Sasuke! Look, there's a plane in the sky!

After dinner, Liuli gently knocked on Sasuke's door, then pushed it open and stepped inside.

Sasuke was sitting quietly by the window, gazing at the sky as it gradually darkened, lost in thought.

Liuli walked over to him and said softly, "Sasuke, you should go to bed early. Your big sister will take you to school tomorrow. Don't sneak off to train or wear yourself out tonight. Your body is your greatest asset, so you need to rest properly if you want to grow stronger."

Sasuke turned to look at Liuli, a determined glint in his eyes.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Sis, I know you mean well, but I have my own goals and ambitions. I can't stop! I have to get stronger!"

Hearing him, Liuli sighed helplessly.

She thought to herself that he'd already said "I have to get a little stronger" several times today.

Sasuke was just too stubborn. He'd spent the whole day training nonstop and had even learned to cook. What a well-rounded little guy.

Liuli could see how exhausted he looked. She knew he was already worn out, but he still refused to stop and rest.

So she came up with a little trick to help Sasuke relax and get him to go to bed without a fuss.

"Look, Sasuke, there's a plane outside!" Liuli suddenly pointed out the window, her face lighting up with excitement.

At her words, Sasuke curiously raised his head and looked in the direction his sister was pointing.

But he didn't see any plane, only a dark sky and a few twinkling stars.

"Huh? Where? How come I can't see it?" Sasuke asked in confusion, glancing around as he tried to spot the plane Liuli had mentioned. Outside the window was nothing but the vast night sky. The stars scattered across it looked like sugar sprinkled haphazardly over a dark canvas, but there wasn't a plane in sight.

While Sasuke wasn't paying attention, Liuli quickly reached out and gently tapped the back of his head.

She hadn't hit him very hard. She just wanted to make him a little dizzy so he'd go to bed like a good boy.

"Ow!" After Liuli gently tapped the back of his head, Sasuke immediately lost his balance and lurched forward.

He tried to steady himself, but his exhausted body wouldn't cooperate. In the end, he couldn't fight off the wave of drowsiness and collapsed onto the soft bedding.

He was only a little kid, after all. It really was pretty easy to take him down.

Liuli watched Sasuke's face as he quickly fell asleep, nodded with satisfaction, tucked him in, and left the room.

The Hokage Building stood firm and imposing at the center of Konohagakure, the heart of the village's power. Its walls had weathered countless storms, their mottled appearance only adding to their sense of history.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his expression grave and his gaze deep.

The pipe in his hand occasionally let out a wisp of smoke that drifted slowly upward before fading away, like his unfathomable thoughts.

"Go and bring Uchiha Ruri here," the Third Hokage ordered curtly, his voice authoritative.

The order echoed through the building, as if it had set the nerves of all Konoha on edge.

A figure hurried into action, striding down the corridor as footsteps echoed through the empty building.

One of the Anbu's nameless extras had received an urgent order from the Hokage Building and immediately set out.

He moved swiftly through the streets of Konohagakure, heading for the Uchiha Residence.

When he arrived nearby, he was surprised to find Uchiha Ruri apparently waiting at the entrance.

Ruri wore the traditional kimono of her clan. She stood quietly at the gate, her gaze deep and resolute.

Her presence surprised the Anbu extra, but also came as a relief—at least he wouldn't have to search high and low for Ruri.

Ruri showed little surprise at the Anbu member's arrival.

"Miss Ruri, Lord Hokage wants to see you."

The Anbu member's voice echoed at the entrance to the Uchiha Residence, breaking the silence.

Standing at the gate, Ruri turned her head slightly and fixed her Sharingan, with its tomoe, on the newcomer.

After confirming his identity and purpose, she gave a light nod to show she understood.

"All right, I understand. I'll head over right away." Ruri's voice was somewhat cool.

Then she turned and went inside, preparing to leave for the Hokage Building at once.

Seeing this, the Anbu member couldn't help but breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

He'd been worried Ruri might refuse to go. After all, relations between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha High Command had always been complicated.

The Uchiha Clan had only recently been wiped out, but Ruri didn't seem especially troubled by the request. That surprised him and earned her a little more of his respect.

Ruri hurried through the corridors and courtyards of the Uchiha Residence and returned to the gate.

She said nothing, merely gesturing for the Anbu member to lead the way.

The two walked one behind the other through the streets of Konohagakure, hurrying toward the Hokage Building.

On the way, Ruri began wondering whether what she planned to say—and the answers she might give—would measure up to the Will of Fire.

She knew the Will of Fire was the core value of Konohagakure, a belief the village had upheld ever since its founding.

Like a blazing flame, that belief lit the way for every shinobi and guided them forward.

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, she had even more reason to set an example and live by the Will of Fire.

But as one of the Uchiha Clan's survivors after the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, wasn't it a little ridiculous for her to uphold the Will of Fire?

At the same time, she began thinking about how she should act when she faced the Third Hokage.

She knew the Third Hokage was a figure of great authority and wisdom, the leader and spiritual pillar of all Konohagakure.

Facing someone like him, she would have to remain sufficiently humble and respectful, without a trace of arrogance or carelessness.

She recalled the Third Hokage's appearance in the original story: the kindly old man who was always smiling, and the hero who always stepped forward at critical moments to shelter the village from harm.

Before long, Ruri and the nameless Anbu member were standing outside the Third Hokage's office.

The door was shut, yet an aura of authority and mystery seemed to emanate from it.

Ruri took a deep breath, ready to face the brainwashing that awaited her!

The Anbu extra stepped forward and knocked softly. The Third Hokage's steady voice came from inside. "Come in."

The door swung open, and a cool draft drifted out, as if setting the scene for their arrival.

Ruri and the Anbu member entered the office one after the other, their eyes settling on the Third Hokage behind his desk.

The supreme leader of Konohagakure was waiting for them, his gaze deep and piercing, as though he could see right through anyone.

"Uchiha Ruri, you're here," the Third Hokage said with a smile, his voice warm.

He gestured toward the chair beside him, inviting Ruri to sit. She nodded respectfully and took the seat.

The nameless Anbu member then hurried out, knowing this wasn't a conversation he was supposed to be part of.