On the coast of the Land of Iron, in a small seaside town, Shigeo had just reached the beach when he saw Shizune standing outside the village. She opened her arms to welcome him, and Shigeo rushed into her embrace.
"Shizune-neechan!"
"Shigeo, I have good news for you—the Third Great Ninja War has ended! The Land of Earth was the first to make an official announcement, declaring their withdrawal. The war is over!" Shizune's eyes shimmered with joyful tears, and Shigeo reached up to wipe them away.
"Don't cry, neechan!"
"Mhm…" Shizune nodded happily, though her tears flowed even faster. "I just can't hold back when I think about all the people we've lost."
She quickly wiped her face and suddenly picked Shigeo up into her arms. "Come on, let's return to Konoha. School is about to start, and since you can already mold chakra, entering the Academy won't be a problem. Let's go and get you registered!"
Shigeo nodded. It seemed Naoki-sensei and Daisuke-sensei hadn't told her that he already knew ninjutsu.
"Alright, let's go home!"
When they returned to the village, the streets and alleys were alive with cheers. Everyone's faces beamed with joy. Just as Shizune led Shigeo through the gates, someone suddenly embraced him.
"Shigeo, where have you been these past six months? We thought something had happened to you! Thank goodness you're safe!" Uzuki Yugao looked down at him, her smiling face full of relief.
The whole village was celebrating—some danced in the streets, others reunited with family. Excitement filled the air on this historic day.
Seeing this, Shigeo couldn't help but smile as well.
The end of the Third War had been inevitable in many ways. The Land of Earth's withdrawal merely accelerated the outcome.
Sunagakure was already struggling, Kirigakure was beset by internal and external turmoil, Konoha had suffered greatly in the Nine-Tails' attack, and Kumogakure was wounded from countless conflicts despite their aggression. After years of war, all the nations needed time to recover.
So, following Iwagakure's lead, the other great nations also declared ceasefires, preparing to sign peace agreements. At last, the war had ended!
"April flowers bloom, the evening faces outshine the morning glories—Yugao-neechan, happy birthday!"
On the bustling street, Shigeo pulled out a large bouquet from a scroll and handed it to Uzuki Yugao, whose eyes lit up with surprise and delight.
"Shigeo, you even knew my birthday?"
Blushing, Yugao accepted the flowers, while Shizune raised her eyebrows and ruffled Shigeo's hair. "Not bad. You've never given me flowers before!"
"Me neither…"
"Nor me…"
Inuzuka Hana and Ayame called out playfully.
"Alright, alright, I'll give you all flowers another day!" Shigeo laughed.
Just then, a girl ran over, glanced at him carefully, then darted off. It was Uchiha Izumi, a girl from the Uchiha clan the same age as Shigeo. She was close to Uchiha Itachi, who had once saved her life during the Nine-Tails' attack.
Moments later, she returned with Itachi. From a distance, she whispered something to him, and he gave a small nod before vanishing.
Though Shigeo's eyes were closed, his Mirror System was active, allowing him to sense everything around him. He frowned slightly. What's with Uchiha Itachi?
That night, under the full moon, after reporting to the Third Hokage, Shigeo returned home. Tsunade was nowhere to be seen, apparently busy with something.
Shizune had wanted him to stay with her, but she had a dinner with friends. Since Shigeo hadn't been home for a long time, he decided to return to his own house.
After a bath, he stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the stars, when a dark figure suddenly appeared on the wall.
"Uchiha Itachi?" Shigeo said quietly.
Itachi didn't answer. He only looked down at Shigeo with conflicted eyes. After a moment, he turned and vanished, just as he had done during the day.
Puzzled, Shigeo chased after him. Itachi quickened his pace, but Shigeo followed. Finally, they stopped in a forest to the west of the village.
"Itachi," Shigeo said, "even if you've always been quiet, you'd at least say a few words before. What's going on? We may not be friends, but we're not enemies either. What's troubling you?"
It took a long while before Itachi finally spoke. "…Nothing. I was just… conflicted these past six months because of your disappearance."
He sighed softly and sat down on a large stone. Shigeo walked over, recalling how he had vanished from the Police Force's custody, and suddenly understood. Embarrassed, he asked, "Wait… did you think your clan… killed me?"
After all, he had disappeared while under their guard. Only a few people in the Hokage's office knew the truth. Even within the Uchiha clan, no one else did.
Shigeo had no parents, and the Hyūga clan ignored him. While his bond with Itachi wasn't close, they were still the same age. Itachi had known Shigeo had been taken by the Police Force, only for him to suddenly vanish with no trace. It was reasonable for him to suspect his own clan.
After a long silence, Itachi nodded slightly, then sighed again.
Shigeo could imagine the weight of his doubts these past months. He sat beside him, laughing lightly.
Finally, he patted Itachi's shoulder. "My disappearance had nothing to do with your family. Don't overthink it—it's fine."
He didn't know how to express his mix of gratitude and awkwardness—grateful for Itachi's concern, but embarrassed for causing him to suspect his own clan.
What struck him most was that no matter how hard he tried to smile and lighten the mood, Itachi didn't smile back.
His eyes carried something hidden, a heavy emotion born from the burden of his clan.
"Hey, don't dwell on it. You're only six years old—why think about such heavy things? Tomorrow we'll sign up for the Academy. Cheer up! Maybe we'll be in the same class. When you grow up, what do you want to do? The war is over, the village will be peaceful. How about training to become a teacher? That way, you can spend your time with lots of kids."
Although the story was destined to unfold with Itachi making sacrifices for the village, Shigeo hoped to change his path—to free him from his clan's burdens, to let him live happily as just a boy.
(End of Chapter)
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