Early morning.
Another bright, sunny day.
Qing Xuan sat on the veranda outside the eaves, bracing himself with both hands as he tilted his head back to gaze at the clear, cloudless sky.
He was supposed to visit the Hyuga main family today, but with the Land of Lightning's delegation due to arrive soon, a meeting had been called at the Hokage's office. Every notable ninja in the village had gone to attend—including his uncle, the Uchiha Clan head, Fugaku Uchiha.
"Yay!"
A childish giggle came from behind him. He turned around and saw little Sasuke, who was almost three, toddling over. The boy grabbed the hem of his clothes and wouldn't let go.
Qing Xuan sat up straight, picked the little one up, and settled him on his lap. Pinching his chubby cheeks, he scoffed, "You're three already and still can't talk. You little good-for-nothing!"
"Doo-doo, awo!"
Sasuke waved his arms and legs, laughing even harder.
"He's so adorable!"
Haku wore a fake smile, her voice flat, though a trace of genuine delight slipped through.
If you weren't going to pepper him with senbon in the future, I might've believed your nonsense.
Thinking of the ill-fated bond those two would share, Qing Xuan's expression turned strange. Speaking of which, now that Haku had appeared in this fanfic, would the one who followed Zabuza in the original world still show up?
He was genuinely curious what would happen if the two of them met.
Just then, a rustle came from nearby. Qing Xuan's face lit up with a smile. He promptly handed Sasuke to Haku, then scampered over to Itachi, who was putting on his shoes.
"Big brother!"
Sitting by the threshold, Itachi turned back, bewildered, at Qing Xuan's exuberant greeting.
"Come practice shuriken with me today..."
Itachi fell silent for a moment. "I'm busy..."
"I have a mission today too. Ask Father to teach you!"
Qing Xuan immediately looked displeased. "Your shuriken skills are better than Uncle's... Even I can tell, and I'm just a kid."
Am I really better than Father?
Seven-year-old Itachi froze for a moment, then heard Qing Xuan say, "Why do you always treat me like I'm a bother, big brother?"
Looking at the boy, only a year younger than him yet suddenly so clingy, Itachi couldn't help letting a hint of gentleness show on his face.
He beckoned Qing Xuan over. When the boy came close, Itachi tapped his forehead with two fingers.
"Qing Xuan, forgive me... Next time..."
Before he could finish, Qing Xuan gave a snort.
"No!"
The little one snorted, then stomped his foot.
"Where are they?"
Whoosh!
Two figures suddenly appeared beneath the veranda, where there had been no one before.
They stood behind Qing Xuan with bowed heads, their slowly turning two-tomoe Sharingan filled with fervor.
"Young Clan Head!"
They were two special jonin, assigned as Qing Xuan's personal bodyguards to protect him by unanimous decision of the clan elders. They were the kind who never left his side.
"Stop Young Master Itachi. He has to stay home and keep Sasuke and me company today! Also, notify his teammates that they can do the mission tomorrow!"
"Yes, Young Clan Head!"
Under the gaze of two pairs of Sharingan, Itachi stared at Qing Xuan in a daze, completely dumbfounded.
Meanwhile.
At the Hokage's office, in the conference room.
Jiraiya sat in the seat below the Hokage, arms crossed and wearing a frighteningly sour expression.
He was still brooding over what had happened yesterday.
"Hey! Tsunade! Did that brat get the punishment he deserved?"
He asked the woman beside him in a low voice, but got no answer for a long while.
He turned his head and saw that the woman, hungover from the night before, was nodding off.
"Tsunade!"
"Huh? What is it?"
Tsunade lazily rubbed her forehead and looked around blearily. Staying up so late last night had left her exhausted that morning.
"Pay attention to where you are."
The Third Hokage was still droning on, while people below whispered among themselves. Their low murmur made the spring morning feel hazy and drowsy.
There was no way to stay alert.
"Damn it, why does the old man have to hold a meeting so early? Wouldn't a good night's sleep be better?"
She grumbled under her breath. Since she'd been woken up, she couldn't fall asleep again, and was getting bored. She turned to Jiraiya. "What did you ask me just now?"
Jiraiya was speechless.
He'd always considered himself a free spirit who did whatever he pleased, but even he couldn't stand how thoroughly Tsunade had let herself go.
"Where's your kid?"
"You mean Qing Xuan?"
At the mention of him, Tsunade perked right up. "He made breakfast for me this morning, then ran off to play with Itachi. Kids really do have endless energy!"
Jiraiya's mouth twisted with bitterness at her overflowing maternal affection.
"I see..."
Remembering what had happened yesterday, he felt another surge of anger.
"But the kid is still a little too unruly."
"He's just a child."
Tsunade gave him the trademark expression of a villainous parent. "What does a child know? You're old enough—how long are you going to hold a grudge?"
Jiraiya was furious! Why did he suddenly feel like giving that kid a beating?
"You spoil him too much, Tsunade. Your indulgence won't necessarily help him grow in the right direction..."
Jiraiya said gravely, but then he saw Tsunade's dejected expression.
"I know..."
Tsunade sighed, deflating as if all her conviction had drained away.
"I wasn't there for him when he was growing up, and I left him with a bad impression. I have no authority in his eyes."
Jiraiya had never seen Tsunade look like that. The dejection that seemed to seep from deep within her made him feel, for the first time, that she was a helpless, delicate woman.
"He won't even call me 'Mom.' He always just calls me Tsunade, and no matter what I say, he won't change. Around him, I always feel like I'm the child who needs to be taught a lesson..."
Her casual, domestic complaints were astonishing. Was this really the same forthright, bold, decisive Tsunade with a penchant for violence?
Having a child really did change a person.
Jiraiya cleared his throat and muttered, "Maybe I could help you?"
"Forget it, Jiraiya."
The helpless woman immediately folded her arms and looked down at him with a cold smile. Had the old Tsunade returned?
"What can you do? Get led around in circles by my son?"
Jiraiya stared blankly at the woman before him. At that moment, his restless heart finally died.
Tsunade, you've changed! Ever since you got together with Liu Yun, you've become just as mean as he is.
Do you two really enjoy picking on honest people that much?
Jiraiya seethed inwardly. Just then, a low voice suddenly rose from the crowd.
"I think the Land of Lightning's delegation is clearly coming with bad intentions!"
The meeting was nearing its end. The Hokage and the other senior officials had said everything they needed to, and it was now the ninjas' turn to offer their opinions.
As everyone watched, the Uchiha Clan head, Fugaku, lived up to his fearsome reputation. His immense presence bore down on the surrounding clan heads and elite ninjas.
His words carried a powerful menace, and his tone was dark.
"They claim to have come to sign an alliance, but who knows what they're really planning behind the scenes!"
He'd gone straight to a conspiracy theory!
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