"But Rukawa, how do you have that kind of terrifying power?"
"Yashiro was a well-known Jōnin in the clan—and you just took him out like it was nothing!"
"Even your genius brother Itachi wasn't doing things like this at your age!"
Izumi looked him up and down, eyes full of curiosity. How could such overwhelming strength fit in such a small body?
"Izumi-nee, let me ask you something. Do you believe in fate?"
Rukawa's tone grew serious, voice dropping low.
"Fate?"
Izumi pressed a finger to her lips in thought, then shook her head.
"No. I don't believe anything is set in stone. I think hard work can change anything—no matter how predetermined it seems."
"I see. So you're not a believer in destiny."
Rukawa chuckled softly.
Optimistic answer—but sadly, this was the ninja world.
And the ninja world ran on fate.
Look at Might Guy. The man dedicated his life to hard work, nearly ended the Fourth Great War with one kick... but still needed a power-up from the Sage of Six Paths to survive.
Without his system, Rukawa would've been stuck living out the same tragic script his original self had been handed.
"Hmm? Why are you asking me this all of a sudden? Does it have something to do with how you got so strong?"
Izumi tilted her head, suspicious.
"Exactly."
Rukawa straightened up and launched into the most serious nonsense he could come up with.
"At first, I didn't believe in fate either. Then one night, I had a strange dream."
"A dream? What kind of dream?"
Izumi played along.
"I dreamed of this old man in white robes with a long beard.
I knew I was dreaming, but I couldn't wake up. I thought it was genjutsu at first."
"But then the old man said he was the founder of ninjutsu—
The Sage of Six Paths. He told me not to be afraid."
"The Sage of Six Paths?! That's just a myth!"
Izumi's jaw dropped.
"Ahem!"
Rukawa coughed lightly. Her outburst almost derailed his train of thought.
"Yeah, I didn't believe him either at first. But then he told me—I'm the reincarnation of his son, Indra."
"He even taught me how to awaken the power of my past life."
"So I gave it a shot... and the next thing I knew, I had power beyond imagination."
"That's when I believed him. Because who else but the Sage of Six Paths could pull off something like that?"
"He gave me this power so I could stop a coming disaster—
The destruction of the Uchiha clan."
"What?!"
"Destruction of the clan?! That's impossible!"
Izumi looked horrified.
"Sure, the clan's been tense lately, but wiped out? We're the strongest clan in Konoha! That can't happen!"
She was just a lower-ranking member of the Uchiha. She didn't have access to the clan's secrets.
But even so, she couldn't believe something so extreme.
Rukawa scoffed inwardly.
Oh, it's very possible.
Hiruzen Sarutobi—the ever-smiling old fossil—would wipe out anyone who threatened his control.
Didn't matter if it was the strongest clan in Konoha or a war hero like Sakumo Hatake.
And the man who'd carry out the Uchiha purge?
Itachi. Her beloved Itachi.
He'd slaughter the clan. And watch her die without blinking.
She had cooked for him, trained to please him, believed in him.
And he let her die without lifting a finger.
Yeah, Itachi was a real piece of work.
But Rukawa wasn't going to let that happen again.
Not this time.
He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her seriously.
"Yes, the Uchiha clan will be destroyed. And the one behind it all is none other than that snake in sheep's clothing—Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"No way... Not the Third Hokage! Why would he do that?!"
Izumi covered her mouth in shock, her faith in the old man crumbling.
"The reason is complicated. Let's just say... if you know, you know."
"Don't ask too much. The political mess is too deep.
All you need to remember is that the old geezer isn't as kind as he looks."
"But... I'm too weak. Even if I know the truth, I can't do anything."
Izumi lowered her head, frustration and helplessness in her voice.
"Don't be discouraged, Izumi-nee. You're only thirteen. There's still plenty of room to grow."
Rukawa patted her on the shoulder.
"Someday, you'll be as strong as I am."
"???"
Izumi glanced at the boy, a full head shorter than her.
Something about that line felt very, very wrong.