"Boruto and Sarada are dating. Sasuke probably doesn't know yet…" Itachi began quietly.
"According to Uchiha Menma's information, Sasuke's been away on long-term investigation missions. He rarely returns to the village," Itachi continued.
"Out on missions? Sasuke still has time for that when his own daughter's being looked after by another family's boy?" Fugaku snapped, clearly furious.
Mikoto gently placed her hand over his, trying to calm him down. "Fugaku, please. Don't get so worked up."
She looked back toward Sarada and Boruto through the window, her expression soft. "Honestly, I think they look quite compatible. Kids these days have their own way of expressing themselves."
"But why is Sarada wearing glasses? Hasn't she awakened her Sharingan yet?" Mikoto asked curiously.
"Sarada has already awakened her Sharingan," Itachi replied.
"Oh? She has? When did that happen? And how many tomoe does she have?" Fugaku asked eagerly.
"She currently possesses the Three-Tomoe Sharingan," Itachi said calmly.
"Three tomoe? At her age?" Mikoto exclaimed, stunned.
Fugaku nodded approvingly. "Excellent. As expected of my granddaughter. Her talent surpasses even yours when you were young, Itachi."
"Still," he added thoughtfully, "awakening the Sharingan requires emotional stimulus. How did she awaken a Three-Tomoe Sharingan so early?"
Itachi lowered his gaze. "When I first met Sarada, I thought she hadn't awakened it yet. To confirm, I placed her under a Genjutsu to trigger emotional stress. But… I didn't realize she had already awakened a Two-Tomoe Sharingan."
His voice was heavy with guilt. "I only meant to confirm it. I didn't expect to cause her pain. When I found out she already had it, I… truly regretted it."
"Itachi! How could you do that?" Mikoto scolded sharply. "She's your niece! Using such a harsh method on her is unacceptable."
Itachi clenched his fists, remorse filling his voice. "I know. I went too far."
"Forget it," Fugaku sighed. "What's done is done. There's no point dwelling on it."
A few days later, the sun shone brightly over the Ninja Academy's training grounds.
A soft breeze brushed through the trees as students wrapped up their practice sessions.
"Class Rep, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen after school," Chocho said cheerfully. "I heard they've got a new char siu ramen!"
"Sorry, Chocho," Sumire Kakei replied with a small smile. "I'm training this afternoon. I can't join you."
Chocho frowned. "You've been training way too hard lately, Class Rep. Are you okay?"
"It's nothing," Sumire said softly. "I just want to do better in the graduation exam."
Her gaze drifted to a quiet spot on the field, where Boruto and Sarada sat side by side, laughing and talking easily.
If my father hadn't fled Konoha… if I had lived here since childhood… if Boruto had met me first… maybe everything would've been different.
A faint loneliness flickered in Sumire's eyes. She knew such thoughts were only dreams—but still, she couldn't help them.
That evening, dressed in training gear, Sumire arrived alone at a forest outside the village. A figure appeared silently behind her—it was Tobirama Senju.
"Teacher Tobihiko," she greeted respectfully. "What Ninjutsu will we learn today?"
"Sumire, your talent is remarkable," Tobirama said seriously. "You've already mastered most of my Water Release techniques. So today… we'll focus on actual combat."
"Actual combat?" Sumire repeated, surprised.
"Yes." Tobirama nodded. "You've learned plenty of Ninjutsu, but experience in real battle is equally important. To grow stronger, you must apply what you've learned in the field."
Sumire straightened her posture. "I understand, Teacher Tobihiko. I want to become stronger."
"Good." Tobirama placed a hand on her shoulder, and in an instant, the two vanished.
They reappeared outside a hidden cave in the Land of Fire.
"Where are we?" Sumire asked, glancing around the dense forest.
"There are bandits inside that cave," Tobirama said solemnly.
"Your mission is to eliminate them. Don't hesitate—they're murderers with innocent blood on their hands. Consider this both your trial and a service to the people."
"Killing…?" Sumire hesitated, her eyes wavering for a moment. Then Boruto's smile flashed through her mind.
As long as I can grow stronger and stand beside him… I'll do anything.
Her eyes hardened with resolve. She stepped forward toward the dark cave.
"Wait, Sumire," Tobirama said suddenly.
She turned. "Yes, Teacher?"
"I've been meaning to ask," Tobirama said thoughtfully. "Why are you training so hard? Is it to become Hokage?"
Sumire smiled faintly. "No. I don't care about being Hokage. I just want to be strong enough to stand beside the person I like… that's all."
Without another word, she entered the cave.
Inside, the dim light from a bonfire flickered across rough stone walls. Several bandits sat around, laughing and dividing loot, oblivious to their approaching fate.
Sumire stepped quietly out of the shadows, raised her hand like a pistol, and formed a droplet of water at her fingertip.
Water Release: Water Bullet.
The droplet shot out, piercing clean through a bandit's head. He collapsed instantly, blood splattering the ground.
"First one," Sumire murmured coldly.
"It's a ninja! Alert Lord Yi!" another bandit shouted, scrambling to his feet.
One tried to run deeper into the cave, but Sumire flicked another water bullet—straight through his skull.
In seconds, the cave echoed only with dripping water and silence. The floor was littered with corpses.
"These were too weak," Sumire thought. "Teacher Tobihiko wouldn't make it this easy."
Just then, a man cloaked in black stepped out from the deepest shadows. His eyes gleamed with malice, a katana flashing in his hand.
"So you're the one who killed my men," he sneered. "Your Water Release isn't bad—but it won't save you."
He lunged forward, blade slicing through the air. The strike hit true—but the target dissolved into water.
"A Water Clone?" he gasped.
The real Sumire appeared behind him, her finger resting lightly against his temple.
"You… when did you—"
Before he could finish, a water sphere exploded from her fingertip. His head burst instantly, painting the walls crimson.
Sumire stood there, splattered with blood, her eyes cold and unwavering.
"Last one," she whispered.
The sound of dripping water was the only response.
...
Author's Note:
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