One and a half years had passed since the devastating attack of the Kyûbi, and the village of Konoha, with remarkable resilience, had slowly regained its vitality. The scars left by the chaos were not entirely erased, but the combined efforts of its inhabitants had allowed the village to rise again.
Shikai walked calmly through the main streets of Konoha, his attentive gaze observing every detail around him. At only seven years old, he appeared much more mature than his age, his upright posture and piercing eyes reflecting a wisdom gained too soon. Dressed in a simple light gray kimono and wearing his forehead protector engraved with the Leaf symbol, he exuded an aura of calm and reflection, though a subtle smile occasionally played on his lips.
The streets, once in ruins, were now bustling. Colorful shops lined the alleys, selling fresh produce, clothing, and ninja tools. The merchants, visibly happy to see customers return, shouted to promote their goods, creating a lively atmosphere.
Shikai paused for a moment in front of a dango shop, drawn by the sweet smell of grilled skewers. An old woman, smiling despite her wrinkles, offered him a skewer without him even asking.
"Isn't this the disciple of the Yondaime? Here, it's a gift." she said with genuine kindness.
Shikai raised his eyebrows slightly, accepting with a silent thank you, but he noted internally that many unnecessarily knew his identity, seemingly Hiruzen's doing. This brought both advantages and disadvantages, such as other villages potentially attempting to assassinate him while he was still a child, which would force him to join either the ANBU or Root, unless Tsunade's factor changed his plans.
"These old folks are quite sharp. I even feel like my name is already written in the bingo book..."
Children played in the alleys, running with brightly patterned kites or simulating ninja battles with sticks. Their laughter rang out like a familiar melody, warming the air. Shikai stopped to watch them, a gentle smile forming on his face. 'Look at them, so carefree... I bet in the future, your amusement will be finding food to avoid starving.' he thought to himself.
In times of peace, people tended to forget the world they lived in, and Shikai knew that should never happen. He had already read about how ninjas during Naruto's Hokage reign had become complacent. He ensured that any genin would have the level of a current Jonin if they wanted to survive his calamity.
"I will personally prepare them, and during Momoshiki's descent, only a team of Jonin will be able to slap him to death."
He continued on his way, passing construction sites where workers were busy erecting new buildings. The sound of hammers and saws accompanied the birdsong, adding a particular dynamism to the rebuilding landscape. Scaffolding climbed high, carrying the hopes of a village that refused to stay down.
The training grounds were also occupied. Genins, supervised by their senseis, trained hard, determined to strengthen their skills. Some greeted Shikai upon recognizing him, but he responded with a simple nod before continuing.
As he approached the central square, he saw the Hokage monument, the sculpted faces in the rock now accompanied by that of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Shikai looked up at his face.
"Minato... I'll make sure your son becomes powerful without being bothered by that bitch Sakura. And... I'll take good care of your wife."
Shikai smiled as he arrived at the Uchiha clan's house.
...
Standing in front of Fugaku's house, the clan leader, Shikai took a deep breath before knocking on the door. The soft voice of Mikoto invited him inside.
"Ah, Shikai! What a surprise!" exclaimed Mikoto, smiling warmly. She wore a simple blue kimono, and her black hair framed her face elegantly.
"Hello, Mikoto-san. I wanted to take advantage of this day to visit some important people. You're one of them."
Mikoto inclined her head slightly, flattered, and invited him to sit in the living room. The room was bright and tastefully decorated with simple yet refined objects.
"So, how are you feeling? You look better than before," she said, sitting across from him. With Sasuke crawling nearby.
"Yes, I'm doing better, thank you. I intended to visit you earlier, but... Aunt Tsunade is... a bit overbearing lately," Shikai said with a hint of amusement, though his eyes betrayed a certain weariness.
Mikoto burst into laughter, perfectly imagining the scene.
"I understand. Tsunade-sama has always been very protective of those she loves. It's a good thing, but sometimes it can be suffocating."
Shikai nodded. They then spoke about ordinary clan-related topics, with Mikoto briefly mentioning Itachi.
"Itachi is training hard. He's so serious for his age. Sometimes I worry that he's putting too much pressure on himself, but it's in his nature."
"He's impressive," Shikai replied. "His talent is evident, but he also has quite a... special ideology. You must be proud of him."
Mikoto smiled tenderly.
"I am, but I'm also a mother. My role is to make sure he remains a child for as long as possible. And that he takes good care of his little brother."
"I'm sure he will."
They continued their discussion, the conversation drifting to Kushina. Mikoto seemed to lose some of her cheerfulness when mentioning her condition.
"Kushina-san... she's still unconscious. It's difficult, especially for her son Naruto who hasn't been told that she's still alive."
"I see..." Shikai murmured, his face darkening slightly. "As for Minato-sama..."
He stopped, a remorseful expression on his face. Mikoto placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Don't blame yourself, Shikai. What happened that night was beyond all of our abilities. Minato did what he had to do to protect the village. He would have wanted you to move forward without regrets."
Shikai nodded without replying. To lighten the mood, Mikoto changed the subject.
"And Izumi?" she asked with a playful smile. "You're getting closer, aren't you? She seemed happy at the last meeting."
Shikai blushed slightly, taking on a childlike and embarrassed expression.
"She's just a friend," he replied, averting his gaze.
Mikoto laughed softly, amused by his reaction. But as she was about to continue, Shikai sat up slightly, an unusual determination in his eyes.
"Mikoto-san," he said, his tone becoming serious. "Before we continue, there's something I must tell you."
Surprised, Mikoto remained silent, observing him intently. Shikai took a deep breath before speaking.
"I've always admired you. Not just as Itachi's mother or a member of the Uchiha clan, but as a woman. You're strong, elegant, and... I think I love you."
Mikoto remained still for a moment, taken aback. Then a gentle and slightly amused smile appeared on her face.
"Shikai... you're an intelligent and mature boy for your age, but... I'm married. And beyond that, you're still a child. The feelings you're experiencing... they might not be as clear as you think."
Shikai opened his mouth to protest, but Mikoto gently cut him off.
"I think you're seeking a maternal figure, someone to fill an emotional void. It's not love, not in the way you believe. Especially given what happened to Kushina-san... But you'll see, it will fade with time."
Shikai lowered his eyes, visibly disappointed, tears threatening to fall. Mikoto placed a soothing hand on his head.
"Listen, Izumi loves you very much, you know. She's a wonderful girl, and she'd be delighted if you gave her more attention. Focus on her, and you're quite handsome. You'll surely be popular with the girls. As for me, I'm just an old lady..."
Shikai nodded without a word. After a moment, he stood up.
"Thank you for your honesty, Mikoto-san. I'll think about what you've said. But know that you'll always remain in my heart, even if you think it's just a childish feeling. I'll prove you wrong!" he said with determination in his eyes.
Mikoto watched him leave, a sigh escaping her.
'He needs time to understand his emotions,' she thought.
Shikai left the room, troubled. But barely had he passed the door when his expression changed. His features became indifferent, almost cold, though tears still flowed down his red cheeks.
He paused for a moment, yawning slightly.
"One thing done. Now, where's the other?"
His words resonated strangely, a mix of calculation and coldness, completely different from the emotional child he was a few minutes ago. He continued walking, absentmindedly wiping his cheeks before murmuring:
"I have Izumi left... She must be at the academy at this hour. Before that lunatic returns..."
Shikai headed towards the ninja academy.