A shadowy figure stood silently in a secluded corner of Konoha Hospital, observing the scene inside Sasuke's room through the window. Shrouded in his mask and cloak, Obito Uchiha remained unseen, a silent sentinel in the dark.
"During the final round of the Chūnin Exams, I never truly witnessed Uchiha Sasuke's potential," Obito mused aloud, his voice low and reflective. "But now… now I see it. His talent rivals that of Itachi. Such a prodigy, yet so fragile in the face of despair."
Obito's gaze hardened as he clenched his fists. "Despair... It's always been the turning point for us, Uchiha, hasn't it? I was just like him once—so full of hope, so eager to protect those I cared for. And then... everything shattered. Rin, the village, Kakashi... All of it was stolen from ."
His voice softened as his eyes flicked to Sasuke, still unconscious in his bed. "I wonder, Sasuke. When you wake up and face the truth of the true reason why Itachi killed his own father, will you break as I did? Or will you burn brighter in the flas of vengeance?"
A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. "Ironic, isn't it? The boy I once was would despise for thinking this way. Yet, here I am, shaping another into what this cursed world needs—a weapon of mass destruction."
Obito's expression darkened as his attention shifted to Tatsuya, who had unexpectedly appeared by Sasuke's side. "Tatsuya... always ddling, always there to protect Konoha. He doesn't understand the weight of Sasuke's destiny. Or perhaps he does, and that's why he's here. A nuisance, but not one I can remove just yet."
The masked man straightened, his voice now filled with quiet determination. "I'll wait. Despair will co for Sasuke eventually, just as it did for . And when it does, I'll be there to guide him—to remind him of the truth this world refuses to see."
Obito turned away, disappearing into the shadows, his mind lingering on the tragedy that seed to follow every Uchiha. "Innocence dies quickly in this world... but despair? Despair can make Uchiha unstoppable."
Tatsuya's abilities were well-known, and his presence near Sasuke threw Obito's plans into disarray. Sasuke, whose heart had been weighed down by resentnt, now seed unnervingly calm. Though Obito couldn't hear their conversation, he could see the shift in Sasuke's deanor—Tatsuya's words had left an impact.
Inside the room, Tatsuya leaned casually against the wall, exuding a composed yet authoritative air. His piercing gaze never left Sasuke, and despite his lazy posture, it was clear that his sharp perception extended far beyond the room. It was almost as if he could sense Obito's presence outside.
For Obito, this changed everything. If Tatsuya hadn't intervened, Sasuke would likely have sought power from outside Konoha. Now, there was a real chance that Obito, under the guise of Uchiha Madara, could have brought Sasuke into his plans for revenge, using him as a pawn.
Sasuke craved power—enough to rival or surpass that of a tailed beast. But in his desperation, Obito knew, Sasuke could be led astray, step by step, down a dark path. A path that would eventually turn him into Konoha's betrayer, just as his brother Itachi had once been branded.
This was precisely what Uchiha Itachi had worked so hard to prevent. Every decision and every sacrifice Itachi made was to shield Konoha and grant Sasuke a chance at a peaceful, harmonious life. If Sasuke chose rebellion, all of Itachi's efforts would have been for nothing. For Itachi, Sasuke was more than his little brother—he was his greatest weakness.
"Old man," Sasuke said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was steady but carried an undercurrent of determination. "Tell , how can I gain power? Power like the tailed beasts—or even stronger. Or…" He paused, his dark eyes burning with resolve. "Would you take as your disciple? I want to beco as strong as you."
Sasuke's intensity filled the room, his focus locked entirely on Tatsuya. Obito, watching from the shadows, clenched his fists. The course of events was shifting, and for the first ti, his carefully laid plans seed uncertain.
Following the recent argunt between Uzumaki Naruto and Sakura, Sasuke's heart was a storm of complaints and resentnt. His frustration stemd from a single, painful truth: his skills were still woefully inadequate.
When Tatsuya offered him guidance, Sasuke clung to the opportunity like a drowning man to a lifeline.
"True power cos from practice and training," Tatsuya said with a sly grin, his tone teasing yet deliberate. "As for taking on a disciple? That depends… on whether the price is right."
His words, accompanied by that wicked smile, felt almost surreal. Here was Konoha's renowned Black Fang—the strongest swordsman in the world—negotiating with a boy who had only recently regained consciousness. It was a sight that would have shattered the perceptions of many in the ninja world.
Sasuke was caught off guard. He hadn't expected Tatsuya to be so… pragmatic. The idea of learning from him ca with a price tag, a deposit, no less. Yet, if Tatsuya's motives truly boiled down to sothing as mundane as money, Sasuke saw it as a favorable turn of events.
The Uchiha clan's wealth, even after its downfall, remained a testant to its forr grandeur. Sasuke, as the last surviving heir of the late clan leader, held the keys to vast resources that most Genin in Konoha—or anywhere in the world—could only dream of. Ancient treasures, pri land, and well-hidden accounts accumulated over generations made Sasuke perhaps the richest Genin alive.
"Money has never been a problem," Sasuke thought as he considered the prospect of earning Tatsuya's ntorship. "If paynt is what it takes, then so be it. I'll spend whatever is needed to gain the strength I seek."
Though he rarely thought about it, Sasuke's financial security placed him in stark contrast to his peers. Yet, he was perhaps second only to Gaara, whose father could mine gold dust, an ability that made the Kazekage's clan imnsely wealthy.
Tatsuya, of course, understood this all too well. But his purpose here wasn't to line his pockets. He was here to stabilize Sasuke, to steer him away from the path of rebel-nin he had followed in the original tiline.
Still, when Tatsuya presented his proposition, Sasuke hesitated. A rare, once-in-a-lifeti opportunity had suddenly appeared before him, and yet, instead of seizing it, he felt a gnawing sense of unease.
Tatsuya noticed the hesitation and was unfazed. It didn't surprise him. After all, he had a reputation in Konoha for being detached, soone who avoided ddling in the affairs of others. For him to take a particular interest in Sasuke now… it was strange. Suspicious, even.
The more unusual Tatsuya's behavior appeared the harder it was for Sasuke to make a decision. Tatsuya, sensing the boy's internal conflict, decided to give him space.
"Think it over," Tatsuya said, his tone calm and asured. "This isn't a decision you should make lightly. Take your ti."
Sasuke nodded silently, his mind already racing with thoughts. Tatsuya turned and walked away, leaving Sasuke with more questions than answers.
With the representatives from the other hidden villages having departed, Konoha had beco a hive of activity. Every corner of the village buzzed with missions to complete and preparations to finalize.
Fortunately, under Minato's leadership, everything flowed with precision. His ticulous planning ensured that even the most scattered missions were handled with clarity and efficiency. It felt as if every moving part of Konoha's operations clicked into place.
For Tatsuya, however, none of this mattered. He remained detached from the chaos as if standing on the sidelines of a play.
When additional missions were assigned in the aftermath attack on the Sarutobi clan a term that still drew hushed whispers among the ninjas—Tatsuya had no qualms about delegating the tasks.
Each mission was carefully handed to the ninja most suited for the job, his selections deliberate and thoughtful. Tatsuya's sharp gaze moved from one scroll to another, considering not just the objective but the personalities and skills of the individuals he was assigning.
To safeguard against failure, Tatsuya paired each mission's primary ninja with another who excelled in ninjutsu. His dual-assignnt strategy created an unspoken safety net, ensuring that every task would be executed with precision.
"This pairing is flawless," Tatsuya muttered to himself, a smirk forming. "Even if they encounter the unexpected, they'll adapt. Efficiency above all else."
Typically, such task distribution wouldn't have fallen under his responsibilities, but in an unusual move, Tatsuya had stepped forward.
Minato, ever the tactful and strategic leader, hadn't hesitated to agree. When soone like Tatsuya volunteered, who could refuse?
"Tatsuya," Minato said with a smile as he handed over the final stack of assignnts. "I trust you'll handle this with the sa care you always bring."
"Of course," Tatsuya replied nonchalantly. "But let's make one thing clear, Minato. My ti isn't free."
Minato blinked, caught off guard. "Paynt? You want paynt for this?"
Tatsuya's smirk widened. "Consider it an investnt in the village's future. I'm doing you a favor, after all."
The Hokage chuckled, shaking his head. "I should've known better than to think you'd do this purely out of goodwill."
As the assignnts were distributed, the Konoha Twelve buzzed with excitent. It was an honor to be guided, even indirectly, by Tatsuya, the legendary Black Fang.
"Tatsuya-sama actually chose our mission?" Kiba whispered to Shino, his voice brimming with pride.
"He doesn't waste effort," Shino replied calmly. "If he paired us, it's because he sees a purpose."
As the young ninja departed, Tatsuya's sharp eyes tracked them, his calculating gaze analyzing every departure. "They're eager now," he muttered under his breath. "Let's see how long that enthusiasm lasts when reality strikes."
As the Black Fang of Konoha, Tatsuya was known not only for his power but also for his considerable wealth. Yet, despite this, Minato often found himself puzzled by Tatsuya's fixation on money, especially now.
"Tatsuya," Minato said, raising an eyebrow. "You have enough wealth to rival the Daimyō. Why insist on being paid for this?"
Tatsuya smirked, leaning casually against the desk. "Minato, you wouldn't understand. Money isn't just about riches—it's about preparation."
"Preparation for what?" Minato asked, curious.
"For my wife's gambling," Tatsuya replied dryly, his tone laced with both fondness and exasperation.
Minato blinked, caught off guard. "Tsunade? But she's—"
"The worst gambler in the world," Tatsuya interrupted, sighing. "You don't know how many tis I've had to bail her out. If she's not losing her own fortune, she's borrowing mine to chase the next 'lucky' streak."
Later, back at the Senju compound, Tatsuya stepped inside to find Tsunade waiting for him with an apologetic smile. She approached quickly, offering a glass of water.
"Tatsuya, you're ho," she said sweetly. "How was your day?"
He gave her a pointed look. "Better than yours, I assu. How much did you lose this ti?"
Tsunade winced, rubbing the back of her neck. "Only... a little?"
"Tsunade," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're supposed to be the strongest kunoichi in the world, yet you can't beat a bunch of old n with dice."
She laughed nervously, moving behind him to massage his shoulders. "Co on, Tatsuya, don't be mad. It's not like I lose every ti."
"No, just ninety-nine percent of the ti," he muttered, though his tone lacked real anger.
Tsunade leaned closer, her voice softening. "I'll win it back next ti, promise."
Tatsuya chuckled, shaking his head. "If I didn't love you, I'd say you were a disaster."
Money, for Tatsuya, wasn't sothing to stress over. He had accepted long ago that his wife's luck—or lack thereof—was simply part of the life they shared. And for all her flaws, he wouldn't trade her for anything in the world.
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