The Heart to Grow Stronger

Uchiha Clan Compound.

Uchiha Senyo's home.

In the past, Senyo rarely had time to eat at home.

He was either on a mission or on his way to one.

Having an opportunity like this now was rare, and Ruri was delighted as well.

Ruri's physical disability had brought her not only bodily harm, but psychological trauma as well.

It had even completely changed the lives Senyo and Zhiyu had lived these past years.

Fortunately, under Zhiyu's attentive care, Ruri gradually began to recover.

Her once gloomy face had slowly brightened as well.

To make it easier to care for Ruri, the table was not very large.

The dishes were placed close to Ruri, so she could reach them simply by stretching out her hand.

"Big Brother, it's been so long since you last ate at home."

Ruri placed a little sausage cut into a flower shape in Senyo's bowl, tilting her head as she stared at him.

Senyo smiled as he put the little sausage into his mouth. "I'll have plenty of time to stay home from now on."

"Hehe, it's a promise."

Ruri let out a clear laugh, her crescent eyes especially adorable.

Although Senyo was not particularly picky about food, Zhiyu's cooking was truly delicious.

It was also nutritionally balanced; one glance was enough to tell how much effort she had put into it.

"Thanks for your hard work, Zhiyu."

Zhiyu huffed. "Eat up. You never used to be this polite."

Then she looked at Ruri. "I made all this for Ruri. You're just here to mooch a meal."

Senyo smiled and said nothing more.

The family soon finished eating, and Senyo went out to find Sasuke.

Ruri had eaten too much and was feeling a little drowsy, nodding off bit by bit in her wheelchair.

"Sister Zhiyu, I'm a little sleepy." Ruri had a habit of taking naps.

Zhiyu came over and picked Ruri up. "Then I'll take you to sleep for a while."

"Mmm... mmm..." Ruri drifted off in a daze.

Uchiha Clan Compound, Fugaku's home.

After Sasuke woke up, he sat in a daze for a long time, until Fugaku came to see him.

Only then did Sasuke learn that he had awakened his Sharingan.

Yet he did not feel the joy he had imagined, because Itachi was gone.

"Father, did Big Brother betray the village because of me?"

Sasuke looked somewhat dejected.

Fugaku, usually stern, rarely offered Sasuke comfort.

He patted Sasuke on the shoulder.

"Your talent is every bit as good as your brother's. Don't waste it."

"Itachi has only left home for the time being. If you want him to return sooner, then grow stronger quickly."

Sasuke stared at this somewhat unfamiliar father in surprise.

Then light filled his eyes, and Sasuke nodded fiercely.

"Father, don't worry! I won't let you down."

Seeing the emotion in Sasuke's eyes, Fugaku smiled. Senyo had been right—there was no need to play the role of a strict father at all.

"While Itachi is away, if you have questions about training, ask Senyo or me."

Sasuke nodded excitedly. It was the first time his father had been so easy to talk to.

Unable to help himself, Sasuke added a few more words.

"Father, Senior Senyo said Nii-san already has the Mangekyō Sharingan, and that he's the strongest in our clan. He said even you aren't Nii-san's match. Is that true?"

Fugaku laughed. "Senyo told you that?"

Sasuke did not understand what his father's smile meant.

"Isn't Big Brother a Mangekyō Sharingan user?"

Fugaku said, "Your brother did indeed possess the Mangekyō Sharingan. I've never fought him, so it's hard to say who would win."

"But he isn't the strongest in the clan."

Seeing Sasuke's surprised expression, Fugaku did not keep him in suspense.

"Because Senyo also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. That night, he defeated Itachi and stopped him."

"Senyo-senpai too!?" Sasuke had never expected Senyo to be so low-key.

Fugaku thought highly of Senyo's mind, and he told Sasuke, "Learn more from Senyo. He is the smartest person in the Uchiha Clan."

"Awake?"

By the time Senyo arrived, Sasuke was already waiting for him.

"Senyo-senpai."

Sasuke bowed to Senyo, his manner far more respectful than before.

It was as if he had grown up overnight. Much of the childish innocence in his eyes had faded.

That was also the price of growing stronger.

Seeing Sasuke's solemn expression, Senyo reached out and tapped him on the head.

"Why are you being so serious? Holding a funeral?"

"Ow, that hurt."

Little Sasuke rubbed his forehead, and his expression returned to normal.

"Senyo-senpai, you tricked me. I already asked Father. You also have the Mangekyō Sharingan, and you've already defeated my brother."

"So Senyo-senpai is the strongest Uchiha."

Senyo burst out laughing.

"A battle between shinobi depends on many objective factors. Back then, I had you as a hostage. How could your brother possibly have beaten me?"

"Huh!? I was a hostage in Senyo-senpai's hands too?" Sasuke's face fell.

Being taken hostage over in Konoha was one thing, but even after Senyo took him away, he had still been a hostage.

Seeing how hurt Sasuke looked, Senyo had no intention of comforting him.

"This world ultimately speaks through strength. If you don't want to become your brother's weakness, then work hard and become stronger."

Thinking of how he had become his brother's weakness, Sasuke silently made up his mind. From now on, he would definitely work hard to become stronger!

"Come on, let's go to school." Senyo beckoned to Sasuke.

As Sasuke followed Senyo, he asked doubtfully, "Senyo-senpai, if Konoha wants to wipe us out, why am I still going to school?"

"You can't really learn anything at school anyway."

Senyo walked ahead. "Sometimes, when two factions clash, it isn't enough to simply fight."

"Taking you to school yesterday and today was just putting on a show. You're still too young to understand this kind of political confrontation."

"You only need to obediently do as you're told."

"After today, you won't be coming to school for quite some time."

"You don't want to break your promise to Naruto, do you?"

Sasuke recalled competing with Naruto in high jumps yesterday and nodded.

"Senyo-senpai, do you know about Naruto?"

"Oh? You're curious?"

Senyo stopped walking, because after going a little farther, they would enter Konoha's sphere of influence.

They could not discuss Naruto over there.

When Sasuke saw Senyo stop, he stopped as well.

"Yes, I want to know."

Senyo chuckled. "If you can resist showing off that you've awakened your eye and keep it hidden, then I'll tell you this afternoon."

Sasuke truly had not planned to hide it. After all, for the Uchiha Clan, this was an honor.

For Sasuke, keeping such a thing hidden did not suit his nature at all.

Sasuke thought for a moment, then silently nodded.

"Okay."