After the meeting, the clan members left in twos and threes. They were no longer discussing internal disputes, but the university, teacher qualification assessments, the West District project, and that heavy, gleaming plaque.
Uchiha Sora deliberately slowed his pace and waited until the crowd had thinned before walking toward his father, Yusuke, who still seemed lost in thought where he stood.
Uchiha Gen quietly walked up to his elder brother Kagami and said in a low voice, "Brother, today was a success."
Kagami looked at his younger brother. His eyes held weariness, but also a glimmer of relief. He gently patted Gen on the shoulder.
After weathering internal storms and fog, the Uchiha ship finally seemed to have clearly spotted the distant lighthouse. It began adjusting its sails, preparing to head for a broader sea—one that needed their sharp edge even more.
In Jiraiya's apartment, the piercing alarm rang punctually at dawn as usual.
"Beep beep beep—!!!"
A Haku figure suddenly sprang out of the blankets.
"Waaah! I'm going to be late! I'm going to be late for Ninja Academy morning training! Hellish punishment is waiting for me!!"
Jiraiya scrambled out of bed. Before his eyes had even fully opened, he began dressing himself by muscle memory, muttering under his breath:
"Forehead protector, forehead protector... ninja tool pouch... Is first period theory class or combat class today?!"
After a frantic scramble, he finally managed to make himself look somewhat presentable. He grabbed a cold rice ball and was about to rush out.
Just as his foot was about to cross the threshold, some string in his mind went "ding" and snapped into place.
He abruptly stopped, slowly turned around, and looked at the wall—where his Ninja Academy uniform and schoolbag had once hung, there were now casual clothes and a