**Chapter 12: Naruto, Sasuke—You Are Both My Wings!**
**Hokage's Office**
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to the ANBU's report, pondered for a moment, and said slowly,
"He defeated Kakashi?"
"Inherited Jiraiya's ninjutsu, the Uzumaki clan's physique, and the Uchiha's eyes... Kage-level strength at twelve years old..."
Hiruzen's gaze shifted to the window of the Hokage's office. From this vantage point, the entire village of Konoha sprawled below in a breathtaking panorama. Yet the old man's eyes didn't linger on the village's grandeur. Instead, they drifted toward the outskirts—once the Uchiha clan's territory.
Seeing the report's description of this spirited black-haired boy, the elder who had devoted his life to Konoha couldn't help but recall those two Uchiha youths who had inherited the Will of Fire: Shisui and Itachi.
"Sigh..." The old man let out a heavy breath, laced with complex emotions—regret for past failures? Worry for Konoha's future?
The leader who had once guided Konoha to its peak now struggled to prop up a village that was successor-scarce and strong on the outside but hollow within.
Just as Hiruzen sank into thought, a figure barged into the Hokage's office, ignoring the guards' protests.
It was Konoha's Hokage advisor and Root's leader—Danzo Shimura.
The former "Hero of the Hidden Leaf" met his old friend's eyes, already knowing the purpose of this visit.
"Hiruzen, I have something to discuss with you."
...
**Konoha Training Ground**
The battle with Kakashi had just ended when Sasuke could no longer hold back. He charged at Rubik, with Naruto and Sakura close behind.
"Why do you have the Sharingan?! Are you from the Uchiha clan?!" Sasuke demanded, his voice trembling with agitation.
This reaction was understandable. Ever since he was seven and his entire clan was massacred—leaving him as the sole survivor—Sasuke had trained relentlessly under the weight of his clan's extermination, bearing it alone for five years. Until moments ago, he'd believed the Uchiha were extinct except for *that man*.
But in the short time since graduating from the Academy, two Sharingan users had appeared before him—including Kakashi—and both wielded it better than he did!
It felt like the world was mocking him. The last publicly acknowledged Uchiha survivor, stuck at two tomoe, while everyone else popped up post-graduation with three? What about his pride?
"Sasuke, calm down," Kakashi tried to soothe his student, though his own gaze drifted curiously to Rubik. He was clearly just as intrigued.
Rubik scanned the group's varied expressions. Sasuke's outburst was expected—perhaps even calmer than anticipated. Has his time in Team 7 softened his edges?
Sakura and Asuma wore similar looks: shocked by Rubik's Sharingan but wisely staying silent.
As for Naruto... well, best not to dwell.
Overall, their reactions aligned with Rubik's predictions. He'd chosen this moment to reveal his Sharingan for good reasons. Jiraiya had long informed Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi about him, and their prior coordination had earned Rubik a gesture of goodwill from the old man. These people were Hiruzen's direct subordinates—trustworthy.
Hiding it would breed suspicion; revealing it openly would build bonds. He planned to stick around Konoha a while longer, and good relations with these so-called "good guys" were useful.
Most importantly, Naruto and Sasuke—the children of destiny. For Rubik's "ninja world reformation" plan, their chakra as Asura and Indra's reincarnations was crucial. His feelings toward Naruto were genuine; toward Sasuke, more calculated.
Sasuke was laser-focused on his goals. He'd accept care from others and return it, but only if it didn't interfere with his path of vengeance. He prioritized those he deemed truly important (like his simp, Naruto), not casual admirers (Sakura, Deidara)—a textbook self-assured sigma male with zero emotional waste.
Breaking into his heart was near-impossible. Even Sakura's devotion barely cracked the top five, despite having a child together. Gender-swap fans would ship "Sakura-bro" with Naruto on the bridge, cosplaying as a lovesick cat.
Even Sasuke's ultimate bond, the top heavy-male lead Naruto, only became his "soulmate" after him losing Jiraiya—finally understanding him. Before that, Sasuke understood Naruto, but Naruto didn't understand Sasuke.
Rubik knew he lacked that kind of pull. But his Uchiha blood gave him leverage to become "family."
"Make Uchiha Great Again" was Sasuke's lifelong drive. Yet by the series' end, he'd only had one kid with Sakura—no real revival in sight. Was he banking on Sarada and Boruto fielding a soccer team?
*Ahem, off-topic.* The point was, reviving the Uchiha alone was impossible for Sasuke. Rubik's emergence as a blood relative offered comfort—and hope.
"You mean these?" Rubik played dumb with a grin. "I awakened them at eight. Thought I had conjunctivitis—scared me half to death."
"That's not what I'm asking!" Sasuke pressed seriously. "Your Sharingan toggles freely, unlike Kakashi's knockoff! You have Uchiha blood! Why go by Uzumaki, not Uchiha?"
"...Why am I dragged into this?" Kakashi muttered, caught in the crossfire.
*'Damn, this Uchiha ultranationalist...'* Rubik's mouth twitched as he racked his brain for a plausible, less melodramatic backstory edit.
Naruto suddenly leaped between them, slinging an arm around each: "Sasuke, chill! I don't get the Sharingan or bloodline stuff."
He flashed a brilliant grin. "But I heard one thing clear—Rubik's your clansman, right? He's Uzumaki like me, so I'm his cousin! That makes us three one big family!"
"Ha?" ×2
"What?! No way I'm brothers with you, dead-last!" Sasuke's ire snapped to Naruto.
"The hell, smug Sasuke?! I even *shared* Rubik with you!" Naruto shot back.
*"...Am I an item now?"* Rubik deadpanned internally.
"Argh—enough! I'm heading back!" Sasuke clutched his forehead in frustration.
Today's shocks were overwhelming: total defeat by a peer; a potential surviving clansman; and zero attachment to the "Uchiha" name from him. What now?
He shot Rubik a final, piercing look:
"This isn't over. I'll challenge you again soon—and you'll tell me willingly why you reject the Uchiha name!"
With that, he vanished from the training ground.
"Sasuke's such a pain—just a surname, and he flips out?"
Naruto pulled a face at Sasuke's exit, then beamed at Rubik.
"Rubik! You just hit Konoha—no place to crash yet, right? Come to my place! I've got tons of good—*real* good—food!"
He gestured wildly.
Rubik chuckled inwardly at Naruto's eager eyes: *'Good food? Probably every flavor of instant ramen...'*
Kakashi seemed about to speak but glanced at the setting sun and held back.
"Alright then, Naruto—handle him tonight."
"You got it!" Naruto whooped excitedly.
***