As both the real Hiashi and Naruto, each bearing vastly different intentions, drew nearer to their shared target—Hinata—one person was starting to get fed up with waiting.
Tch, that idiot Naruto might always have his reasons, but this is taking way too long!
Frustrated, Sasuke scowled and kicked a nearby pebble, sending it clattering down the path. Left with nothing else to distract himself, he finally gave in and squatted, arms crossed in a sulk, cheeks puffed up in an adorable pout.
"Fine, whatever! Naruto disappearing without a word isn't new… but why are Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino's dads all here to pick them up, while I haven't seen even a shadow of my mom, my dad, or my stupid niisan?! It's not fair! I even got first place in the exams! Doesn't that count for anything?! Especially niisan… he promised he'd always be there. Liar… big fat liar!"
...
As Sasuke muttered, the old-generation Ino–Shika–Chō parents had already finished their work and taken their kids home. What Sasuke didn't know, however, was that their timely arrival wasn't coincidence—it was strategic.
Unlike the Hyuga or Uchiha clans, the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi families weren't chosen for Konoha's emergency defensive deployment. Despite their individual strengths—Nara's strategizing, Yamanaka's interrogation techniques, and Akimichi's raw power—their jutsu didn't lend themselves well to tracking infiltrators or detecting Transformation Jutsu. In fact, the sheer size and collateral potential of Akimichi techniques had gotten them completely excluded from any search-and-secure efforts.
And while the Yamanaka had some long-range sensing capability, it paled in comparison to the Hyuga's all-encompassing Byakugan network already woven across the village.
That was why the defense effort had fallen largely to four families: the Uchiha, the Hyuga, the Inuzuka, and the Aburame—whose hounds and insects respectively made them unmatched at tracking and rooting out camouflage-based infiltrations.
The plan was airtight—at least, in theory.
Naruto had underestimated one thing: the sheer obsession the Cloud Village team had for their mission. He hadn't considered Hinata might be their actual target. So while all attention focused on the village perimeter, no one thought to lock down the heart of the village: the Ninja Academy.
As for why the Third Hokage hadn't taken charge himself, Naruto knew full well. Hiruzen considered four enemy nin too few to pose a threat. Naruto's precautions seemed flawless, so Hiruzen was happy to let the boy handle it—both to spare himself the headache and because, truthfully, he trusted Naruto more than many adults.
There were other factors, too.
The heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans—Hiashi and Fugaku—had come to trust Naruto's leadership over Hiruzen's. Whether forced or willing, Hiruzen had compromised their clans too often in the past.
And lastly… Hiruzen had already chosen Naruto as the future Fifth Hokage.
With that in mind, he'd deliberately started handing off real decision-making responsibilities—trials by fire to prepare the boy for his destiny.
That said, Hiruzen wasn't some senile puppet.
He knew the truth—he saw how Naruto's strength and mind vastly surpassed his peers. And though he never voiced it aloud, the old man couldn't help but wonder: What did Konoha truly owe this child? Abandoned, hated, lied to… and yet still loyal beyond reason.
Was the Hokage title a reward… or a leash?
...
Of course, Sasuke and Hinata knew none of this.
To them, the only betrayal that mattered right now… was their families not showing up.
"Tch… If I'd known it'd turn out like this, I would've just bugged Naruto until he taught me that Rasengan of his…" Sasuke grumbled, casting a glance toward Hinata—who, true to form, was silently fretting about her own father.
"Hmph… Next time, I'll force him to teach me. I don't care what it takes. Cry, beg, or throw a tantrum… what did Naruto call it? 'Cry, wail, threaten to die'—yeah! I'll do that! Let's see him say no then!"
As Sasuke plotted his totally reasonable blackmail plan, Hinata suddenly gasped with delight.
"Papa!" she cried, standing on her tiptoes and waving her little hands in the air. "I'm here!"
"Huh? Uncle Hiashi's here?" Sasuke looked up, annoyed. "Oh great. So her dad shows up too. That just leaves me and Naruto, the orphans in the dirt…"
He trailed off.
"…Wait a sec. Something's off."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He studied the approaching figure—something didn't sit right.
Why is Uncle Hiashi… covering his forehead? he thought. Dad told me only the Branch Family does that… Could it be…?
He hadn't been told why the Branch Family wore head coverings (to hide the Caged Bird Seal), but the visual inconsistency triggered alarm bells.
The chakra feels like his… but something's not right. Dammit! If Naruto were here, he could confirm… but on my own? I've got no chance of beating a Jōnin!
Sasuke's hand crept toward his pouch. With a grimace, he pulled out a single crumpled yellow tag inscribed with a familiar seal.
The Flying Thunder God mark.
Damn it… only one left. If I'm wrong, I've wasted it. But if I'm right and don't act… Hinata's screwed.
Sasuke hesitated.
Then made his choice.
Before Hinata could run forward, he yanked her back and shoved the seal into her palm.
"Wait, Hinata. Take this."
"Eh? Sasuke-kun…?"
"It's a charm. A really powerful one. If something bad happens, just keep it on you and you'll be safe."
Confused but trusting, Hinata nodded and tucked the tag into her pocket—just in time for 'Hiashi' to arrive.
"Sorry, sorry," the man said, smiling warmly. "Got held up with something urgent."
Strangely, he never once called Hinata by name.
"Papa, why are you wearing armor all of a sudden?" she asked, poking the metal plating.
"Ah, well…" he chuckled. "Some outsiders tried sneaking into the village. Nothing serious. I came right over once I confirmed this area was safe."
He glanced at Sasuke, noting the Uchiha crest.
"Things are a little dicey outside, so you should head home too, little one. Don't want your parents to worry."
Sasuke didn't speak.
He was too busy squinting.
He doesn't even know my dad is the Uchiha Clan head… Yep. He's not Hiashi.
"Let's go home, Papa!" Hinata chirped, clinging to his armor.
"Of course," he smiled.
"Thank you, sir!" Sasuke called. "And um… if you're Clan Head, can you maybe tell our Clan Head to let my parents come home sooner? I get kinda scared being alone all the time…"
The fake Hiashi chuckled.
"No problem. I'll have a word with them. I'm sure they'll rush right home to see you."
With Hinata cradled in his arms, he turned and began walking away.
Sasuke waved, eyes sharp.
Only once they disappeared from view did he let the fake smile drop.
He didn't even know my dad's the Clan Head. No doubt about it. That guy's not Uncle Hiashi.
Hinata's in danger… I have to find Naruto. Now.