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It was night when Sasuke walked into an inn in Tanzaku Town.
The rather plump owner welcomed him, saying, "Welcome, guest."
Sasuke’s eyes flashed red, and he whispered, "I am Uchiha Sasuke."
"Oh, it’s Sasuke-kun." The smile on the owner’s face became more genuine. "I am Ryota."
"Are you from the Tanuki clan as well?" Sasuke continued in a low voice.
Ryota nodded and enthusiastically said, "Come, let me take you to the best room to rest."
He then started walking toward the stairs leading to the second floor.
"Thank you," Sasuke said as he followed behind him.
The two climbed the stairs, walked down a long corridor, and Ryota stopped.
"This is it." Ryota opened the sliding door. "Sasuke-kun, you can stay as long as you’d like."
"Just for tonight. I’ll be leaving tomorrow," Sasuke replied, entering the room and inspecting the decor.
"Understood. Sasuke-kun, rest well. Someone will bring dinner later."
With that, Ryota closed the door and left.
Sasuke walked over to the window, opened it, and looked outside. Then he approached the low table, removed his sword and ninja tool pouch from his waist, and placed them on the table before kneeling down.
"Grandfather Izuna," Sasuke called out softly as he opened the ninja tool pouch.
A paper figure floated out of the pouch, quickly enlarging and taking human form.
"What’s the matter?" Izuna asked, tilting his head and stretching his limbs.
"Nothing, I just thought you might want to stretch a bit."
Sasuke pulled out a communication paper figure and activated it.
Izuna chuckled and sat down beside him.
"Sasuke," came the voice of Kaito. "Is something the matter?"
"Uncle," Sasuke said, placing the paper figure on the table and recounting the series of events he’d experienced in Konoha, with a special focus on Hyuga Neji.
"Hyuga?" Kaito sounded surprised. "What are you thinking?"
"I’m going to search for Itachi next, but I’m not good at sensing, so I want someone to assist me," Sasuke said nonchalantly.
"There’s some logic to that, but it’s not a complete reason. You have the crows to help gather intelligence," Kaito sharply pointed out.
"Furthermore, not only would I need to study the Caged Bird Seal, but taking a member of the Hyuga clan from Konoha would cause a lot of trouble, and the reward wouldn’t be worth the effort."
"Uncle, you once mentioned that the Hyuga clan also possesses Kaguya’s bloodline," Sasuke said seriously. "Studying the Byakugan and the Caged Bird might yield unexpected results."
"Maybe. After all, the Byakugan is more like Kaguya’s eyes," Kaito replied, not particularly interested. "Is that Neji boy talented?"
"Yes, his father was the twin brother of Hyuga Hiashi, and his talent surpasses that of the clan’s eldest daughter, Hyuga Hinata."
Sasuke explained Neji’s background.
"It’s clear he harbors a deep resentment towards the main family, and despite no formal guidance, he’s learned advanced Gentle Fist techniques that are only taught to the main branch."
"The Hyuga, huh? Their clan’s power ceiling isn’t very high," Izuna chimed in. "In the world of ordinary ninja, the Byakugan paired with Gentle Fist might be strong, but in front of true powerhouses, their techniques don’t really hold up."
"Since you’ve decided, go ahead with your own plan," Kaito said. "By the way, does you know anything about the origin of the Caged Bird?"
"I’m not sure. The Hyuga have always done things that way," Izuna said disdainfully.
"I see. Maybe the Caged Bird Seal really does hide some secret. If that the boy chooses to follow you, I’ll take a closer look," Kaito concluded. "Is there anything else?"
"No," Sasuke replied, picking up the communication paper figure.
"Then we’ll leave it at that." Kaito cut the connection, and the communication paper figure fell silent.
"You said all that just to help that Hyuga boy?" Izuna asked, smiling at Sasuke.
"He just happens to be useful to me," Sasuke said, putting the paper figure back into the ninja tool pouch. "Besides, it depends on whether he has the courage."
"Hmph, maybe." Izuna chuckled. "But if he really defects from Konoha, have you thought about Konoha’s reaction?"
"That’s a choice he would make for himself," Sasuke replied. "I’m just giving him a new option."
"Then your newly mended relationship with your classmates in Konoha will be completely ruined," Izuna teased.
"It doesn’t matter," Sasuke said indifferently. "When it comes time to face the Otsutsuki clan, we’ll all be on the same side again."
’Still green, huh?’, Izuna thought, shaking his head but saying no more.
This was Sasuke’s choice, and he wouldn’t interfereA, al he needed to do was make sure the boy stayed alive.
...
Konoha Village, Nara Clan.
"Dad." Shikamaru opened the door and called out.
"Shikamaru, what are you doing out here?"
Sitting on the veranda, Nara Shikaku glanced at him, taking a swig from a small sake bottle.
"You’re sneaking drinks behind mom’s back again," Shikamaru said, stepping outside and leaning against a column.
"Don’t tell your mother," Shikaku said, looking up at the night sky.
"Tch, I’m not that bored." Shikamaru also looked up at the starry sky.
"Why aren’t you asleep yet? Is something bothering you?" Shikaku asked, putting down the bottle.
"I don’t know how to put it," Shikamaru said, scratching his head in frustration. "Maybe I shouldn’t doubt my comrades, but Sasuke and Neji were acting strange today."
"Oh?" Shikaku’s drunken gaze suddenly cleared. "Did something happen during your gathering?"
"I’m not sure. Because of Sasuke, there were probably ANBU monitoring us during the gathering."
Shikamaru lazily slid down the column and sat on the ground, his face troubled.
"Maybe I’m just overthinking."
"Don’t underestimate your intuition," Shikaku said, taking another swig from the bottle. "If you feel something’s off, it means you’ve already got some ideas. Just follow your own judgment."
"This is such a drag," Shikamaru said, staring lifelessly at the sky. "Why do I have to take on these troublesome tasks?"
"Heh, my son."
Shikaku shook the now-empty bottle, tossed it into the bushes, and stood up, looking at Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru, you’re smart. You’ve always known what needs to be done and what doesn’t. I’ve always trusted you."
He turned and walked inside.
"Go, and do what a Konoha ninja should."
"I knoooow....." Shikamaru drawled, slowly getting to his feet. "I’m going to find Choji."
"Go ahead," Shikaku waved dismissively as he entered the house and closed the door.
"Such a drag," Shikamaru muttered, stretching before his expression grew serious.
"I never thought there’d come a day when I’d willingly take on something this troublesome."
He pulled at his sleeve, leapt onto the roof, and headed toward Choji’s house.