Return of the Uchiha Prodigy

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"Let me take care of Itachi first," Kushina said softly, stepping closer to Shisui and gently taking the unconscious child from his arms.

"Thank you for your hard work," Minato said, his gaze filled with genuine gratitude as he looked at Kushina.

For years, she had been his steadfast support, not only as a kunoichi but also as his wife. Their shared dream had always been to protect the village, even at the cost of their personal happiness. Yet, being Hokage meant endless responsibilities, a burden they both silently bore.

Kushina nodded, her expression gentle but resolute. "No problem," she replied with a small smile, her words more of a reassurance than anything else.

Turning to Tsunade, Minato said, "Lady Tsunade, I'll be heading off now." Without waiting for a response, he vanished in a flash of golden light, using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Shisui gave Kushina and Tsunade a quick nod before disappearing through the shattered window with silent precision.

Left alone, Kushina turned to Tsunade, her brow furrowing with concern as she looked at the child in her arms. "Tsunade-sama, what happened to him?"

---

Minato appeared in the room where Biwako and Naruto rested. His gaze softened momentarily before he carefully transported Naruto to the Konoha Hospital, where Kushina and Tsunade awaited. Not pausing for even a moment, he vanished again, reappearing by the Third Hokage's side.

Jiraiya was already there, standing with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Sorry I'm late," Minato said, surveying the massive destruction caused by the battle. A significant section of Konoha lay in ruins, the remnants of the giant Wood Golem scattered across the landscape.

His usually calm blue eyes reflected a mix of frustration and guilt.

"Where's the masked man?" Jiraiya asked grimly, already aware that the man had targeted Kushina during her labor.

"He escaped," Minato admitted through clenched teeth.

Both Hiruzen and Jiraiya's expressions tightened, the Third Hokage speaking first. "Someone escaped you?"

Minato's mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique was unparalleled. For anyone to evade him was almost unthinkable.

"The space-time ninjutsu he used is beyond even the Second Hokage's," Minato explained, his tone heavy with frustration. "But techniques alone don't win battles."

He paused, his expression darkening. "During our fight, he had some kind of barrier or shield protecting him. I should have been able to mark him with my kunai, but he managed to escape before I could land a decisive blow."

Jiraiya folded his arms, his voice serious. "A man who knows about the Nine-Tails' weakened seal during childbirth, bypasses Konoha's barrier, and even wields Wood Release... could he really be—"

"No," Minato interrupted, shaking his head. "He's not Uchiha Madara."

Both Jiraiya and Hiruzen stared at him in disbelief.

Minato continued, his voice firm. "His abilities are extraordinary, but his lack of combat experience gives him away. If he were truly Madara, I wouldn't have been able to fight him off so easily."

He hesitated before adding, "Madara's battle instincts and strategies were unmatched. This masked man, though powerful, doesn't possess that same level of mastery. He may have a connection to Madara, but he isn't him."

Hiruzen and Jiraiya exchanged a tense glance but nodded in agreement, trusting Minato's insight.

Minato's eyes swept over the ruins of the village. Despite the chaos, there was no time to dwell on the masked man's identity—there was still much to rebuild and protect.

---

At the Konoha evacuation shelter, the Uchiha Police Force regrouped after ensuring the civilians' safety. Fugaku, returning from the battlefield, entered the shelter shortly after.

Shisui approached Mikoto and Fugaku swiftly. His expression was grim as he relayed the details of Itachi's condition as explained by Lady Tsunade.

Mikoto's face turned pale, her hands trembling as she clutched Sasuke closer. The baby began crying loudly, sensing his mother's distress.

"Mikoto," Fugaku said softly, steadying her as she staggered. His voice remained calm, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable.

Nearby, Izumi's body trembled uncontrollably as Shisui's words sank in. "Why… why did this happen?" she whispered, her voice thick with anguish. Before she could collapse, her father caught her, his own expression heavy with sorrow.

Mikoto handed Sasuke to Izumi and took a shaky step forward. "Itachi… he saved us. He—" Her voice broke as tears streamed down her face.

Finally, unable to hold it in, she screamed, "My child! My child!" Her wail echoed through the shelter as she rushed toward the hospital.

Fugaku made no move to stop her. Instead, he turned to Shisui, his expression unreadable. "Shisui, take care of Mikoto and Sasuke for me."

"Clan Leader," Shisui began, surprised by Fugaku's calm demeanor.

Fugaku glanced at the civilians and Uchiha clan members around him. Many had lost family and friends, and as the leader of the Uchiha clan and the captain of the police force, his duty was clear.

"I understand," Shisui said after a moment, bowing before following after Mikoto.

---

After the crisis in the village was resolved, the Hokage's emergency orders were lifted. The remaining ninja immediately began searching for survivors among the ruins.

Konoha's medical teams worked tirelessly, transporting the injured to the overcrowded hospital.

Shisui walked briskly behind Mikoto, who cradled Sasuke in her arms, her pace quick despite the strain. When he learned of Itachi's location, Shisui rushed to catch up, passing by Tsunade at the hospital entrance.

Inside the ward, Kushina had already wiped the blood from Itachi's face. The young Uchiha lay unconscious on the hospital bed, his breathing shallow.

Kushina suddenly heard hurried footsteps approaching from the hallway, accompanied by the distressed cries of a baby. She turned, her senses sharpened, just as the door swung open.

Mikoto, her tear-streaked face taut with worry, clutched Sasuke tightly.

"Mikoto…" Kushina began, her voice soft.

But Mikoto, her focus entirely on her son, didn't respond. She rushed to Itachi's bedside, her trembling hand hovering just above his face.

Sasuke's wails grew louder, his voice hoarse with desperation.

Mikoto's hand quivered, and her tears fell freely. "Ah…" she whispered, biting her lip to stifle a sob. Though she was a seasoned kunoichi, the pain of seeing her child like this was too much to bear.

Naruto, nestled in Kushina's arms, stirred at the sound of Sasuke's cries. Blinking sleepily, he glanced at Sasuke, his wide blue eyes filled with curiosity.

Kushina stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Mikoto's shoulder. "Mikoto," she said gently, "I know it hurts. But Sasuke needs you. If he keeps crying like this, he could fall ill—and Itachi needs you both to stay strong."

Mikoto's body trembled, her shoulders heaving as she tried to steady herself. "I'm so useless," she murmured, her voice choked.

"No," Kushina replied firmly. "You're a mother. It's okay to feel this way. But you can't let it overwhelm you. Sasuke and Itachi need your strength."

Mikoto nodded slowly, drawing in a shaky breath. She rocked Sasuke gently, whispering soothing words, but the baby's cries refused to cease.

It was as if Sasuke's voice carried a plea: "Brother, wake up…"

---

In Itachi's Mind

Deep in his unconscious state, Itachi's awareness stirred faintly. The sound of Sasuke's cries pierced the fog surrounding him.

"Sasuke…"

Even in this haze, Itachi recognized the voice of his younger brother. Though his body refused to move, his thoughts were clear.

"Don't cry…"

He wanted to comfort Sasuke, but the weight of his injuries dragged him down, pulling him deeper into silence.

---

Back in the ward, Shisui and Izumi entered.

Kushina turned to them, her gaze curious. "Who's this?" she asked, nodding toward Izumi.

"It's Izumi," Shisui answered. "She's a classmate of Itachi's from the Academy."

Izumi's heart sank when she saw Itachi's pale face, but Sasuke's cries pulled her focus. Without hesitation, she turned to Mikoto.

"Aunt Mikoto," Izumi said softly, "may I hold Sasuke?"

Mikoto hesitated, then nodded, her movements mechanical. She passed Sasuke to Izumi, who held him with surprising ease.

Izumi walked closer to Itachi, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Itachi," she whispered, "I know you can hear us. Sasuke needs you right now."

She carefully took Itachi's limp hand and placed it against Sasuke's cheek.

For a moment, nothing happened. But then Sasuke's cries began to soften.

Mikoto gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Itachi…"

Shisui stared, wide-eyed. "That actually worked?"

Kushina exhaled, her expression softening as she watched Sasuke's cries fade into quiet whimpers.

Izumi smiled, holding Sasuke closer. "See? He knows you're here, Itachi."

As Sasuke finally drifted to sleep, Mikoto reached out to gently touch her elder son's face.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice steady now.

---

In Itachi's Mind

Itachi's faint awareness felt the warmth of Sasuke's cheek against his hand. The sound of his brother's cries faded, replaced by peaceful silence.

"Sasuke…"

For the first time since slipping into unconsciousness, a sense of relief washed over him.

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