The sky was just beginning to brighten. While most people were still lost in sweet dreams, the Uchiha family had already woken up and were gathered around the table, enjoying a hearty breakfast.
"Mmm... So good! Mom! Another bowl!"
Sasuke's cheeks puffed up like little mochi as he chewed and swallowed with effort, his mouth stuffed full of food. But his chopsticks didn't stop — if anything, he lifted his bowl again with surprising enthusiasm and mumbled to his mother.
"Huh? You want more? That's already your second bowl."
Mikoto Uchiha took the bowl from Sasuke's hands, eyeing her younger son up and down with surprise.
"You've had quite an appetite lately, Sasuke."
After all, in her memory, Sasuke had always been slow and reluctant when eating breakfast — a result of his father's strict insistence on waking up early. But over the past few days, not only had he been eating more, he'd even shed his lazy morning habits. Now, aside from her eldest, Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke was the second to rise in their household. This very morning, he had even been the one to wake up his father, Uchiha Fugaku!
"Hehe... That's because your food is just too delicious, Mom. I always feel like I can't get enough."
Seeing his mother's surprised expression, the little fan-faced boy blushed slightly, then swallowed the last bite of rice in his mouth and answered with a squinty-eyed grin.
"Pfft... You little flatterer! Did Itachi teach you how to butter me up?"
Mikoto blinked, then burst into laughter. She handed back the freshly filled bowl of steaming rice and playfully tapped the tip of Sasuke's nose.
"Well, you are at that age where you're growing fast. It's good to eat more... I'll start cooking extra for you from now on."
"No way! I'm just being honest... Ah, thank you, Mom! Hehe, let's eat!"
As Sasuke happily dove back into his meal, Uchiha Fugaku, who had been quietly flipping through the newspaper beside him, cast a sideways glance at his energetic son.
"Have some table manners. Slow down, Sasuke. No one's fighting you for food. Don't eat like a starving ghost reborn."
"Honey! What kind of thing is that to say? If the child wants to eat, let him eat."
No sooner had Fugaku spoken than Mikoto, ever the doting mother, cut in with a disapproving tone. While gently patting Sasuke's confused and nervous head, she turned to scold her husband with a soft glare.
"Look! Sasuke was finally eating with a good appetite, and you just had to scare him like that!"
"Hmph. You just keep spoiling him. Indulgence leads to ruin..."
Seeing Sasuke freeze mid-bite, as if terrified of doing something wrong, Fugaku gave a soft snort and turned his eyes back to the paper — though a faint smile slipped across his face, unnoticed by others.
Though he hadn't said anything before, Fugaku was thoroughly impressed with his younger son's recent behavior and changes — despite how Sasuke always came home dirty from sneaking out, looking like he rolled through the dirt.
No more whining or excuses to slack off, no more childish clinginess toward Itachi. And just yesterday, Sasuke had surprised Fugaku beyond all expectations by performing a complete version of Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu right in front of him!
Even though it was just an entry-level C-rank jutsu, it was a major leap — especially since just days ago, Sasuke had struggled to produce even a small flame.
This kind of improvement reminded Fugaku of his eldest, Uchiha Itachi. He had assumed his younger son, overshadowed by such a prodigious older brother, would resign himself to mediocrity. But to his surprise, Sasuke had stunned him — a complete reversal that brought unexpected joy.
Both his children were geniuses with immense potential. Fugaku was not only proud and gratified, but also found himself turning a blind eye to Sasuke's daily unsanctioned outings… because something in his gut told him that those outings had everything to do with this sudden transformation.
"Dad? Dad!"
"Hm? Oh, what is it, Sasuke?"
Immersed in fatherly pride, Fugaku slowly snapped out of it at Sasuke's careful voice. As he turned to look at him, even Fugaku didn't realize that a rare, doting smile had unknowingly crept onto his usually stern face.
"Um… Dad, didn't you promise me before? You said that if I mastered the Fireball Jutsu, I could pick a jutsu I liked to train in next."
Seeing that rare smile, Sasuke's heart filled with warmth. His gratitude and fondness for Naruto, who had been training him so diligently, only deepened. After a brief pause, he spoke up, just as he and Naruto had agreed.
"Oh, that? Of course, Sasuke. But you're still young. At most, I can let you choose a B-rank jutsu to practice..."
Fugaku, now considerably more gentle toward the increasingly motivated Sasuke, thought for a moment, then chose a jutsu he felt suited his son's current level.
"Haven't you always been interested in shurikenjutsu? How about this: I'll teach you a new shuriken technique, and also a jutsu that complements it — Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu."
Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu may only be C-rank, but it pairs well with the Uchiha clan's unique shuriken techniques. Even if the shuriken misses, the jutsu can serve as a follow-up surprise attack. In Fugaku's eyes, this was the best reward for Sasuke, who had shown such passion for shurikenjutsu since childhood.
"Hmm... Dad..." Sasuke looked up at his father, who was seriously considering what would benefit him, and felt even more warmth in his chest. But instead of giving in, he suppressed his curiosity and slowly shook his head.
"Can I pick something myself?"
His unexpected refusal nearly turned Fugaku to stone. Bracing himself so he wouldn't topple over from shock, Fugaku tried again, unwilling to give up just yet.
"Huh…? Why not? Sasuke, this jutsu goes perfectly with your favorite shurikenjutsu! Plus, it looks way cooler than the Fireball!"
"Hmm? That does sound cool… but I've already made up my mind. I'll learn Dragon Fire Jutsu next time."
"…Alright then…"
Looking at his son, completely unmoved, Fugaku had to admit that Sasuke had grown far beyond his expectations — independent and confident. Along with that pride, however, came a bittersweet pang of loss, as if his child had sprouted wings and flown off. His voice weakened slightly as he asked again, repeating his boundary just in case.
"But you'd better think it through. I'll only let you train in B-rank jutsu. Nothing above that, got it?"
"Yup! Don't worry, Dad. I've already decided!"
Relieved that his father agreed, Sasuke let out a breath and grinned wide.
"Dad, the jutsu I want to learn is…"
"A B-rank jutsu — Shadow Clone Technique!*"