Rebuilding the Garrison
Sasuke was deeply confused. After Kakashi vanished, he carefully unsealed the scroll.
The scroll contained records of various Uchiha-style ninjutsu, including intricate genjutsu techniques and the evolution of Sharingan. It outlined training regimens for shinobi at every level, from Genin to Elite Jōnin, and detailed the applications and limitations of the dōjutsu.
With just a few glances, Sasuke found solutions to problems that had hindered his training. This scroll was unquestionably the work of a true Uchiha. No outsider, not even one who had obtained the Sharingan, could have written such precise knowledge.
Could Kakashi have been telling the truth? Had a faction of the Uchiha clan survived? Were they truly living outside the village alongside Naruto?
But if that were the case, why had Naruto left without taking him along? Why had he been abandoned to the emptiness of the Uchiha District?
The questions gnawed at him, but one thing was clear—he now had a path forward.
His plan was set: first, train rigorously according to the scroll's instructions; then, at the right moment, awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan; defeat Kakashi, leave the village, seek out the surviving Uchiha, and ultimately exact revenge on Uchiha Itachi.
At dawn the next day, Sasuke arrived at the Ninja Academy and took his usual seat by the window in the back row.
It was his first time attending class since entering the sixth grade. By this stage, formal shinobi education was nearly complete. Beyond a few lectures from senior instructors, all that remained was the final proficiency assessment of the Three Basic Jutsu.
Sasuke, however, had mastered the Clone, Substitution, and Transformation Techniques long before completing his first year. Most students became proficient in them by the third or fourth grade, while only a handful of stragglers—those destined to fail as ninja—struggled even at this stage.
As the breeze rustled the leaves outside, Sasuke's gaze shifted slightly to his new desk partner.
The transfer student, Sai, unnerved him. The boy's mannerisms seemed like a deliberate imitation, and that ever-present, insincere smile irritated Sasuke—it was as if Sai were some kind of lifeless tool.
According to Iruka-sensei, Sai had trained in the Anbu before transferring to the academy, and this behavior might simply be a trait of Anbu operatives.
Pushing the thought aside, Sasuke propped his textbook upright, rested his head on his arms, and dozed off, paying no mind to Iruka. If he was forced to attend class, he would simply make up for lost sleep after a night of intense training. After all, there was nothing Iruka could do about it.
Others were just as inattentive. Shikamaru, a habitual class sleeper, was slumped over, while Chōji, as always, munched on a bag of chips, as if missing a single bite would lead to his untimely demise.
Iruka was long accustomed to these troublesome students.
He understood that academy lessons meant little to the children of prominent clans, who received private training at home. Were it not for the Third Hokage's mandatory attendance rule, many would have already advanced to full-fledged shinobi.
What troubled Iruka, however, was Hinata. She was usually attentive, yet today, she seemed distracted.
Unbeknownst to him, she was clutching a small fox-shaped pouch in her lap. She had found it in the park, and inside was a golden pendant and a scroll containing a secret technique of the Kaguya Clan.
Strangely, the pouch bore her name. She had no explanation for this, but instinct told her it was a gift from Naruto.
So even after three years, Naruto-kun still thought about her. Had he left her behind because she was too weak? Because the outside world was too dangerous?
Her cheeks flushed. Her body felt warm and light, and she slumped slightly in her seat.
At that moment, the golden pendant against her skin began to change. As if responding to her body heat, it melted into a seal upon her skin, silently altering her chakra flow.
---
Meanwhile, Kakashi's actions—his visit to Sasuke and his secret gifts to Hinata—had not gone unnoticed. Jiraiya and Tsunade were growing suspicious.
Jiraiya considered Kakashi's history: his bond with Obito made it understandable that he would look after Sasuke, who had suffered a similar loss. But what reason did he have to involve himself with the Hyūga Clan's heir? Kakashi had no known ties to them.
Had he secretly allied with the Hyūga clan in a bid for greater influence?
Jiraiya quickly dismissed the idea. Kakashi had no desire for power; if he did, he wouldn't have repeatedly refused the position of Anbu Commander. Instead, he spent his time pestering the Hokage's office about mission reports and updates. A man like that had no interest in political maneuvering.
After some thought, Jiraiya spoke with confidence. "If my hunch is correct, the one truly trying to contact Sasuke and Hinata isn't Kakashi—it's Naruto. And Naruto has learned the Flying Thunder God Technique."
This wasn't just speculation.
Kakashi had recently studied the Flying Thunder God's principles, and the Scroll of Seals that Naruto had stolen years ago contained the technique's instructions. If both master and pupil had mastered it, they could be establishing secret communication.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Don't forget, Naruto is the leader of Uzushiogakure now. If Kakashi is aiding him in secret, it amounts to treason. As Hokage, you cannot tolerate such espionage."
Jiraiya dropped his usual carefree demeanor and nodded. "I'll confront Kakashi. But if we can use this opportunity to open talks with Uzushio, it might work in our favor. They pose no immediate threat to Konoha. My real concern is Kusagakure."
Tsunade frowned. "According to Anbu reports, Akatsuki has taken over Kusagakure and allied with Amegakure."
Jiraiya folded his arms. "That means we're dealing with the organization Itachi and the masked man belong to. It's bad news, but their control over Kusagakure effectively cuts off Iwagakure's access to us. In the short term, that works in our favor."
Jiraiya, however, knew something even more troubling.
The Akatsuki's original founders—Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato—had all studied under him. And their current leader was rumored to possess the Rinnegan.
If his former students were alive, they would inevitably clash on the battlefield. That was a confrontation Jiraiya had no desire to face.
Shaking off his unease, he turned back to Tsunade. "How's the reconstruction of the Konoha Military Police Force going? We need them operational as soon as possible. The distinction between Anbu and the police must be restored."
Tsunade smirked. "I've already taken care of it. Recruitment is open to all shinobi. This won't be a clan-dominated force. We won't repeat the mistakes that led to the Uchiha massacre."
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