"Father, have you been put under a genjutsu?"
Kurotsuchi looked at Kitsuchi in disbelief as she asked.
In her memory, Kitsuchi had always placed protecting the Land of Earth above everything else. He had even missed seeing her mother one last time because he had been away on a mission.
And yet now... this man, who had always put the Land of Earth first in his heart, was planning to defect to their former enemy, Yuzuru Uchiha!
Had he forgotten how many ninja from their village had died at that man's hands?
Seeing how hard this was for her to accept, Kitsuchi spoke in a low voice, "Kurotsuchi, I know this may be difficult for you to understand right now, but when you're older, you'll understand."
"Change always comes with bloodshed. Without the resolve to cut away flesh and carve through bone, there can never be a new world."
"You should've felt it too during your time in Konoha, right? If the people of the Land of Earth could live like this, then why cling so desperately to the current order?"
Looking into Kitsuchi's determined eyes, Kurotsuchi found herself at a loss for words.
Because the truth was already right in front of her.
Konoha's prosperity was so overwhelming that even if Iwagakure developed for another hundred years, it probably still wouldn't catch up.
Maybe...
Father is right?
A trace of confusion flashed through Kurotsuchi's eyes. She had simply experienced too little to truly empathize with him the way he did.
She shook her muddled head and asked, "Father, then what are you planning to do next?"
"I heard Konoha is going to attack Iwagakure. Are you really going to go with them and kill the comrades you once fought beside?"
Kitsuchi fell silent for a moment, then pointed at the man beside him.
"That depends on how Lord Yuzuru arranges things."
Kurotsuchi froze. "Lord Yuzuru?"
The man at his side released his Transformation Jutsu, revealing his true appearance, and greeted her with a smile.
"I'm a little too popular, so when I move around the village, I have to use Transformation Jutsu to hide my identity."
Looking at the Yuzuru Uchiha before her, Kurotsuchi's feelings became incredibly complicated.
Everyone said Yuzuru Uchiha was a cold-faced Asura, someone who killed without even blinking.
But she hadn't expected him to be this approachable in private.
"L-Lord Yuzuru..."
Under Kitsuchi's gaze, Kurotsuchi bowed to Yuzuru.
Yuzuru waved a hand and said calmly, "Kitsuchi, after the New Year, I'll lead an attack on the Land of Earth. Considering your circumstances, you won't need to take action. Just come forward at the end and persuade any stubborn fools who still refuse to surrender."
Kitsuchi immediately nodded. "Thank you for your consideration, Lord Yuzuru."
Yuzuru nodded and turned his gaze to Kurotsuchi.
"As for you..."
"If you want to return to Iwagakure, then go back. If you want to stay in Konoha and look around a little longer, that's fine too."
"I've already spoken with Fugaku. If you run into any problems, go to the Hokage Building and find him."
"I still have something to take care of, so I'll be leaving first."
With that, Yuzuru turned and vanished from the spot.
Kurotsuchi stared blankly for a long while before finally snapping back to herself.
She had clearly just heard a huge amount of confidential information. By all logic, Konoha should never have allowed her to leave after that.
And yet Yuzuru Uchiha didn't seem to care in the slightest.
That could only mean one thing.
Yuzuru Uchiha had absolute confidence in himself.
Even if she went back and warned them, even if the Land of Earth made every possible preparation, they would still only end in defeat.
"Kurotsuchi, Lord Yuzuru is just that kind of person. Whether it's his vision or his breadth of mind, both are beyond what ordinary people can reach."
"Haven't you always said you wanted to marry someone someday who could completely win your admiration in every way? If you ask me, in the entire shinobi world, only Lord Yuzuru could do that."
Kurotsuchi's face immediately turned red. "Father, I'm still young! What are you even thinking?!"
Kitsuchi burst out laughing and began walking toward the training ground exit.
"Just kidding. Come on, let's enjoy a proper stroll around Konoha, father and daughter."
But as Kurotsuchi watched his retreating back, her thoughts had already drifted far away.
Yuzuru Uchiha...
What kind of person are you, really?
————
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"The fireworks! The fireworks are so pretty!"
Inside the Uchiha clan compound, Uchiha Tsuki was being held in Itachi's arms, speaking in a soft baby voice.
Nearby, Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara had each lit a string of firecrackers, and the crackling explosions filled the courtyard.
Itachi covered Tsuki's ears and frowned. "You three, go play outside. Don't scare Tsuki."
At that, Sasuke curled his lips. "Nii-san, you're getting more and more biased."
Itachi glanced at him and said softly, "What do you mean biased? Didn't I always take care of you when you were little too?"
The moment he said that, Naruto immediately shouted, "Liar! I remember once, on a New Year when I was in the bathroom, Father threw a firecracker over, and it scared me so badly I almost clenched my crap in half. And you were just standing there watching without saying a single word!"
Gaara also chimed in at once, "That's right! When I was five, you and I were playing basketball with Father, and when I was defending, he suddenly yanked my pants down. You didn't help me either!"
Seeing the three of them looking righteously indignant, Itachi could only sigh helplessly.
How was that the same thing?
With Father's personality, who would dare provoke him?
Back when he was little, he'd gotten more than enough firsthand experience with the "weight" of fatherly love.
Thinking of that, Itachi couldn't help but start pouring out his grievances to Sasuke and the others.
For a moment, the four brothers actually looked united against a common enemy.
In the outer pavilion, several braziers of glowing charcoal had been set around the area. Yuzuru sat at the table with the women of the household, drinking tea.
Tsunade patted Yuzuru on the shoulder and laughed. "Yuzuru, just look at the things you've done. The kids could complain about them all night."
Yuzuru shrugged. "They only get a few short years of childhood. Of course I have to make sure to tease them properly."
Kushina gave a light snort and said with mock annoyance, "Always making excuses. I think you're just too used to acting like a tyrant. You won't even go easy on your own sons."
Yuzuru smiled. "That's right. After all, I'm only a child of a little over four hundred months myself."
"Shameless!"
The women burst into laughter, each one beautiful in her own way, and Yuzuru couldn't help swallowing hard.
Tonight was the final night before the New Year.
Everyone was dressed in new clothes and had made themselves look especially beautiful.
And on top of that, Kushina and the others had already been top-tier beauties to begin with. Seeing them laugh like this was enough to leave anyone dazzled.
Yuzuru quietly formed a hand seal with both hands, and a sudden gust of wind swept through the pavilion.
He gave a small cough and said with a slow smile, "It's getting late, and the wind is picking up. Let's head in and rest."
On New Year's Eve, they all slept under one big blanket.
After working so hard all year, it was only right to enjoy themselves a little.
This time, he wouldn't move!