Awakened Eye

Sasuke's mind went blank for a moment.

When he heard Senyo's question, FUGAKU and Mikoto flashed through his mind before it finally settled on Itachi.

"It's Nii-san."

Senyo slowed his pace. Instead of pursuing the question, he asked another:

"Do you know the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha?"

Sasuke was only seven years old now and did not understand these matters clearly.

He answered, "Our Uchiha Clan is one of Konoha's founders."

"Then is our Uchiha Clan strong?"

Sasuke's eyes shone brightly. "Of course! Our Uchiha Clan is the strongest in the ninja world!"

Senyo heard Sasuke's pride and sense of belonging toward his clan, and he gave a relaxed laugh.

"Then do you know who the strongest member of the Uchiha Clan is?"

Sasuke was troubled by that question.

There were too many powerful people in the clan, and he had no clear idea of it. He did not even know that Itachi possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Father?" Sasuke asked hesitantly.

Fugaku usually kept a low profile, and Sasuke had never seen his father fight.

He only thought his father was strong because of the fixed notion that the clan head had to be the strongest.

Senyo shook his head. Rather than keeping Sasuke in suspense, he said directly, "It's Itachi."

"He is the strongest in the entire Uchiha Clan, and he possesses the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan!"

"Even the clan head is no match for Itachi."

"It's Nii-san! Nii-san is that strong!?"

Sasuke's voice was filled with shock and pride.

For Sasuke, who adored his brother, nothing could stir his emotions more than praise for Itachi.

Senyo reached out and lifted Sasuke down.

He continued asking Sasuke, "If your brother wanted to become Hokage, do you think he could?"

Senyo had changed to a way of asking that Sasuke could better understand.

Sasuke answered without hesitation:

"Since my brother is the strongest in the Uchiha Clan, then of course he can become Hokage!"

"Which clan does the current Hokage belong to?"

Sasuke already had a faint premonition. "The Sarutobi Clan."

Senyo stared into Sasuke's eyes and slowly guided him. "If the Sarutobi Clan doesn't want to give up the position of Hokage..."

"And they can't defeat your brother, what would they do?"

Sasuke's eyes widened as his mind began racing.

Senyo reminded him, "You remember who loves you the most in this world, right?"

Sasuke realized it, his face flushing red. "I... I became a hostage!?"

He suddenly understood why Senyo had gone to pick him up from school that day.

Senyo said coldly, "The people of Konoha kidnapped you and demanded that your brother kill the entire Uchiha Clan."

"Your parents, Sister Izumi, me, Ruri—everyone in the clan."

Sasuke suffered an immense mental shock. His blood surged visibly through his body, and his eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

Seeing that the time was about right, Senyo delivered the final blow:

"For your sake, Itachi is preparing to obey Konoha and slaughter the entire clan in exchange for a chance for you to live!"

"Even if he has to bear the crime of murdering his father and mother and massacring his whole clan, he still wants to save you, the little brother he loves most!"

"I... Ah!... Nii-san!"

Sasuke let out a scream. Upon learning of everything Itachi had sacrificed for him—

His emotions surged, his eyes turned blood-red, and a single tomoe quietly appeared.

Sasuke had awakened the Sharingan!

"Huff... huff..." Sasuke panted heavily, his body utterly exhausted.

His vision gradually darkened, and he toppled straight forward.

Senyo reached out, caught him, and slung Sasuke over his shoulder.

This little brat was truly gifted. With how attached Sasuke was to Itachi, provoking him into awakening the Sharingan was practically effortless.

Carrying Sasuke, Senyo headed toward the clan grounds.

He shifted his consciousness into Naruto's shadow.

When his own shadow had overlapped with Naruto's earlier, his clone had already slipped over.

Although Jiraiya also knew the Shadow Hiding Technique, this kind of Shadow Movement Technique was quite rare, so naturally, he had not noticed.

Senyo's main body had already left with Sasuke twenty minutes ago.

Naruto was still by the entrance.

He sat alone on the swing, watching enviously as parents from each family came one after another to pick up their children.

It was not that Naruto did not want to go home. It was just that if he left at this time, there would be too many parents on the road.

He could easily be cursed at or bullied, perhaps even beaten, or have stones thrown at him.

So he could only sit on the swing and wait until everyone else had left.

Only after they had all gone home to cook for their children, when there were fewer people on the streets, could he return to that home without a trace of warmth.

Jiraiya was a little puzzled. He asked an Anbu nearby:

"What is Naruto doing here?"

The nearby Anbu had clearly been monitoring Naruto for a long time and knew his routine.

The Anbu said, "Naruto usually waits here for Hokage-sama. Recently, the Third Hokage has been busy with the Uchiha Clan's affairs and has not come to see Naruto."

"Naruto probably misses Hokage-sama. Jiraiya-sama, there is no need to worry. Naruto will go home on his own in a while."

Jiraiya understood. It seemed the old man did care quite a bit about Naruto.

After considering it, he decided not to meet Naruto for the time being.

After all, Naruto was still young, and he could not reveal his identity. It would be better to wait until the old man arranged it later.

Seeing that Senyo had already left and that Naruto had no problems, Jiraiya ordered, "Continue with your work."

"Yes, Jiraiya-sama."

With a flash, Jiraiya headed for the Hokage's Office.

Senyo estimated that Naruto would remain here for a while longer.

He shifted his consciousness back as well.

When his main body's consciousness transferred, the main body became like a Shadow Clone.

It would not become dull-witted either, so Senyo's main body had already brought Sasuke back to the clan grounds and arrived before Fugaku.

When Senyo carried Sasuke inside, Fugaku was startled at first, thinking Sasuke had been injured.

Only when he saw that Senyo's expression was normal did he relax.

"What happened to Sasuke?"

Senyo replied blandly, "Nothing. Sasuke awakened his Awakened Eye."

"Awakened... his Awakened Eye!?"

Fugaku froze for a moment, then suddenly realized what that meant.

Sasuke was only seven. He had awakened his Awakened Eye at seven!?

Fugaku let out a breath and suppressed the joy that was about to burst forth.

His face returned to its usual poker-faced expression.

"Yes, we cannot let him become too proud," Fugaku said sternly.

But Senyo frowned as he stared at him. Fugaku's expression stiffened. "What is it, Senyo?"

Ever since Senyo had awakened the Mangekyo, he had changed tremendously.

Not only had he saved the Uchiha Clan, but he had also displayed astonishing political skill and wisdom.

So when Senyo looked displeased, Fugaku could not pretend not to notice.

Senyo snorted coldly.

"You still do not understand. That sour, stiff act you put on all day—the image of a strict father—is precisely the main reason the Uchiha Clan nearly perished."

"If you had simply praised Itachi a few more times and told him, 'You are my pride,' do you think Itachi would have betrayed the clan?"