"Sasuke, hurry! Before the others buy it all…" a girl called out brightly, tugging at his sleeve in excitement as she tried to rush the smiling boy along. His grin stretched from ear to ear, but his pace remained leisurely, like he had all the time in the world.
"Why does this kid move like he's dragging his feet through mud…" grumbled a broader, older boy trailing behind. Despite the complaint, there was no real frustration in his tone, just the annoyance of someone who was already used to this situation. "And why doesn't that merchant just bring more? Every morning he only sells twenty or so, and its gone before we even get there. Then we have to come back the next day like idiots."
The popsicles were cheap enough that the kids could've bought a dozen at once if allowed, but the merchant never sold more than twenty per day. That policy, much to the children's dismay, was exactly why their parents approved. It meant they wouldn't be pestered for more money, and the daily limit kept the demand sky-high.
"Come on, Sasuke! We haven't gotten a single one yet because of you!" the girl groaned, her long, dark hair getting in her eyes. She yanked harder on the boy's arm as they rounded the corner and spotted the familiar stall.
It was the only one in the market that sold sweets and liquor side by side. Parents were understandably wary of it at first, until a few stubborn children managed to get a taste. From that moment on, it became impossible to stop the others. Word spread fast, and the praise the popsicles received had practically done all the advertising on its own.
"I want one with the Uchiha symbol," the older boy declared proudly, nearly drooling, as they saw the line, hopeful that their chances were better this time.
Normally, the first buyer would snatch up the entire stock without hesitation, but not here.
"Rikin, I told you yesterday. One popsicle per person. That's the only rule," came the merchant's warm yet firm voice, projecting over the chatter of children. A chubby and cute boy, who was hoping to buy all the popsicles, lowered his head, now staring at the ground, visibly hurt. The reassurance spread down the line like a ripple. Even the kids in the back, who had almost given up, perked up at the promise that they still had a chance.
"Too much sugar isn't good for you," the merchant continued, smiling. "But just one a day is enough to lift your energy and taste great. That's why I only sell this much."
The nearby parents, quietly listening as their kids bounced in anticipation, nodded in agreement. Within just two days, the merchant had earned their trust completely. What had looked suspicious when he first arrived had become the most popular stall in the settlement, and the buzz only grew louder when people learned he would be leaving in a week.
He refused to reveal how the popsicles were made, or what made them so unique. And with no way to replicate them, there was nothing to do but savor them while they lasted. Each morning the stall drew a crowd, not of adults, but of excited children gathered around a liquor vendor.
Some of the Uchiha had questioned it at first - why a liquor merchant would go out of his way to make sweets for kids, and sell them at such a low price. But once they'd confirmed the treats were safe and oddly delicious, they chalked it up to clever marketing.
"I can't believe it… we're going to miss it again," the girl muttered under her breath, nudging Sasuke with her elbow as she fumbled to tie her hair, which had turned into a tangled mess from the rush.
"Lobin, stop it…" Sasuke grumbled, sulking. As a five-year-old who wanted really hard to get his hands on the sweets every single one of his friends kept praising, he was reaching the edge of his patience. He had managed to act like a grown-up yesterday, holding back his tears when they ran out, but it was getting harder today. "I'll tell my brother to get it for me… when he comes back."
The children were already dispersing, their excitement fading once the merchant announced, again, that he was out of popsicles. A few lingered near the stall, casting curious glances, while Sasuke's lower lip trembled. This time, he couldn't hold it in. Tears welled up in his eyes and began to spill over as he started sobbing softly.
"Uncle, can't you get us even one?" the older boy asked, peeking up from below the stall. His forehead barely reached the countertop, but he pressed his fingers on the wood and lifted himself just high enough to make eye contact. "We'll split it among us…"
The merchant tilted his head slightly and scratched the tip of his chin. "Hmm… I don't remember seeing you kids before. Have you really not tasted one yet?"
"No, uncle. We missed it yesterday too," the boy whined, his voice shaking. Even if he was the biggest among them, he was still only six years old and at that age, being denied a popsicle was enough to bring tears.
The merchant studied their faces for a moment, then let out a sigh and smiled. "Alright. I'll give you three, just for you and your friends. Only because you haven't tried them yet." He leaned forward slightly, grinning. "But listen carefully… don't tell anyone I gave them to you after I said I was out of stock. If people find out, I'll have to stop selling them altogether."
"I promise, uncle…" the boy nodded rapidly. Then, as he turned to call his friends, he suddenly paused. Only now did it dawn on him that the merchant didn't look old at all. In fact, he was about the same age as his older brother, maybe even younger.
"Go on, call your friends," the merchant urged, bending down. From beneath the stall, where there was no visible storage space, he pulled out three popsicles, their colors shining faintly in the morning light like hidden treasure finally revealed.
Sasuke's eyes sparkled as he held the popsicle in both hands. It was larger than his palm, shaped like an eagle mid-flight, with separate colors for the talons and eyes - small details that made the sweet feel magical. His friends had received different ones: a rabbit-shaped popsicle and one with the Uchiha crest. The latter was clearly the most coveted among the local children, many of whom already carried the weight of clan pride like it was stitched into their skin.
"What are your names, kids?" the merchant asked, crouching slightly so he was eye-level with them.
"I'm Yoro. These are Robin and Sasuke," the taller boy replied between eager bites, barely able to peel the wrapping off fast enough. "W-what's your name, un-ncle?"
His voice cracked mid-sentence, slurred slightly from how watery his mouth had become. Even talking felt like a chore with such sweetness melting on his tongue.
The merchant chuckled, watching them devour the treats with unabashed joy.
"I'm Seji," he answered simply.
…
Kaoru lay stretched out on the thin mat, faint moonlight slipping in through the window to brush across his face in cold silver.
'Three days. I've been here three damned days and still haven't found anything useful.'
His hands folded beneath his head, fingers crossed like a makeshift pillow. His eyes were fixed on the wooden ceiling above, as if the right answer might drift down from the rafters if he stared long enough.
'The damned Uchiha are tracking my every move…'
The worst part wasn't even the surveillance, it was the uncertainty. He couldn't use chakra and activate Suijingan to check for Sharingan. If he did, and they were using it to monitor him, a merchant suddenly radiating chakra would paint a giant red target on his back. Even if they hadn't been suspicious before, they would be then.
So he did nothing. During the day, he endured the constant sensation of eyes pressing against his back, knowing at least two people were following him at all times. At night, he'd tried slipping out under the excuse of using the latrine or going for a walk, but no matter how quiet he was, he still felt the gaze on the back of his head.
'I never see them… but the feeling doesn't go away. And if they're tailing me in broad daylight, odds are they're twice as cautious at night.'
It was suffocating. But he couldn't afford to make a single mistake.
'I'll just have to keep playing the sweet, innocent merchant. Keep selling these stupid popsicles and helping Mimo with his liquor stall to erase their doubts; make them believe I'm harmless. And if I win the kids' trust, I might learn something useful through them.'
That was the whole point of the popsicles in the first place - to draw out Sasuke. Kaoru couldn't think of a safer way to track down Itachi. Sasuke, for all his pouty stubbornness, couldn't stop talking about his older brother. All Kaoru had to do was wait, bait, and listen.
But as the days dragged on, new thoughts started to take shape. Dangerous thoughts.
'Maybe I'm wasting time… If Itachi isn't going to show, then I'll just infiltrate the Uchiha headquarters directly. If I disguise myself well enough and alter my chakra signature, I should be able to slip in and out without compromising my real identity. Even if they catch on, as long as Fugaku isn't present, I can easily escape.'
It wasn't arrogance; it was confidence.
'Shisui might be fast, but he isn't strong enough to stop me. Itachi isn't even in the village right now. And the rest? They couldn't even put up a fight to stop Itachi and Obito from wiping out their entire clan.'
Kaoru exhaled slowly through his nose. He'd wait one more day.
Just one.
Then he'd stop playing merchant and start acting like the true shinobi.
<<<>>>
Several ox-drawn carts rolled slowly along the narrow forest trail, their wooden wheels creaking over packed dirt. The air was heavy with the scent of damp bark and crushed leaves. Dozens of shinobi moved in staggered formation around the convoy, some walking silently at the flanks, others jumping between trees above, eyes always scanning.
Most of them stayed close to the central cart, the one draped in deep blue fabric marked with Takimura's insignia. Whatever lay behind those curtains was the heart of the procession and everyone knew it.
Inside, two figures sat opposite each other.
"Lady Suikage," Ao said, breaking the silence as he finished reading from a tiny, tightly rolled scroll. "Lord Kaoru has successfully infiltrated the Uchiha settlement. He's begun gathering intelligence."
He folded the scroll neatly before continuing. "As for Lady Luna, she's reported no signs of movement from Kirigakure. Which, in itself, is suspicious. They're likely planning something quietly."
Maki leaned back, her head lightly tapping the cart's frame. "Ao, I've told you before, just call me Maki when we're alone. You know how much I hate all this formality."
"And you know I prefer not to make a habit of it." Ao's tone was measured, as always. "You are the Suikage. I'll address you as such."
Maki gave him a tired smile, one that faded as she shifted her gaze downward, fingers tightening on her knee.
"What do you think about the situation?" Ao asked.
She hesitated, then let out a long, resigned breath. "I don't trust Luna, you know that. But I trust you. If you say her intel is clean, I'll treat it as such."
She fell quiet for a moment before biting her lower lip.
"Ru… he's strong. Too strong, maybe. But he's also impulsive. And… kind." Her voice grew softer as she said it. "Too kind for this world."
The bitterness in her smile revealed more than she said aloud. She saw herself in him, the version of herself that still believed peace could be built on compassion. That version had died with Suiren.
"You think we should recall him?" Ao asked flatly. But his eyes betrayed his thoughts. He didn't agree.
"No." Maki shook her head. "He's earned our trust. More than that, he's the head of the Takime clan. Even if I'm the Suikage… and his sister… it doesn't change the fact that his status deserves respect. Takimura owes him another chance."
Her words were firm, but for a fleeting moment, her expression softened. Pride flickered across her face. A kind of joy, not as Suikage, but as a sister.
Then her expression changed.
Her brow furrowed. Her eyes sharpened.
Chakra flared around her like a crack in the air.
She sat up sharply and tore back the side drape of the cart, her voice ringing out like a blade drawn in the dark.
"We're under attack."
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