Uchiha Sasuke was practicing with exceptional diligence. Aside from the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique taught by his eldest brother, this Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique had been taught to him by his second brother.
It was also one of the very few C-rank ninjutsu he possessed—something most Ninja Academy students hadn't even touched yet. Sasuke wanted to train quietly and then shock everyone once he returned to school.
Uchiha Ran watched Sasuke practice and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As expected of the protagonist, his mindset was upright even at such a young age.
Suddenly, Ran's ears twitched, and he turned his head toward the entrance.
"Big brother's back," Ran said with a smile.
Sure enough, Uchiha Itachi walked in. He was still under Kakashi's command, and the ANBU had been responsible for cleaning up the battlefield and tallying losses. Overtime was inevitable—he had probably just finished work.
When Itachi heard Ran's voice, he paused slightly. A trace of warmth appeared on his usually cold, restrained face. After glancing at Ran, his gaze shifted to Sasuke.
He sat down beside Ran and asked calmly, "Ran, what is Sasuke practicing? Judging by his movements… is that the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique?"
It had to be said—Uchiha Itachi truly lived up to his reputation as a genius. He recognized the technique almost instantly, just from Sasuke's hand seals.
Ran nodded. "Yeah. Don't let his age fool you—he's very serious. He's been practicing for more than two hours. At first, he could only produce sparks, but now he can barely shoot out small fireballs."
Itachi fell silent.
He remembered that when he had first learned the Phoenix Sage Fire, he had nearly reached Fugaku's level in one go. Looking at Sasuke, whose clothes were completely soaked with sweat, a trace of pain flickered through Itachi's eyes.
He stood up and walked over to Sasuke.
Ran shook his head slightly and went inside. He took three pears from the refrigerator, washed them, and returned to the courtyard.
By then, Itachi was already gently patting Sasuke's head. Sasuke's normally spiky hair was damp with sweat, but Itachi didn't mind at all. He rubbed his head for a while and shared some tips and experience regarding the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
At that moment, Ran walked over carrying a plate.
"Ahem," Ran cleared his throat. "Want some pears? I just took them out of the fridge—really sweet."
Sasuke's eyes immediately lit up. He ran over, grabbed two pears, and said cheerfully, "Thanks, second brother!"
Then he hurried back and handed one to Itachi.
Itachi smiled faintly and took a bite.
Cold and sweet—surprisingly good.
Sasuke also began eating enthusiastically. After more than two hours of intense training, biting into a chilled pear was pure happiness. Sweets really could lift a person's mood.
Ran took a bite as well. The cool, slightly sweet juice spread through his mouth, making it hard to stop.
After resting for a while, the three brothers went inside together and headed to the master bedroom to see Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, posture perfectly upright, maintaining the dignified air of the clan head.
Itachi showed no reaction.
Sasuke, however, shrank back slightly, feeling a bit intimidated.
As for Ran—
"Old man, what are you doing acting so serious?" Ran shouted. "Don't you know you're scaring my little brother?"
As he spoke, he pinched Sasuke's cheek.
You had to pinch your little brother early—otherwise, when he grew up, you might not be able to beat him anymore.
Fugaku's dignified façade shattered instantly.
"You unfilial brat!" he barked. "You're not as steady as your elder brother and not as well-behaved as your younger one! One moment you call me 'Clan Leader Fugaku,' the next you call me 'old man'—are you trying to turn the world upside down?!"
Ran laughed. "I am the sky of Konoha."
That wasn't wrong. As the Fifth Hokage, saying he was the sky over Konoha was perfectly reasonable.
Fugaku ground his teeth so hard his molars creaked. How did he raise such a thing? He should've just—
—never mind.
At that moment, a series of cold mechanical notifications echoed in Ran's mind.
Congratulations to the host for becoming the Fifth Hokage.
Reward: Passive Skill — Unparalleled Monstrous Strength.
Congratulations to the host for defeating Orochimaru.
Reward: Complete Cell Regeneration Technology.
Congratulations. The host's name resounds throughout the shinobi world.
Reward: Title — Asura of the Shinobi World.
Effect: Attack +20%, Defense +20%, Speed +20%.
A surge of power flooded through Ran's body. He felt his physical condition leap to a whole new level.
Meanwhile, Fugaku was still talking—but Ran had already tuned him out.
"Ran! Ran! Ran! What are you thinking about?" Fugaku snapped irritably.
Ran came back to his senses and glanced at him. "You startled me."
Fugaku took a deep breath, silently reminding himself not to get angry. This was his own son. Getting angry only hurt himself.
"I called you all here today to announce two important matters," Fugaku said solemnly.
"First—and most importantly—our Uchiha Clan has produced a Hokage."
His gaze landed on Ran.
Ran's expression remained calm, as if this were nothing special. That reaction made Fugaku both proud and annoyed. The position of Hokage was the dream of countless shinobi—how could this kid be so indifferent?
Itachi nodded slightly. He had already been helping Ran handle various matters, so he knew this well.
Sasuke's eyes, however, shone brightly.
His father was a high-ranking figure in Konoha—if he said it, it had to be true. That meant his second brother really had become the Fifth Hokage.
Only after seeing Sasuke's reaction did Fugaku nod in satisfaction. Yes—this is how a normal person should react.
"The second matter," Fugaku continued, "is that from today onward, the Uchiha Clan is a clan of the Kage. We have been entrusted with great responsibility."
"From now on, all of you must conduct yourselves properly. Do not become arrogant just because you are members of the Hokage's clan."
He straightened his back.
"I'll leave this to you, Itachi. If any member of the Uchiha does something wrong, report it to me. I will show no mercy."
Most of Fugaku's confidence came from Ran becoming Hokage. From this day forward, the Uchiha Clan no longer had to fear being targeted or suppressed by the higher-ups.
They could finally live openly and normally.
That had always been his wish—and now, it was finally fulfilled.
Ran looked at Itachi. Itachi looked back.
Both brothers saw the same thing in each other's eyes—relief.
From this day on, Itachi no longer needed to be a double agent.
He no longer had to suffer in silence or choose between family and the village.
The shackles around his heart finally shattered.
For the first time, he tasted freedom.
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