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===
Ninja Academy.
Third Year, Class A.
Today, Uchiha Sasuke made a rare appearance in class.
Ever since becoming Hatake Kakashi's apprentice, he had been exceptionally busy. For him, the Ninja Academy held no meaning anymore—unless it was about preaching the so-called "Will of Fire."
In the past, Sasuke had shown some interest because of his brother, Uchiha Itachi. But after the night of the massacre, he wanted nothing to do with it.
Besides, his sole focus was revenge. Something as abstract as the "Will of Fire" had no place in his life.
The moment Sasuke stepped into the classroom, the atmosphere grew unnaturally quiet.
This was his first time back at school since the Uchiha massacre. Though the students were young, an event of that magnitude had inevitably reached their ears.
Feeling the weight of their stares, Sasuke scoffed.
Suddenly, he understood Uzumaki Naruto a little better.
Was this how he felt all along?
Yet despite everything, Naruto remained optimistic and cheerful—something Sasuke couldn't comprehend, let alone emulate.
What kind of strength keeps him going?
Lost in thought, Sasuke glanced at Naruto.
To his surprise (and slight discomfort), Naruto didn't even acknowledge him. He just sat at his desk, seemingly lost in thought.
In reality, Naruto was deep in conversation with Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
"That's Mikoto's son, isn't he? Poor boy..."
Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto had been close—practically best friends. They'd even been pregnant at the same time, though Mikoto was on her second child.
"There's definitely more to this than meets the eye."
Minato, having served as Hokage, wasn't naive. Hearing Naruto recount the events, his instincts told him something was off.
During his time as Hokage, he'd tried to resolve the Uchiha clan's conflicts peacefully. But fate had other plans—the Nine-Tails' attack forced him to abandon those efforts.
"Hmph!" Kushina punched Minato lightly. "Of course it's those two—the Third and Danzo—pulling the strings behind this."
After everything Naruto had endured, she held no goodwill toward Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzo.
Minato didn't dodge her punch, only offering a helpless smile.
"Naruto, you and Sasuke grew up together. Try to help him when you can."
Kushina sighed. "I just hope Mikoto is safe... wherever she is."
"Don't worry. Lady Tsunade will find her."
Minato patted her shoulder reassuringly.
—
Snapping back to reality, Naruto noticed Sasuke staring at him.
"SASUKE!"
He immediately waved, grinning.
"..."
Sasuke thought, There it is—the familiar, obnoxious energy.
He walked over calmly.
"After school. I'm challenging you."
His reason for returning wasn't to attend class—it was to settle the score. Under Kakashi's rigorous training, his skills had skyrocketed. With his two-tomoe Sharingan, he refused to lose to anyone his age.
"Bring it on!"
Naruto's grin widened.
He knew Sasuke well—his pride, his relentless drive.
But that same stubbornness was what would eventually pull him out of the darkness.
(Well, that and revenge.)
Uncomfortable under Naruto's intense gaze, Sasuke turned and took his seat.
"Sasuke-kun!"
A pink-haired girl appeared in front of him.
"You're in the wrong classroom."
His tone was cold.
"Sasuke-kun..."
Haruno Sakura hesitated, concern flashing across her face.
The old Sasuke had been aloof but kind beneath the surface. Now, he radiated nothing but icy detachment.
"I'm fine."
He glanced at her once before ignoring her completely.
"Hey, Sakura-chan! Heard you've been learning medical ninjutsu?"
Naruto quickly defused the awkwardness.
"Yeah! From Yakushi Nonō—the director we met last time. She says I've got real talent!"
Sakura perked up at the topic.
"You've always been amazing, Sakura-chan!"
Naruto's praise sounded slightly forced.
"Good job, son! Always compliment girls!"
Kushina's voice echoed in his mind. "Though she's clearly into Sasuke. Maybe aim for someone else?"
"Kushina, he's still young. No need to rush."
Minato chuckled.
"Says the guy who stared at me since we were kids?"
Kushina shot him a glare.
"..."
Minato scratched his head sheepishly.
Kushina ignored him, eagerly offering Naruto more "advice."
"Naruto, you look pale. Are you sick? I can check for you."
Sakura frowned. "I'm still learning, but I know a bit."
"I'm fine!"
Naruto waved her off. "Class is starting—you should head back."
If she stays any longer, Mom's gonna drive me insane with her "romance lectures."
"Okay."
Sakura nodded, then turned back to Sasuke. "I'll come by later, Sasuke-kun."
Once she left, Kushina sighed dramatically.
"Yep. Definitely into someone else."
"Mom, I'm not interested in dating right now."
Naruto finally retreated into his mindscape.
(If he stayed outside, Kushina's "advice" would never end.)
"You just haven't met the right girl!"
Kushina smirked. "If Sasuke were a girl, though—"
"Okay, that's enough!"
Naruto facepalmed.
His parents weren't quite what he'd imagined.
Especially Kushina.
—
Elsewhere, watching invisibly, Omoi nodded in approval.
Good. My "investments" are growing nicely.
Cough.
He checked on Hyūga Hinata next.
She sat perfectly upright in class, attentive as ever.
Yamanaka Ino was absent—she'd taken time off to train as a medical ninja.
With her clan's secret techniques, she didn't need the Academy. But it had its perks—like building connections.
For the future heir of the Yamanaka clan, networking was crucial.
Finding nothing else noteworthy, Omoi decided to return later for Naruto and Sasuke's spar.
(Though Naruto would likely win—he had two "coaches" backing him.)
In raw skill, they might be even. But in experience? Minato was the Yellow Flash for a reason.
—
Land of Waves, Daimyō's Residence.
Omoi convened a small meeting—the early framework of his organization.
Only three attended:
Uzumaki Ena, Uchiha Itachi, and Uchiha Izumi.
"Omoi, I found the ruins of the Hidden Sky Village."
Itachi's expression was one of awe. "Just as you said—there's something massive underground. Like a tailed beast."
He never expected a minor village to harbor such secrets.
Omoi nodded.
He'd sent Itachi for two reasons: to keep him busy and to save Fate Points.
The Hidden Sky Village had been destroyed in the Second Shinobi War.
Shinnō, its sole survivor, sought vengeance.
His creation—a massive flying fortress powered by the Zero-Tails—was armed with a super cannon rivaling a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Beyond that, Sky's technology was uniquely advanced.
Their warship-like vessels packed serious firepower—perfect for the Thousand Sunny Trading Company.
In Naruto Shippūden: Bonds, Sky's opening move had been an aerial assault on Konoha.
With steel wings, their ninjas became human bombers, raining down explosives and shuriken.
Even Tsunade struggled to counter them.
(Flight was a rare advantage in the shinobi world.)
Of course, they were eventually defeated by Aburame Shino—because, inexplicably, their tech wasn't bug-proof.
(Just… don't question movie logic.)
Omoi had worried these events might not exist in this timeline.
But now, it was confirmed.
"Any sign of Shinnō?"
Omoi pressed.
He wanted the fortress, the ships—and Shinnō's forbidden techniques.
"Not yet."
Itashi admitted. "Our intel network is still new. Limited reach."
The Five Great Villages had theirs.
So did Akatsuki.
Omoi's Destiny Organization needed one too—but building it would take time.
After Sky's fall, Shinnō had posed as a wandering medic, stealing jutsu along the way.
(His Eight Gates and sealing techniques? Both from Konoha.)
How does one even "steal" those?
Omoi suddenly recalled Orochimaru.
In Bonds, Orochimaru had sent Sasuke after Shinnō upon learning his medical forbidden jutsu was complete.
Meaning—the two were likely connected.
"Keep searching. But don't stress if you can't find him yet."
Omoi paused. "Prioritize expanding our network. Money isn't an issue."
"Understood."
Itachi nodded.
"Prepare a team. We're heading to Sky soon."
The ruins held too much to carry alone.
And the fortress? It'd need a crew.
Now… where to station it?
The Land of Waves was too small—and too exposed.
Somewhere like the Land of Demons or Snow might work better.
—
The rest of the meeting was Ena's report on the Uchiha clan's integration.
Civilians and shinobi alike had been assigned roles, bolstering the Thousand Sunny Trading Company's workforce.
As Omoi listened, a mischievous idea struck.
He slipped off his sandal, sliding his foot beneath Ena's skirt, tracing circles on her thigh.
"Why'd you stop?"
Omoi feigned innocence. "Keep going."
Ena clenched her teeth, forcing herself to continue—even as her focus wavered, her breaths growing shallow.
Itachi and Izumi, blissfully oblivious, remained clueless.
Omoi maintained a perfectly serious expression, as if deeply engrossed in her words.
Finally, the report ended.
Ena shuddered, snapping her legs together, her face flushed.
"Anything else? If not, we're done for today."
Omoi stood—then nearly slipped.
"Who cleaned this floor?!"
He scowled. "It's too damn wet!"
Ena refused to meet his eyes, her cheeks burning.
"Then again… makes walking easier."
Omoi pulled her close, inhaling her scent. "Ever heard of the 'How to Fit an Elephant in a Fridge' riddle?"
Ena blinked, confused.
"Let me teach you."
Omoi, ever the dedicated instructor, was more than willing.
(And he had plenty of "teachers" to reference—Aoi, Kaede, Minami…)
By the end, a dazed Ena had to activate her Strength of a Hundred Seal just to keep up.
—
Evening. Ninja Academy.
Classes had ended, but a crowd lingered in the training grounds—drawn by Naruto and Sasuke's duel.
"This… this is true youth!"
Rock Lee cheered, eyes sparkling.
Beside him, Hyūga Neji's expression was grim.
He'd just realized he couldn't beat either of them.
"Typical Sasuke."
Nara Shikamaru yawned. "Catching up to Naruto? What a hassle."
"What happened?"
Akimichi Chōji munched on chips. "Why's Sasuke so strong now?"
"You really don't pay attention, do you?"
Shikamaru sighed.
(The Uchiha massacre? Clearly not on Chōji's radar.)
"Damn it!"
Inuzuka Kiba growled. "How are we supposed to compete with that?"
"I think—"
Aburame Shino started, only to be cut off by Sakura's shout.
"SASUKE-KUN! YOU CAN DO IT!"
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