Uchiha Akihito strolled aimlessly through Iwagakure's main street, muttering to himself.
"Where should I kill some time?"
For a moment, he thought of one of the Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya.
That man wandered the world as a traveling novelist, living far more freely than Akihito ever could.
If Jiraiya were in Iwagakure right now, he'd probably already be soaking in a bathhouse or sneaking into a pleasure district.
Work and pleasure combined.
Gather intelligence while having fun.
Efficient—and enjoyable.
With that thought, Akihito decisively headed to the most popular tavern in the village.
If he was already here, he might as well experience the local flavor.
Iwagakure Tavern
Disguised as a traveling merchant, Akihito ordered sake and small dishes, leisurely enjoying his "afternoon tea."
Merchants weren't unusual here.
The roads were difficult, but profits were high. Goods transported into Iwagakure sold at excellent prices.
Around him, Stone shinobi were discussing current affairs.
"Did you hear? Kumogakure paid us eighty million ryo as settlement."
"Eighty million is nothing. If the Third Tsuchikage hadn't been merciful, we'd have marched on Kumo and Konoha!"
"Watch your mouth. The Tsuchikage has his reasons. That 'Flame Demon' Akihito from Konoha isn't someone you provoke. Did you forget the 'Yellow Flash'?"
"Some say Akihito's talent surpasses even Minato's."
"Exactly. Better to proceed cautiously. Tsuchikage-sama made the right call."
Akihito raised a brow.
So his name had reached even here.
Comparing him to the Yellow Flash wasn't small praise—especially from Iwagakure.
For them, Minato had been a nightmare incarnate.
Encounter him on the battlefield?
Retreat immediately.
No exceptions.
Now they spoke of Akihito in the same breath.
Fear.
Respect.
Recognition.
Nightfall — The Meeting
As night descended, Akihito headed toward the agreed contact point.
Night meetings were safer from casual observation—
But more dangerous if discovered.
He waited.
And waited.
No sign of Yakushi Nono.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Trouble on the way?"
He left a shadow clone in place and moved to investigate.
Soon—
The sound of metal clashing rang through the night.
Steel against steel.
Sparks in the dark.
He arrived silently.
Mother and Son — Unknowing Enemies
In a rocky ravine stood a young Iwa-nin, breathing heavily.
Yakushi Kabuto.
Root-trained intelligence prodigy.
Above, on a cliff—
Yakushi Nono watched.
Her mission:
Assassinate the target.
Danzo had labeled Kabuto a Konoha intelligence traitor.
He promised Nono freedom—return to the orphanage—if she completed this final task.
She had endured five years in Iwa.
Finally, light at the end of the tunnel.
But she didn't know—
The light was a blade.
Danzo never intended to let either survive.
Once they killed each other—
Root would eliminate the survivor.
Clean.
Efficient.
No loose ends.
Classic Danzo.
Kabuto checked his pocket watch.
"If things had gone differently… it'd be bedtime at the orphanage."
He missed them.
The director.
The other children.
He had left five years ago.
He believed he was serving the village.
Serving something greater.
Above, Nono leapt down.
Kabuto noticed her through the reflection of his watch.
Kunai and chakra blade clashed—
Life and death within a heartbeat—
Then—
A figure appeared between them.
Intervention
In a flash, Akihito stopped both strikes mid-motion.
"Who are you?!" they shouted simultaneously.
He answered calmly.
"Hokage Advisor. Uchiha Akihito."
Silence.
Shock.
The Flame Demon.
The man who defeated the Fourth Raikage and captured the Eight-Tails.
Why was he here?
Suspicion filled their eyes.
Nono asked carefully,
"How do you prove that?"
Akihito revealed his three-tomoe Sharingan.
That was proof enough.
Bloodline limits cannot be forged easily.
Their guard lowered—slightly.
Then Kabuto saw her clearly in the moonlight.
"Director…?"
He stepped forward, trembling.
"It's me. Kabuto."
Nono hesitated.
"You… are?"
Kabuto froze.
She didn't recognize him.
He hurriedly removed his glasses and handed them to her.
"You gave me these. Please—look again."
She put them on.
Still—
The face did not match the photographs Root had shown her.
Danzo had altered the images over time.
Gradually replacing Kabuto's face with another child's.
Memory manipulation by misinformation.
Kabuto felt panic rise.
"Why don't you remember me…?"
Before emotions spiraled further—
Akihito spoke.
"Danzo orchestrated this."
He looked at Kabuto.
"After you left, he told Nono the real reason you were taken."
"Nono believed obeying him would buy your freedom."
"You were never allowed to meet again."
"She could only see photographs."
"Photographs Root slowly replaced."
"From the beginning—Danzo intended for both of you to die."
Silence.
Cold realization.
Kabuto's voice shook.
"We risked our lives for the village. Why?"
Akihito answered plainly.
"Because you know too much."
"To Danzo, intelligence is more dangerous than forbidden jutsu."
"You're liabilities."
"This fratricide is Root's final arrangement for you."
Nono instinctively stepped in front of Kabuto.
"Are you here to finish the job?"
Kabuto tensed.
Akihito smiled faintly.
"If I were, I would've let you kill each other."
"I act by my own will."
"Danzo does not command me."
Relief—fragile, uncertain.
Then Akihito's tone shifted.
"However… Root did send assassins."
He turned toward the calm river.
"Enough hiding. Come out."
The water rippled.
A chilling voice echoed.
"Acting by your own will…"
"How very like you, Uchiha Akihito."
A pale figure rose slowly from the river's surface.
Golden slit pupils.
Serpentine smile.
Orochimaru.
All three on the shore felt their hearts tighten.
Kabuto's eyes widened.
"Lord Orochimaru…?"
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