Hinata tightened her fists and stood up.
"So, you'd all better make the most of the next two weeks and master Phase Two of your training. Don't let me find out you've been slacking."
"Tch! Like I need you to tell me!"
"Yeah! I'll definitely get through Phase Two!"
Though she had commissioned chakra-reactive gloves that could manifest elemental attributes, Hinata was keenly aware these were just tools—without the strength to back them up, they were meaningless.
And so, the three young ninja returned to their iron sand training. Painful, repetitive, and exhausting—but for taijutsu, endurance and perseverance were everything.
Meanwhile, the world kept spinning. Beyond their secluded training, change was afoot.
---
In the Hokage's Office...
"Lord Hokage, this is the latest volume of their work. Please review it."
Kakashi handed over the newest edition of Fox Words, face serious.
"From my observation, the kids are only producing a creative project. No leaks of village secrets, nor disrespect to prior Hokage. A positive example of teamwork."
"Hm~ Thank you, Kakashi. This is the unreleased issue, right? Hmm? What's this?! A kiss scene?!"
The Third Hokage's tone sharpened.
"Kakashi! They're still children. How could they film something so indecent?!"
"No worries, sir. Actually..."
Kakashi leaned in, lowering his voice.
"Shikamaru tricked two girls into doing a double for the kiss. So technically..."
"Ah, I see."
Hiruzen's face relaxed.
"As expected of Shikaku's son—quick-witted and adaptable."
Kakashi hesitated, then added,
"However... Hinata decided to take a one-week break. She has other priorities."
"What?! Ahem—I mean, do you know what she's up to?"
The Third coughed quickly to mask his reaction.
"You understand, Kakashi—the ones we truly need to protect are those three."
Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto were different compared to the others.
Hinata came from the powerful Hyuga Clan—now the strongest family in the village after the Uchiha's fall. If she were captured, it could shift clan allegiances.
Sasuke and Naruto? One bore the Sharingan; the other housed the Nine-Tails. High-value targets worth any risk.
"Rest assured. I've assigned shadow clones to monitor them at all times,"
Kakashi confirmed with a nod.
"Good. I'll rely on you until they graduate."
The Third glanced up at the portraits of past Hokage on the wall.
"If those three truly unite, they might become the brightest stars of a new era."
---
A sea breeze swept over the cliffside of the Land of Hot Springs. The humid, salty air wasn't ideal for someone used to dry land—but the cloaked figure sitting cross-legged near the edge didn't seem bothered.
He wore the Akatsuki's iconic black cloak with red clouds. A Leaf forehead protector, deeply slashed, marked him as a rogue.
"Itachi-san, there you are. This place really doesn't suit your taste, huh?"
A shark-like man approached—the infamous Kisame.
His jagged teeth, gills, and small beady eyes made him seem inhuman.
"You took your time, Kisame."
Itachi opened his eyes slightly, the quiet edge in his tone clear.
Kisame chuckled. "Ahh, can't blame me. Our targets put up a fight. Took longer than I thought."
No need to explain further. These were the Akatsuki's Suzaku and Nanto—Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame. Both S-class rogue ninja. One slaughtered his clan; the other betrayed his village.
"The job's done. Let's leave."
Itachi rose, gaze drifting from the sea.
"Don't be in such a rush. I picked up a little something interesting."
Kisame slung his massive blade over his back and pulled a bloodstained book from his gear pouch.
"Found this on one of our targets. Apparently, it's the hottest new release in the Land of Fire. Worth a look."
He casually wiped the blood from the cover and flipped it open.
"Nice print quality... Ohh~ The intro says: 'A love spanning a thousand years... between a human and a spirit...' Hmm, rare to see a monster as the protagonist. Not bad."
"You surprise me. I didn't take you for the reading type," Itachi murmured dispassionately.
Kisame laughed.
"I know humans well—betrayal, lies, illusion. That's their nature. But monsters? Maybe they're different. Wouldn't hurt to learn. Who knows, maybe we'll be monsters next life, eh?"
He flipped a page, chuckling.
"A fox spirit searching for her thousand-year-lost love... Can't imagine a human being that loyal. Not bad~"
That line stirred something in Itachi.
Human loyalty and endurance... how long could he maintain his own?
Not a thousand years—but four more. If he could hold on for just four more years... maybe Sasuke would be ready.
As Kisame continued reading, Itachi caught a glimpse of the page—and froze.
His Sharingan activated.
"Kisame. Give me that book."
"Eh? You wanna read too?"
Kisame blinked, surprise then reluctantly handed the book over.
Itachi flipped through quickly—not at the characters, but at the scenery and backgrounds.
He recognized the architecture instantly.
Even after years away, he could never forget the place.
The Uchiha compound.
This entire photo series had been filmed... in his old home.
Then his gaze fell on the main character, "Sakurin."
One glance at the eyes, so like his own, and he understood.
The actor was Sasuke.
Itachi silently closed the book with a snap.
"Kisame. Where can I buy the rest of this series?"
"Huh? Umm... probably in the capital. They're labeled limited edition. The capital of the Land of Hot Springs should have them."
Kisame tilted his head, curious.
"You wanna buy the rest, Itachi-san? I mean, I was kinda enjoying it too..."
"Urusai." (Shut up.)