"Sure~! It's been a long time since I soaked in the grand hot springs of Hidden Shadow Village!" Kaori replied enthusiastically to Samui's suggestion.
"Great. Then I'll go home and prepare dinner first," Samui said.
She reached into her chest with her slender middle and ring fingers—short, unpainted nails—drawing out a black card embossed with golden patterns. She flicked her gaze toward Akira.
"A-Akira, you guys should come too. I'll book the entire hot spring inn tonight."
Akira laughed. "Alright, sis-in-law. We won't hold back, then."
Yue, still chewing on her meat bun, ran over.
"Auntie Samui! Can I go too?"
Samui said gently, "You're still little. You might get dizzy from soaking too long. Let yourOlder brother & sister take you to watch the fireworks festival instead, okay?"
"Wow! That's awesome! I love wearing yukata and watching fireworks!"
"Then it's settled. See you tonight!" Samui waved, leaving behind a seductive silhouette as she carried her groceries and rubbed her shoulder, walking south.
Watching her go, Kaori felt relieved from the bottom of her heart.
"Seeing her so energetic now… I'm really at ease."
Akira nodded. "Yeah. When my brother passed away, she was almost like a lost soul. Even for the children's sake, she had to pull herself together."
Kaori held his hand and whispered, "You've worked so hard too, my dear."
Akira's lips curved into a bitter smile.
Back then, the one who had suffered the greatest blow was actually him.
The brothers had always valued each other's lives above their own.
But he was the pillar of this family.
If he collapsed, how could the others go on living?
In truth, his involvement with the underground world wasn't just for building Hidden Shadow Village and gathering funds.
It was also for intelligence.
For clues about his brother's death.
Yet even now, he still hadn't uncovered who the real culprit was.
Why hadn't they taken his brother's eyes?
Did they not know the value of the Mangekyō?
And why couldn't his brother be revived with Edo Tensei?
He hated this feeling—being unable to control the situation.
The invisible threat left by his brother's killer was even more unsettling than the yet-unseen Ōtsutsuki.
…Forget it.
Akira shook his head.
One step at a time.
One bite at a time.
The current plan against the Ōtsutsuki was something he and his brother had built together.
His brother was still watching.
Through those peerless Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
He steadied his heart, and his smile returned.
He glanced at his watch.
2:08 PM.
"Uncle Madara, Obito, before the welcoming banquet, let's go somewhere else first."
"The ninja academy is there. Besides a bunch of kids, you'll also see an old acquaintance."
"Oh~? Now you've got my interest," Madara thought. He was certain now—he would see "little Yuki" from the photo.
At the words "old acquaintance," Obito stiffened.
"You're not planning something weird again, are you? Don't tell me it's Minato and Kushina."
"Relax," Akira said. "There are no 'Konoha F4' here. No one related to them either."
"Konoha F4… Oh, the first four Hokage?" Madara chuckled. "That's a fresh way to put it."
He didn't feel disappointed that Hashirama wasn't here.
They had already said goodbye once.
If they met again…
He wanted to proudly say:
Hashirama, I've reached the far shore. I achieved what even you couldn't.
"…I see," Obito murmured.
Hearing Minato and Kushina weren't here didn't bring him the relief he'd expected.
Truthfully, he wished he could kneel before Kushina and repent.
Not for forgiveness.
Just to ease her heart, even a little.
With their own thoughts, the group arrived outside the academy grounds.
Beyond the wire fence, they saw rows of children of varying ages.
At the front stood a girl of about twelve or thirteen.
She wore a blue robe, a forehead protector, and a belt.
Black fingerless tactical gloves covered her hands.
Her gaze was sharp—
Just like Kaori in her youth.
Uchiha Yuki.
"Uchiha Yuki, shuriken throwing test!"
The examiner was a square-faced, bearded man with a stern aura, holding a clipboard.
Obito frowned slightly.
He found that man familiar.
But couldn't place him.
Madara, meanwhile, never took his eyes off Yuki.
"Hmm? Three-tomoe already at this age… and that gaze—sharp as a blade."
"Zzz!"
Yuki closed her eyes.
When she opened them, three bright tomoe spun into place.
She moved.
Leaping into the air, flipping upside down.
Eight kunai appeared between her fingers and shot out in rapid succession.
In mid-spin, she drew two more at lightning speed and fired them, striking the tails of the previous ones and altering their trajectories.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
All eight kunai pierced the bullseyes—
Including two hidden in blind spots.
She landed lightly, her robe fluttering.
Crossing her arms, she stood tall.
"Whoa! Amazing!"
"As expected of the strongest prodigy—Uchiha Yuki!"
The children burst into cheers.
The examiner muttered,
"That woman's daughter… monstrous talent. This shuriken skill is already on par with ANBU-era Itachi…"
"Next test: signature technique!"
"Uchiha Yuki, use your best move!"
She replied coolly, "I have many."
The man thought for a moment.
"You're an Uchiha. Let's see Fire Release. How about that?"
She paused. "Alright."
Her hands lowered slowly.
"But if I fire into empty space, the damage will be considerable."
"Then I'll make a barrier for you."
He tucked the clipboard under his arm and clasped his hands.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Vines burst from the ground, growing into a towering forest.
Obito narrowed his eyes.
"Now I remember who he is…"
"Yeah. In a sense, he's an old acquaintance."
"Though… a rather boring one."
Yuki raised her gloved hands, forming the Horse seal.
Her black hair fluttered.
She cupped her hands before her mouth.
"Fire Release—!"
"Great Fire Annihilation!"
Rooooar—!!
A crimson inferno surged forward like a raging sea, instantly devouring the forest.
Madara's lips curled into a fierce grin.
"Yes… that's it."
"That's the flavor."
On the school rooftop, a white, spiral-faced figure watched the blazing scene through hollow eyeholes.
"Oho~… not bad at all."
"If only my bowel movements were this smooth…"
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