SHINOBI EXAM

In front of the Konoha Ninja Academy, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only a few behind. Among them was Sasuke, who seemed hesitant and awkward.

"Uh… mother," Sasuke began, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

"Yes, Sasuke?" Uchiha Mikoto replied with a gentle smile, looking at the son who had grown so much since the time she remembered.

Mikoto's heart was filled with mixed emotions. On the fateful night of the Uchiha massacre, her two sons had endured unimaginable pain—for their clan, for Konoha, and for responsibilities they never should have borne. Now, seeing Sasuke standing before her, Mikoto wanted nothing more than to know how he had been living. Did he eat enough? Were the savings left behind enough to sustain him? Did he fall into bad habits?

Most importantly, had the hatred she feared so deeply consumed him?

"I… I don't live in the Uchiha mansion anymore," Sasuke admitted awkwardly. "The Third Hokage arranged an apartment for me."

His words were clipped, but Mikoto understood. After the massacre, Sasuke had occasionally snuck into the Uchiha compound during the day, but the cold, eerie silence that filled the place had given him nightmares for days.

He didn't want to return to that haunted house. His request to Mikoto was clear: he hoped she would stay with him in the apartment provided by the Third Hokage.

Mikoto sighed inwardly. The Third Hokage had spoken to her earlier, hinting at matters Sasuke still didn't know. There was a weight in his heart, a feeling that truths were being kept from him.

Naruto, ever tactless, interrupted Sasuke's thoughts. "What's wrong, coward Sasuke? Did you leave your room messy for a whole month? Or maybe it's filled with unwashed underwear and empty ramen cups! Hahaha!"

"Will you shut up already?!" Sakura snapped, punching Naruto hard on the head. "Idiot!"

"Ow!" Naruto rubbed his head. "What are you yelling about? It's not like I'm wrong!"

Mikoto watched the three Genin with an amused smile. Their bickering reminded her of happier days. "Sasuke," she said gently, "I'll stay with you in the apartment. Of course."

She turned to Naruto and Sakura, bowing slightly. "Thank you for taking care of my son."

Naruto, taken aback, stood frozen for a moment. He wasn't used to this kind of gentle gratitude.

Mikoto placed a hand on Naruto's head. "Thank you, Naruto-kun."

Naruto blinked. "Sasuke's… mother…"

The warmth of Mikoto's hand was so different from what he was used to—different from the Third Hokage, from Iruka, and from Kakashi. He glanced at Sasuke, who was attempting to look nonchalant with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Naruto grinned. "Don't worry, Sasuke's mom! This guy may be a standoffish jerk, but leave him to me! Uzumaki Naruto-sama will take good care of him!"

Sasuke scowled. "What did you say, idiot?"

"Exactly what I said, you b*****d!"

Their bickering continued as Mikoto chuckled softly. Soon, Naruto suggested grabbing ramen, dragging Sasuke along. Sakura declined the invitation, and the two boys left.

Mikoto watched them go, her gaze lingering on the orange-clad Naruto. "He's such a sensitive child," she murmured, noting how he had intentionally left so Sasuke could have time alone with her.

"Mother?" Sasuke asked, confused.

"It's nothing," Mikoto replied with a smile. "Let's go home."

She took Sasuke's hand, setting aside her worries for now. She had so much to catch up on, so much to make up for. Her mind drifted briefly to Itachi. Where is he now?

---

Far away, in a dense forest on the border of the Land of Fire, a crow controlled by illusion flapped its wings.

A strange mechanical voice echoed through the woods.

"Question—"

The crow landed on a branch, its movements halted as Uchiha Itachi's consciousness, projected into the bird, took control. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings cautiously.

"Question: Konoha ninja Uchiha Itachi died and was later reincarnated using Impure World Reincarnation. Before parting ways with his younger brother Uchiha Sasuke for the final time, what were Uchiha Itachi's last words to Sasuke?"

Itachi's mind raced. What is this? Who is behind it?

When he tried to sever his connection with the crow and retreat, he found his consciousness locked in place.

The voice continued:

"Rules:"

1. There are three attempts to answer. All lifeforms within this domain are eligible.

2. Incorrect answers will result in the immediate death of the respondent.

3. If three lifeforms fail, the question ends, and the domain barrier will open.

4. A correct answer will immediately open the domain barrier, and the respondent will receive a reward.

These words carved themselves onto the bark of a nearby tree. Itachi's suspicions deepened.

---

"Reward—"

Reward 1: Uchiha Itachi's cat ear hairpin.

Before Itachi's eyes, a small, milky-white hairpin with cat ears floated in the air. Memories long buried resurfaced—his Genin days, the missions, and how Sasuke had once taken this very hairpin and playfully worn it on his head.

Itachi frowned. What kind of cruel joke is this?

Reward 2: The respondent may choose one of ten deceased ninjas from their village to resurrect.

Itachi's eyes narrowed. He was a rogue ninja. He had no village to claim. This so-called "reward" was meaningless.

---

The crow remained perched, its black feathers gleaming in the dim light. Trapped within the illusion, Itachi's mind calculated every possibility. The game's creator had power—enough to trap him. But their motives remained unclear.

Still, he resolved to find a way out.

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