Under the Setting Sun

Returning from the gloomy, oppressive Uchiha compound to the sun-drenched streets of Konoha felt like crossing between two different worlds. Yet, no sooner had they returned to the village than the children were whisked away by jonin to the Hokage's office, while Sakuya and Lian were rushed to the hospital by a frantic Kakashi.

The unprecedented look of severity on Naruto Uzumaki's face made the warmth of having escaped danger feel distant and hollow for the children.

Inside the office, led by Himawari Uzumaki, Shikano Nara, Chiba Akimichi, Kazamatsuri Yamanaka, and the two other students who had participated in the "expedition" stood in a line, all with their heads bowed like frost-bitten eggplants. Even Chiba, usually the most restless of the bunch, was unnervingly still, his fingers nervously twisting the hem of his shirt.

Naruto leaned his hands against the desk, his body tilted forward. The usual sunshine in his azure eyes had vanished, replaced by a heavy, crushing weight of worry and lingering fear. His gaze swept over the children one by one, his voice low and resonant:

"Do you have any idea what kind of disaster you courted today?"

The children lowered their heads even further.

"The Uchiha compound is a strictly forbidden zone, sealed by village decree! It isn't just because it's abandoned or haunted by so-called 'vengeful spirits'! It's because there may be remnants of something extremely dangerous there—or even, as you saw today, enemies lurking with malicious intent toward the village!" Naruto's tone sharpened. "If it weren't for Sakuya and Lian... do you know what would have happened? You could have died! You could have been captured by the enemy and used to threaten your parents, to threaten the village!"

His words struck the children's hearts like hammers. Himawari's eyes turned red instantly, tears welling up—not just from fear, but from a crushing sense of guilt. Shikano shed his usual lethargy, his expression grave; he understood the stakes better than the others.

"I'm sorry, Lord Hokage... Dad..." Himawari's voice was choked with sobs. "We... we really know we were wrong..."

"Where were you wrong?" Naruto pressed, his tone brooking no evasion.

"We... shouldn't have broken the rules to go to a dangerous place..." Chiba whispered. "We shouldn't have... let our curiosity outweigh our caution..." added Kazamatsuri. "We shouldn't have... ignored Sakuya when he tried to stop us..." Shikano sighed, hitting the most critical point.

Seeing the children's genuine remorse, especially the sight of his daughter's tear-streaked face, Naruto's anger dissipated, replaced by heartache and lingering dread. He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and softened his tone, though he remained stern:

"This incident is extremely serious. But considering you didn't cause a worse outcome in the end, and... it seems you've learned a sufficient lesson," he glanced pointedly at the dust still clinging to their clothes and the simple bandage on Lian's arm, "the punishment is: a five-thousand-word reflection paper from each of you, detailing your mistakes today and your plan for improvement. Furthermore, all rewards for your D-rank missions for the next three months will be halved! Any objections?"

"No!" the children replied in unison, feeling as if they had been granted a reprieve. The punishment was severe, but far lighter than they had feared.

"Alright, everyone except Himawari, go back. Reflect on this properly!" Naruto waved his hand.

The other children bowed respectfully and filed out, leaving only Naruto and Himawari in the office.

Naruto walked over to his daughter, crouched down, and wiped the tears from her face, his voice turning incredibly gentle: "You were terrified, weren't you, Himawari?"

"Mm..." Himawari buried her face in her father's chest and sobbed quietly. "I'm sorry, Dad... I really know I was wrong... Sakuya and Lian were hurt protecting us..."

"Yes, Dad knows." Naruto gently patted his daughter's back, his eyes complex. "That is why we must remember this lesson—we cannot let those who care about us fall into danger again, okay?"

"Mm!" Himawari nodded vigorously.

Elsewhere, at the training ground.

Kakashi Sakuya followed Kakashi to a secluded, empty training field. The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.

Kakashi didn't speak immediately, merely leaning lazily against a training post, watching the sun sink into the horizon. Sakuya stood quietly behind him, waiting. He knew the real "lecture" was only just beginning.

After a long silence, Kakashi spoke slowly, his voice devoid of emotion: "I heard you awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan today."

"...Yes," Sakuya replied in a low voice.

"To protect your comrades?" "...Yes."

"Very good." Kakashi's assessment made Sakuya pause. "The Sharingan awakens through intense emotion, and the will to protect is one of the strongest catalysts for it. In that, you did right."

But then, Kakashi's tone shifted, becoming profound: "However, Sakuya, you exposed it. In front of the remnants of 'Root,' and in front of so many classmates."

Sakuya remained silent; he knew this was an undeniable fact.

"Tell me, if there hadn't been three of them today, but five, or even ten 'Root' members, what would you have done?" Kakashi turned around, his single eye watching him calmly, yet carrying immense pressure. "If there had been a ninja skilled in sealing jutsu among them, and they had subdued you and Lian after you were exhausted, what would you have done?"

"If the news that 'an Uchiha survivor is alive and possesses the Sharingan' had leaked through other channels, and it wasn't just the remnants of 'Root' that came, but other Great Nations or even the remnants of the Akatsuki, what would you have done then?"

Every one of Kakashi's questions struck Sakuya's heart like a heavy hammer. At the time, he had only thought of repelling the enemy and protecting his friends; he hadn't had the capacity to consider these far-reaching consequences. Now, as Kakashi pointed them out, he felt a wave of dread, cold sweat soaking his back.

"Strength and resolve are important, Sakuya." Kakashi's voice softened slightly. "But a ninja cannot rely solely on power and momentary courage. You need something more powerful than strength—restraint, judgment, reason... and the wisdom to protect yourself and what you hold dear even in desperate straits. Even as an Uchiha, you cannot rely only on extreme emotional fluctuations and the power they bring. That will only lead you into an abyss from which there is no return. You must learn to stay calm, rather than succumb to impotent rage."

"Starting tomorrow, your training will change." Kakashi made his decision. "I will teach you some... more covert things. How to control your Sharingan, how to hide it when it isn't necessary, how to strike once and vanish a thousand miles away, and, if you are forced to expose it, how to ensure the secret doesn't leak."

There was a cold edge to his words—the realization of a ninja who had lived through a truly dark era.

"What you need to learn is no longer just how to defeat an enemy." Kakashi's gaze became razor-sharp. "It is how to survive in a crisis-ridden environment and keep your secrets safe. That is the most important power for you and Lian."

Sakuya looked up, meeting Kakashi's gaze. He saw the weight and the expectation there. He understood that today's incident was not just an accident, but a turning point. He could no longer be just a talented rookie; he had to grow, and quickly, into a ninja capable of facing true darkness.

Taking a deep breath, a flash of resolve crossed his dark purple eyes, and he nodded solemnly:

"Yes! I understand, Kakashi-sensei!"