker, staring at a printer under fluorescent lights. Then the world darkened.
When he opened his eyes again, he was an Uchiha.
Worse—he was an Uchiha three years before the massacre.
The future was clear. The ending was written.
The only question was whether he would be buried with it.
Once per day, he could copy something—chakra, skill, experience. If luck was with him, fragments of Indra or Asura's power. Then he could fuse.
No fanfare. No noise.
Exactly why he avoided direct confrontation.
Why provoke the village when distance was enough?
Why move early when patience brought strength?
As long as the Ninja Academy operated normally, Hiko would be nearby.
That alone kept Konoha on edge.
"Captain."
Inside the lounge, officers stood as he entered.
"At ease," Hiko said with a casual wave. "Relax. Just don't let the patriarch catch you slacking."
A few quiet laughs.
"Any updates from personnel?" he asked.
"The new recruits are still under review."
"Good. Maintain patrols."
He entered his office and shut the door.
Outside, the atmosphere eased. Tea was poured. Conversations resumed.
In the Uchiha Police Force, authority wasn't granted solely by bloodline. It was earned.
Shisui stood outside the Hokage's office, exhaustion shadowing his eyes beneath disciplined control. His breathing was steady, posture flawless—only because it had to be.
One misstep, and the village would tighten the leash. One misstep, and the clan would turn against him.
He knocked.
"Come in."
Shisui entered, bowing.
The Hokage studied him in silence.
"Something I need to ask," he finally said. "About Hiko."
Shisui's heart sank.
"According to ANBU," the Hokage continued, "Hiko is often near the Academy. Possibly observing Naruto."
"What?"
Disbelief flashed across Shisui's face.
"There's no such routine within the clan," he said firmly. "Hiko's pattern is his own. I've watched him—he eats, he leaves. Nothing more."
The Hokage frowned.
"So it isn't an internal matter."
"No, Hokage-sama."
Silence.
Finally, the Hokage sighed.
"Since the night of the Nine-Tails, distrust has grown," he said. "I hope you understand my caution."
"I do," Shisui replied, lowering his head. "I'll speak with him. But I don't believe he's crossed any lines."
Shisui left, heavier than when he arrived.
The village doubted him. The clan doubted him.
And somewhere between stood Hiko—calm, unreadable, untouched by urgency.
"I should talk to him," Shisui muttered.
He headed to Hiko's office, but before he knocked, the door swung open.
Uchiha Oriyan loomed, contempt in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?"
Shisui sighed inwardly.
"I came to see Hiko. Are you planning to stop me forever?"
The corridor fell silent.
Everyone knew Shisui's loyalties. Everyone knew who kept ANBU at bay.
Behind the door, Hiko's voice drifted out.
"Let him in, Oriyan. The Hokage's messenger shouldn't wait."