Someone Important

At the Uchiha Residence, a woman in home clothes sat kneeling before a tea set, her simply tied hair falling over her chest.

At that moment, the woman bent over and leisurely brewed tea into the cup before her. The deep green tea released vibrant steam, and the air was filled with an invigorating fragrance.

This person was Sora Uchiha's mother, Riya Uchiha. Riya's original name was Riya Kazemarturi. She came from the Kazematsuri Clan, which excelled at Wind Release. After marrying Momosuke, she had changed her name to Riya Uchiha. She was an elegant and virtuous woman.

"Mother, your tea really does smell the best."

Sora Uchiha took a sip of tea and sighed with feeling. "Compared to Father, what you make is actually tea. What Father makes is just water with tea leaves dumped into it."

"You brat, what did you say?" Across from him, Momosuke widened his eyes, clearly displeased. He looked as though he wanted to argue the point with Sora Uchiha.

Sora Uchiha curled his lips without saying anything, making his meaning clear.

"All right, don't upset your father." Riya reproached him lightly, though she was not angry.

"So bitter." Shisui stuck out his tongue, his face full of distress. "I really don't know how you people enjoy drinking this stuff."

Everyone looked at one another and laughed.

"Shisui, what we're savoring isn't tea, but life." Sora Uchiha patted the curly-haired boy and spoke with a solemn expression.

"Big Brother is only twelve. What life do you have to savor?" Shisui retorted. He then put down his cup. "I'm not drinking anymore. I'm going to train."

As he spoke, he tucked his legs up and ran into the courtyard.

Before long, the clattering sound of Shuriken and Kunai colliding could be heard from outside...

The family was filled with warmth and happiness.

Sora Uchiha was in an excellent mood. This kind of uneventful life was wonderful. He hoped that when he grew old, he could enjoy the happiness of a family surrounded by his descendants.

Momosuke sat cross-legged with his head resting on one hand, his tea-drinking posture extremely proper, faintly bearing the air of a grandmaster. Unlike Sora Uchiha's scholarly appearance, Momosuke was a massive man. Standing a full six feet three inches tall, he gave off an imposing presence.

Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes and spoke calmly.

"Sora, we have guests. Go and receive them."

Sora Uchiha froze. His adoptive father was very strong, at least stronger than him, and therefore possessed sharper senses.

He nodded, rose, casually threw on a coat, and walked outside.

When he pushed open the gate, he indeed saw two figures approaching along the road ahead. The man in front had bandages wrapped around his right eye and arm. He naturally radiated authority, clearly someone who had occupied a high position for many years.

Sora Uchiha narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Danzo?"

He was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought his father was referring to someone from the Anbu, but he had not expected the Root—and not just any member of it, but the Root Leader himself.

Suddenly, he caught a trace of something unusual.

He immediately turned and shouted toward Shisui, "Shisui, go practice in the backyard."

"Huh? Okay." Shisui nodded adorably, then picked up his Ninja Tools and headed for the backyard.

The tenderness in Sora Uchiha's eyes slowly disappeared. In the future, Shisui would have his eye gouged out by Danzo. Now that Danzo had come, Sora naturally would not allow that to happen.

He adjusted his expression and put on a standard smile. By then, Danzo and Ryoma had also arrived at the gate.

He bowed slightly, extended a hand, and made an inviting gesture.

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

Danzo paused, his gaze settling on the small boy before him. His eyes were deep and inscrutable.

"You're Sora Uchiha?"

Sora Uchiha put on an expression of "surprise." "Jonin Danzo knows me?"

"I've heard a little about you," Danzo said indifferently. He then stepped into the courtyard. Beside him, Ryoma Aburame pushed up his Sunglasses and revealed a kindly smile.

Sora Uchiha did not know the man, but judging by his "fashionable" outfit, he could tell that he was from the Aburame Clan.

The Aburame Clan's characteristics were obvious: they were masters at controlling insects, and possessed exceptionally high combat intelligence.

Sora Uchiha silently memorized the man's appearance, planning to investigate him later. It was obvious that this man was Danzo's trusted subordinate, so he could not afford to overlook him.

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

"Come in."

Sora Uchiha pulled open the door and gestured for the two men to enter, then prepared to close it and leave.

Unexpectedly, Danzo suddenly spoke. "Young man, you should stay too."

Looking at his yellowing teeth, Sora Uchiha nodded and found a place to sit cross-legged.

"Assistant Danzo, it's an honor that you've taken the trouble to visit my humble home." Momosuke smiled at him. Riya then poured tea for Danzo and Ryoma.

Danzo's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He had many titles, and Hokage's Assistant was actually one of the lowest among them. Yet Momosuke had addressed him as Assistant the moment he opened his mouth, clearly intending to lower his status.

What an old fox, he cursed inwardly.

On the surface, however, he showed no displeasure and smiled as he spoke. "It was discourteous of me to come without giving notice. I hope you won't take offense."

"Not at all..."

The two men exchanged pleasantries.

Beside them, Sora Uchiha could not help rolling his eyes.

Is this what they call going through the motions?

He had no interest in such polite chatter. On the surface, he was still present, but his soul had already flown off somewhere else.

Ryoma Aburame, however, maintained his usual expression. Clearly, he was an old hand at this as well.

While Momosuke and Danzo continued their exchange, he quietly sized up Sora Uchiha.

Hmm. Striking appearance, refined and well-proportioned features, and a unique air that radiates from within. He carries a maturity that does not belong to his age, along with just the right amount of world-weariness in his eyes.

This child... is extraordinary.

That was his first impression.

Some people seemed different from the moment they were born. Even if they did nothing but stand in a crowd, others could immediately tell that they were gold among the sand.

Clearly, in Ryoma Aburame's eyes, Sora Uchiha was one of those people.

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

Time slowly passed, and the pleasantries had nearly run their course.

Danzo smiled and revealed his fangs.

"Patriarch Momosuke, I didn't come merely to pay a visit. I also have a request."

Sora Uchiha came back to himself and slowly straightened his posture. This bastard is finally getting to the point.

Momosuke's smile did not change. "Assistant Danzo, please speak. If it's within my capabilities, I'll do my best."

Danzo sighed solemnly. "You know that Konoha is currently beset by enemies on all sides. Many elite shinobi have fallen to the enemy. Now... we're short-handed."

"Indeed. A few days ago, I heard that a Jonin had died."

"Yes. So Konoha is desperately short of talent. That is why I've come."

Momosuke fell into thought, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together.

Danzo was in no hurry. He simply waited in silence.

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

"My branch does indeed have several talented people. Assistant, take whichever one catches your eye."

As he spoke, he listed several Uchiha clansmen of some renown.

Danzo listened silently as he introduced each of these "talents," without interrupting Momosuke. Only after the latter had finished did Danzo speak.

He shook his head slightly. "Patriarch Momosuke, the people you mentioned are indeed talented, but... they aren't enough."

He stared straight at Momosuke and slowly continued. "What I want is the most talented among geniuses—a prodigy capable of becoming one of Konoha's foundations."

Momosuke slowly withdrew his smile and looked calmly at Danzo.

"Then I'm afraid I must apologize. At present, my branch has no one who qualifies as the prodigy you described. Perhaps Patriarch Fugaku has someone. Why don't you go and take a look?"

Danzo shook his head. "Patriarch Momosuke, don't sell yourself short. You do have such a prodigy, and he's right in front of you."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Sora Uchiha.

"I've taken a liking to him."