Scene: Uchiha Household — Evening

  The dinner table was quiet except for the scrape of chopsticks. Sasuke, Sakura, and Sarada ate in a low, tense rhythm.

  The front door slammed. Ryouta stepped in — cloak torn, sleeves dark with blood. The house seemed to inhale.

  Sarada’s face went white, her chopsticks clattering to the floor. She scrambled back from the table, eyes wide and trembling.

  Sarada (voice small):

  “B—big bro…?”

  Sasuke’s jaw tightened. For a beat his eyes flickered — not to his son, but to a ghost: Itachi’s silhouette reflected in Ryouta’s weary stare. Muscle memory of the past pulled at him like a cold tide.

  Sasuke (quiet, raw):

  “Was it… necessary?”

  Sakura’s hand slammed onto the table. Her voice snapped like a wire.

  Sakura (angry):

  “DON’T ASK IF IT WAS NEEDED — ASK WHO HE KILLED.”

  Sasuke’s eyes cut to Ryouta, sharper now.

  Sasuke (direct):

  “Was it? Yes or no.”

  Ryouta met his father’s gaze without flinching.

  Ryouta (flat):

  “Yeah. My mission was to protect Segawa. I did it. I killed for the village.”

  Sasuke looked at him, and for a second Itachi’s patient emptiness stared back. He could not answer; the past and present tangled. With a long, silent exhale, Sasuke left the room.

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  Scene: Uzumaki Household — Moments Later

  A knock at the door. Naruto opened it to find Sasuke standing on the porch, hood shadowing his face.

  Sasuke stepped in, voice low and strained.

  Sasuke:

  “My son killed people, Naruto. He pulled the same move Itachi did. He’s adopted — like Yuta — but I saw my brother in him. He put the village before everything.”

  Naruto’s fingers tightened on the doorframe, then relaxed into a steadying gesture.

  Naruto (softly):

  “Are you… proud of him?”

  Sasuke’s face flickered between pride and fear.

  Sasuke:

  “I am. But… am I raising him as a weapon? Why is Yuta still a child, and Ryouta not? Why did he have to become this?”

  Naruto stepped forward and patted Sasuke’s shoulder — a small, human attempt at comfort.

  Naruto (calm):

  “Calm down. We’ll figure it out together.”

  Sasuke nodded once, heavy with things unsaid.

  Scene: Nara Household — Night

  Shikadai paced the living room. He stopped as his father entered.

  Shikadai (urgent):

  “Dad — Yuta might get killed tomorrow.”

  Shikamaru stopped mid-step, brow lifted.

  Shikamaru:

  “How do you know that?”

  Shikadai met his father’s stare, steady.

  Shikadai:

  “Promise me: if you can, save the person who told me the future.”

  Shikamaru’s eyes narrowed in surprise, then he sighed.

  Shikamaru:

  “…Alright, son. I’ll try. Who told you?”

  Shikadai (soft):

  “Segawa Shin.”

  Shikamaru paused — Segawa’s name registering with a flicker of interest.

  Shikamaru (musing):

  “So the Shin Clan’s power can be borne by a girl, huh? That’s… new.”

  Shikadai (warning):

  “I said: not to use her. Protect her, don’t exploit her.”

  Shikamaru let out a low, amused sound and rubbed his temple.

  Shikamaru (dry):

  “Yeah, yeah. I know. Karin’s got her. If anyone touches Segawa without consent, Karin will uzumaki chain put them in chains.”

  Shikadai’s mouth twitched into a grateful, tired smile.

  Shikadai:

  “Good. Karin senpai won’t let anyone mess with her.”

  Shikamaru gave a short laugh, the kind that means worry wrapped in duty.