On the road back to the Hidden Leaf, Akatsuchi kept covertly observing Uchiha Yuan.
A boy barely eleven or twelve years old had repelled the Fourth Raikage — this alone was enough for the upper ranks of Iwagakure to take him extremely seriously. Before Akatsuchi departed, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had even given him a private order: if the opportunity presented itself, eliminate Uchiha Yuan.
Akatsuchi understood perfectly. Ōnoki held deep fear and resentment toward the Uchiha. He had once faced Madara — the Shura of the Ninja World — and the terror that encounter carved into his bones had never faded.
The journey was uneventful; there were no bandits or rogue shinobi causing trouble. Along the way, Akatsuchi traded intel on Kumogakure with Yuan's group, and the two sides happily took turns cursing the Cloud's brutality.
Eventually, Akatsuchi probed for details about Raikage A's injuries. The intelligence reports only mentioned that Yuan had forced the Raikage to retreat while heavily wounded — without specifics. Understanding the full situation would help Iwa predict Kumo's next moves. And more importantly, Akatsuchi simply found it hard to believe that a boy could seriously injure the Raikage.
Yuan didn't object. The more fiercely Iwa and Kumo fought, the better it was for the Leaf.
According to Yuan's "account," he had led a large force to besiege the Raikage. Even so, the feat remained impressive — not many people could say they'd ever surrounded the Fourth Raikage and lived.
That man often tore through entire platoons alone and walked out unscathed, leaving nothing but corpses behind.
Hearing how heavy the casualties were for the squad Yuan led, Akatsuchi remained expressionless. In the Second Great Ninja War, ten thousand Iwa shinobi had died wrestling the Third Raikage to his death — this level of sacrifice did not surprise him. What he did regret was that if Leaf had deployed more soldiers, perhaps the Fourth Raikage could've been slain outright.
The Gates of Konohagakure
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki were lazily leaning against the village gates when a Leaf shinobi appeared with a flicker.
"Iwagakure's peace delegation is approaching. Notify the Third immediately," he said flatly.
"Yes, sir!"
Izumo vanished toward the Hokage Tower.
Moments later, a gust of wind swept through, and over a dozen figures appeared before the gate. At the front was Elite Jōnin Kurenai's father, Yūhi Masagane.
"You've done well. I'll take over from here," he told the messenger before preparing the welcoming formation.
Soon after, a procession emerged along the road. From afar, the gates of Konoha came into view — and Uchiha Yuan's face softened into a rare smile.
Home.
His mother and sister would be waiting.
Shisui, walking beside him, caught that gentle expression and felt a swell of relief.
Good… Yuan still cares for the village. Once we return, I must recommend him to Lord Third for the ANBU.
Upon arrival, Yuan stepped forward to hand over the escort mission.
"Uchiha Yuan reporting: Iwagakure's negotiators have been safely delivered."
"Yuan-kun, well done. Leave the rest to me," Yūhi Masagane said, though his eyes couldn't help but linger on the boy.
He already knew about Yuan forcing the Fourth Raikage to retreat. Seeing Yuan in person now, he felt an oppressive aura wash over him — just for a heartbeat, it was like a ferocious beast towered before him.
This is the power worthy of the title "Leaf's Crimson Tiger." Whether that's good or bad for the village… remains to be seen.
Akatsuchi, escorted by six Iwa jōnin, stepped forward.
"Welcome to the Leaf," Masagane said warmly.
Akatsuchi smiled. "Your shinobi have looked after us thoroughly along the way."
"May peace between our villages come swiftly. This way, please."
As the delegation entered the village, Akatsuchi turned back once, giving a deep, meaningful look to Yuan and Shisui.
The Uchiha District
With most of the Police Force deployed to the eastern coastline to repel Kirigakure incursions, the clan compound felt unusually quiet.
Walking down the street toward his home, Yuan drew surprised stares from passing clansmen. When he reached a small park, he spotted his sister Izumi — and stopped.
Izumi was with a graceful, elegant woman, playing with a toddler. The child wobbled toward her mother—only to slip.
"Sasuke!"
Izumi and the woman cried out in panic.
And then Sasuke simply… vanished.
A blur. A shadow step.
Before either woman could react, someone was already holding the child safely in their arms.
Izumi and the woman both exhaled in relief — and then looked up.
Izumi's eyes lit up instantly. She threw herself forward.
"Big brother!"
"You're finally back… Mother and I were so worried…" Izumi sniffled, clutching him tightly.
Yuan held her gently with one arm, then inclined his head toward the woman.
"Good afternoon, Lady Mikoto."
Uchiha Mikoto, mother of Itachi and Sasuke, smiled warmly. "So you are Izumi's older brother, Yuan. My, what a handsome boy — you'll surely break many girls' hearts when you grow older."
Then she noticed Sasuke resting in Yuan's other arm, his tiny face relaxed and content, nuzzling comfortably against Yuan's chest.
"Well now… it seems Sasuke is very fond of you. He doesn't let anyone near him except Itachi — you're the first person he's ever shown this kind of affection toward."
In Yuan's arms, Sasuke's expression was peaceful, utterly content.
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