"Come, sit," Seiryu gestured, pouring tea.
Shisui was back at work, but Fugaku didn't fully trust him and only gave him a logistics post.
"Seiryu, the police force's complaint rate is really a problem," Shisui said anxiously.
"Shisui, I feel the same," Seiryu said, feigning worry. "When the Uchiha ran the force, villagers were unhappy. Now, even with civilian ninjas, they're still unhappy. I really don't know what to do."
Shisui sighed. He couldn't understand why, even with the clan trying to integrate, nothing seemed to work.
"Oh well, at least the red envelopes will boost morale for now. The rest, we'll leave to time," Seiryu said to Shisui. "When the village sees our sincerity, we'll eventually understand each other."
"Yes, Seiryu, I believe in you," Shisui said.
"Take the envelope. You're part of the team, too," Seiryu insisted.
"I understand." Shisui didn't want to accept, but he couldn't refuse Seiryu's reasoning.
After Shisui left, Seiryu relaxed, leafing through copies of Orochimaru's evidence, thinking:
I wonder, when you see this, will you side with the Will of Fire or with the village?
...
Time passed quickly. As the workday ended, Seiryu stretched and tidied his desk, ready to go home—he was expecting a little guest tonight.
Meanwhile, at the Hatake clan's old house, Kakashi had spent the day tidying up a room for Naruto. He headed for the ninja school.
The school was letting out, Naruto's saddest time of day.
Other kids had family or friends to walk home with. Naruto, with no family or friends, could only sit on the school swing, waiting for everyone to leave before heading home alone, to avoid the stares.
For Sasuke, after school was the time he looked forward to most—he'd always rush out first, hoping to see his beloved brother. If he did, he'd be happy for the rest of the day.
But today, after rushing out, he saw not his gentle brother, but his stern father.
"Dad?" Sasuke was surprised to see Fugaku at the gate.
"Let's go, Sasuke," Fugaku said coldly, indicating for Sasuke to follow as they walked toward the Uchiha compound.
"Um, Dad, why didn't Big Brother come today?" Sasuke asked after a while.
"Itachi has a mission," Fugaku replied.
"Oh." Sasuke looked a little down.
"Also, I've found you a teacher. After school, go to him yourself."
"A teacher?" Sasuke asked curiously. "Who is it?"
"Your lightning talent is pretty good, so I've asked Seiryu, the clan head, to teach you. Sasuke, learn well from him—don't shame the family," Fugaku said.
"Clan head Seiryu?" Sasuke was surprised. He'd heard his father used to be the clan head, but now it was Seiryu.
"Your teacher is not much older than you, but he's wise and the strongest in the clan," Fugaku said.
"I understand, Father. I'll study hard with him," Sasuke replied.
...
On the academy swing, Naruto watched his classmates leave. As the sun set, the huge school grounds were empty except for him.
Just as he was about to go home, a long shadow appeared before him.
Naruto looked up to see a white-haired man, masked, with his forehead protector covering one eye, looking at him with a complicated expression.
"Mister, who are you looking for?" Naruto asked.
"You," Kakashi replied.
"Me?" Naruto was stunned.
"If you're Uzumaki Naruto, then I've found the right person."
...
Because Seiryu had already notified them, when Fugaku brought Sasuke to Seiryu's home, the housekeeper Keiko was already waiting and welcomed them in.
"Lord Seiryu is waiting for you in the study."
When they entered, Seiryu, now in a haori, was writing at his desk.
"Elder Fugaku, this must be Sasuke," Seiryu smiled, stopping his work.
"Sasuke, greet your teacher," Fugaku said.
"Hello, teacher. I'm Uchiha Sasuke," little Sasuke bowed nervously, then curiously looked at Seiryu.
"Seiryu, I'll leave Sasuke to you," Fugaku said.
...
Ichiraku Ramen.
"I'm digging in!" Little Naruto pressed his palms together and started eating ravenously, while Kakashi watched quietly.
"White-haired mister, aren't you eating?" Naruto asked, looking up midway.
"I'll pass. Besides, by seniority, you should call me Big Brother Kakashi," Kakashi said.
At that moment, Teuchi poked his head out. "Kakashi, it's been a while! But what's your relationship with Naruto? Why are you treating him to ramen?"
"This kid's father has some ties to me," Kakashi replied.
Kakashi's words made Naruto stop eating.
"Naruto's father?" Teuchi, who had run his shop for years and knew Kakashi, was surprised. Looking at Naruto's blonde hair, some old suspicions surfaced. "Could it be…"
But then, Teuchi noticed Kakashi's eyes and his slight head shake.
PS: Nice, do you think Naruto will become a loner like Kakashi? xD