Konoha didn't know it was holding its breath.
But as Akari crossed the village gates at dawn, a silence fell across the guards. They didn't question him—perhaps because of the symbols now etched along his collarbone, glowing faintly beneath his robe. Or perhaps it was his eyes—no longer just violet, but lit from within by something unsettlingly ancient.
Raien followed in silence. He had become Akari's shadow, though even he didn't fully grasp what Akari had become.
---
At the Hokage Tower, a hawk's cry broke the stillness as Tobirama looked out over the village, arms behind his back.
Danzo entered without knocking.
"He's returned."
Tobirama didn't move. "Alone?"
"With Raien. No one else."
Danzo's voice dropped. "We could intercept him."
"No," Tobirama said. "If he wanted us dead, we wouldn't be standing."
Danzo's jaw tensed. "Then what does he want?"
Tobirama finally turned, eyes sharp. "To ask questions we've buried too long."
---
Akari didn't request a formal meeting.
He walked straight into the Hokage's audience chamber, Raien at his back, and stood before the elders as though summoned.
"Speak," Tobirama said, his voice even.
Akari reached into his robe and placed the sealed scroll—the one from the ravine—on the table.
"I want full access to the records hidden beneath the Fifth Shrine."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Tobirama's fingers twitched, almost imperceptibly.
"That section is classified."
"I know," Akari said. "Because that's where you're hiding what she sealed."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "You mean your mother."
Akari nodded.
Raien shifted but didn't speak.
Danzo's voice cut through. "What proof do you have that anything still lies there?"
"I don't," Akari said. "But you do. And I'm done playing in your shadow."
---
Outside, Amari watched the Tower from a distant rooftop.
She wasn't alone.
The cloaked figure from before stood beside her again.
"He's moving too quickly," she said.
The figure said nothing.
"I warned you," she added. "He's not like the others."
The figure finally spoke. "He's more dangerous than we thought."
Amari's voice trembled. "Then why are you smiling?"
"Because fire always returns to the forest it burned."
---
Back inside, Tobirama approached Akari directly now.
"Let's say we give you what you ask. Then what?"
Akari's voice was calm. "Then I take the truth to the people who deserve it."
Tobirama studied him. "You mean the Uchiha?"
"No," Akari said. "I mean everyone. Senju. Uchiha. Orphan. Merchant. Farmer. Anyone who's been forced to bleed for secrets they never chose to carry."
Silence.
A beat passed before Tobirama finally stepped back.
"You'll have access," he said. "But only under supervision."
Akari smirked. "Then watch closely."
---
That night, as the chamber sealed behind them and the flames dimmed, Tobirama turned to Danzo.
"We've lit the fire again."
Danzo's voice was dry. "Now let's see what it burns."
---
To be continued...