A family of three

Sosuke gave his wife a helpless look, then turned to Genya, his tone serious.

"Xiao Ye, your Taijutsu... how exactly have you been training? And your physical strength..."

He couldn't understand it.

This went far beyond anything that could be called "genius." It was downright monstrous!

Genya had known his father would ask and had already prepared an explanation.

He scratched his head and smiled.

"I just followed the methods you taught me, along with what they teach at school, and practiced a little longer every day... maybe it's because... I'm pretty good at Taijutsu? My chakra control seems to be decent, too..."

Looking at his son's "innocent" eyes and his wife's happy smile, Sosuke couldn't bring himself to press too hard.

Perhaps it really was a miracle born from the combination of Uchiha blood and his son's unparalleled talent?

"It seems I can't afford to slack off anymore, either, or my son will surpass me."

In a rare moment of humor, Sosuke walked over and patted Genya's shoulder, pride in his eyes.

"You did very well, Xiao Ye. But remember, don't grow arrogant or impatient."

"Yes, Father!"

Genya nodded.

Yet in Sosuke Uchiha's heart...

The terrifying strength his son had displayed that day had stirred up a raging storm.

He had a vague feeling that his son's sudden request to spar had been about more than simply showing off his strength.

Genya took the towel his mother handed him and wiped away his sweat.

The warm-up and demonstration were over. Next, he needed to find an opportunity for the conversation he had planned.

After the sparring match

Just as Sosuke Uchiha was about to think it over, his wife, Uchiha Izumi, approached with a smile, linking one arm through her husband's and taking her son's hand with the other.

"All right, all right! Watching you two spar first thing in the morning had my heart pounding, but it also made me so proud!"

Izumi's eyes sparkled as she made a suggestion with almost childlike excitement.

"It's not often you get a day when you don't have to rush straight to the Konoha Military Police Force, Sosuke, and Xiao Ye's on break, too. The weather's lovely, and it's been so long since we all went out together!"

"How about... we take a walk down Shopping Street this afternoon? Then we can have dinner out to celebrate Xiao Ye's excellent end-of-term results, and... well, to celebrate our family having a little monster?"

She winked at Genya.

The unexpected suggestion caught both Genya and Sosuke off guard.

Seeing the anticipation in Izumi's eyes, the gravity in Sosuke's expression softened.

Indeed, as a deputy captain in the Konoha Military Police Force, he was usually swamped with work. Moments like these, devoted entirely to his family, were few and far between.

He needed time to process his son's astonishing growth, but time with his family was just as precious.

"That sounds good."

Sosuke nodded and looked at Genya.

"Xiao Ye, would you like to go?"

Seeing how happy his mother was, Genya felt his heart soften. He set his concerns aside for the moment and nodded with a smile.

"Yes. Let's do what Mother wants."

And so, in the pleasant afternoon sunshine

The Uchiha family of three changed into casual clothes and joined the bustling crowds on Konoha's Shopping Street.

Without their clan-crested clothing creating a barrier, they looked like any ordinary family of three.

Izumi was the most enthusiastic, pulling father and son from shop to shop as she picked out new clothes that fit Genya.

She sampled newly released sweets and even insisted on choosing a neck scarf for the stern Sosuke in a color that matched her own scarf. Sosuke shook his head helplessly, but a faint, indulgent smile curved his lips.

Walking between his parents, Genya listened to his mother's gentle chatter and his father's replies. He watched the bustling crowds on either side of the street and basked in that peace and warmth.

For a little while, that warmth drove away the shadow of the bloody future looming in his mind.

That evening

They chose a quiet family restaurant for dinner.

Izumi thoughtfully served food to her husband and son while telling them amusing stories about the neighbors.

Sosuke said little, his expression relaxed, occasionally offering a few words in response. Whenever his gaze passed over his son, satisfaction and contemplation mingled in his eyes.

Genya played the part of an obedient son, sharing a few harmless, amusing stories from school that made his mother laugh happily.

Only after night had fallen and the streetlights had come on did the three return to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Back at home

After washing up, Genya was about to return to his room to continue his training and thinking when his father, Sosuke Uchiha, stopped him.

"Xiao Ye, come to the study for a moment."

Sosuke spoke steadily, but his gaze held a deeper meaning.

Something stirred in Genya's heart. He knew they were finally getting to the real matter.

He nodded.

"Yes, Father."

Inside the study

Sosuke sat cross-legged on one side of the low table.

Genya sat opposite him, his posture proper.

A pot of freshly brewed tea sat on the low table, giving off a faint fragrance.

Just then, the study door was gently pushed open a crack.

Uchiha Izumi slipped quietly inside, carrying a tray of refreshments.

With a gentle smile on her face, she set the sweets and sliced fruit on the table.

"Talk all you like, but don't just drink tea. Have something to eat."

She had keenly sensed the unusually serious atmosphere in the room.

"Thank you, Mother."

Genya thanked her.

"Mm. You should get some rest soon, too."

Sosuke spoke to his wife in a gentle tone.

Izumi smiled, murmured her agreement, and left the study, gently closing the door behind her.

But she didn't leave right away. Instead, she pressed her ear to the door, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

Both father and son had been acting so mysterious that day. Her husband, in particular, had clearly had something on his mind ever since their sparring match that morning.

As a wife and mother, how could she not care?

Inside the study, the fragrance of tea drifted through the air.

Sosuke Uchiha didn't speak immediately. First, he poured a cup of tea for Genya and one for himself.

The rising steam blurred their expressions.

"Xiao Ye,"

Sosuke began, his voice steady.

"During our sparring match this morning... your strength surprised me greatly. You could even say... it shocked me."

His gaze was piercing as he looked straight into Genya's overly calm black eyes.

"There are no outsiders here, just father and son. Tell me, you didn't suddenly ask to spar today just to show me your progress, did you?"

Outside the door, Izumi held her breath, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.

Genya met his father's gaze, knowing the time had come to reveal part of the truth.

He needed his father's trust, and he also needed to lay the groundwork for potentially deeper conversations to come.

He picked up his teacup and took a small sip, using the moment to collect his thoughts.

"About today's match..."

"I just wanted to find out how far I'd come. I also wanted you to know that your son might... be able to bear more than you think. And that I want to know... more, too."

His words vaguely alluded to the predicament facing their clan, without spelling it out.

Sosuke Uchiha listened in silence, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his teacup.

"Bear... more?"

Sosuke repeated those words, his gaze deep.

"Xiao Ye, what are you referring to?"

Outside the door, Izumi's heart rose further into her throat.

She had a vague feeling that this conversation between father and son might touch upon shadows she didn't want to dwell on, yet which had always loomed over their home.