Visiting the Uchiha Clan Compound

"You're saying Naruto has been tinkering with mechanical devices these past few days?"

"Yes, I watched from a distance for a long time. The Jinchuriki seemed to be researching something like ninja tools. Because of Namikaze Mirai, we couldn't get too close, only observing from afar."

Hokage Office.

The kneeling Anbu with a cat-face mask respectfully laid out all the intelligence he had gathered.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, biting on his pipe, exhaled a puff of white smoke. His gray-brown eyes, veiled in the mist, showed a hint of confusion.

Mechanical devices?

Some kind of ninja tool? Why did Naruto suddenly develop this hobby?

In the past, though Naruto was somewhat withdrawn and even pulled pranks from time to time, he never seemed interested in things like ninja tools.

What reason could have caused this change? Was it Namikaze Mirai...

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.

During the Third Great Ninja War, the Blue Flash had indeed shown some talent for mechanical devices, but as a ninja, jutsu was the true measure of a ninja's strength.

No matter how excellent the tools, could they really let an ordinary person fight a ninja? His head started aching again.

The spot at his temple felt like it was splitting open.

Even rubbing it with his index finger brought no relief.

Ever since Namikaze Mirai returned to the village, so many things seemed to have gone haywire.

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

Under the guidance of this strange uncle, what kind of person would Naruto become? Minato, I've failed you, I haven't taught Naruto well.

Sarutobi Hiruzen worried about Naruto's future.

At this age, children of the great ninja clans were already starting chakra refinement training, yet he was tinkering with machines? "And then there's the Uchiha. They've been restless lately, holding clan meetings more and more frequently..."

Danzo had already voiced his anger many times over this. The Hokage Office door had been replaced one after another.

But even so, it couldn't withstand his abuse.

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't understand why his old friend, every time he finished saying "Hiruzen, you'll regret this!", had to slam the door so hard.

It added an unnecessary expense to Konoha's budget.

"At least there's Itachi."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's wrinkled face smiled like a chrysanthemum.

Though Itachi was Fugaku's son, he rarely possessed the mindset of a Hokage, a ninja who inherited the Will of Fire.

When Itachi was a bit older, he planned to take Itachi into the Anbu, to groom him as a spy planted inside 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-dusty entrance to the compound welcomed two unfamiliar guests.

Uchiha Zhiyin, guarding the entrance, squinted as he sized up the two approaching figures.

One big, one small, both with blond hair.

"Hold it! Beyond here is the Uchiha Clan Compound!"

His arrogant tone nearly had his nose pointing skyward, full of Uchiha flair.

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

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

He didn't understand why his uncle wanted to come here, or why he had brought him along.

But whatever his uncle wanted to do, Naruto would agree.

Smiling, he ruffled Naruto's hair. Namikaze Mirai turned his head and spoke flatly.

"Tell Fugaku, I'm here."

???

Uchiha Zhiyin froze.

Heizi beside him cautiously leaned in: "Zhiyin, Fugaku is the clan head, right? This guy's here to see the clan head?"

Uchiha Zhiyin looked Namikaze Mirai up and down, and the more he looked, the more flustered he got.

That blond hair... could it be...

The Blue Flash?

The Fourth Hokage's younger brother?

He 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, who had been savoring his tea, was suddenly interrupted by a voice from outside.

"Clan Leader, Namikaze Mirai has arrived at the compound. It seems he's here for you."

Fugaku's tea-drinking motion paused. He slowly set down his cup and said calmly.

"I understand."

He had already received word from Itachi that Namikaze Mirai would visit soon, but he hadn't expected it to be this fast.

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

He paused.

"Also, call Itachi over."

"Yes."

Uchiha Fugaku gazed at the empty room. He didn't know the purpose of Namikaze Mirai's visit, nor his stance on the Nine-Tails Attack.

For now, he could only deal with things as they came.

Namikaze Mirai led Naruto, following behind Uchiha Zhiyin, scanning the surrounding Uchiha Clan Compound.

Desolate.

That was his first impression.

The sparse buildings showed little sign of life.

Before leaving the village, the Uchiha, as one of Konoha's largest clans, had been thriving with a booming population, in a vibrant period of growth.

He hadn't expected that in just three years, they would have fallen to such a state.

It seemed that night had also had a profound impact on the Uchiha.

Walking along, ordinary residences gradually disappeared, replaced by a sprawling mansion of vast proportions.

Pushing open the door and entering, Namikaze Mirai saw a familiar figure leading a three- or four-year-old boy.

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

Naruto bounced out excitedly, pointing at Sasuke beside Itachi.

His childish face flushed red instantly. Sasuke was furious.

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

His voice cut off abruptly.

Sasuke looked at Namikaze Mirai beside Naruto and swallowed a gulp of saliva.

This man—even his brother feared him...

He didn't dare continue. Itachi's reaction that day was still vivid in his mind.

Namikaze Mirai acted as if he hadn't noticed him, maintaining that faint smile as he lightly pushed Naruto's shoulder, steering him toward Sasuke.

"Go play!"

"Huh? Is that okay?"

"Of course."

Kids this age should be having fun!

Namikaze Mirai smiled as he watched Sasuke. This brat, though he looked a bit like a girl, would make a decent playmate for Naruto.

Itachi also gently pushed Sasuke, his voice warm. "Sasuke, the adults need to talk. You stay here and play with your friend!"

Without waiting for Sasuke's agreement, he turned to Namikaze Mirai.

"Please follow me."

The door to the Clan Leader's Residence swung open. Namikaze Mirai glanced inside. Uchiha Fugaku sat in the central chair, surrounded by several other Uchiha clan members, all at Jonin level.

The air was thick with a hint of tension.

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

Minato's younger brother?

As the younger brother of the Fourth Hokage, who had died young, he certainly carried himself with some dignity.

"Mirai, what is the purpose of your visit here?"

Uchiha Fugaku's voice was low.

Three years had passed, and he still couldn't see through Namikaze Mirai.

This man who had always steadily held him down.

"Fugaku, I wonder how Mikoto is doing now?"

Namikaze Mirai's words never failed to shock, his smile fixed on Uchiha Fugaku.

Fugaku's expression shifted slightly.

Itachi, standing behind him, stiffened abruptly.

Even Uchiha Setsuna and Inabi at the side had fury flickering in their eyes, staring at Namikaze Mirai with a murderous glare.