---
Another half month had passed.
Somewhere in the world, there was a massive cave.
This cave had been artificially modified and turned into a vast underground base.
The most noticeable feature here was a gigantic lotus flower at the center.
Inside the lotus, a strange-looking creature sat cross-legged.
Its body was covered with jagged, branch-like protrusions, and its head bore nine closed eyes.
"It's been a month, and there's still no sign of him?" A deep voice echoed through the cave.
In front of the creature stood a masked man. Half of Zetsu's body, wrapped in a giant pitcher plant, emerged from the ground.
"I've thoroughly investigated the Uchiha clan members who might have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but everything seems normal. I haven't found anything unusual," Black Zetsu reported, his tone laced with frustration. In his vast experience, this was unheard of.
"Given the current state of Konoha, even if someone had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, they wouldn't reveal it so easily," the masked man replied, his voice calm but calculating.
The Mangekyō Sharingan's appearance was difficult to detect unless its wielder activated it, making it hard to track—unless, of course, the person was already known.
"No matter who it is," the masked man's voice grew cold, "I won't allow them to stand in my way."
"Let's focus on strengthening our forces for now," he added. "Not only did the attack fall short of expectations, but it also caused more problems than anticipated."
Black Zetsu snorted disdainfully. To him, the spies sent by the Five Great Nations were weaklings, incapable of posing a real threat.
However, he knew the masked man well enough to understand that the battle with the Fourth Hokage had left its mark on him. Before that, he had believed he had surpassed his former teacher.
Their grand plan was still in the preparatory stages. It was far too soon to openly oppose Konoha—or the Five Great Nations, for that matter.
---
A month had passed since the reconstruction began, and half of Konoha's destroyed buildings had been restored. The ninja academy was also about to reopen.
In Itachi's hospital room…
"It's ready."
Shizune carefully removed the IV needle from Itachi's arm.
Itachi, who had been in a coma, relied on the special medications Tsunade prepared daily to sustain his body's energy.
"Thank you," Izumi said, bowing to Shizune. Mikoto had gone home to prepare dinner, leaving Izumi to watch over Itachi for now.
"No need to thank me," Shizune responded with a gentle smile.
Tsunade, leaning against the open doorframe with her arms crossed, spoke, "Shizune, starting tomorrow, you'll be responsible for taking care of Itachi."
"Yes!" Shizune nodded, then glanced at Izumi, who was gazing at Itachi with concern.
Shizune chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Izumi. Lady Mikoto and I will take good care of him. You should focus on returning to the academy."
The ninja academy had resumed classes, so Izumi had to go back to her studies.
"Alright," Izumi smiled at Shizune. Over the past few weeks, the two had grown close.
Tsunade, who was still by the door, turned her attention to a familiar figure approaching.
"You're here," she said.
Minato Namikaze walked in with a warm smile. "Lady Tsunade."
"How is he?" Minato asked, glancing at Itachi before meeting Tsunade's eyes.
Tsunade replied. "The medicine I've prepared is helping to not only maintain his body but also gradually improve his physical condition over time."
With a more serious tone, she added, "But I have to ask—why are you so concerned about this boy? It can't just be because of your friendship with Uchiha Mikoto."
Minato's expression turned thoughtful. "I'm hoping to change certain long-standing dynamics in the village. When that time comes, I'll need someone to serve as a bridge between the higher-ups in the village and the Uchiha clan."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow but didn't seem surprised. "I see. Well, good luck."
She waved her hand dismissively and looked over at Shizune. "Come on, Shizune, let's go."
"Right." Shizune nodded, turning to Izumi. "Take care, Izumi."
As they left, Shizune nodded respectfully to Minato and followed Tsunade to continue her medical training.
---
The next day, the academy resumed classes.
The atmosphere in the classroom was heavy. Gone were the days of carefree laughter—now, a somber mood filled the room.
Not only was Itachi in a coma, but two students from their class had died during the masked man's attack on Konoha.
These children, who had previously known little of what it meant to be a ninja, were beginning to understand the harsh reality of their path.
Takashi, their instructor, entered the room with a textbook in hand.
Looking at the solemn faces of the students, he didn't know what to say.
He sighed. "Alright, let's begin the lesson."
Suddenly, Kimura Yuki, a boy sitting in front of where Itachi and Izumi usually sat, stood up.
With determination burning in his eyes, Yuki bowed deeply to Takashi on the podium.
"Sensei, please teach me strong ninjutsu. I want to become powerful enough to protect the village, my family, and my friends. I don't want anyone else to get hurt!"
Yuki's mother had died in the attack a month ago.
His words sparked a chain reaction. All the other students stood up, their faces filled with resolve.
"We're counting on you, Takashi-sensei!" they shouted in unison.
Some of the children had tears in their eyes, but they refused to cry. After that night, they understood that only by becoming stronger could they prevent such tragedies from happening again.
"I'll do my best!" Takashi, standing at the podium, was moved by the students' determination. He bowed deeply in return.
Izumi, sitting among them, felt a surge of emotion as she looked at the empty seat next to her.
"Itachi," she whispered to herself, "when you wake up, let's protect the village, our families, and our friends together. I won't let you face danger alone ever again!"
---
Two years quietly passed by...
---
The training ground at the Academy.
The afternoon class focused on shuriken throwing and taijutsu sparring.
A black-haired girl slowly walked into the field, holding several wooden shurikens in her right hand.
All eyes turned toward her.
"Begin!" Takashi called out.
*Shhhh!*
As soon as he finished speaking, several wooden shurikens flew through the air, landing perfectly on the target about ten meters away, each one dead center.
Cheers erupted from the students.
In the windows of the academy, students from other grades watched the training ground with curiosity.
"That girl is pretty amazing," one boy said, awe in his voice as he gazed at the black-haired girl.
"Of course," another boy in red replied, "didn't you notice the crest on her clothes?"
"The Uchiha clan... no wonder."
"What's her name?"
The first boy looked at his friend, who was known for being the most informed in their grade.
"Izumi Uchiha. She's been top of her class ever since she entered the academy. No one else even comes close," the boy in red replied with a grin.
"She's incredible, but it's kinda embarrassing for the boys that a girl is stronger than them," the first boy commented.
"Embarrassing? To be honest, there aren't many in our grade—even those about to graduate—who are stronger than Izumi Uchiha. The name 'Uchiha' carries weight for a reason," the red-clothed boy replied, frowning. "Actually, when we first started, there was one boy who could match her... but he got caught up in that incident two years ago and hasn't been seen since."
"He'll be back!"
On the training ground, Izumi's usually calm and gentle face hardened slightly. She'd overheard the conversation.
"Sorry!"
The two boys, realizing their mistake, immediately apologized under Izumi's sharp gaze.
Their nervous apologies caused a ripple of laughter among the other students.
Izumi eventually looked away, her frown fading slightly. But her thoughts were still distracted—until someone called her name.
"Next match: Yuki Kimura vs. Izumi Uchiha!"
"Izumi, it's your turn!" a girl nudged her gently, snapping her out of her reverie.
The shuriken throwing lesson was over; now it was time for taijutsu sparring.
"Thanks."
Izumi nodded at her friend, lightly jumping into the center of the field.
"This girl's shuriken skills are impressive, but she's an Uchiha. Taijutsu is another story," a proud-looking boy commented from the windowsill, observing Izumi's performance.
He was one of the top students in the senior class, someone who prided himself on his own shuriken skills, which Izumi had just matched—or even surpassed.
"They sure have a lot of time to spare," Yuki Kimura said, glancing at the spectators before turning back to Izumi. "But as a guy, I'm not planning to lose easily to you, Izumi..."
Though he knew he probably couldn't win, his eyes blazed with determination.
"Taijutsu sparring, begin!" Takashi's voice rang out.
*Swish!*
In the blink of an eye, Izumi's figure blurred, disappearing from view. She reappeared in front of Yuki, who hadn't fully processed what had happened.
Even so, his taijutsu instincts kicked in, and he counterattacked on reflex.
*Boom!*
The two figures clashed briefly, but it wasn't long before Izumi had her hand in a sword-like position at Yuki's neck.
"I-I yield!" Yuki chuckled sheepishly.
Izumi immediately withdrew her hand, smiling kindly at him.
"No matter how hard we try, it feels like we're no match for you," Yuki sighed. "If Itachi were here, he'd be the only one who could spar with you."
At the mention of Itachi, Izumi's expression softened, sadness creeping into her eyes.
"Ah, sorry!" Yuki quickly apologized, realizing his slip of the tongue.
"It's okay." Izumi smiled gently. "But you're wrong about one thing..."
"If he were here, Itachi would've already graduated from the Academy and become a real ninja by now."
"Really?" Yuki was stunned. He knew Izumi and Itachi were close, but to say something like that...
Back when Itachi was in the Academy, his grades were exceptional. Graduating in just two years was a feat only two people in Academy history had achieved.
---
The sun was setting, and the Academy day was coming to a close.
"Alright, class dismissed! See you all tomorrow!" Takashi called out cheerfully.
As soon as he turned his back, a figure jumped out of the classroom window.
"She's headed to the hospital again," a girl at a nearby desk murmured, watching Izumi rush off.
---
At Konoha Hospital, inside a quiet ward...
Mikoto Uchiha had left earlier to prepare dinner, and Kushina Uzumaki had brought Naruto to visit Itachi.
"Mom's leaving for a bit, Naruto. Be nice to Sasuke, okay? No fighting!" Kushina instructed before leaving the room.
As soon as she was gone, Naruto's blue eyes wandered over to Sasuke, who was sitting on the other bed.
Both boys were just over two years old, old enough to walk and talk, but their relationship hadn't been the most peaceful from the start.
"Idiot, what are you staring at?" Sasuke scowled at Naruto.
"I'm looking at an even bigger idiot," Naruto shot back, clearly unimpressed.
As he spoke, he naturally assumed a defensive stance.
Sasuke leapt off his bed, glaring at Naruto. "Looks like you want to fight again."
Naruto shook his head, raising his fists. "It's not a fight—I'm going to beat you this time!"
"These two little troublemakers..." Izumi, who had just arrived at the door, smiled helplessly, ready to intervene.
But before she could, a voice—one that had been silent for two years—spoke from the bed.
"You two didn't listen to Aunt Kushina at all..."
---