As the evening stretched on, the warmth of the meal and conversation filled the room. But Nawaki, who had been cheerful earlier, finally leaned forward, his expression turning more serious.
Nawaki chuckled but didn't let up. He tapped a finger against the table, his smirk lingering. "That wasn't the only rumor going around."
Tsunade shot him a sharp look. "Spit it out already."
Nawaki leaned in slightly, his tone turning more deliberate. "I heard something interesting from the villagers, but from kids at the ninja academy."
Tatsuya raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Oh? Let me guess, one of them swears they saw the Second Hokage's ghost around the Uchiha compound?"
Nawaki let out a long sigh. "No, but honestly? That would've been a lot less of a headache than what I actually heard."
Tsunade barely glanced up from her food, uninterested. "If this is about some so-called genius at the academy, I don't want to hear it."
"It's not," Nawaki grumbled before turning back to Tatsuya. "The kids say you're teaching swordsmanship out in the suburbs."
Tatsuya set his cup down and smirked. "Huh. News travels fast in this village."
"At first, I didn't think much of it," Nawaki admitted. "But when some kids started skipping classes, I got curious. So, I asked their parents… and guess what?" He leaned in. "They actually think you're opening some rival ninja academy."
Tatsuya blinked before laughing. "You're kidding."
Nawaki crossed his arms. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Tsunade, still chewing, muttered, "That would require a sense of humor."
Nawaki shot her a glare but continued. "The parents are saying that since you are training kids personally, they'd rather send them to you than to the academy."
Tatsuya sighed. "I don't have the time to train a bunch of random kids."
"Try telling them that," Nawaki said, exasperated. "The rumor's already out of control. Words spread beyond just the academy brats. Merchants and even samurai families have caught wind of it. Some of them are already looking into sending their heirs, hoping to get them into 'the best academy in Konoha.'"
Tatsuya pinched the bridge of his nose. "I saved one Uchiha kid, and suddenly, I'm running a full-fledged school?"
Tsunade snorted. "Konoha logic."
Nawaki hesitated before speaking again, this time more thoughtfully. "…If you were starting a school, I'd want in."
Tatsuya glanced at him. "Huh?"
Nawaki sat up straight, looking uncharacteristically serious. "If you really were building something like that… I'd leave the academy in a heartbeat."
Tatsuya studied him for a moment before shaking his head. "Relax. I have no intention of running a school, let alone replacing the ninja academy." He smirked. "My cabin's way too cozy to be ruined by a bunch of noisy brats."
Nawaki exhaled, though whether it was relief or disappointment, even he wasn't sure. "So… you're really not doing this?"
"Not a chance," Tatsuya confirmed.
Nawaki slumped back. "Damn. Guess my job is safe, but there goes my shot at learning from you every day."
Tsunade, finally satisfied with the amount of food she'd devoured, leaned back with a contented sigh. "You were actually hoping he'd make you quit your job as Konoha Ninja Academy's principal?"
Nawaki huffed. "I just thought—never mind."
Tatsuya chuckled. "Cheer up, kid. If I ever do decide to build a school, I'll let you be the guy who picks up all the shuriken after throwing practice."
Nawaki groaned. "Not funny."
Tsunade smirked, reaching for another cup of sake. "It is to me."
As the conversation continued, Tatsuya was left shaking his head at how quickly rumors could spread in Konoha. If people were so eager to hand their kids over to him, maybe the academy did need some improvements.
But that wasn't his problem. He had enough on his plate already.
And as for Tsunade—well, judging by the ever-growing pile of IOUs in her luggage, her problems were far from over.
Tsunade sat comfortably, her focus entirely on the feast in front of her. She had learned one thing from her years of traveling: Never waste a good meal.
As Tatsuya and Nawaki chatted away, she barely paid attention, her chopsticks moving rapidly as she cleared plate after plate.
Nawaki, who had been passionately talking to Tatsuya about the ninja school situation, finally glanced over at her and blinked. "Nee-san… you're eating like you just got out of prison."
Tsunade didn't even pause. "You try surviving on gambling debts and IOUs for months and see if you still have time to eat properly."
Tatsuya smirked. "I'm surprised you made it back without selling your necklace."
She shot him a glare mid-bite. "I don't gamble that recklessly."
Nawaki snorted. "That's debatable."
Ignoring them, Tsunade casually patted her pouch, where a thick stack of IOUs lay hidden. She would pass them off to Nawaki later—he was good with money and organization, unlike some people.
...
Uchiha Mikoto stood outside Sasuke's door, worry evident in her eyes.
"Sasuke?" she called gently. No response.
She sighed, placing a hand against the wooden frame. This wasn't the first time her son had locked himself away like this. Itachi… The thought sent a pang through her chest.
But this time, she suspected it wasn't about his brother.
Sasuke had seemed fine earlier. He had been training hard with Tatsuya and Tsunade-hime, more focused than she had seen him in a long time. But then, something changed.
She knocked again. "Sasuke, dinner is ready. You should eat something."
Still no answer.
Inside the room, Sasuke sat on his bed, staring at the floor, lost in thought. His mind replayed everything from earlier—Tatsuya's sharp words, Tsunade's blunt punches, and the things he had overheard.
How the hell did I end up in this situation?
Sasuke clenched his fists. He knew Tatsuya and Tsunade meant well. They had done more for him than most. But knowing that didn't make it any easier to process.
He exhaled slowly. One week off, huh?
Even though he had a break, his mind wouldn't let him rest. He still had so much to figure out—about himself, about Tatsuya, about his place in all of this.
For now, though, he would keep quiet. He wouldn't betray their trust. But he sure as hell wasn't going to forget.
...
Tsunade, now full and satisfied, stretched out comfortably. "That was good."
Tatsuya raised an eyebrow. "At the rate you were eating, I'm surprised you didn't eat the plates too."
Tsunade ignored him and turned to Nawaki. "By the way, I've got some paperwork for you."
Nawaki groaned. "Please tell me it's not what I think it is."
She grinned, pulling out a fat stack of IOUs and slamming them onto the table. "Congratulations, little brother! You're now my financial manager."
Tatsuya chuckled. "A promotion without a raise. Tough break."
Nawaki stared at the papers in horror. "Nee-san… this is way worse than last time."
Tsunade shrugged. "You're good at handling money. I believe in you."
Nawaki buried his face in his hands. "I should've just followed Tatsuya nee-san's advice and become a wandering ronin…"
Tsunade smirked. "Too late. You're my responsible little brother."
Tatsuya leaned back with a sigh, shaking his head. As the night continued, Tsunade was content, Nawaki was miserable, and Tatsuya… well, he was just glad none of this was his problem.
For now.
For this reason, whenever Tatsuya and Nawaki had nothing else to do, they would close the curtains and speak in hushed whispers, discussing matters only they needed to know.
"You really think Minato will handle it that easily?" Tatsuya asked, pouring himself a cup of tea.
Nawaki smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Of course. He's the Hokage, and he knows how important this is. No way he'll let some stupid rumors get in the way of Konoha's future."
Tatsuya exhaled, swirling the tea in his cup. "Still, people are stubborn. You explain the truth to them, and they'll still believe whatever nonsense they want."
Nawaki shrugged. "That's why I'm shutting them down before it spreads too far. Let's be real, if those rumors keep growing, we'll have a generation of brats who refuse to set foot in school."
Tatsuya chuckled. "That would be a problem. Konoha's shinobi aren't going to teach themselves."
Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato had already stepped in. At the Hokage's office, he addressed the concerns personally.
"I understand that there have been... misinterpretations," Minato said, his tone calm but firm. "Let me make one thing absolutely clear—Konoha's Ninja Academy remains one of the finest institutions in the village, and these rumors have no basis in fact. I expect all of you to spread the truth, not speculation."
The gathered parents murmured among themselves, their previous doubts wavering under the Hokage's unwavering presence.
As for Tatsuya, he announced his own. "There will be no more private competitions in the training grounds," he stated simply. "And Sasuke will no longer be sparring with anyone else."
Despite this, some parents remained undeterred. They arrived at his mansion, carrying heavy bags of ryo, their eyes filled with desperate determination.
"Please, Master Tatsuya," one of the merchants pleaded. "Double the fee, even triple—we don't care. Just train our children."
Tatsuya arched an eyebrow, his gaze flickering toward the bulging pouches of money. He tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair, taking in the sight.
Tempting. Very tempting.
But he simply waved a hand. "Not interested."
The parents' faces fell. "But—"
"You think throwing money at me will change my mind?" Tatsuya leaned forward slightly, his voice calm yet final. "I don't teach for money. Sasuke was an exception. I have no plans to take on students."
The room fell silent. One by one, the parents realized there was no room for negotiation.
"Tch. Konoha's Black Fang really is as cold as they say," one of them muttered as they left, shoulders slumped.
Tatsuya merely sipped his tea, watching them go. At least they're persistent.
That was supposed to be the end of it. But then came another visitor. This time, however, it wasn't for him.
It was for Tsunade.
"Please, Tsunade-sama! I want to become stronger! I want to become a medical ninja like you!"
Haruno Sakura stood at the entrance of the mansion, her voice filled with determination.
Tsunade, who had been lounging with a sake bottle in hand, lazily turned her head to look at the girl. She took a slow sip, then narrowed her eyes.
"You? A medical ninja?" Tsunade muttered. She let out a dry chuckle. "Do you even know what kind of hell you're asking for?"
Sakura gulped but held her ground. "I do! I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to work as hard as it takes!"
Tatsuya, who had been reclining nearby, raised an eyebrow at the scene. Oh? Is another one willing to suffer?
"There are still people signing up for Tsunade's brand of 'training'... unbelievable," he murmured to himself, watching with mild amusement.
"Why should I accept you? Give me one good reason."
Tsunade's gaze was cold, indifferent, as she looked down at the small pink-haired girl before her.
Haruno Sakura flinched but quickly straightened her back, fists clenched at her sides.
"I… I want to become a great medical ninja, like you!" she declared, though there was a slight tremor in her voice.
Tsunade scoffed. "You?" Her arms crossed over her chest. "You didn't even make it to the Chūnin Exam finals. What makes you think you have what it takes?"
Sakura's lips parted, but no words came out. She looked away, embarrassed.
Tatsuya, watching from the side, sighed internally. This hesitation—it was just like in the original timeline. Sakura, always hesitating, always unsure.
He had a pretty good idea of what was really going on.
Sasuke was training under him now. And here came Sakura, running to Tsunade for mentorship. It was obvious enough. She didn't necessarily have the drive to be a medical ninja—she just wanted an excuse to be closer to Sasuke.
Tatsuya found it… unimpressive.
Still, while he wasn't particularly invested in their relationship, he wasn't the kind of person to completely crush the hopes of someone just because he didn't see a bright future for them. Sasuke was, after all, keeping his household in order—cooking, cleaning, and handling chores without complaint. If his future wife was standing right here, then it was only right to make sure she was at least somewhat capable.
Sakura was still hesitating, struggling to form a response, when Tatsuya leaned in close to Tsunade and murmured something in her ear.
Tsunade's uninterested expression shifted in an instant. Her sharp eyes narrowed, her lips twitching slightly as she processed what Tatsuya had just told her.
"Well," she said, her tone suddenly filled with intrigue. "Maybe you aren't completely hopeless after all."
Sakura blinked in surprise. "Huh?"
Tsunade smirked. "Fine. Do you want to be my student? Then you'd better be ready to work. And I don't mean half-hearted effort. If you start slacking off even once, I'll personally throw you out. Understood?"
Sakura swallowed hard but nodded. "Yes! I'll do my best, Lady Tsunade!"
Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "Good. Then let's see what you're really made of."
Tatsuya smirked from the side.
Sakura had no idea what she had just gotten herself into.
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