But I can't tell Uchiha Sasuke about this yet.
He's nowhere near strong enough to take on the Sage of Six Paths. If that old geezer catches wind of it, things'll get real messy, real fast.
From a dark corner, Uchiha Itachi watched the scene in the little grove, crushing the frost on his fingertips into powder.
He'd just seen Uchiha Makoto and Uchiha Sasuke getting close to the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. His heart clenched like an invisible fist was squeezing it. More than once, he nearly leaped down to drag them both back.
But shadows near the grove hid ANBU and Root ninjas, coiled like venomous snakes.
The second he moved, hands slid toward weapon pouches. Some were already forming seals. If he jumped in, blades would be drawn on the spot, and everything would spiral out of control.
Watching Sasuke inch closer to Naruto, fat snowflakes landed on Itachi's trembling fingertips, melting into water that dribled through his fingers and soaked a dark patch on the roof tiles.
He didn't even notice. His breath shook. His chest felt like it was buried under ice. Snowflakes clung to his lashes, framing pupils that had shrunk to pinpricks.
The whole village is huge. You two could play with anyone. Why pick the Nine-Tails kid?
Uchiha clan members even talking to the Nine-Tails jinchuriki was a hard no—like breakdancing in a minefield.
Itachi shot to his feet. His knee smacked the roof beam with a dull thunk, shaking loose a cascade of snow from above.
Uchiha Shisui grabbed his arm, grip firm but not harsh, a calming smile tugging at his lips. "They're just kids building a snowman. Relax."
He paused, eyes flicking to the hidden ANBU and Root agents, then added, "But yeah, we gotta report it. Let the Third Hokage and the clan head know."
On missions, Shisui was rock-solid. Itachi, on the other hand, was letting worry cloud his judgment.
No sooner had the words left Shisui's mouth than two black shadows slipped away from the left—fast as ghosts. No need to guess; ANBU and Root were off to tattle too.
The two friends locked eyes, their bond speaking volumes. With twin puffs of smoke, shadow clones materialized from the mist.
One bolted toward the Hokage Tower. The other raced for the Uchiha compound.
...
In the corner of the grove, Naruto Uzumaki was crouched in the snow, wrestling with his snowman.
It was half-built, head lolling like a scarecrow about to collapse.
Ever since he could remember, hardly anyone came near him. The villagers' dirty looks piled up like snowflakes, blanketing his whole childhood.
Then a dark blur shuffled into his peripheral vision. He lazily flicked his eyes up, figuring it was just someone passing by. No way they were here for him. He shrugged it off.
But when the shadow stopped right in front of him, Naruto froze.
Something felt... weird. First time meeting this kid, yet it was like spotting a sunny windowsill in winter. He just wanted to scoot closer—like a kitten drawn to a warm stove. No idea why, but it felt right.
Sasuke Uchiha stood there, looking all high-and-mighty. Snow dusted his dark hair; he didn't bother brushing it off. He just stared at Naruto's red, frost-bitten nose.
Over and over in his head: If Makoto hadn't said there was some "big opportunity," I wouldn't waste my time on this loud blond punk...
Naruto studied the cool expression, shrinking back a little. His grip tightened on the snowball; flakes trickled through his fingers. But his eyes sparkled. "You... wanna play with me?"
His voice stuttered, the end wobbling with a tremble he didn't even notice—like a puppy scared of being turned away.
Sasuke didn't answer. Just a soft "hmph" through his nose. But his feet didn't move back. That was as good as a yes.
Naruto's eyes lit up like Christmas lights. He nearly bounced, scooting over with a shh-shh of boots in snow, clearing a big spot. "I'm making a snowman! I saved the biggest head for you! Look, mine's kinda crooked, huh?"
Sasuke glanced at the wobbly mess, brow furrowing into a tiny knot. His tone was stiff. "Crooked? One gust of wind and it's toast. You didn't pack the base tight enough—how's it supposed to stand?"
Words were harsh, but his body betrayed him. He squatted down, slapping the side of the snow pile.
The warmth from his palms melted it just enough. The lopsided snowman suddenly stood straight and proud, like it grew a spine.
Naruto's eyes went round as saucers. He had no clue there was a trick to snowmen—no one had ever shown him. Grinning ear to ear: "You're awesome at this! I'm Naruto Uzumaki!"
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke's voice was cold as ice chips, nothing like the soft tone he used around Makoto or Itachi. But the tips of his ears turned pink.
The sudden chill wilted Naruto for a second. His grin sagged like frostbitten grass.
But in a blink, he beamed again, flashing tiny white teeth, voice bright as sunlight on snow: "Sasuke! Let's make one taller than the Hokage Rock! So the whole village can see!"
Sasuke ignored him, but scooped up snow and started rolling a perfect ball for the head.
His warm fingers shaped it round and smooth—way neater than Naruto's attempt, every curve screaming serious business.
Naruto inched closer, knees digging shallow trenches in the snow, flakes sticking to his pants. "Sasuke, don't you think snowmen are fun? I made a pretty good one earlier... but some big kid accidentally kicked it over."
"I didn't come here to build snowmen," Sasuke snapped, whipping his head around, ears now really red. "My dumb brother made me come play with you. I'm only here because I had no choice."
As he spoke, he jabbed a finger toward the edge of the grove. Makoto waved back, deep eyes twinkling in the snowlight like little stars.
Naruto followed the gesture, spotted Makoto's smile, and shot to his feet, waving wildly. His shout startled birds from the trees. "Thanks, big bro! For letting Sasuke play with me!"
Makoto nodded with a grin, handed off his clingy little brother to Naruto, and slipped out of the grove.
He'd gotten the intel he needed. Time to stir the pot.