Shikamaru dropped his hand and sighed, "Didn't you just finish off two whole bags of chips? What a drag."
"But I'm still hungry. My stomach's been growling," Choji mumbled, a bit aggrieved.
Naruto laughed, trying to stifle it with his hand. "He's always like this."
"Just hold on a little longer," Shikamaru said, half-resigned. "Class is almost over anyway."
"Alright," Choji muttered, eyes downcast.
Roughly three minutes later, as Shikamaru predicted, the school bell rang to signal the end of the day.
Sasuke Uchiha abruptly opened his eyes and took off running toward the school gate. Choji and Naruto both blinked, caught off guard.
"Whoa, why's Sasuke in such a rush?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Maybe he's got something important going on," Shikamaru replied, scratching his head, not particularly interested.
"Come on, Choji. You said you were hungry," Shikamaru added, walking toward the gate. Choji gave a small "Oh," and followed him out.
After leaving the Ninja Academy, Sasuke retraced the path from memory toward the Hyuga Clan compound.
Roughly half an hour later, he arrived at the front of the Hyuga estate. Just then, he caught sight of Neji and Hinata returning from class.
"Hinata, is Uncle Hiashi home?" Sasuke asked, waving calmly.
Hinata blinked, surprised by his presence. "Father's in the backyard. I can go get him," she said politely.
"Thank you, and sorry to trouble you," Sasuke nodded respectfully.
Hinata hurried off to find Hiashi. Neji eyed Sasuke warily for a few seconds, then turned and walked off without saying a word.
Soon after, Hiashi Hyuga emerged alone from the residence.
"So it's you, Sasuke. Come inside and sit a while," Hiashi said, unusually welcoming for him, gesturing inward.
"I actually came to talk to you about something important. I won't be staying long—I have to get home," Sasuke declined with a polite shake of his head.
Hiashi didn't press the issue. "I think I know what this is about. I'll do what I can to reduce the pressure on your clan. I'll speak to the village elders and try to lessen the severity of the judgment. But I can't promise my voice will change the outcome."
Sasuke remained silent for a moment, then bowed slightly. "That's more than enough. Thank you, Uncle Hiashi. I'll be heading back."
Hiashi nodded as Sasuke turned and walked off, his posture firm but clearly burdened. He knew Hiashi couldn't reverse the situation—he wasn't the Hokage. But this was all Sasuke could do for now.
Hiashi stood for a while, watching Sasuke disappear into the distance. Thinking of his own daughter, a sigh escaped him.
"Fugaku really raised a remarkable son."
With that, Hiashi returned inside, hands clasped behind his back.
Back at the Uchiha household, Fugaku and Itachi hadn't returned yet, but Mikoto was there, waiting with dinner.
After the meal, Sasuke trained briefly with basic Genjutsu and continued his study of advanced chakra control before sitting down to meditate. He had already done what he could for his clan—the rest was left to fate.
Hopefully, the outcome won't be too severe...
Three days later, the village's official punishment of the Uchiha Clan was publicly announced: The clan's funding would be cut by 20%, and all defected Uchiha were to be hunted down by the clan itself. If they failed to eliminate or capture all defectors within eight years, the Uchiha would forfeit all political and administrative rights within the Hidden Leaf.
Sasuke found this outcome tolerable. In eight years, he believed he would have achieved Bankai-level control over his chakra and potentially become Kage-level. With enough strength, he could eliminate Danzo and his scheming elders, restoring true status to the Uchiha in Konoha.
---
Training Field, Ninja Academy
Iruka was leading his class through practical combat drills. Nearby, Mizuki's class—one grade above—was doing the same.
Sasuke stifled a yawn. He had originally planned to use this opportunity to demonstrate his strength, possibly earning a fast-track promotion to Genin. But after being attacked by a rogue Uchiha—one of Danzo's pawns—he decided against drawing attention.
It was better to grow quietly for now. By the time he officially became a ninja, he would already be powerful enough to match Jonin, maybe even higher. Slow growth ensured safety.
The only downside was waiting six years before being assigned missions and seeing real combat. But that was a small price to pay for survival and future power.
"Hey, Iruka-sensei," Mizuki approached with a grin. "Why don't we have our classes do joint combat drills today?"
Iruka looked unsure. "Your class is a full year ahead of mine. Isn't that a bit unbalanced?"
"Not at all," Mizuki insisted. "We're all still at the basic level, and it'll be good sparring experience. Plus, you've got that 'genius' Uchiha. I'm sure he can handle it."
Iruka hesitated but eventually agreed. "Alright, students! Today's combat training will be done alongside Mizuki-sensei's class."
The reactions were mixed.
Inuzuka Kiba was fired up, full of excitement. Shikamaru groaned at the extra effort. The girls seemed nervous, worried about injury.
Sasuke glanced at Mizuki's students and immediately spotted Neji Hyuga. So that's what this was—Mizuki's hidden trump card. Early on, Neji was undeniably among the top in their generation.
Of course, that only applied before Sasuke arrived. Now, he and Naruto were in a different league.
"Anyone want to go first?" Iruka asked.
Sasuke wasn't interested in these low-level scuffles. He liked combat, but only when it mattered. This felt like child's play.
"I'll go! Iruka-sensei, pick me!" Kiba shouted, raising his hand.
"Alright then, Kiba, you're up."
Kiba strode confidently to the center of the training field.
Mizuki quickly selected a student with decent physical strength from his side.
Neither boy knew any real ninjutsu yet, so it was a straight-up taijutsu match.
Sasuke felt no need to watch. He closed his eyes and resumed his quiet meditation.
---
He wasn't sure how much time passed...
"Next up—Uchiha Sasuke!" Iruka called out, glancing at the roster. No response.
"Sasuke Uchiha?" he called again, louder this time. Still no reply.
He looked up and spotted Sasuke leaning back against a tree, eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
With a sigh, Shikamaru nudged him.
Sasuke opened his eyes slowly, just enough to respond, then sat up without saying a word.
Laughter erupted around the field.
"Hahahaha, the sleeping ghost of the Uchiha!"
"No, no—should be 'The Defected Clan's Slacker!'"
Corrected:
*Kurozawa Ren is Sasuke*