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Early morning.
Sasame struggled to open his eyes.
Yesterday had been exhausting.
Training in the morning, meeting with Orochimaru and Mei Terumī in the afternoon, followed by a fierce battle with Uzumaki Ena at night—it had drained him completely.
"Didn't sleep well?"
Tsunade noticed his reluctant expression and couldn't help but ask.
She had gone to bed first last night, vaguely remembering him returning very late.
Most likely, he had stayed up talking with Hyūga Hinata again.
"No, I just don't want to get up."
Sasame rubbed his bleary eyes and said, "It'd be even better if you slept in with me, sis."
Tsunade reached out and flicked his forehead, scowling. "Slacking off after just a few days of effort?"
"Ow, ow, ow!"
Sasame jolted awake instantly.
"Stop pretending."
Tsunade crossed her arms, her tone icy. "You're not even afraid of the Slug Sage's corrosive mucus, but you're scared of a little flick?"
Hey!
This cruel woman—does she even know what charm is?
"It really hurts."
Sasame flopped back onto the bed.
Tsunade instinctively moved to catch him—only to be pulled into a hug.
"You—!"
Her brow twitched as she glared at him for taking advantage.
But she was too slow.
Following his hunter's instincts, Sasame swiftly pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Tsunade froze for a second before quickly standing up, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, and tossing him onto the living room sofa.
With a threatening glare, she declared, "You're eating double for breakfast today."
"Nooo!"
Sasame's triumphant grin instantly shattered, leaving him petrified on the spot.
But smiles don't disappear—they just transfer.
Tsunade smirked in satisfaction, tying her apron before heading to the kitchen.
"Huh? Sasame, why do you look so devastated?"
Shizune, hearing the commotion, opened her door while adjusting her forehead protector, curiosity in her eyes.
"Nothing."
Sasame looked up at her with hopeful eyes. "Shizune-nee, aren't you extra hungry today? Want to eat more?"
"Don't drag me into this!"
Shizune paled, shaking her head. "I always stick to my usual breakfast portions."
Self-preservation won over sibling loyalty.
In the end, under Tsunade's threats, Sasame tearfully choked down twice the usual amount of food.
Still tasting the mystery flavors of breakfast, he dashed off to the ninja academy.
Today was the opening ceremony—plus exams.
When he last met Hyūga Hinata, she had insisted he come watch.
Sasame also wanted to check on Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, so he'd agreed.
The academy entrance was already packed with students and parents.
"Itachi."
Sasame immediately spotted the cold-faced Uchiha Itachi in the crowd.
"Sasame, didn't expect to see you here."
Uchiha Itachi turned, slightly surprised.
"Where's Sasuke?"
Sasame scanned the area but didn't see Uchiha Sasuke.
Damn!
Did you get a new kid or something?
As far as he knew, Uchiha Mikoto hadn't given birth again.
"He went to find his friends. Told me to wait here."
A hint of warmth softened Itachi's usual stoic expression.
His biggest worry had always been Sasuke—that his personality and clan name would leave him friendless.
But now, it seemed even without him as an older brother, Sasuke wouldn't be alone.
"Friends? Naruto?"
Sasame narrowed his eyes slightly.
Normally, Uchiha Itachi wouldn't want Sasuke associating too much with Naruto.
Unless… he'd already struck a deal with Orochimaru, planning to wipe out the Uchiha clan before defecting.
"More than that."
Itachi's voice carried a trace of relief. "Two girls as well."
"Ah, I've heard Sasuke's pretty popular at school."
Sasame nodded, already guessing who the two girls were.
Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino.
Come to think of it, he hadn't met them yet—they weren't in Naruto's class.
Pretty faces really did have it easy.
Even as an Uchiha, Sasuke's charm wasn't dampened.
Though right now, his eyes were only on Naruto.
Girls? They'd just slow him down.
His sole obsession was defeating Naruto and dominating the academy.
For a prodigy of the Uchiha clan to be constantly outshone?
Humiliating.
This had become such a sore point that even Uchiha Fugaku's lack of praise had turned into a personal demon.
"By the way, why are you here?"
During the wait, Itachi—uncharacteristically—struck up conversation.
After Uchiha Shisui's mysterious disappearance, Sasame was one of the few people Itachi could talk to.
"Here for her."
Sasame pointed at Hyūga Hinata in the distance. "I'll head over for a bit."
He walked up to them.
Hinata noticed him immediately, her eyes lighting up.
"Auntie."
Sasame greeted Hyūga Rinka first before smiling at Hinata. "Long time no see."
(Though they met every day in secret.)
"Sasame… nii-san."
Hinata lowered her head, fingers nervously twisting her sleeve.
Alone, she wasn't this shy.
But in public, under imagined scrutiny?
Social anxiety at its finest.
Hyūga Rinka glanced at her daughter's flushed face and smiled knowingly.
But she didn't object.
With Tsunade's recent resurgence, major clans had already guessed—
The next Hokage would undoubtedly be her.
And Sasame, as her disciple, would naturally rise in status.
Because history had proven that being Hokage wasn't just about strength—it was about connections.
Pure power alone couldn't secure the title.
(Though exceptions like the White Fang of Konoha existed.
But that was a taboo subject.)
Hyūga Rinka asked, "Sasame, what brings you to the academy today?"
"Oh, ran into Itachi, so I thought I'd drop by."
He couldn't exactly say, I sneak out to meet your daughter at night—I'm here for her.
"Uchiha Itachi?"
Hyūga Rinka glanced at Hinata, then leaned closer to Sasame, her breath warm against his ear.
"The Uchiha clan's situation is… unstable. Listen to me—keep your distance."
Sasame blinked.
This kind of warning was rare.
It meant Hyūga Rinka genuinely liked him.
"Understood."
He nodded.
"Good."
Hyūga Rinka took Hinata's hand. "There's an entrance exam today—feel free to watch."
"Sure, I'll catch up soon."
After seeing them off, Sasame returned to Itachi's side.
Before long, four kids approached.
Uchiha Sasuke led the pack, hands in pockets, expression cool.
On his left, Naruto chattered away, grinning.
On his right, a pink-haired and a blonde girl swooned.
"Sasuke-kun is so cool!"
Haruno Sakura's eyes sparkled as she internally raged, Damn Naruto! Stealing my man!
Yamanaka Ino opened her mouth to speak—but then froze.
Her gaze locked onto an unusually handsome young man in the crowd.
Sure, Sasuke was good-looking, but he was still young, not yet at his peak.
Sasame, however, was in his prime.
More importantly—Ino was a hardcore beauty enthusiast.
(In the original story, she married Sai purely because he resembled Sasuke.)
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 175 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 35 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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