Year 32
"DAD! Why won't you just listen to me! Just sign on this paper!"
Kaito shouted, thrusting a crumpled form into Fukashi's face.
Fukashi didn't flinch. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms. His expression steeled, which he rarely showed in front of his children.
"Kaito. No matter what you say, this discussion is over. I will not sign it."
"UUUGhhh! MOM!"
Kaito spun around, desparate. "Please help me convince Dad! And can you sign it here too? Pretty please?"
Kaito clasped his hands under his chin, eyes wide and watery giving his signature puppy look.
"uh-Uhh." Minami wavered. Her face twisted in pain, then she quickly turned away.
"I am sorry Kai-chan…" she whispered, before darting out of the room like a fleeing Kunoichi while carrying Ran on her arms.
Kaito's mouth twitched. His brows trembled.
"Nii-chan! You must help me!"
Just as Shinichi stepped through the door, fresh from a mission, Kaito launched himself at him with the same pleading eyes.
Shinichi was about to agree – until he saw Fukashi holding up the Early Graduation Exam Guardian Consent From.
He understood the mission.
Without a word, Shinichi lifted his nine-year-old brother and sat him down beside their father.
"Kaito," he said gently, "you're already nine. Why not finish the academy curriculum properly with your friends? Don't you want to graduate and form a team with them?"
"But that's what Dad said last year!"
"Kaito… why are you in such a hurry?"
"You graduated early too, didn't you? And the academy stuff is boring. It's too easy!"
"What about your friends? Are they applying for early graduation?"
"…No."
"Then stay with them. Advance together. I only applied early because Sakumo wanted to graduate with me."
Kaito's eyes lit up.
"So… if I convince my friends, I can apply?"
Shinichi paused.
"…Kaito. Why are you really in such a rush?"
Kaito hesitated. Then muttered:
"…It's because of that Senju brat. She's turning six and about to enter the academy. She keeps saying she'll graduate before me and learn ninjutsu from you!"
Shinichi blinked.
"You meet Tsunade-hime often?"
"No! But every time I see her on the street, that's all she talk about. You weren't serious when you said you'd teach her, right?!"
Shinichi's eyes widened.
'Did I say that?'
He searched his memory – and winced. He had. Offhandedly. But clearly, Tsunade had taken it to heart.
"Kaito… Tsunade is Tsunade. You are you. Don't let her words shake you like that."
He sighed.
"Seeing you this agitated… I think it's right that you don't graduate early."
Kaito stood up, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Niisan BAAKKKAAAAA!!"
Tears spilled down his cheeks as he ran into his room.
Shinichi moved to follow, but Fukashi gently held him back.
Shinichi sat down again, nodding in quiet understanding.
"Shinichi," Fukashi said softly, "Kaito will understand your concern and efforts when he grows up. Let's endure for now… at least until the war is over."
"…Yes, Father."
Shinichi's voice was low, tinged with sadness.
Fukashi noticed – and placed a comforting hand on his son's back.
***
Spring of Year 32
The Uchiha compound pulsed with joy and vigor yet again as the clan celebrated the birth of a new born. Since the arrival of the Tategaku and Hakugaku twins, this was the most anticipated moment – Uchiha Asami had given birth to her third child, Uchiha Fugaku.
The clan didn't host a grand banquet for all of Konoha, but a few prominent ninja clan heads visited to offer their congratulations. The celebration began at noon, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the banquet tables filled with elaborate dinner cuisines. Laughter echoed through the courtyards, and the air buzzed with pride and joy.
As the final event of the evening, Uchiha Jonins stepped forward to perform a dazzling display of Fire Release ninjutsu.
Katon: Karyūdan 火遁・火龍弾(Fire release: Fire dragon bullet)
Flame dragons soared into the night sky, bursting into fiery shapes – some spiraling like a dragon, others blooming like lotus petals. The explosions painted the heavens in crimson and gold.
Katon: Karyū Endan 火遁・火龍炎弾(Fire release: Fire dragon flame bullet)
To conclude the spectacle, Fukashi and Shinichi stepped forward. Together, they summoned six massive fire dragons that engulfed the lingering flames in the air. The dragons coalesced into a single, colossal emblem – the Uchiha clan's flame fan, blazing proudly against the dark canvas of night.
The villagers of Konoha watched in awe, their faces lit by the firelight.
Even Senju Tobirama, standing quietly next to Mito, couldn't help but acknowledge the spectacle.
'What crazy bastards… but it's certainly effective in boosting the morale.'
He glanced at Tsunade and Nawaki whose eyes were wide with excitement.
'I hope this doesn't influence them too much…'
He had already offered his congratulations to Eisuke and Asami, and blessed Fugaku with hopes for a bright future. But as he stood silently among others, he could feel the restrained tension in Sosuke and several Uchiha elders.
Tobirama didn't want to sour the mood. Therefore, without a word, he turned and quietly exited the compound.
***
"Oh? If it isn't Kaito!"
Tsunade grinned, arms crossed. "Hehe, what happened to your early graduation? Didn't you say you'd graduate like… two years ago? Ahahaha!"
Crack!
The chopstick in Kaito's hand snapped clean in half. A vein popped on his forehead, temples pulsing. He was about to retort – but then remembered what Shinichi had told him.
Hng!
Kaito snorted and turned his head away, suppressing his temper.
Tsunade blinked surprised by the lack of explosion. Then her eyes gleamed mischievously.
"You know, I just entered the ninja academy~ I might graduate next year~ So… will I graduate with you? Or even become your senpai?"
She hid her smirk behind her palm as her eyes curved into a teasing crescent moons.
"YOU–!"
"Kaito~"
"Niiisan!"
Kaito spun around, face lighting up at the sight of Shinichi – then immediately snorted and turned away again, still in his cold war mode.
HNG!!!!
"Tsunade-hime," Shinichi greeted with a polite nod.
Tsunade pouted.
"TSU-NA-DE! I told you to not call me 'hime' last time!"
Shinichi smiled and ruffled his sulking brother's hair.
"Well, Tsunade. I heard that you entered the ninja academy this year."
"Of course! I will take the early graduation next year and soon catch up to you! Get ready to teach me your ninjutsu!"
She puffed her chest proudly, flashing a teasing smile.
Kaito snorted again but didn't pull away from Shinichi's hand. He was still pouting – but not resisting.
Tsunade frowned, disappointed by the lack of reaction from Kaito. She then turned her attention back to Shinichi.
"Hmmm~. I doubt that he will let you graduate early either…"
Shinichi's gaze drifted for a moment, he doubted that Senju clan would allow her either.
"What did you say?"
"It is nothing, Tsunade. Well, I wish you good luck in getting permission from the Hokage and your parents."
"Hmph! Of course they'll agree! With my skills, there won't be any problem at all!"
Tsunade never considered that her request might be denied – not by her parents, and certainly not by baka Tobi-jiji.
Shinichi chuckled.
"hahaha! Well good luck. It is getting late – you should go back to your family before it gets too dark."
He gently patted her head.
"Wha-what are you doing? BAKA!"
Tsunade yelped, blushing furiously as she covered her hair with both hands and made her escape.
"?"
Shincihi tilted his head, genuinely confused.
"Nii-san! You defeated that witch!"
"Haha… Witch? Let's go Kaito, Mom and Dad are waiting."
"Okay!"
Kaito gleefully followed Shinichi, as if he had forgotten the cold war between him and the family – at least for now.
***
Senju Residence.
Inside the study, Senju Tobirama sat quietly, reviewing scrolls and mission reports. The room was silent – until the door slammed open.
"Tobi-jiji!"
Tsunade, cheeks flushed and fists clenched, stormed in like a brewing thundercloud.
Tobirama didn't look up.
"… is it Kaito or Shinichi this time?"
Tsunade marched up to his desk, arms flailing.
"He patted my head! Like I was some little kid! And then he told me to go home early like I was some five year old!"
Tobirama raised an eyebrow.
"You are six."
"That's not the point!"
She stomped her foot.
"He treats me like I'm just some brat! And he keeps calling me 'Tsunade-hime' even though I told him not to! He's so smug and calm and – and he thinks he's better than everyone!"
Tobirama finally looked up, his expression unreadable.
"…He is indeed better than most."
Tsunade groaned and collapsed into the chair across from him.
"I know! That's the worst part! He's strong and smart and everyone listens to him – even Kaito! And now Kaito won't take the early graduation exam because Shinichi said no!"
Tobirama leaned back, fingers steepled.
"So you're mad because Shinichi is responsible?"
"I'm mad because he's infuriating!"
She crossed her arms, pouting.
"He acts like he know everything. Like he's already Hokage or something."
Tobirama's gaze softened slightly.
"He's not the Hokage. But he's someone the village holds high expectation."
Tsunade blinked.
"…Why?"
Tobirama didn't' answer immediately.
"Because Shinichi is the kind of person who could change everything. For better – or worse."
Tsunade frowned.
"I don't get it. He's just… Shinichi."
Tobirama smiled faintly.
"That's exactly why you should keep challenging him. He needs people who won't be afraid to speak their mind."
Tsunade sat quietly for a moment, then muttered:
"…I still hate when he pats my head."
Tobirama chuckled.
"Then grow taller."
"Hey!"
He handed her a small scroll.
"Here. Study this. It's chakra control exercise. If you master it, I'll let you try early graduation exam next year."
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
"You Promised!"
She snatched the scroll and ran out the door, as her frustration already shifted into determination.
Tobirama watched her go, then turned back to his desk.
'For someone like Shinichi… perhaps its best to form bonds with him naturally. Like Kaya and Tsunade today. Let him tie his own threads to Konoha.'
He stared at the ink-stained parchment, but his mind was elsewhere.
'Control won't work. Surveillance will only breed resentment. But connection… that might anchor him."
Tsunade was bold, unfiltered, and utterly unafraid of Shinichi's reputation. She challenged him, teased him, and treated him like a peer – not a prodigy.
'Just as she doesn't fear him, he also doesn't dismiss her. If Shinichi sees Konoha not as a system, but as people – family, friend, and rivals – then maybe his heart won't drift from Konoha and even fight for it.'
He glanced at the window, where the moon hung low over the rooftops.
'Let him grow beside others. Let him protect Kaito and his family. Let him teach, lead, and be needed by others. So that he won't be alone.'
Tobirama closed his eyes and decided to let the fate play itself.
'Isolating Madara lead to disaster. I must not repeat that same mistake.'