"Looks like we'll be running into quite a few old comrades this time," Orochimaru sneered.
"What? Can't bring yourself to strike them down?" Jie Uchiha asked calmly.
"Not quite. I'm merely thinking about all the rare experimental materials I'll be adding to my laboratory," Orochimaru replied casually, licking his lips.
Knowing the identity of their enemies, Jie had nothing to worry about. As for the Akatsuki, although every member was a powerful S-rank missing-ninja, they were manageable. As long as their respective weaknesses were known, the Uchiha clan's Jonin forces would be more than enough to eliminate everyone except Pain—even without Jie lifting a finger.
Besides, given the state of Nagato's body, it was highly doubtful he would personally take action for such a paltry commission. After all, it wasn't time for the Tailed Beast extraction plan to begin just yet.
After finalizing the details, Orochimaru left the Uchiha compound, melting away into the shadows of the Hidden Leaf.
Jie didn't bother doing anything superfluous like fabricating a new identity for the Sannin. He wasn't worried about Orochimaru exposing himself and ruining the plan, either. Given Orochimaru's capabilities and the deep-rooted spy network he still maintained in the village, it would be a genuine shock if he actually got caught.
The Uchiha clan's affairs were well in hand; Jie didn't even need to intervene in the compensation negotiations with Kumogakure, as Fugaku Uchiha and Shikaku Nara were already handling it. And there was still plenty of time before the Konoha Crush plan was set to begin.
For a brief moment, Jie actually found himself with nothing to do.
'Forget it. I'll take Izumi and just stroll around the village to relax,' Jie thought.
Once the invasion concluded, there was no guarantee the village would ever return to this peaceful atmosphere. Furthermore, once Fugaku Uchiha took the Hokage's seat, the bulk of the clan's miscellaneous affairs would likely fall onto Jie's shoulders. Finding free time would become a luxury.
With that in mind, Jie clasped his hands behind his back and turned to leave to find Izumi Uchiha. Suddenly, he caught sight of a small head peeking out from behind the doorframe.
Sigh. Seeing the pint-sized stalker, Jie couldn't help but exhale deeply.
"I finally get a chance to enjoy a quiet date, and now I'm going to have a third wheel." He shook his head imperceptibly, a helpless smile on his face. "Alright, stop hiding," he called out. "I'm going to find Izumi. Come along."
Hearing his brother's words, a bright smile bloomed on Sasuke's face. The young boy bounded over and eagerly grabbed Jie's hand.
"You're the best, big brother!" Sasuke cheered, flashing a brilliant smile.
'It would be even better if we weren't going to find Izumi and he was just taking me out to play,' Sasuke thought to himself.
Chuckling helplessly, Jie ruffled Sasuke's hair and led the boy out the door. Unexpectedly, they ran straight into Izumi just as they stepped out of the compound gate.
"Izumi! Big brother was just taking me to find you so we could play," Sasuke announced.
Izumi's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Is that so? What a coincidence!" she said, looking at Jie. "It's been a while, Jie!"
"Hmm..." Hearing her words, Jie pondered for a half-second.
It had barely been half a month since he left for the battlefield and returned. Did that really count as a while'? Still, he wasn't about to be a killjoy and correct her. After all, he wasn't completely dense when it came to reading the mood.
"It has been a while, Izumi," Jie smiled. "I haven't walked around the Hidden Leaf in ages. We just won a major victory, so today is my treat."
Without hesitation, he smoothly released Sasuke's hand, took Izumi's hand instead, and began walking toward the bustling village center. Caught off guard by the sudden hand-holding, a faint blush spread across Izumi's cheeks. She gave a token tug to pull her hand back, but when he didn't let go, she simply surrendered to the gesture and happily followed his lead.
Left standing alone in the dirt, Sasuke watched the couple stroll away. The bright smile on his face slowly froze.
Was he just completely invisible to them? So, a brother's love really could just vanish into thin air, couldn't it?
'Izumi is a big meanie, and big brother is a huge jerk,' he pouted internally. 'I'm never going to be nice to them again. I'm definitely not coming out to play with them anymore!'
Staring at their retreating backs, the young boy was consumed by a wave of childish resentment.
"Hurry up and keep pace, Sasuke! If you fall behind, we're leaving you!" Jie's voice drifted back toward him.
Sasuke's expression instantly shifted. "Wait for me, big brother!" he shouted, his little legs churning as he sprinted after them.
After a few hours of wandering through the village, Jie could only stare helplessly as his 'quiet date' turned into a massive entourage.
He glanced at Itachi Uchiha, who wore an expression of mild disdain while simultaneously devouring a skewer of dango with relish. Next was the ultimate third-wheel, Sasuke, who was happily swinging between them, holding one of Jie's hands and one of Izumi's. And bringing up the rear was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki—wearing his usual bright tracksuit, complete with the signature whisker marks on his cheeks.
Itachi had applied for early graduation from the Ninja Academy a while ago and was currently serving as a proud member of the Konoha Military Police Force. The only reason he had crashed their outing was because he happened to spot Jie and Sasuke while pursuing a suspect through the streets. Using the flawless excuse of "supervising the prisoner and keeping an eye on Sasuke," Itachi had completely abandoned his patrol shift to tag along with his brothers.
As for Naruto, his presence was purely coincidental; he was the very "suspect" Itachi had been chasing. Desperate for the villagers' attention, Naruto had scaled the Hokage Rock armed with a bucket of green paint, drawing giant, comical hats on the faces of the Third and Fourth Hokage. Although it was just a harmless prank, the influx of angry complaints from the villagers had mobilized the Military Police Force.
Which led directly to Itachi sprinting down the market street to apprehend the 'dangerous criminal', 'Naruto'. But the moment Naruto spotted Jie—the nice older brother who sometimes bought him ramen—he happily darted behind Jie's legs to hide from his pursuer.
And so, under the guise of 'escorting the prisoner,' Itachi abandoned his post and joined their date.
Looking at the mismatched squad surrounding him, Jie could only sigh. He looked up at the Hokage Rock. Seeing the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, sporting bright, neon-green painted hair, Jie almost burst out laughing.
"What a disgrace to the family," he muttered in amusement.
Surrounded by a swarm of third wheels, Jie completely lost the desire to continue window shopping. Instead, he waved his hand dismissively, purchased several large bento boxes and a picnic blanket, and herded the group toward the mountains behind the village. After all, if he was stuck with a crowd, there was no better activity than an impromptu picnic.
A little while later, Jie lay comfortably on the soft grass, staring up at the azure sky. Izumi knelt gracefully by his side, occasionally leaning over to feed him peeled grapes.
A beautiful girl by his side, two energetic brats acting like monkeys in the clearing ahead, and a stoic, cold-faced bodyguard standing watch nearby.
Jie closed his eyes and let out a deeply satisfied sigh.
"Now this... this is life."
Upto 40 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Vristikk