Walking home with Kushina had been a whim for Uchiha Jin.
He had no scheme for the red-haired girl. After finishing the lunch she made and seeing her lonely back, something in him softened.
Reason quickly reminded him that getting too close to Kushina might not be wise.
She was the Nine Tails' jinchuriki, one of the village's most sensitive weapons.
The Third and Danzō, those two old foxes, would never ignore her movements.
Besides, he was no backgroundless civilian like Namikaze Minato. He was an Uchiha.
A faint, mocking curve tugged at Jin's lips.
The Senju and the Uchiha were the true founders of the Leaf.
The Uchiha's entry had been a compromise after losing to Senju Hashirama, in a way.
Even so, the village's foundation rested on the absolute might of Senju and Uchiha.
And now?
The Senju had dissolved into the village. Even direct descendants like Tsunade and Nawaki no longer bore the Senju name.
The Uchiha, meanwhile, were mired in suspicion and exclusion because of old history.
In a few years, a handful of fools in the clan would only make it worse.
They would be pushed to the village's edge, cut off from power, and at last face a night of annihilation.
Both founding houses of the Leaf, brought to this end.
Laughable.
Thinking of the Third's nickname, Monkey, Jin found it apt.
In this vast village, if the tigers are all gone, of course the monkeys rule.
His thoughts churned, but his pace did not slow.
Only at his door did he halt.
His Sharingan opened without a sound. Scarlet pupils turned as he glanced toward the clansman who had appeared at his side.
"The elder Hikaku wants to see you."
Without another word, the messenger vanished in a flicker.
"Heh, quick on the draw."
Jin smiled and headed for the heart of the compound.
Elder Hikaku was one of the most senior figures in the clan. In youth he had followed Uchiha Madara across battlefields, clashing with the Senju for years.
At his peak he had been elite jonin level. Age had dimmed him, but his depth remained. He was no ordinary shinobi.
Hikaku had looked after Jin since he was small. Mikoto herself had first been assigned to care for him by the elder.
The courtyard was familiar.
Jin slipped through the corridor and stepped into the sitting room.
He slid the door aside and tea fragrance stirred the air.
A lean old man sat at the low table. Seeing Jin, he smiled kindly and gestured for him to sit.
"Elder Hikaku."
Jin offered a brief greeting and sat cross-legged. He had never liked formal seiza, and the elder never fussed over such things.
"Try it, this year's new tea." Hikaku pushed a cup toward him, the steam blurring the space between them.
Jin took a sip. The aroma was clear, with a light bitterness.
Setting it down, the cup chimed against the saucer.
"Anbu visited the compound and hinted at your situation," Hikaku said slowly.
"Hinted?" Jin raised a brow.
"Mm." The elder smiled. "They gently reminded us that the red-haired girl is special, and that you should keep your distance."
Jin understood.
It was very much the Third's way: mild words, precise meaning.
They were polite largely out of respect for Hikaku's standing.
A veteran who had once followed Madara could expect even the Hokage to show courtesy.
And since Jin was a young man the elder valued, the Third would not push too hard.
"Jin, what do you think?"
Though the Third had sent a message, Hikaku did not decide for him. He asked.
In his eyes, Jin had always had a will of his own.
Jin took another sip before he answered.
"They are meddling."
"Hahaha."
Hikaku laughed heartily, then drained his cup in a swallow.
"I know your proud temper. You cannot stomach being pushed. If you want to do something, do it. The clan side, leave to me."
Night was deep when Jin left the elder's home.
He stood beneath the eaves and looked up at the moon over the compound.
He knew what tonight's talk meant. Hikaku had given tacit approval and was willing to shoulder part of the pressure.
Jin raised a hand to his eyes. Three tomoe turned slowly in the scarlet pupils.