Demanding a Person

The Uchiha Residence. A woman in casual clothes knelt before a tea set, her simple bun letting her hair fall onto her chest.

At this moment, the woman was bowing, slowly and deliberately preparing tea for the cup in front of her. The dark green tea water emitted vibrant steam, and a refreshing tea aroma filled the air.

This person was Sora Uchiha's Mother, Riya Uchiha. Riya's original name was Riya Kazematsuri. She hailed from the Kazematsuri Clan, known for their wind release jutsu. After marrying Momosuke, she changed her name to Riya Uchiha. She was an elegant and virtuous woman.

"Mother, your tea really is the most fragrant," Sora Uchiha took a sip of the tea and sighed. "Compared to Father, what you make is tea. Father's is just water with tea leaves thrown in."

"What are you talking about, you brat?" Momosuke widened his eyes across from him, his tone displeased, looking as if he were about to argue with Sora Uchiha.

Sora Uchiha pouted, leaving unspoken his agreement.

"Alright, don't upset your Father," Riya chided gently, not actually angry.

"So green." Shisui stuck out his tongue, looking troubled. "I really don't know how you guys like drinking this stuff."

They all looked at each other and smiled.

"Shisui, we're not tasting tea, we're tasting life," Sora Uchiha patted the curly-haired boy's head with a serious expression.

"Brother is only twelve, what kind of life does he have to taste?" Shisui retorted, then put down his cup. "I'm not drinking anymore, I'm going to train."

Saying this, he crossed his legs and ran out into the courtyard.

Before long, the sounds of shuriken and kunai colliding could be heard...

A family, living in harmony.

Sora Uchiha felt very happy. This kind of peaceful life was good. He hoped that in his old age, he could enjoy the joy of family.

Momosuke sat cross-legged, sipping his tea with a very proper posture, faintly exuding the demeanor of a Grandmaster. Unlike Sora Uchiha's scholarly appearance, Momosuke was very burly. His height of nearly 1.9 meters made him look very imposing.

Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes and spoke calmly.

"Sora, we have a visitor. Go greet them."

Sora Uchiha was stunned. His 'cheap' father was very strong, at least stronger than him, so his senses were sharper than his.

Nodding, he got up, casually threw on a jacket, and walked out.

Pushing open the large door, he indeed saw two figures walking towards him on the main road ahead. The person in front was wearing bandages on his right eye and arm. He exuded an imposing aura without being angry, clearly someone who had held a high position for a long time.

Sora Uchiha narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Danzo?"

He was a little surprised. He had originally thought his father meant someone from the Anbu, but he hadn't expected it to be someone from Root, and the leader of Root himself.

Suddenly, he smelled an unusual scent.

He then turned and called out to Shisui, "Shisui, go practice in the backyard."

"Huh? Okay." Shisui nodded with a bit of a dazed look, then picked up his ninja tools and headed to the backyard.

The tenderness in Sora Uchiha's eyes slowly disappeared. In the future, Shisui's eye would be taken by Danzo. Since he was here, he naturally wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.

He then adjusted his expression, put on a standard smile, just as Danzo and Ryoma arrived at the entrance.

He bowed slightly, extended his hand, and made a "please" gesture.

"Jonin Danzo, my father has been waiting for you for a long time."

Danzo paused, his gaze falling on the small figure before him, his eyes deep.

"You are Sora Uchiha?"

Sora Uchiha looked "surprised." "Jonin Danzo knows me?"

"I've heard a little," Danzo said calmly, then stepped into the courtyard. Ryoma Aburame pushed up his sunglasses, revealing a friendly smile.

Sora Uchiha didn't recognize this person, but seeing his "trendy" attire, he knew he was from the Aburame Clan.

The Aburame Clan's characteristics were obvious: masters of insects and extremely high combat intelligence.

Sora Uchiha silently memorized the man's appearance, planning to investigate him later. It was clear this person was Danzo's confidant, and he had to take him seriously.

"Father, I've brought them," Sora Uchiha knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Sora Uchiha opened the door, gestured for them to enter, and was about to close it and leave.

Unexpectedly, Danzo spoke at that moment, "Little friend, you stay too."

Seeing his yellowed teeth, Sora Uchiha nodded, then found a spot and sat down cross-legged.

"Assistant Danzo, it is my honor that you would condescend to visit my humble abode," Momosuke said with a smile, then Riya poured tea for Danzo and Ryoma.

Danzo's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. He had many titles, and "Hokage's Assistant" was considered the lowest. Momosuke addressing him as "Assistant" right off the bat clearly indicated he was intentionally lowering his status.

What a cunning old fox, he cursed inwardly.

However, he showed no displeasure on the surface and said with a smile, "Coming without notice was my oversight. I hope you won't blame me."

"Not at all..."

The two exchanged pleasantries, Sora Uchiha beside them couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Is this what they call going through the motions?

He wasn't interested in such pleasantries. Though his body was present, his mind had long since wandered off.

However, Ryoma Aburame's expression remained unchanged. Clearly, he was also an old hand at this.

While Momosuke and Danzo were occupied, he quietly observed Sora Uchiha.

Hmm, outstanding appearance, refined and proper features, exuding a unique aura from within, possessing a maturity beyond his years, and his eyes hold a fitting sense of world-weariness.

This child... is extraordinary.

This was his first impression.

Some people, from birth, you could sense their exceptional nature. Even standing in a crowd doing nothing, others would immediately recognize them as gold among sand.

Clearly, in Ryoma Aburame's eyes, Sora Uchiha was one such person.

If Sora Uchiha knew what he was thinking, he would have cursed him as an idiot.

Time slowly passed, and the pleasantries were nearly concluded.

Danzo smiled, revealing his fangs.

"Patriarch Momosuke, actually, my visit today is not merely a social call. I have a request."

Sora Uchiha snapped back to attention and slowly sat up straight, thinking, This bastard is finally getting to the point.

Momosuke's smile remained unchanged. "Assistant Danzo, please speak. I will do my best within my capabilities."

Danzo sighed with a serious expression. "As you know, Konoha is currently under attack from all sides, and many elites have fallen. Now... we are short-handed."

"Indeed. A few days ago, I heard some Jonin died."

"Yes, therefore, Konoha is in dire need of talent. That is why I am here today."

Momosuke fell into thought, his fingers unconsciously stroking his chin.

Danzo did not rush, quietly waiting.

After a long while, Momosuke seemed to have finally made up his mind.

"My lineage does indeed have several talented individuals. Assistant Danzo, feel free to take whomever you fancy."

As he spoke, he introduced several well-known Uchiha clansmen.

Danzo listened silently as Momosuke introduced each "talent" without interrupting. Once he finished, Danzo gently shook his head. "Patriarch Momosuke, the individuals you mentioned are indeed talented, but... it's not enough."

He stared directly at Momosuke and slowly spoke, "What I want are geniuses among geniuses, prodigies, individuals who can become the foundation of Konoha."

Momosuke slowly let go of his smile and calmly looked at Danzo.

"Then I am truly sorry. My lineage currently does not have the kind of prodigies you speak of. Perhaps... Patriarch Fugaku might have someone. Why don't you... go and see him?"

Danzo shook his head. "Patriarch Momosuke, do not be so self-deprecating. You have such a prodigy, and moreover, he is right here."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Sora Uchiha.

"I have taken an interest in him."