I open my eyes to the dim light filtering through the facility's reinforced walls. The days have passed, my body nearly fully recovered from the intense elemental training. My chakra reserves are no longer depleted, and the lingering exhaustion has faded. It is time to act.

My targets have finally moved.

My clone, transformed into an inconspicuous rabbit, crouches in a dense bush on the edge of a ravine. A waterfall flows down, its sound masking light movements. The disguise is simple but effective-wildlife is beneath suspicion.

On the cliff's edge stand two figures: Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha.

Itachi stands tall but composed, his posture controlled. His black Uchiha robe drapes over his frame, his long dark hair flowing slightly in the wind. Despite his young age, his face lacks the softness of childhood-his expression is cold, his eyes sharp.

Shisui, on the other hand, carries himself with a more relaxed demeanor. His dark green armor over a black bodysuit suggests battle readiness, but his posture lacks tension. He wears the Konoha forehead protector, positioned slightly off-center, and his expression is easygoing-though the weight behind his words suggests otherwise.

Shisui speaks first.

Shisui: "So I take it that it didn't go well."

Itachi: "Sorry, I did everything I could, but the only thing I managed was delaying the plan."

Danzo has mentioned that the Uchiha clan is considered responsible for the nine-tails attack. This means the Uchiha have plans against the oppression of the village. Are these two trying to mediate the conflict? A delay. Not a prevention. This suggests that the tension has reached a point where logical persuasion is ineffective. The Uchiha's distrust toward the village has overpowered their reason.

Shisui doesn't appear surprised.

Shisui: "This is a coup by our entire clan. We always knew it wouldn't be easy to dissuade them. Their will to make this happen is much stronger than we anticipated. That said, delaying the plan is still a great result."

Shisui acknowledges the inevitability of the coup but still clings to alternatives. He seeks a solution without conflict-a nearly impossible task given the clan's current trajectory. His words reveal his optimism, or perhaps, his desperation.

Itachi shifts slightly, his tone steady.

Itachi: "And how about you? You said you were going to try and find some allies."

Shisui exhales.

Shisui: "I'm afraid it's not going well. For better or for worse, they're part of the Uchiha clan, so their bond is strong."

This solidifies my understanding-the Uchiha's unity is unbreakable, even among those hesitant about the coup. Convincing individuals to betray their clan, their very identity, is a monumental task. Loyalty outweighs logic.

Itachi remains silent, his thoughts likely mirroring my own.

Shisui notices his expression and forces a smirk.

Shisui: "Oh, come on, don't give me that look. Remember, this is you and me we're talking about, Itachi."

Shisui places a hand on Itachi's shoulder. A gesture of reassurance.

Shisui: "So don't worry, it'll be fine."

He is attempting to maintain optimism despite the growing inevitability of war. He reassures Itachi, but perhaps more so himself. His willingness to shoulder responsibility hints at his own plans-perhaps something drastic.

A sudden interruption shifts the atmosphere.

Child's Voice: "Big brotheeerrr!"

A small figure emerges from the forest, running toward the two Uchiha.

The boy is young-around five years old. He has short black hair, a round face, and bright, determined eyes. His clothing is simple, a dark blue shirt and shorts. Despite his small frame, he runs with confidence.

The kid skids to a stop, noticing Shisui.

The child: "...Oh, sorry."

Shisui: "Yo!"

Shisui waves casually, and the child smiles in recognition.

The child: "Shisui!"

Itachi's expression softens ever so slightly.

Itachi: "Sasuke, what are you doing out here?"

So Itachi has a little brother. Sasuke Uchiha.

Sasuke pouts.

Sasuke: "Hey, what are you two talking about, anyway? C'mon, tell me, tell me, tell me!"

Itachi hesitates for a fraction of a second before responding.

Itachi: "You're still too young to know about that."

Sasuke frowns, puffing his cheeks in protest.

Sasuke: "Awww, what's that about? What, I'm not part of the group now...?"

Itachi reaches forward, gently flicking Sasuke's forehead with two fingers.

Itachi: "I'm sorry, Sasuke. Maybe next time."

Sasuke recoils, rubbing his forehead with an exaggerated groan.

Itachi cares deeply about Sasuke.

Sasuke: "Awww... you always say that, big brother."

Shisui chuckles.

Shisui: "Heh... it's just not fair."

Shisui kneels next to Sasuke, placing a hand on his shoulder conspiratorially.

Shisui: "Alright, Sasuke. Why don't I tell you, then?"

Sasuke brightens.

Sasuke: "Really? You're the best, Shisui!"

Shisui lowers his voice playfully.

Shisui: "You see, we were just talking about which of us is stronger-me or your brother."

Sasuke frowns, considering.

Shisui: "I know I am stronger-but Itachi just doesn't accept the truth."

Sasuke: "No, you're not!"

Shisui feigns shock.

Shisui: "Oh?"

Sasuke crosses his arms.

Sasuke: "I mean, sure, you're strong, but come on. My brother is still way stronger than you."

Shisui sighs dramatically.

Shisui: "Oh really? But I'm older, so naturally, I should be-"

Sasuke: "Age has nothing to do with being a ninja!"

Shisui smirks.

Shisui: "But I have the Sharingan."

Sasuke huffs.

Sasuke: "My brother has the Sharingan too!"

Sasuke turns to Itachi.

Sasuke: "Isn't that right, big brother?"

Before Itachi can respond, his gaze sharpens.

He looks toward the forest.

His Sharingan activates for a split second.

He sensed something.

I halt my breath.

Shisui glances at Itachi.

Shisui: "Something wrong?"

Itachi hesitates.

Itachi: "No..."

He turns back toward Sasuke, his expression unreadable.

I retreat slowly.

The rabbit clone dissolves, its memories flowing back into me.

---

The evening air was crisp, and the village streets were starting to bustle as people carried out their daily routines. Yet, to me, the activity around Konoha felt secondary. My mind was still processing the conversation between Itachi and Shisui. There were too many implications to ignore, and while I had successfully retreated without alerting them, my work for the day was far from over.

I still had one more task.

As I walked through the village, my eyes landed on a familiar figure in the distance-Naruto Uzumaki.

A red ball bounced ahead of him, rolling forward before he caught up to it with small, eager steps. It was a simple action, one that any child might do absentmindedly, yet it carried an unnatural weight in his case. Because every step he took, every movement he made, was watched with disdain.

The villagers' murmurs reached my ears.

"Why is he even walking around so carefree?"

"That thing should just disappear already."

"Because of him, so many people died..."

The hatred was raw. It was evident in their eyes, in the way their faces contorted when they looked at him. None of them tried to hide their contempt, as if Naruto's suffering was a matter of justice rather than malice.

He didn't react.

Or rather, he had learned not to react.

Instead, he kept his head down, still clutching the red ball as he made his way through the streets. I followed him at a distance, observing. He wasn't heading anywhere in particular-his steps were unhurried, as if he was walking just to walk.

Then, he stopped in front of a ramen stand.

His small hand reached into his pocket, fingers searching, checking. A few coins jingled, but it was immediately clear that it wasn't enough. I saw the way his lips tightened, the slight falter in his expression before he quickly masked it with a forced, casual sigh. He turned away from the stand, pretending as if he wasn't really hungry in the first place.

I felt a small chakra watching me from the distance but i decided to ignored it.

I stepped closer.

"Naruto."

He turned at the sound of my voice, blinking in surprise before his face broke into a grin. "Kiyotaka!"

Naruto saw me as a friend.

"Are you hungry?" I asked.

Naruto shook his head. "Nope! Not at all!"

A blatant lie.

His stomach betrayed him almost immediately, releasing a loud, unmistakable growl. His expression stiffened for a fraction of a second before he quickly crossed his arms. "I just ate earlier, believe it!"

I said nothing. I simply stared at him.

Naruto lasted about three seconds before looking away with an awkward chuckle.

"Okay... maybe a little hungry," he admitted.

"Follow me."

We arrived at a lake just outside the village. The water was clear, reflecting the sky like glass, with small ripples appearing every now and then as fish swam just below the surface. Naruto looked around, confused.

"What are we doing here?"

I picked up a long, sturdy stick from the ground and examined it. "You like fish, don't you?"

Naruto perked up. "Yeah! Fish is great!"

Without another word, I used a stone and sharpened the tip of the stick, then walked toward the water's edge. I stood still, waiting. The fish swam past in erratic patterns, their movements fast but predictable.

Then, I struck.

The sharp end of the stick pierced cleanly through the body of a fish, its silver scales glistening as I lifted it from the water. Naruto's eyes widened.

"Whoa! That was awesome!"

I handed him a second sharpened stick. "Try it."

Naruto grabbed it with confidence, stepping toward the water with exaggerated determination.

"Alright, I got this!"

He mimicked my stance, eyes locked onto the fish below. He held his breath. His grip tightened. Then-

Splash!

His attempt was... less than successful.

The water sloshed violently as he lost his balance, falling forward with a loud yelp. He scrambled back onto the shore, completely soaked. I watched in silence.

Naruto blinked, staring at his empty hands. "Wait... where's my fish?"

"You didn't catch one."

"What?!"

He scowled at the lake as if it had personally betrayed him. Then, he turned back to me, pointing a dramatic finger. "Okay, you gotta tell me the trick! How did you do that?"

"There is no trick."

Naruto deflated. "Aw, come on! I wanna catch one too!"

I didn't respond. Instead, I continued fishing. One by one, I pulled them from the lake, impaling them with precision. Naruto eventually stopped his complaints and just sat down, watching.

Twenty fish later, I finally stopped.

I gathered dry wood and arranged it in a small pit. Naruto tilted his head. "What are you doing now?"

"Starting a fire."

I clicked my fingers and some fire sparks ignited the dried grass beneath the wood, and I carefully nurtured the small flame, feeding it oxygen and adding twigs until it grew into a proper bonfire.

Naruto's mouth hung open. "You even know how to make a fire?!"

"Yes."

He huffed. "You make it sound so easy..."

It was easy.

I set the fish aside and began preparing them. I used water to wash off any impurities before removing the scales and slicing them open to clean them. It wasn't perfect, but it was the best I could manage given the circumstances.

Naruto wrinkled his nose. "That looks kinda gross."

"Cooking isn't just about taste," I said. "It's about preparation."

He crossed his arms. "Well, I don't really cook, so..."

"That's why you can't feed yourself."

"Hey!"

Ignoring him, I skewered the fish on sticks and set them over the fire. The scent of cooking fish soon filled the air, making Naruto fidget impatiently. He was clearly starving.

"Almost done," I said.

"Good! I'm about to die over here!"

A few minutes later, the fish was fully cooked. I handed him one.

He took a bite. His face instantly lit up.

"This is amazing!" he exclaimed, stuffing more into his mouth. "How are you so good at everything?!"

I didn't answer.

---

The fire crackled softly, its orange glow flickering against the surface of the lake. The fish had been cooked to perfection, its crisp skin peeling back to reveal tender, flaky meat beneath. The smell lingered in the air, mixing with the cool night breeze that carried the scent of pine and damp earth.

Naruto sat across from me, eagerly munching on his food. He hadn't spoken much since we started eating.

"You eat like a starving wolf," I said, my voice neutral, my eyes observing his movements.

Naruto, with his mouth full, looked up at me with wide eyes before swallowing hastily. "Tch, don't say that, Kiyoyaka! I just really like fish, okay?"

I didn't respond. There was no need to. The fact that he had already finished his portion while I had barely taken a few bites spoke for itself.

The night deepened, and the sky became a vast expanse of stars, their soft glow reflecting off the lake's surface. It was peaceful.

It was then that I felt it.

A presence.

It was distant at first, like a ripple in the air, subtle yet undeniable. But with each passing second, it drew closer, and as it did, its weight became impossible to ignore. It was powerful-not raw, aggressive power like what I had felt from Danzo, but something refined, controlled. This was not the presence of a simple shinobi.

Naruto, unaware as ever, continued eating, oblivious to the approaching force. But I was already shifting my posture slightly, my muscles tensing just enough to react if necessary.

Then, from the darkness, a shadow emerged.

He stepped forward into the fire's glow-an old man, dressed in nothing remarkable. His robes were plain, his expression calm, almost gentle. But his features were unmistakable. The deep lines on his face, the sharp yet tired eyes, the way his posture carried an air of authority even without effort.

I had seen this face before. Not in person, but carved into the great stone monument that overlooked the village.

The Third Hokage.

So this was the man Danzo had spoken of. Hiruzen Sarutobi. The man who ruled this village. The man who, according to Danzo, was a fool.

Why was he here?

I calculated the possibilities immediately. Was he here for me? No, that was unlikely. I had kept my profile low, done nothing to attract attention. It was Naruto he had come for. But why? Was it duty? Was it curiosity? Or was it something more personal?

I watched as he took a few more steps forward, his expression remaining unreadable.

"What smells so good?" His voice was warm, almost casual.

Naruto jumped in place, his eyes widening in shock. "Gah! Old man, don't just sneak up on people like that!"

I remained still, my face betraying nothing. I could not let him see that I recognized him. Drawing unnecessary attention would serve no purpose.

Instead, I turned to Naruto. "Do you know him?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, this old guy shows up sometimes. He gives me food and stuff."

Interesting. So the Hokage kept an eye on Naruto personally. That alone revealed several things. If this man was the leader of the village, why would he personally tend to an orphan? Unless Naruto was more than just a mere orphan.

A theory took root in my mind, but I set it aside for now.

The Hokage's gaze shifted to me. "And who might you be?"

I met his eyes calmly. "Kiyotaka. I live in the orphanage."

"Kiyotaka, huh?" His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he glanced at our setup-the fire, the cooked fish, the sharpened sticks. "You boys caught these yourselves?"

"Yes." I kept my tone polite but neutral. "Naruto and I were hungry, so we decided to catch some fish."

The Hokage hummed, his eyes flickering between Naruto and me. His face was unreadable, but I could sense a strange warmth in his expression when he looked at Naruto. It was the look of someone who cared-not out of obligation, but out of something deeper.

Was it guilt? Affection? Responsibility?

Naruto, still somewhat on edge from the unexpected visitor, crossed his arms. "Oi, old man, you just came here to ask about fish?"

The Hokage chuckled. "Perhaps. But now that I'm here..."

A sudden noise broke the conversation.

A low, rumbling sound.

It took me a moment to realize what it was.

The Hokage's stomach.

Don't tell me the Hokage has such a poor salary..

Naruto blinked before bursting into laughter. "Pfft-wahaha! Old man, you're hungry too? You should've said so!"

I took another fish from the pile and extended it toward him. "Here."

The Hokage hesitated for a brief moment before smiling and accepting it. "Well then, I won't refuse."

And just like that, the three of us sat together beneath the night sky, eating in silence.

"Do you often watch over Naruto?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.

The Hokage glanced at me, then at Naruto, before offering a small smile. "A village must look after its own."

A vague answer.

Did he truly see Naruto as just another orphan? No. His presence here suggested otherwise.

Perhaps... they were connected.

But that was a thought for another time.

The fire crackled softly, the scent of cooked fish lingering in the cool night air. Naruto yawned beside me, his energy finally waning. The Hokage finished his meal and slowly stood.

"It's getting late," he said. "You two should head back soon."

Naruto grumbled but didn't argue.

I watched as the Hokage stepped away, his silhouette fading into the darkness.

I guess it's time to take action.

----

Naruto's pov:

My belly was full, my eyes were heavy, and for once, I actually felt... happy. It was a weird feeling. A good one, though.

I let out a yawn, stretching my arms behind my head as I leaned back on my hands, staring up at the sky. The stars were really bright tonight. Way brighter than usual. Maybe it was because I was out here, outside the village, away from all the street lamps and noisy people.

I glanced over at Kiyotaka, who was sitting perfectly straight, like always. He barely moved, barely reacted, like he was carved from stone or something. No dumb faces, no weird hand gestures, no excitement-just... stillness.