Chapter 8: It's getting intense, Uchiha Madara spotted!

Chapter 8: It's getting intense, Uchiha Madara spotted!

More than four years have passed since the Nine-Tails incident.

As the years go by, Hiruzen Sarutobi, now older, no longer possesses the boundless energy of his youth. Even handling basic administrative duties has become increasingly difficult for him. Recently, two matters have particularly troubled him.

One concerns the village's external affairs.

Due to the early deaths of the Fourth Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki, and the departure of the Legendary Sannin, the Hidden Cloud Village has sensed Konoha's vulnerability and is becoming restless.

The other issue lies within the village—

There have been growing complaints within the Uchiha clan against the higher-ups, becoming more intense over time. The attitude of the police force during their routine duties has also become harsher, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

If the situation continues to deteriorate, it could lead to dire consequences, shaking the very foundations of the village.

"Sigh, I hope Fugaku can see the situation clearly and make the right decision..."

Hiruzen sighed and took out a crystal ball from the drawer: "Let's see how that young fellow Naruto is doing. It's been a while since I last saw him."

He performed a hand seal to activate the Telescope Technique.

Then...

He saw Naruto on a commercial street, and next to the young blond, a figure dressed in Warring States-period attire, with red eyes and black hair spiked like a hedgehog. Even through the crystal, Hiruzen could feel an overwhelming arrogance emanating from the figure, reminiscent of someone from his deep memories.

"What is this?!"

For a moment, Hiruzen was stunned, his aged eyes widening to their fullest.

It's intense, Uchiha Madara spotted! But he quickly realized—

That's not right.

Though the aura was similar, the age and gender didn't match.

Moreover, Uchiha Madara was killed by the First Hokage at the Valley of the End and couldn't possibly be alive today.

So... when did the Uchiha clan have such a member? To have activated the three-tomoe Sharingan at such a young age, clearly a genius, why had Shisui never mentioned her to me? Who allowed her to come into contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, what are the Uchihas planning?!

A series of doubts gave Hiruzen a bad premonition.

"Third Hokage!"

The office door was pushed open.

A tall, muscular Anbu entered briskly: "This matter needs to be reported to you...

"Let's talk about it tomorrow, I have some other work to deal with first..."

Hiruzen had already risen from his desk, ready to put on his robe and go out.

But the Anbu insisted: "But, Father, this matter is very important! Just last night, the Ibiki team discovered an explosion in the northern Aokigahara Forest of the village and encountered unidentified enemies during a battle... According to the Sealing Team's confirmation, and with scrolls from the Senju clan's secret collection found, it's almost certain that it was a sealing site for a Warring States-period Uchiha!"

"When outside, call me Hokage!"

Hiruzen paused, turning to look at Hiruzen Asuma behind him, first correcting him before asking: "What did you just say, a Warring States-period Uchiha?"

"Yes, we haven't found more precise information yet, but judging from the sealing technique reconstructed at the scene, she might possess eyes similar to Uchiha Madara's, which is why she was treated with such caution..."

As Asuma spoke, Hiruzen turned sharply to look at the crystal ball on the desk.

The figure resembling Uchiha Madara...

Could it be her?!

...

"Do you need help?"

In front of the store.

Uchiha Hikari asked again.

Naruto, staring blankly, didn't respond, then was pulled up by her and gently dusted off.

While doing this, Uchiha Hikari didn't think much of it, simply acting on impulse.

But Naruto suddenly froze, tears welling up in his bright blue eyes, unable to stop them from flowing despite his efforts: "Th-thank you..."

"...Why are you crying? If you get dust in your eyes, I won't help you wipe it."

Uchiha Hikari wiped Naruto's hand wound with her sleeve, then turned to the bystanders:

"Pick up the money on the ground."

The parents of the half-grown child, along with two Anbu, were already kneeling, trembling as if they had seen something terrifying—against such a level of ninja, Uchiha Hikari didn't even need to exert much effort, a simple "Magatama Reflection Technique" in the three-tomoe state was enough to immobilize them.

This action also revealed her possession of the Sharingan.

"Those eyes... she's from the Uchiha clan!"

"The Uchiha clan actually attacked the Anbu, are they really going to..."

"Quick, pick up the money, she's looking this way!"

Under the pressure of her killing intent, the bystanders felt their legs weaken, struggling even to walk. Eventually, someone took the lead, and the others gathered the courage to collect the coins scattered around them, with a Leaf ninja tremblingly handing them to Uchiha Hikari.

After receiving the money, the people dispersed, scrambling away.

(I wonder... am I accelerating the conflict between the Uchiha and the Leaf?)

Uchiha Hikari blinked.

But she didn't dwell on it, turning to stuff the money back into Naruto's hands, softly saying, "Keep it, it's yours."

"Right, you wanted to buy that mask, didn't you?"

As Uchiha Hikari looked up, the toy store owner's teeth began to chatter, hurriedly bringing over a bunch of masks, saying cautiously, "Whichever you like, just take it..."

"Naruto?"

Uchiha Hikari tilted her head slightly.

Naruto, remembering his original purpose, hesitated before pointing at a fox mask on top. He then counted out a few coins and handed them over: "This is the agreed triple price..."

"..."

The store owner didn't dare to take it, pleadingly looking at Uchiha Hikari.

Uchiha Hikari casually tossed a 500-yen coin, saying lightly, "Keep the change."

"This money..."

The store owner instinctively wanted to speak, then swallowed his words under Uchiha Hikari's gentle gaze.

Meanwhile.

Uchiha Hikari watched Naruto secure the mask and money before pulling him away.

Their footsteps rustled along the stone path.

After walking a distance, Naruto looked back several times, cautiously observing Uchiha Hikari, before finally mustering the courage to look up at her, "Sister, why... why did you help me?"

(End of Chapter)