Night had fallen, and a slightly chilly evening breeze swept through Konoha, washed clean by the rain.
Kizashi, having finished work, was heading towards an izakaya in the southern part of the village.
Sliding open the wooden Japanese-style door, Kizashi entered a private room where Inoichi had been waiting for some time.
"Kizashi, you're here."
Inoichi raised a hand in greeting. Seated beside him were his partners, Shikaku and Choza.
"Sorry for calling you out to this place when you're all so busy."
Kizashi smiled apologetically, took off his shoes, and sat down.
"Someone's treating? We'd be happy any time! You're too kind, Haruno-kun."
Choza picked up a plate of stir-fried rice cakes and inhaled them like a whirlwind.
Once Kizashi was seated, he ordered beers and some side dishes for everyone.
Then, the resolute man revealed a lonely expression.
"Actually, the reason I asked you all here today is because I have a favor to ask."
After hearing what Kizashi said, the Ino–Shika–Cho trio paused their actions and waited seriously for him to continue.
"About my daughter... have you heard anything?"
"The new Kekkei Genkai User, right? This matter has been circulating among the Jonin as well."
Shikaku pondered for a moment before sharing what he knew.
"A few days ago, Hokage-sama came to my house and told Mebuki and me about the preciousness of a Kekkei Genkai Ninja."
Kizashi picked up the beer brought by the server, took a large gulp, and slammed the cup heavily onto the table.
"I never expected Sakura to be such a genius. But geniuses often attract scrutiny beyond what ordinary people can imagine."
"I'm a useless father. I can't help her on the path of a Ninja. So, could I ask you gentlemen to look after that child?"
After speaking, Kizashi placed both hands on the table and bowed his head deeply.
"If payment is required, I'm willing to hire you through an official commission."
"I know Jonin fees aren't low, but I will do my absolute best to pay!"
Stunned by Kizashi's determination, or rather, by the resolve of a father, the three Jonin present were speechless for a long time.
After a good while, Inoichi, who knew Kizashi the best, finally spoke, "There's no need for payment. I've watched Sakura-chan grow up. As her uncle, I won't turn a blind eye to her difficulties."
"Haruno-san, there's no need to be so formal. Sakura is friends with my son, Shikamaru, after all."
"That's right! If that child ever has any questions in the future, let her come find us at the Akimichi Clan."
Shikaku and Choza also made generous promises.
After all, they were all more than willing to offer shelter to a promising young Ninja they knew well, especially before her wings were fully grown.
"Everyone, thank you so much!"
Kizashi clasped his hands together gratefully and called the server to order more dishes.
"It's on me tonight! Please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
…
"Then it's settled… you're paying tonight!"
Not far from the izakaya, at a three-colored dango shop, Sakura, who is just off duty from the Anbu, picked up the menu without hesitation.
After a hard day's work, and happening to run into this Uchiha Clan's young master who was treating her, she was going to make sure he witnessed the appetite of a great pirate!
"Don't worry, eat as much as you want. Consider it a celebration for your new job today."
Itachi found it amusing that she would worry he couldn't afford the bill, 'She seemed like a kind-hearted child.'
The three-colored dango shop was a well-established reputable shop in Konoha. After they ordered, plate after plate of exquisite, jewel-like dango were served.
Sakura didn't stand on ceremony with Itachi either, grabbing two skewers and starting to devour them.
Watching the girl eat so heartily, Itachi found himself infected by her mood, and for a moment, he actually forgot many of his worries.
"Sakura, you're really hardworking. By the way, can you tell me what your dream is?"
Thanks to Itachi treating her, the two had become much more familiar.
While enjoying the dango, Uchiha Itachi chatted casually with Sakura.
"Dream? To become strong enough? And then clash with all sorts of powerful fighters!"
Sakura raised an eyebrow and flexed her right arm into a fist.
"Is that so? But wouldn't that provoke a lot of conflict..."
Itachi felt somewhat melancholy. He wanted to say more but couldn't bring himself to voice it all.
"Hah? If I don't go challenge those powerful fighters, will there be no more conflict in this world?"
Sakura continued, intentionally or unintentionally emphasizing the word 'powerful'.
'Is this the legendary Will of Fire mindset? How terrifying.'
"But those of us who possess power can eliminate conflict. A world like that would surely be wonderful."
Itachi clenched his fist slightly, his hollow gaze fixed on his reflection in the plate.
"How old are you now?"
"Thirteen."
Itachi gave Sakura a strange look but still answered her question.
"Got it. So it's the Chuunibyou age, no wonder you have these kinds of ideas, and even... cough cough."
Suddenly realizing she had slipped up, Sakura hurriedly covered her mouth.
"And even...?"
Itachi caught the slip in Sakura's words.
"And even go around talking about 'a wonderful world' all the time."
Sakura kept a straight face as she bit off a dango and waved the skewer in front of him.
"If a world has fallen to the point where it needs to be saved by a little kid who can't even drink alcohol, then it might as well just be done for!"
"If you run into really messed-up crap, leave it to the adults to handle. What's a kid doing trying to act so profound?"
After being inexplicably criticized by Sakura, Itachi also showed an innocent expression.
"Aren't you not that much older either?"
Looking for a tricky angle again, Itachi retorted.
"Yeah, so I can be as willful as I want, without a care in the world."
"That's the privilege of being a child! Or maybe the privilege of the strong!"
Sakura reached out again, but the plate beside her was already empty.
So she raised her hand to call the server and ordered several more plates of dango.
Listening to the girl's words, Itachi didn't fully understand, but he was greatly shaken.
'What a fascinating child. Her bold spirit always made people want to open their hearts to her.'
"If you were caught between your clan and the village, what would you do?"
Itachi was very curious about the girl's answer. If she were in his shoes, what choice would she make?
The hopes of his father and clan, the peace of the village, the Third Hokage's trust and expectations...
"The village and the Uchiha, huh."
Sakura understood what this senior meant and slightly raised her voice.
"It's simple. Just introduce a new threat."
When a group faces internal division and discord, simply finding a third party to shift the conflict can make both sides let go of grudges and cooperate sincerely.
Whether the threat is real or not doesn't matter… what's important is making the divided parties believe the threat exists.
"All you need is for a massive force, like Uchiha Madara, to leave again and become a threat to both sides."
"That way, no matter what kind of conflicts or estrangement exist, they could all vanish instantly~"
Under the light, the girl interlaced her fingers and rested her chin on them, her emerald-green eyes seeming to flicker with a bloody glow.
'Ninjas are, after all, human… not much different from the lawless pirates on the high seas.'
'The reason disagreements arise is none other than conflicts of interest.'
'Admittedly, Itachi couldn't bring enough benefit to Konoha and the Uchiha Clan to heal the wounds.'
'But... he could become a massive destructive force that neither side could ignore.'
'And the ability to destroy is, in itself, a form of benefit.'
'When the benefit is sufficient, the political creatures of the village and the Uchiha Clan will naturally work together, and all problems will be solved.'
Hearing this outrageous argument, Itachi's mouth fell open. He wanted to speak but stopped himself.
Sakura, meanwhile, watched the tea dregs floating in her cup like ships on the sea, her thoughts in turmoil.
Even after returning to the Ninja World, living with her parents, tempering her personality, and becoming a Nnja...
Deep down, the pirate's disdain for rules never truly left her.
'Heh, Captain Roger, it seems I've become a 'qualified' pirate after all.'