The group, led by Satoru and Sasuke, arrived at a secluded spot in the back mountain of Konoha.
"Why are we talking here?" Sasuke asked, his gaze shifting between Satoru and the two peculiar companions standing nearby. His eyes lingered momentarily on Ghost Lantern Hozuki and Bai, before returning to his second brother.
The fan-shaped Uchiha emblem on Sasuke's back glimmered in the sunlight as he stood there, burning with questions.
There were so many things he wanted answers to—things only his second brother could explain. But the two strangers accompanying Satoru felt like obstacles.
"Did you just glare at me?" Ghost Lantern Hozuki suddenly exclaimed, her voice sharp.
"And with disgust?"
"Keep it down," Bai whispered urgently. "You're going to draw attention!"
"Relax. There's no one around here," Ghost Lantern Hozuki muttered defensively but fell silent shortly after.
Sasuke frowned, observing the camaraderie between the three.
Who are they? And why do they seem so comfortable with him?
Satoru brushed his hair aside, a radiant smile spreading across his face.
"This spot is just more convenient for a private conversation," he explained. Noticing the lingering doubt in Sasuke's eyes, Satoru added, "Besides, the clan land has too many eyes on it."
Sasuke stepped closer, impatience evident in his tone.
"What's going on? I need to know everything."
His questions boiled down to one simple plea:
Why? Why did this happen?
He stared at Satoru, his gaze intense, awaiting answers.
Satoru hesitated briefly, scratching his head as his expression grew serious. Finally, he sighed and looked back at Sasuke with a smile, though his voice carried an edge of gravity.
"Kid, knowing too much can make you go bald."
"What kind of answer is that?" Sasuke snapped, his frustration mounting.
"It's not a joke, second brother!" he continued, his tone unwavering. "This matters to me!"
For a moment, Satoru stared into Sasuke's eyes, reading the raw determination there.
Then, unexpectedly, he reached out and ruffled Sasuke's hair.
"Hey, the texture's still good," Satoru teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
"Stop messing around!" Sasuke growled, brushing his brother's hand away.
Satoru chuckled softly, then spoke with a more serious tone.
"Listen, Sasuke. Right now, you lack the strength to protect secrets—or the people you want to protect. Get stronger, and I promise I'll tell you everything."
His pale blue eyes deepened with sincerity.
Sasuke clenched his fists, conflicted but unable to refute his brother's words.
"Fine," Sasuke relented after a moment, his voice quieter. "But when I'm stronger, you'd better tell me the whole truth."
Satoru smiled again, this time with genuine warmth.
"Of course, little brother. Don't you trust me?"
Sasuke's lips twitched, caught between disbelief and exasperation.
It's because it's you that I'm so unsure!
Sasuke's expression shifted slightly as another thought came to him.
"Is it safe for you to be here like this?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.
"Why not return as yourself? Why sneak in under the guise of a visitor for the Chūnin Exam?"
Satoru waved off the concern with a casual laugh.
"Do you doubt my ability to stay hidden? I'm practically a master of disguise!"
"You mean the disguise I figured out in less than a second?" Sasuke deadpanned.
"That was an accident!" Satoru exclaimed, feigning innocence. "And besides, even Kakashi didn't catch on!"
Sasuke sighed, the worry lingering in his eyes despite Satoru's reassurances.
"Second brother, don't take this so lightly," he said, his voice tinged with frustration.
Satoru shrugged, clearly unbothered.
"I told you, you don't need to worry so much, kid. I've got this under control."
Reaching out to ruffle Sasuke's hair again, Satoru was met with swift resistance as Sasuke batted his hand away.
"Stop that!" Sasuke glared, his eyes flickering with irritation.
For a moment, Satoru looked genuinely dejected, crouching on the ground with a dramatic sigh.
"I miss the sweet, obedient Sasuke from when he was younger…" he mumbled wistfully.
Despite himself, Sasuke's lips twitched, fighting back a smirk.
Satoru quickly regained his composure, standing up with renewed energy.
"Listen," he said, his tone turning serious again. "Even if I'm discovered, I can handle myself. They won't be able to trace anything back to us."
Sasuke studied him carefully, searching for any signs of doubt.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely," Satoru replied confidently. "We've hidden our tracks well. And besides, Shisui's pretty much an expert in erasing traces. We'll be fine."
Far away, Shisui—completely unaware of this sudden assignment—was still deeply engrossed in researching a secret hair growth formula.
Sasuke exhaled, allowing himself a small moment of relief.
Second brother… occasionally, you're actually reliable.
However, a new thought crossed Sasuke's mind.
"Kakashi-sensei seemed to notice something," he said hesitantly.
Satoru's grin widened mischievously.
"At most, he might figure out that he knows me," Satoru replied breezily. "That silver-haired guy is always overthinking things, but there's no way he'll guess my full identity!"
His confidence was unshakable.
Sasuke raised a brow, skeptical but unwilling to argue further.
Second brother, let's hope you're right.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 140 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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