"Shinra Tensei!"
The image of Tendo Pain destroying Konoha Village had always lingered in Uchiha Fugaku's mind like a haunting memory.
How could anyone possibly reduce the massive Konoha Village to rubble with a single move?
That kind of power was beyond human comprehension. It wasn't something a ninja should possess—it was the divine power of a god.
As that dreadful thought resurfaced, Fugaku stared at Tendo Pain, standing just a short distance away, with visible fear in his eyes.
This man... This man was the protagonist of that nightmarish vision. The one who, with just a thought, could obliterate everything.
A wave of regret washed over Fugaku. Just moments ago, he had spoken to Pain with disrespect, not recognizing the enormity of the threat standing before him.
What if his careless words had angered Pain? What if, like in the vision, Pain flew into the sky, spread his arms, and unleashed that single technique—Shinra Tensei?
The very thought of it made his stomach churn. If that happened, the entire Konoha Village would be turned to ashes within seconds.
Everything would be lost. Irreversible. Catastrophic.
His legs trembled. Fugaku, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha Village, nearly fell to his knees.
Until now, he had believed he stood at the peak of the ninja world. Few could rival his power. If not for his encounter with Orochimaru, he might have continued living under that illusion.
But now, faced with Pain's overwhelming presence, Fugaku found himself asking the unthinkable question:
What should I do if I've offended someone so powerful?
Would kneeling down and begging for forgiveness even work?
> [Waiting for answers online… Very urgent!]
"You're not planning to let us go, are you?" Tendo Pain said coldly, stepping forward. A black iron rod appeared out of nowhere in his hand.
Fugaku panicked. His entire body tensed. He didn't dare take a chance.
"W-Wait a moment!" he shouted, raising both hands.
He couldn't afford to anger this man further.
In that ominous vision, Pain had seemed ready to leave peacefully—until Tsunade said something. Whatever she said must have provoked him. And then came the destruction. Konoha razed to the ground in a flash of light and dust.
Fugaku had finally realized: Pain wasn't as calm as he appeared. He was a walking time bomb, ready to explode at any second.
He dared not take another misstep.
Conflict was no longer an option.
He forced a smile, trying to defuse the tension.
"Haha… Just a joke, that's all," he said, dispelling his Susanoo. "Of course you may take Orochimaru with you. I won't stop you."
The surrounding ninjas, who had been watching the standoff in tense silence, were stunned.
"What…? The Hokage-sama is letting them go?"
"Didn't he say earlier they couldn't leave?"
"I don't understand… but I guess the Hokage has his reasons."
Though confused, none dared to challenge Fugaku's decision. His fearsome strength commanded respect—and silence.
That silence wasn't born from cowardice, but from awe. The sheer pressure of Fugaku's presence made questioning his judgment impossible.
And perhaps, that's why he had managed to stabilize the village since becoming Hokage.
Tendo Pain observed Fugaku quietly, then retracted the black rod.
"That's good," he said simply.
With that, he turned and began walking away, Orochimaru following close behind.
As they passed Fugaku, Pain paused for a moment, pulled out a small card, and handed it to the Hokage.
"You're smart," he said.
"This is my business card. If you ever need our help, don't hesitate to call us. Every member of our organization possesses exceptional abilities. We can solve your problems—if you're willing to pay the right price."
Without another word, he continued walking.
Orochimaru lingered for a moment, eyes locked on Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan. He licked his lips and smiled eerily.
"Haha… Such charming eyes," he murmured before disappearing after Pain, vanishing beyond the gates of Konoha.
Fugaku stood frozen for a few moments, staring down at the card in his hand.
> [Akatsuki: Golden Mercenary Organization of the Ninja World]
[Members: Nagato (Pain - Six Paths), Konan, Sasori, Biwa Jūzō, Kakuzu, Orochimaru]
[Now recruiting full-time members (no summer workers). Salary negotiable. Location: Amegakure. Interviewer: Kakuzu.]
"Akatsuki..." Fugaku whispered. "I'll remember that name. Maybe one day, I'll have to rely on them too."
He slipped the business card into his pocket.
Then, surveying the damage around him—the collapsed buildings, the shattered Hokage Monument—he sighed deeply.
"Call the engineering division," he said to the aide behind him. "We need to rebuild the Hokage building."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
With the situation finally settled, Fugaku exhaled a long breath.
"That was too close. Konoha was nearly destroyed today."
He rubbed his eyes, but found his vision strangely blurry, like a fog had descended in front of him.
He looked toward the village horizon. The distant buildings had lost their shape and color, blending into an indistinct haze.
His heart sank.
> A side effect… of using the Mangekyō Sharingan too much.
He immediately closed his eyes and deactivated his Sharingan, massaging his temples.
"If I keep this up, I'll go blind…" he muttered.
He had long understood the risks of the Mangekyō Sharingan—its immense power came at a great cost. The more he used it, the faster it drained his eyesight.
He thought of Uchiha Obito.
That guy used his Mangekyō nearly every day, and yet didn't seem to suffer these symptoms.
"How does Obito manage it?" Fugaku mused aloud. "I'll have to ask him sometime."
---
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha compound...
"Father, you're back," Itachi greeted with quiet respect.
"Yeah," Fugaku responded, removing his sandals as he stepped inside. He looked exhausted.
"Father," Itachi continued, "Sasuke starts at the Ninja Academy tomorrow. Will you accompany him?"
Little Sasuke, sitting nearby, looked up with wide, eager eyes. A mix of excitement and nervousness sparkled in his expression.
Fugaku blinked, surprised. Had time passed so quickly? When had Sasuke grown old enough for school?
He looked down at his youngest son. The boy's tiny frame and hopeful gaze tugged at his heart.
He walked over and gently ruffled Sasuke's hair.
"My son is starting school," he said warmly. "Of course I'll go with him."
Sasuke's face lit up with joy. He leapt to his feet and wrapped his arms around Fugaku's legs.
"Yay! Dad is coming with me!" he shouted gleefully.
Fugaku chuckled, patting the boy's head affectionately.
This... this was what it meant to be a father.
He knew that tomorrow marked the beginning of a new chapter in Sasuke's life—one that he would walk together with him.
---
Elsewhere...
"Senior, why are we rushing back to the village?" Shisui asked, puzzled as he kept pace beside another masked ninja.
Obito smiled under his mask.
"Tomorrow is the first day of the Ninja Academy," he replied. "I promised Naruto I'd send him there personally."
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)