"—Teach you ninjutsu?"
Uchiha Tatsumi's calm voice echoed in Yahiko's ears. There was no mockery in his tone—just a quiet, almost indifferent curiosity.
Yahiko, stunned by Tatsumi's presence and aura, paused for a second. The raindrops trickled off the grass near the cave entrance, forming ripples in the puddles at their feet.
Suddenly, Yahiko was struck by a powerful impulse—to convey what was in his heart. It was the first time he'd ever felt something like this.
Gathering his courage, Yahiko said aloud, "I have a dream… a big one. I want to end this war—to change the world!"
"…I know it sounds impossible," he added, lowering his voice slightly. "But if I could stand at the top, maybe then... people wouldn't have to suffer like this anymore. No one would go hungry or fear dying in the rain."
Realizing how ridiculous it might sound, Yahiko blushed and looked down. "I know I'm not strong. Not yet."
Silence. He only heard the soft breath of Uchiha Tatsumi.
Feeling anxious, Yahiko looked up. Their eyes met—Tatsumi's calm gaze unwavering.
"So… if you're willing—" Yahiko's voice trembled. "Please, teach us ninjutsu."
The request felt like it had vanished into the downpour, echoing more in Yahiko's heart than in the air. His chest felt tight, burning with a pride he hadn't expected. This is my truth, he thought. Even if it's embarrassing.
He feared being mocked, brushed aside—but Tatsumi did none of that.
Instead, the boy was silent.
And then, in that same silence, he refused—calmly, without cruelty, but decisively.
The rain beat harder now, striking leaves, rocks, and wooden boards alike. Its sound merged with the dull thudding of metal.
Inside the narrow cave, the wooden bench creaked slightly as Uchiha Tatsumi and Nawaki (Rope Tree) sat side-by-side, watching Nagato and Yahiko practice throwing shuriken outside.
Despite the heavy rain, Tatsumi seemed unaffected. He calmly sipped hot tea from a canister.
"Any news from Orochimaru-sensei?" Nawaki asked.
"Yeah," Tatsumi said after a pause. "He sent word. A Hunter-kill squad from Iwagakure is stationed in the rainforest nearby."
"Their objective?"
"Unknown," Tatsumi replied. "But Sensei suspects they're scouting for sabotage targets. Konoha is clashing heavily with Iwa forces right now. Orochimaru thinks it's the perfect time for us to strike from the shadows."
Nawaki grinned. "Then let's bag one tonight."
Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "By the way… why did you take those kids in? You're not into Konan, are you? She's six, you creep."
"Idiot. Keep your voice down," Tatsumi snapped, flicking his eyes toward Mikoto and Konan, who were busy preparing dinner.
"You didn't notice the color of Nagato's hair?"
Nawaki blinked. "Red… Wait, you're saying he's from the Uzumaki Clan?!"
Tatsumi nodded. "Likely."
Of course, he had no intention of explaining to Nawaki that Nagato was Madara Uchiha's contingency plan—a living weapon gifted with the Rinnegan.
"Then why not bring them back to Konoha? If he's Uzumaki, like Kushina…"
"They're war orphans from Amegakure," Tatsumi interrupted, shaking his head. "They were raised in a country torn apart by this war. Konoha started this. We have no idea what they truly think of us. The village wouldn't accept them."
"So that's why you won't teach them ninjutsu?"
Tatsumi nodded again. But the truth was simpler: there was no benefit in it. Teaching ninjutsu wasn't like handing over candy. It took time, risk, and trust.
Besides, he wasn't Jiraiya. He wasn't about to vanish from the village for years just to raise students who might one day kill him. Didn't Jiraiya die at Nagato's hand?
That's the fate of Konoha's teachers, isn't it? Train your replacement and die a martyr.
No thanks.
He'd only corrected Yahiko's shuriken stance because the boy had asked to borrow one. That was all.
"Ah!" Yahiko yelped as his shuriken veered off-course, landing near Tatsumi's feet.
"Here," Tatsumi said, picking it up and handing it back.
"Ah—sorry!" Yahiko muttered quickly, flustered.
Tatsumi chuckled inwardly. Yahiko was… likable. Sincere. Honest. Not the type of boy you could hate. But still—not the type to change the world.
After dinner, Tatsumi and the others began silently packing their gear.
"We're leaving soon," Tatsumi announced.
Despite being in the cave, a sudden chill passed over Konan and the others.
"H-Huh? Then… what should we do?" Konan asked hesitantly.
"We're leaving this cave to you," Tatsumi said, gently patting her head. "It can be your hideout for now. But we've already delayed too long. We've got a mission to finish. Sorry."
Konan slowly squatted down and hugged her knees, unable to respond. Yahiko and Nagato stood silently, heads bowed, holding back tears.
"These three kunai are for you," Tatsumi said, handing over a pouch. "Take care of yourselves."
And with that, Uchiha Tatsumi stepped outside. Mikoto and Nawaki followed him into the rain.
Behind them, the three children watched in silence, tears slipping down their cheeks as the three ninja disappeared into the storm.
Soon, all that was left was the sound of the falling rain.
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