Visiting the Uchiha Clan Compound

"You mean Naruto has been tinkering with mechanical devices these past few days?"

"Yes. I kept watch from outside for quite a while. The Jinchuriki seemed to be researching something like ninja tools. Because of Namikaze Mirai, we didn't dare get too close and could only observe from afar."

Hokage Office.

The cat-masked Anbu knelt on one knee and respectfully reported everything he had learned.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, a pipe clenched between his teeth, exhaled a cloud of white smoke. A trace of confusion showed in his gray-brown eyes through the swirling haze.

Mechanical devices?

Some kind of ninja tool? Why had Naruto suddenly taken an interest in that?

Although Naruto had always been somewhat withdrawn and occasionally pulled pranks, he had never seemed interested in ninja tools or anything of the sort.

What had caused this change? Was it Namikaze Mirai...?

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.

During the Third Great Ninja War, the Blue Flash had indeed seemed talented with mechanical devices. But for a ninja, ninjutsu was the standard by which strength was measured.

No matter how exceptional ninja tools were, could they really let ordinary people fight ninja? His head was starting to ache again.

His temples felt as though they were about to split apart.

Even constant pressure from his fingers provided no relief whatsoever.

Ever since Namikaze Mirai had returned to the village, it seemed as though everything had begun to fall apart.

At this rate, Naruto was going to grow up crooked!

Under the guidance of that strange uncle, what would Naruto become in the future? Minato, I'm sorry. I failed to teach Naruto properly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen worried about Naruto's future.

At this age, the children of major ninja clans had already begun Chakra extraction training, yet he was tinkering with mechanical devices? "And the Uchiha have been restless lately too. They're holding clan meetings more and more often..."

Danzo had already expressed his rage over the matter several times, and the Hokage Office door had been replaced again and again.

Even so, it still couldn't withstand his abuse.

Sarutobi Hiruzen could not understand why his old friend always had to slam the door so hard after saying, "Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"

It had needlessly added another expense to Konoha's budget.

"Fortunately, there's still Itachi."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's wrinkled old face bloomed with a chrysanthemum-like smile.

Although Itachi was Fugaku's son, he possessed the rare mindset of a Hokage. He was a ninja who had inherited the Will of Fire.

Once Itachi was a little older, Hiruzen planned to bring him into the Anbu and train him as an informant planted within the Uchiha.

With Itachi's support, the Uchiha's future would surely not go astray.

Everything was for Konoha.

Meanwhile.

Uchiha Clan Compound.

The long-sealed entrance to the clan compound welcomed two unfamiliar visitors.

Uchiha Zhiyin, guarding the entrance, narrowed his eyes as he assessed the two approaching figures.

One adult and one child, both blond.

"Stop right there. Beyond this point is the Uchiha Clan Compound!"

His tone was arrogant, as if his nostrils were just short of pointing at the sky—the quintessential Uchiha attitude.

"Uncle, they don't seem to welcome us."

Naruto, holding Namikaze Mirai's hand, turned to look at his uncle.

He did not understand why his uncle had come here, nor why he had brought him along.

But as long as it was something his uncle wanted to do, Naruto would agree.

Namikaze Mirai smiled and rubbed Naruto's hair, then turned his head and spoke calmly.

"Tell Fugaku I'm here."

???

Uchiha Zhiyin froze.

Heizi cautiously leaned over from beside him. "Brother Zhiyin, Fugaku is the clan leader, right? Is this man here to see the clan leader?"

Uchiha Zhiyin looked Namikaze Mirai up and down. The longer he looked, the more panicked he became.

That blond hair... could he be...

The Blue Flash?

The Fourth Hokage's younger brother?

He had thought it was dyed.

After recognizing Namikaze Mirai's identity, Uchiha Zhiyin's tone immediately softened.

"Please follow me."

Clan Leader's Residence.

Uchiha Fugaku had been savoring tea when a voice outside interrupted him.

"Clan Leader, Namikaze Mirai has come to the clan compound. It seems he is here for you."

Fugaku's hand paused. He slowly set down his teacup and said calmly.

"I understand."

He had already received word from Itachi that Namikaze Mirai would visit soon. He just had not expected him to arrive so quickly.

"Notify Elder Setsuna, as well as Inabi, Tekka, Yashiro, and the others..."

He paused briefly.

"Also, bring Itachi here."

"Yes."

Uchiha Fugaku looked at the empty room. He did not know Namikaze Mirai's purpose in visiting, nor did he know what Mirai thought of the Nine-Tails Attack.

For now, he could only deal with whatever came.

Namikaze Mirai led Naruto behind Uchiha Zhiyin, his gaze sweeping over the Uchiha Clan Compound around them.

Desolate.

That was his first impression.

The sparse buildings showed almost no sign of life.

Before he had left the village, the Uchiha had been one of Konoha's largest ninja clans. Their population had flourished, and they had been in a vigorous period of growth.

Who would have thought that after only three years, they would have declined to this extent?

It seemed that night had also dealt the Uchiha a heavy blow.

As they walked on, ordinary residences gradually disappeared, replaced by sprawling estates covering vast areas.

After pushing open a door and entering, Namikaze Mirai saw a familiar figure leading a boy of three or four.

"It's that guy who looks like a girl."

Naruto excitedly jumped out and pointed at Sasuke beside Itachi.

Sasuke's tender face instantly flushed red, and he was nearly driven mad with anger.

"You're the girl! Your whole family is—"

His words came to an abrupt stop.

Sasuke looked at Namikaze Mirai beside Naruto and swallowed.

This man... even his brother feared him...

He did not dare continue. Itachi's behavior that day remained vivid in his mind.

Namikaze Mirai acted as though he had not noticed him. Still wearing that faint smile, he gently pushed Naruto's shoulder toward Sasuke.

"Go play."

"Huh? Can I?"

"Of course."

At this age, children should be playing happily!

Namikaze Mirai smiled at Sasuke. Although the little brat looked a bit like a girl, he would make a fine playmate for Naruto.

Itachi also gave Sasuke a gentle push, his voice mild. "Sasuke, the adults have matters to discuss. Stay here and play with that friend."

After saying that, he did not wait for Sasuke to agree and turned to Namikaze Mirai.

"Please come with me."

The doors of the Clan Leader's Residence were pushed open. Namikaze Mirai swept his gaze inside and saw Uchiha Fugaku seated in the chair at the center, surrounded by several other Uchiha Clan Members, all at the Jonin level.

A trace of tension filled the air.

Uchiha Setsuna leaned on his cane, his eyes slightly narrowed as he examined the man who made Fugaku so wary.

Minato's younger brother?

As the younger brother of the Fourth Hokage, who had died so young, he did indeed possess a certain bearing.

"Mirai, what brings you here today?"

Uchiha Fugaku's voice was low.

Even after three years, he still could not see through Namikaze Mirai.

The man who had always firmly kept him suppressed.

"Fugaku, I wonder how Mikoto is doing these days?"

Namikaze Mirai's words were startling as he smiled at Uchiha Fugaku.

Fugaku's expression changed slightly.

Itachi, standing behind him, suddenly stiffened as well.

Even Uchiha Setsuna, Inabi, and the others had a flash of fury rise in their eyes as they stared at Namikaze Mirai as though they wanted to kill him.