Satoru and Uchiha Fugaku's conversation stretched on for what seemed like hours. Outside the study, Sasuke shifted nervously from one foot to the other.
"Second brother, why haven't you come out yet?" he whispered to himself. "Is Father going to punish him too harshly?" He glanced at the closed door and frowned. "Why is there no noise at all?"
Just as his mind raced with concerns, the study door creaked open.
"Hey!" Satoru's voice rang out cheerfully. "Isn't that Sasuke? Eavesdropping, are we?"
Sasuke's face flushed. "What eavesdropping? I-I wasn't doing anything like that!" he stammered.
"Oh, really?" Satoru's smile widened. "Anyway, there's an enchantment on the study, so you wouldn't have heard anything even if you tried."
"Second brother, what were you and Father talking about?" Sasuke asked, his suspicion barely concealed. He noticed the relaxed look on Satoru's face, which didn't match the tense confrontation he had imagined. More baffling was the expression on their father's face as Satoru stepped out—it was softer, almost proud.
Sasuke's brows knit in confusion. *Father? Proud of the second brother skipping training?* It didn't make sense.
As Satoru and Sasuke walked away, Fugaku stood by the window, exhaling deeply. A glimmer of appreciation lingered in his eyes. In Satoru Uchiha, Fugaku saw the wisdom of their ancestor Izuna Uchiha and the determination of Hashirama Senju. Perhaps, just perhaps, this child would become the hope and fallback plan for the Uchiha.
*He is the storm before the calm,* Fugaku thought, *the one who could change the tide.*
---
"Second brother, where are we going?" Sasuke's voice broke the silence as they ventured away from the clan grounds.
"To find Itachi," Satoru replied with a mischievous grin. "Want to join in?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Itachi? Why are we looking for him?"
"That's right," Satoru said, leaning in conspiratorially. "We're going to catch ourselves a live weasel."
"Catch… a live weasel?" Sasuke repeated, his voice tinged with exasperation. *Where does he come up with these things?* Despite himself, Sasuke felt a smile creep onto his face. His second brother's antics were hard to ignore.
As they walked through the village, Satoru's senses pricked with awareness. Someone was tailing them. He'd been too focused on Sasuke and their conversation to notice earlier, but now it was clear.
*Ah, it's Kakashi,* Satoru realized, recognizing the subtle but distinct chakra signature. *Why's he following me?* It didn't take long for Satoru to connect the dots—his encounter with Naruto earlier that day had likely raised eyebrows among the higher-ups. The Third Hokage was known for keeping a watchful eye on the village's Jinchuriki, and an Uchiha interacting with Naruto probably triggered a silent alarm.
*So Kakashi was sent to observe,* he thought, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. *Well, he can watch all he wants.*
"Let's go, my silly brother,"Satoru said, guiding Sasuke toward the vicinity of the Hokage Building. He knew Itachi would pass by on his way back from his mission debrief.
Kakashi watched from a distance, his one visible eye narrowing in suspicion. *What are those two doing near the Hokage Building?*
---
"Second brother, don't be like the eldest brother," Sasuke complained, his voice taking on a sharp edge.
"Why, are you scared of weasels?" Satoru teased, his grin widening.
"Itachi isn't like you at all," Sasuke shot back, his frustration clear. "He's not as annoying as you!"
"Sasuke, you even call him Itachi now," Satoru said with a playful glint in his eyes. "Imagine his face when he hears that!"
"What are you up to?" Sasuke grumbled, crossing his arms and glaring at his second brother. Before he could say more, his expression shifted, softening into reluctant pity.
*Second brother, you're really asking for it,* he thought. *Good luck.*
>>>>>
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