Naruto: A New Life with Tsunade

---

"Thank You, Natsume"

Uchiha Mikoto wiped away her tears and whispered, "If it weren't for your help, no one in the Uchiha clan would have survived tonight."

Though she wasn't entirely sure of Natsume's role in the events, she chose not to question it. Survival took precedence over revenge.

Natsume chuckled softly, a glimmer of satisfaction crossing his face. She's indeed a perceptive woman.

He produced a neatly folded kimono and handed it to her. "Aunt Mikoto, here, put this on."

Mikoto instinctively glanced down at her disheveled attire, her cheeks flushing slightly. She accepted the kimono, clutching it to her chest. "Thank you… again."

"You're welcome."

Noting her shy reaction, Natsume added casually, "Since you and my teacher are close friends, it's only natural I take care of you."

Mikoto caught his lingering gaze and felt a slight unease creep in. Sensing her discomfort, Natsume turned to leave. "I'll step out so you can change. We can talk afterward."

As the door closed behind him, Natsume's sharp instincts caught a faint rustle from above. He reacted instantly, reaching out and grabbing a descending figure mid-air.

"Argh! I almost had it!" Tayuya muttered in frustration, glaring at him.

Natsume smirked, his eyes flicking to her tattered outfit. "Why aren't you wearing the clothes I gave you?"

Her face turned red as she snapped, "You pervert! Like I'd fall for that trick again!"

She had learned from Uzumaki Ena that the previous outfit was a maid's uniform. Furious, she had discarded it immediately.

Natsume tilted her chin up slightly, studying her face. "Then maybe it's time for a new look."

Tayuya stiffened, her black eyes narrowing. "Don't push your luck."

Unperturbed, Natsume handed her a neatly folded kimono decorated with a subtle pink hemp-leaf pattern, paired with a sleek black haori jacket.

"What, are you offering to help me put it on too?" Tayuya asked sarcastically, though her hands accepted the clothing.

Natsume smirked and stepped back. "Suit yourself."

After he left, Tayuya inspected the outfit in the mirror. It was elegant but practical—a far cry from the humiliating outfit she had been tricked into wearing before. She let out a small sigh of relief. "It's… not bad. Guess the pervert is cutting me some slack this time."

When Natsume returned, his gaze swept over her. "Not bad. But now, for your punishment."

Tayuya tensed, instinctively stepping back. "What kind of punishment?"

"Nothing like last time," he reassured, though a mischievous glint lingered in his eyes.

"Open your mouth."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What are you planning?"

"Just do it. I'm tired of hearing you talk back all the time."

Reluctantly, Tayuya obeyed, only to glare daggers at him as he placed a bamboo tube between her teeth.

"Huh?" She bared her teeth on the tube, her frustration evident.

Natsume's amusement deepened. With the bamboo in place, she resembled Kamado Nezuko from Demon Slayer.

"Finally, some peace and quiet." He patted her head and turned to leave. "See you later, Tayuya."

Her muffled protests followed him as he walked back to Mikoto's room.

---

Natsume found Mikoto seated neatly, her composure regained in her new kimono. Her hands rested elegantly in her lap.

"Natsume, where are we now?" she asked, her tone calm but curious.

"We're in the Land of Waves," Natsume replied, settling across from her. "Far from Konoha."

Her eyes widened slightly. "The Land of Waves…?"

She hadn't even realized how far they had traveled. Her life as Fugaku Uchiha's wife had been simple—raising her children, managing her household. It seemed like a distant dream now.

Her thoughts darkened. If it weren't for Itachi… that peaceful life would have lasted a lifetime.

"What are your plans now?" Natsume asked, breaking her reverie.

Mikoto's expression grew somber. "If I can… I want revenge."

She clenched her fists tightly. "As a mother, I failed to guide Itachi. I must correct his mistakes, for Sasuke's sake."

Natsume studied her quietly, sensing the depth of her pain. "You're hoping to protect Sasuke from following the same path," he surmised.

Mikoto nodded. "I don't want him consumed by hatred, but I also want him to have the strength to defend himself."

"Then you understand the evolution of the Sharingan," Natsume said, sipping his tea.

Mikoto nodded gravely. "Yes. The Sharingan can evolve from one to three tomoe. Beyond that lies the Mangekyo Sharingan—what Itachi now wields."

Natsume leaned forward slightly. "Then you know a standard Sharingan won't be enough to face him."

Her face clouded with pain. She had known this, but hearing it confirmed stung deeply.

"Unlocking the Mangekyo doesn't rely solely on talent," Natsume continued. "It requires an intense emotional trigger."

Her eyes flickered with renewed hope.

"With the right conditions, you could awaken it," he offered. "But it comes at a cost. Are you prepared for that?"

Mikoto's gaze hardened. "I should have died last night. If I'm still alive, it's because I have a purpose. I won't hesitate if it means protecting Sasuke."

Natsume gave a small sigh, admiring her resolve. "Then I'll help you awaken the Mangekyo."

Of course, Natsume's motives weren't entirely selfless. Having another Mangekyo Sharingan user at his side would be a considerable asset. Still, Mikoto's journey wouldn't be easy. Her grief, no matter how deep, hadn't yet been enough to awaken the power.

But Natsume was patient. He knew that time—and perhaps more trials—would bring the transformation she sought.

---

Natsume decided against rushing into any groundbreaking experiments involving Uchiha Mikoto. She had just survived a traumatic ordeal and deserved time to recover. Besides, Natsume had other matters to resolve first.

After temporarily entrusting the area's safety to Uchiha Shisui, he returned to Konoha.

---

At the Academy, the hastily arranged exams had just concluded.

Uchiha Sasuke glanced up at the sky, now streaked with the deep purples and oranges of dusk. The newly established Uchiha compound was far from the Academy, and by the time he reached home, the moon would likely already be high in the sky.

"I wonder if my brother will come to pick me up," Sasuke murmured, his voice tinged with unease. Lately, Uchiha Itachi had been busier than ever, often vanishing for days at a time. For Sasuke, who idolized his older brother, the prolonged absences were almost unbearable.

"Sasuke-kun!" Haruno Sakura's voice rang out from the Academy entrance. She waved enthusiastically, her emerald eyes lighting up as she hurried toward him.

Sasuke barely spared her a glance, irritation flickering across his face.

Why is she always so annoying? he thought, stifling a sigh.

Just as he turned to leave, another familiar voice called out to him.

"Sasuke! How'd the test go?" asked Uzumaki Naruto, strolling over with his usual grin.

"No problem," Sasuke replied curtly, trying to sound nonchalant.

"That's awesome! I, uh… didn't do so hot. Especially on that last question," Naruto admitted with a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of his head.

Sasuke's heart skipped a beat. That last question had stumped him, too. But now, having boasted about his performance, there was no way he could admit it. He could only hope his score didn't fall below Naruto's. Losing to him in sparring was already frustrating—he had to maintain his edge in theory.

"Sakura and Ino are waiting for you again," Naruto added with a teasing grin, nodding toward the school gate. "Man, you're really popular with the girls, Sasuke."

"Hmph. It's just a bother," Sasuke replied, though he felt a faint surge of pride. He kept his expression as indifferent as ever.

Still, his real focus remained on one thing: surpassing Naruto.

"Hey, want to grab some dinner?" Sakura asked hopefully.

"Sorry, I need to get home," Sasuke said flatly, brushing past her.

"I've got training with Lee," Naruto chimed in, waving off the invitation.

"Training?" Sasuke's interest piqued. "What kind of training?"

"Running laps around Konoha until we're completely wiped out," Naruto said with a grin. "You should join us! It's exhausting, but after a good night's sleep, I always feel way stronger!"

Sasuke's eyes lit up at the idea. Normally, he'd ignore random training offers. But training with Naruto? That could give him valuable insight into his rival's secrets.

"I'll let my father know," Sasuke said confidently. "I'll join you tomorrow."

"Deal!" Naruto said, giving him a thumbs-up. "See you then!"

As Naruto walked away, Ino tilted her head thoughtfully.

"He's been doing that thumbs-up thing a lot lately," she remarked.

"Yeah," Sakura replied, frowning. "It feels oddly familiar."

Sasuke ignored their chatter, walking off into the twilight.

---

Night had fully descended by the time Sasuke neared the Uchiha compound. The dim glow of the streetlights illuminated the village, but an eerie stillness hung in the air.

Couples strolled by, their hushed laughter echoing faintly. Sasuke watched them with a pang of loneliness. Was his brother home tonight? Or was he still working with the ANBU?

His thoughts were interrupted by a stern voice.

"Stop!"

Sasuke looked up to see a masked ninja wearing a distinctive cow-pattern ANBU mask.

"This area is restricted. No entry allowed."

"What?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed in confusion. "I'm Uchiha Sasuke. This is my home. Why can't I go in?"

The ANBU hesitated, studying Sasuke's appearance. His dark hair, sharp eyes, and the Uchiha fan crest on his back confirmed his identity.

In that brief pause, Sasuke seized the opportunity.

"Body Flicker Jutsu!"

In a blur, he disappeared past the guard.

"Poor kid," the ANBU muttered, making no move to pursue him.

Sasuke sprinted through the eerily quiet streets of the compound. The usual warmth and life had vanished. Darkness consumed the once-bustling area, and his heart sank as he noticed crimson stains marring the ground.

He broke into a run, panic clawing at his chest.

When he reached his family's home, he froze.

Bodies lay scattered across the ground, lifeless and cold. Blood pooled beneath them, the metallic scent heavy in the air. At the center of it all stood the familiar figure of his father, Uchiha Fugaku.

"That's… Sasuke Uchiha," murmured an ANBU operative nearby.

"The Root team has already cleared the area," another replied. "Hokage-sama's orders are to leave him be."

No one stopped Sasuke as he stumbled forward, collapsing beside his father's body.

"No…" Sasuke whispered, tears streaming down his face. His voice grew louder, breaking into a scream that echoed through the silent streets.

"Who did this?" he demanded, his trembling fists clenching. His Sharingan flared to life, one tomoe spinning wildly as his grief and rage swirled.

"It was Uchiha Itachi," a female ANBU operative said, stepping forward. Her frog-patterned mask tilted slightly as she regarded him. Her voice was firm but laced with sympathy.

"No! You're lying!" Sasuke shouted, his chakra flaring erratically. "My brother would never—he wouldn't—"

"There's no reason to lie," she replied gently. "Your brother, Uchiha Itachi, killed the entire clan before defecting from the village."

The words struck Sasuke like a physical blow. His eyes widened in disbelief, his Sharingan spinning faster. His chakra erupted uncontrollably, unstable with raw emotion.

Before he could lash out, the ANBU operative moved swiftly, delivering a precise blow to his neck. Sasuke crumpled unconscious, his grief finally silenced—if only for the moment.

"Sasuke…" the woman murmured, her voice soft. "Rest now."

---