Sakura and Naruto turned toward Arata, their eyes full of curiosity.
The Uchiha clan had always carried an air of mystery and prestige within Konoha.
People spoke of them with awe — and Sasuke's fame as the clan's sole survivor only amplified that aura.
Naruto had overheard villagers whispering countless times:
"Did you hear? That boy's an Uchiha — the last of them."
Every time, the name carried both reverence and melancholy.
Arata sighed, glancing at Sasuke.
"You're an Uchiha yourself and don't know the details. How would I?"
But Sasuke wasn't letting it go.
"You knew about the Uzumaki clan — I hadn't even heard of them before you mentioned it."
"Don't tell me you don't know anything about the Uchiha too."
Naruto and Sakura nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, Sasuke's right," Naruto said. "You even knew the Uzumaki were wiped out — you've gotta know something about the Uchiha!"
Arata rubbed his temples, exasperated.
"What I know probably isn't more than what you already know."
But Sasuke pressed harder.
"Then tell me this — how strong is the Sharingan, really? If I keep developing mine… what's its true potential?"
That was the question burning inside him all along.
Naruto and Sakura looked equally intrigued.
For Naruto, it was simple curiosity.
For Sasuke, it was obsession.
He needed to know.
If the Sharingan could truly make him stronger — strong enough to avenge his clan, strong enough to surpass Arata — then he would chase that power no matter what.
Arata waved dismissively.
"I don't know for sure. But if the entire shinobi world fears the Sharingan, then it must be terrifyingly powerful."
"The Uchiha once held major influence in Konoha — not just prestige, but authority. Their power and their eyes earned them that."
But Sasuke's eyes were still sharp and unsatisfied.
"That's not what I'm asking. I want to know how powerful."
Arata let out a quiet laugh.
"Honestly? The strongest Sharingan I've seen belongs to Kakashi-sensei."
And that was true.
In his time here, Arata had only ever seen Kakashi's Sharingan in action — not even Sasuke's had awakened yet.
Sasuke frowned but didn't argue further.
He could sense Arata wasn't hiding anything malicious.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more — something deeper Arata wasn't saying.
When the group finally returned to Tazuna's home, Arata's face darkened the moment he saw Kakashi seated at the table, reading like nothing had happened.
"Kakashi-sensei," Arata said dryly, "you're such a responsible teacher."
The sarcasm was thick enough to cut.
Kakashi, of course, remained perfectly calm behind his mask.
He knew Arata was just venting — for being left alone to handle the kids' barrage of difficult questions.
"Yo," Kakashi said with a lazy wave. "You're back just in time for dinner. Tsunami-san went all out tonight."
Tsunami, the kind-hearted hostess, bowed her head slightly.
"It's just a humble meal. Please don't expect too much."
Despite his annoyance, Arata offered her a polite smile.
"Not at all. Thank you for taking care of us."
Tazuna laughed heartily.
"You're a hardworking one, kid. Training until dark — impressive!"
To him, Arata and Kakashi were the reliable ones.
They'd already proven their strength in battle.
As for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura — Tazuna still saw them as rookies, well-meaning but green.
When everyone finally sat down to eat, a small face peeked out from behind Tsunami's legs.
It was Inari.
He glared at the group with open disdain.
"You idiots," he muttered under his breath. "You're all going to end up just like him."
Arata heard him clearly — but said nothing.
He knew this kind of anger came from pain.
And he didn't yet remember all the details of Inari's story.
Kakashi also noticed, his single visible eye narrowing slightly in thought.
That tone… that name. 'Like him.'
Who is this 'him,' I wonder?
He glanced briefly at Arata, who was eating calmly, unfazed.
This kid's composure is something else, Kakashi thought. But I know he's already thinking about that boy's words.
Neither man spoke.
But Naruto — being Naruto — couldn't stay silent.
He slammed his hands on the table and stood on his chair, glaring at Inari.
"Who're you calling idiots, huh? Say that again!"
Sasuke and Sakura stayed quiet, but both looked irritated.
They hadn't done anything to deserve this.
Inari, trembling with anger, broke free from his mother's grasp and shouted back, tears brimming in his eyes.
"You think you can beat them? You're up against real killers! You don't stand a chance!"
"You're all going to die — just like he did!"
"Especially you, blond idiot!"
Tsunami gasped and quickly pulled her son back.
"Inari! That's enough! Apologize, now!"
But Inari shook his head, crying harder.
"No! I'm telling the truth! They'll die just like Kaiza did! They're just more names on the list of dead fools!"
And with that, he bolted out the door, sobbing.
The table fell silent.
Naruto's face burned with fury.
"That little brat! How dare he— I'm going to talk some sense into him!"
He rolled up his sleeves, storming toward the door.
"Naruto—" Sakura started, but he was already gone.
Tsunami bowed her head deeply, voice trembling.
"I'm so sorry. Please, forgive him. He didn't mean it. He's just… still hurting."
Tazuna added quickly,
"He's a good kid. Just… too young to understand."
When they both started to kneel, Kakashi immediately stopped them.
"Please — there's no need for that."
"Children say foolish things. We won't hold it against him."
Then his voice grew quiet, thoughtful.
"Though… it sounds like there's a story behind those words."
The air in the room turned heavy again.
The flickering candlelight danced across their faces — each of them silently wondering the same thing.
Who was the man Inari had spoken of?
And what had happened… to make a child say, "You're all going to die."
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