A clean, clear voice drifted down from the treetops.
Sasuke looked up. A figure stood balanced on a thick branch, moonlight pouring over him like liquid silver.
It made the teen look even more sharp and refined — almost aristocratic.
Those pitch-black eyes seemed to hold entire galaxies, deep and magnetic.
His medium-length black hair was tied back in a loose, slightly messy bun, with a few stray strands framing his face. It didn't look sloppy; it gave him this effortless, lazy charm.
Sleeveless black undershirt hugging his frame, loose gray pants below.
The familiar face and outfit made Sasuke's eyes light up instantly.
"Shikage-nii!"
Shikage's talent wasn't on the level of Itachi or Shisui, but he was still a certified genius.
On top of that, he was good-looking, always calm and kind, and he'd been the substitute teacher for the first-years.
So aside from Itachi, Shikage was one of the very few people Sasuke genuinely respected from the bottom of his heart.
When he heard Shikage wasn't going to stay on as a teacher after graduation, Sasuke had actually felt a pang of disappointment.
Running into him here, right now, lit up the kid's whole face.
Shikage answered with a warm smile, then flipped down from the branch in one smooth motion.
The second his feet touched the ground, ten kunai left his hand in a blur.
Seven dead-center. Three in the inner ring.
Nowhere near Itachi's level, but light-years ahead of a seven-year-old Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he stared at the target.
"Shikage-nii… how did you do that?"
Shikage ruffled the boy's hair and grinned.
"Want me to teach you? I can."
"Yeah!"
"Hold up — before you agree, there's a condition."
Sasuke didn't even get to ask. Shikage just kept going.
"You already know knowledge isn't free, especially when it's a technique that can save your life."
"Teaching you one-on-one like this is basically private tutoring."
"So… it's gonna cost you."
Sasuke's mouth twisted into a pout, brows knitting together.
"I don't have any money."
"No problem. Just ask your mom and dad."
Asking his parents for money? Sasuke hated the idea. He wanted to make them proud, not beg.
But thinking about how badly his throws had gone tonight, he hesitated… then gave a small nod.
"I'll try…"
"Don't worry, Sasuke. I won't let you down."
Shikage patted the kid's shoulder, spinning a kunai between his fingers with total confidence.
"Tonight can be your free trial lesson."
He was one hundred percent sure he could impress the boy.
Technically, as the second son of the Uchiha clan head, Sasuke should've had every teaching resource available.
Just having Itachi as a brother should've been enough.
But Itachi's heart was somewhere else — bigger dreams, bigger burdens.
He barely had time for Sasuke. A session or two here and there was already a lot.
As for the rest of the Uchiha? Plenty of them could teach… but none of them had the patience or the heart for it.
They were too proud. Teaching a seven-year-old — even the clan head's kid — felt beneath them.
Shikage might not be the strongest shinobi around, but he'd actually been a teacher, and he was only covering basics. He had this in the bag.
Of course, he wasn't doing this out of boredom.
One reason? Money.
Shikage's eyes burned as he glanced at the brand-new items unlocked in the system shop.
...
[Item: Small Red Bottle]
[Difficulty: E-rank]
[Type: Consumable]
[Effect: Instantly restores 10% HP]
[Price: 500G]
...
[Item: Small Blue Bottle]
[Difficulty: E-rank]
[Type: Consumable]
[Effect: Instantly restores 10% MP]
[Price: 500G]
...
Both shop items had come from the Random Box reward for completing today's daily quest.
That was exactly why he was charging Sasuke.
G was the system currency. Real-world money converted at 1:100.
His parents had already given him a solid "living expenses" stash, but when it came to system items, Shikage was never going to turn down extra cash.
Still, Sasuke was only seven. He wasn't exactly swimming in wealth.
So money wasn't the only reason.
The second reason? Information.
Uchiha clan intel.
As the clan head's second son, Sasuke would hear things — recent plans, movements, rumors.
With a little careful steering, Shikage could at least stay one step ahead of any big changes inside the clan.
Especially anything involving Shisui…
To secure that Shadow Soldier, Shikage was willing to do whatever it took. Anything that raised his odds even a little was worth it.
"Come on, Sasuke."
"Let's not waste time. You already know I like my lessons efficient…"
...
Midnight. The village was dead quiet.
A small figure carefully slid open a wooden door and peeked out, scanning the empty street like a little thief.
Once he was sure the coast was clear, he slipped outside and darted through alleys, heading straight for the Third Hokage's residence — Hiruzen Sarutobi's house.
Just like he'd planned, Naruto got inside without a single hitch.
He crept on tiptoes, hunched low, moving like a sneaky rat.
Passing the Hokage's bedroom, he heard loud snoring and flashed a cheeky grin.
— Heh heh, Old Man Hokage would never guess I snuck into his house!
He really wanted to jump out and scare the old man, but he knew why he was here. So he swallowed the urge and quietly slipped into the study.
After a quick search, he found exactly what he'd come for — the Forbidden Scroll of Seals.
Under the faint moonlight coming through the window, Naruto carefully unrolled it and skimmed the contents.
Most of it made zero sense, but he managed to memorize the hand seals for the very first technique.
The further he read, the dizzier his head felt.
Shaking it off, he rolled the scroll back up, slung it over his back, and sneaked out the same way he'd come in — silent as a ghost.
Once he was back on the street, he took a deep breath, heart pounding with excitement, and sprinted toward the Naka River forest under the moonlight.
— If I give this to Mizuki-sensei, he'll teach me the Three Basic Jutsu!
— Then I'll finally be number one!
...
The second Naruto stepped out of the house, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly opened his eyes. His expression was cold and grave.
"Someone lured Naruto into stealing the Forbidden Scroll."
"Who would dare pull something like this?!"
A handful of names flashed through his mind.
Danzō. Orochimaru. The Raikage…
He rose and walked to the balcony, watching Naruto's small figure disappear into the night. His eyes were dark, unreadable.
A shadow appeared beside him without a sound, dropping to one knee.
"Lord Hokage, shall I follow him?"
"Go. Don't let yourself be seen."
"Seen," of course, didn't mean by Naruto.
Thinking about the village's current state, Hiruzen took a long, weary breath. Exhaustion showed on his face.
He was old now. His strength had faded. His spirit wasn't what it used to be.
He knew he'd made mistakes. Knew he'd been too hesitant.
Maybe there were better ways… but he was afraid to try them.
The more he did, the more he risked getting wrong.
All he wanted now was to hold the village steady until the next Hokage appeared.
He pinned every last hope on that successor.
Someone who had to be even more perfect than Minato.
"Sensei… Minato… forgive me…"
"Everything I do… is for Konoha."
His voice was firm.
But his eyes looked completely lost.