"Damn Akira, stinky Akira! You said you couldn't go out-and actually asked me to go find that woman's things. When you're resurrected, I'll show you exactly how I'm gonna deal with you."
Mito grumbled under her breath, gnashing her teeth one moment and blushing the next. Her expression shifted so frequently that the Uchiha tasked with receiving her couldn't tell whether she was angry or flustered.
Standing beside her, Uchiha Chen hesitated before speaking cautiously, his tone careful.
"Um... Lord Mito, is there anything that brings you to our Uchiha residence this time?"
His words only made her scowl worsen. Her glare shut him up before she spoke again.
"I heard you guys came to that guy for help last time. This time-I'm here to collect my payment."
"That guy…? The reward…?"
Uchiha Chen stalled mid-thought as realization dawned. The "job" referred to the work they'd asked of Akira-helping mend Uchiha relations with the rest of the village. Senju support had recently joined the police force, which had long been solely Uchiha-occupied. Relations were slowly thawing, and the clan assumed this was part of Akira's larger plan.
And the reward? Obviously Madara's former residence.
Since they'd already agreed to offer it up, and Mito was here personally now, he took out the key without fuss.
"Mito-sama, this is the reward from Akira-sama."
"Mm."
She barely glanced at it and didn't take it. Her arm extended instead, finger pointing straight down the road.
"Lead the way."
"Yes!"
…
Madara's house had the same traditional layout as Mito's-but almost half of the courtyard was dedicated to a comprehensive training area. The other half held a narrow riverbed layered with smooth pebbles-flowing water weaving between them in familiar patterns.
Akira would've recognized it right away. It mirrored the river from their first meeting.
Everyone passed through the strange courtyard and approached the bedroom in silence. Once the door opened-Mito's face shifted quickly into irritation.
"You cleaned it?"
"Ah? Hmm-yes?"
Uchiha Chen looked puzzled. No one had lived here for over ten years. Cleaning it before gifting it seemed obvious from his view.
Mito clicked her tongue and narrowed her eyes, holding on to one last shred of hope.
"Did you keep any garbage from before?"
"Ha?"
Everyone stared at her.
She crossed her arms and scoffed loudly.
"There's nothing here! Why would I want this shabby house if it's empty?"
No one answered. The silence made it harder to ignore her frustration-but Uchiha Chen stepped up anyway, his tone low but resolute.
"I wonder what Lord Mito is looking for? If you tell us-we, the Uchiha clan-will help find it."
"Hair. That guy wants Uchiha Madara's hair! Don't you get it? A gift without part of the original owner-what's the point?!"
"I… Yes, Mito-sama."
He raised his hand and reached into his sleeve, pulling out a sachet.
"I originally planned to give this to Master Akira…"
Before he could finish speaking, Mito yanked it from his hand without ceremony.
Red fabric sat warm in her palm, embroidered heavily on both sides-the Uchiha crest on one face, and the Senju on the other. She clutched it tightly even as she clicked her tongue again with disapproval.
"Bah. Why make it so pretty?"
Her grip tightened as she tucked it away in her sleeve anyway.
"...because it wasn't for you," Uchiha Chen thought-though he kept his mouth shut and nodded along instead.
Satisfied enough to finish this errand, Mito turned and strode out without even offering goodbye. Uchiha Chen called cautiously after her-
"Mito-sama-this house…"
She tossed her answer over her shoulder without slowing down or turning around.
"Throw it away!"
Uchiha Chen stood frozen for several seconds before whispering faintly to himself,
"…how do you even throw away...a house…"
…
After the Five Kage Summit, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned with Danzo and Uchiha Shizuka. Upon reaching Konoha's borders, he gave orders for every major clan to begin preparations for potential conflict with other nations-but banned Danzo from attending further meetings given her role in escalating things in the first place.
Despite this, every elder who arrived at HQ wore the same expression-a grin full of anticipation. No trace of concern or hesitation in sight.
"Heh… I knew Lord Akira would stir things up eventually…"
"Right? I said so too."
"What are we waiting for? Call Lord Akira-we should start planning our attack routes already."
"To unify the ninja world… bring glory back home…"
Their voices overlapped in rising excitement as Sarutobi Hiruzen sat silently at the head of the table, his brow deeply furrowed as he listened. No one noticed-or cared about-the dour look on his face until he finally raised both hands slowly to draw their attention.
"Everyone-please listen to me… Lord Akira doesn't know about this matter."
Those words cut through their chatter faster than any shout could've managed. All heads turned sharply toward him, confusion painted clearly on their faces.
Knowing he had no choice now but to explain, Hiruzen gave them only the briefest version of events at the Summit-and pinned responsibility entirely on Danzo's actions alone.
Despite this revelation-no one expressed anger or concern. Instead-they just started laughing again.
"That's it? I was looking for any excuse anyway…"
"Exactly-they attacked first, not us!"
"Hah! And last time we barely even made them bleed…"
Their mood soared again-fueled by warlust. Hiruzen couldn't believe what he was seeing. If he didn't rein them in somehow-they might break ranks and start charging toward battle that same day.
"We should speak with Lord Akira first," he said finally, trying to redirect their momentum responsibly.
"Naturally!"
"Haha! I've been waiting for another meeting with him!"
"Yes-we'll consult him directly this time!"
They spun toward the door as one-all leaving the meeting hall in an energetic rush-completely ignoring Sarutobi Hiruzen standing behind them with one hand raised awkwardly in farewell.
"I'm Hokage," he whispered under his breath. "And not one of you waited for me to say we're leaving…"
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