In addition to Tsunade, other visitors occasionally stopped by Tatsuya's small wooden house, but their visits were brief, and they rarely stayed long. Most of them were puzzled by the sight of Sasuke working in the fields, wearing a straw hat, but they didn't ask too many questions. After all, Tatsuya's lifestyle, though unconventional, made sense in its way.
One day, a villager who had come to inquire about Tatsuya watched Sasuke from the road, shaking his head in confusion.
"Is that Sasuke?" Ino muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as she observed him from a distance. "I always thought he'd be at the forefront of the village doing missions, not... out here in the fields. What is that old man thinking, making him do this?"
Sakura, who had been standing beside her, crossed her arms, her gaze shifting between Sasuke and Ino. "I don't get it either. Sasuke shouldn't be out here doing manual labor. He's not some farm boy. He's a genius, for crying out loud."
Ino scoffed, frustration clear in her voice. "Seriously. He could be out there leading missions or could have become a chunin, not stuck in the dirt like this. It's infuriating."
But then, both of them took a moment to look at Sasuke, his focused expression as he worked, his muscles subtly flexing as he lifted bundles of straw. Ino's voice softened, though her irritation was still there. "But... he looks so... so... cool like that. I hate to admit it, but damn. The way he's all serious and... strong... makes him even more... attractive."
Sakura couldn't help but agree, though she frowned. "I know, right? It's ridiculous. Here we are, all frustrated, but he looks so... handsome, it's like he's a completely different person. It's hard to stay mad when he looks like that."
As for Sasuke, his position as Konoha's Black Fang made his actions seem natural to those who knew him well.
Later that evening, Tatsuya was sitting on the porch, looking up at the stars, when a familiar figure approached him. It was Kakashi, his face hidden behind his mask as always, though his posture betrayed his concern.
"You know," Kakashi started, glancing at Sasuke who was still working the fields, "people are starting to talk. They're curious about what you and Sasuke are really up to out here."
Tatsuya didn't shift his gaze from the stars. "Let them talk," he replied indifferently. "It doesn't matter what they think."
Kakashi chuckled lightly, a hint of tension in his voice. "You know, some of the villagers are asking why Sasuke's working the fields. They're not used to seeing someone like him doing manual labor."
Tatsuya let out a small sigh, his expression softening. "People don't understand Sasuke. He's not running from being a Shinobi. He's... grounding himself. Besides, there's more to life than shinobi duties, even for someone with his legacy."
Kakashi looked thoughtful, then nodded. "I guess that makes sense. But you'll need to keep an eye on him. Especially with the Akatsuki's activity picking up."
Akatsuki had been relatively quiet lately, and members from the Five Great Shinobi Countries had started to show up in response to their activities. Naturally, the Kage of each village was closely monitoring the situation, aware of the threat Akatsuki posed. After all, the members of the organization weren't easy opponents to deal with.
A few days later, a messenger from the Hokage arrived at Tatsuya's house, bearing an urgent request for him. Minato had sent word about a meeting with the village's top officials.
Tatsuya glanced at the messenger and gave a small nod. "Tell him I'll be there. But I'll only say this once—don't expect me to jump into the fray just yet."
The messenger hesitated before speaking, his voice filled with unease. "The Akatsuki… they're moving more aggressively. The Kage have already made their preparations. They wanted your insight on the matter."
Tatsuya's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. His voice was calm and indifferent when he spoke again. "Akatsuki is still in its early stages. They won't make a major move yet. For now, the best thing we can do is monitor the situation. They can't afford to expose themselves when their foundation is so fragile."
When Konoha's people came to inquire about Akatsuki, he remained calm and indifferent, reassuring them that there was no need to worry.
"I've told you already," Tatsuya said as he stood in front of a small group of villagers one afternoon. "Akatsuki may be a threat in the future, but not now. They're still too disorganized to pose any real danger to us. Right now, it's better to keep our focus on the present."
Nara Shikaku looked uneasy. "But what about the rumors? They've been attacking other villages, haven't they? What happens if they come here?"
Tatsuya looked the villager in the eye, his tone firm but composed. "The rumors are exactly that—rumors. Until something concrete happens, we'll continue as we have. Don't let fear cloud your judgment."
Obito, as the mastermind behind the scenes, had grand plans to use Akatsuki to gather the Tailed Beasts, all while steering them toward his "Tsukuyomi Project." If each member of Akatsuki, like Deidara, was solely focused on their personal "art," the organization wouldn't even be necessary. Moreover, if the seals on the Tailed Beasts were inadvertently broken, it would spell disaster for the entire world of shinobi.
Over the past year, Sasuke had gradually perfected the art of fishing. During this time, his ability to control his chakra had significantly improved. By now, he was able to handle the chakra manipulation needed for fishing with ease. Even when Tsunade was away, their meals had become a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, a testament to how far Sasuke had come in his training.
With Sasuke's farming skills now fully developed, Tatsuya knew it was time to move on to the next phase of his training. One day, Sasuke placed a thick pouch of money on the table as an offering to Tatsuya. Tatsuya picked it up and weighed it in his hands, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Solid," Tatsuya remarked, tossing the bag into the air once before catching it effortlessly. "You've been thorough. As expected of you, Sasuke."
Sasuke stood with his usual stoic demeanor, though a flicker of pride flashed in his eyes. "What's next?"
Satisfied, Tatsuya leaned back, resting his arms behind his head. "Under the couch. Bring it here."
Without hesitation, Sasuke turned and went to Tatsuya's room. He returned moments later holding a sword that seemed to hum faintly with power. His eyes widened slightly as he examined it.
"This sword..." Sasuke began, his voice low as his hand gripped the hilt. It felt like it belonged to him, as though it had been waiting for him all along.
Tatsuya's gaze sharpened as he beckoned Sasuke forward with a slight tilt of his hand.
"It's similar to the Kusanagi," he said, voice steady, "but this one's been tailored for you. It channels Thunder-Nature Chakra, enhancing your Lightning Style techniques."
A faint, almost imperceptible smirk crossed his face. "Consider it... a gift."
Sasuke studied the sword, his expression unreadable at first. But his voice betrayed his curiosity. "Where did you get this?"
Tatsuya chuckled softly, the sound filled with mystery. "Let's just say Orochimaru owed me a favor. And no, I didn't steal it. I had it made specifically for you." He raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem too surprised about my connection to him."
Sasuke scoffed, his grip on the sword tightening. "You're not exactly predictable. I've learned not to ask too many questions about where you get your tools."
Tatsuya smirked, clearly amused. "Smart boy. Now listen—this isn't just a weapon. It's an extension of your will. Master it, and you'll be one step closer to surpassing the limits of your clan."
Sasuke nodded, a faint determination glowing in his dark eyes. "Understood. I'll master it."
Tatsuya's tone turned serious, his voice low and commanding. "Good. Because this isn't just about skill. It's about control of your emotions, precision of your attacks, and conservation of your power. If you can't handle that sword, you're not ready to face Itachi."
Sasuke looked down at the blade, then back at Tatsuya. His voice was calm, but there was a fire behind it. "I'll be ready. Just tell me what I need to do."
Tatsuya leaned forward, his smirk returning. "That's the attitude I like to see. Let's start."
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