Naruto: one more uchiha

Kazui woke up with a foggy mind and a racing heart. He quickly sat up on the cot, glancing around in confusion until his eyes landed on two masked ninjas standing before him. Instinctively, he backed away, his breathing quickening. Then, without a second thought, he turned on his heels and ran toward the door.

However, before he could reach it, two more ninjas appeared, blocking his way. They surrounded him, trapping him in a perfect circle. His body trembled, and his legs gave out beneath him. He fell to his knees, defeated, as a deep void began to fill his chest.

One of the ANBU raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "We're not here to harm you, kid. The Hokage ordered us to protect you while you were in a coma."

Kazui looked up, his eyes reflecting a mix of pain and anger. "I'm not in a coma anymore, so I don't need your protection. And don't call me a kid," he retorted in a harsh tone. A bitter smile crossed his face as he added, "Besides, you look like a kid yourself."

The ANBU hesitated. How can someone who has lost everything speak like this? he wondered. Kazui's cold demeanor unsettled him, but he said nothing.

"Even though I look young, I lead the ninjas you see here," the ANBU replied after a moment, regaining his composure. "So don't get confused. Now, follow me. I'll take you to the Hokage. This isn't a request."

Kazui stood up slowly. He didn't have the strength to argue anymore. He nodded reluctantly and followed the ANBU in silence.

At the Hokage's Office

Inside the Hokage's office, three elders were arguing loudly.

"What will we do with Sasuke now, Hiruzen? He has no family anymore," Koharu said, her words cold and unyielding. "We should send him to the orphanage and assign the Uchiha clan's lands to the village. There's no one else who can claim them."

Hiruzen ignored her words, focusing instead on the crystal ball on his desk. In it, he could see the ANBU escorting Kazui toward his office. Finally, he lifted his gaze, his voice firm and resolute.

"I need you to leave right now. I don't have time for your nonsense. I will handle everything. Additionally, the Uchiha clan's lands will be returned. There are still two heirs alive, and they will decide what to do with them."

"What are you saying, Hiruzen? They're just children! They're not old enough to make such important decisions," Koharu shouted.

"I've already made my decision," Hiruzen said sternly. "Now do as I've told you, or I will have no choice but to revoke the privileges you hold. Understood?"

The elders exchanged tense looks before leaving, muttering under their breath. Just then, the door opened, and three ANBU entered, escorting a boy with jet-black hair. His eyes, calm yet filled with sadness, silently scanned the room.

"I've been expecting you, Kazui," Hiruzen said. "Come, take a seat. The elders are leaving."

The ANBU quickly disappeared, while the elders exited the room, casting disapproving glances at Kazui as they left.

"Apologies for them," Hiruzen said tiredly. "They've been in a bad mood lately."

Kazui looked at him coldly. "Why did they look at me like that? I don't even know them."

"Don't worry about them," Hiruzen replied, his voice softening. "I want to talk to you about something important. First, I'm sorry for what happened to your family. It was a heavy blow to all of Konoha."

Kazui interrupted him, his voice as sharp as a blade. "Was it really necessary for them all to die?"

Hiruzen tensed slightly. "It seems you know more than I thought. According to Itachi, you didn't attend the clan meetings. How do you know so much?"

Kazui averted his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper. "It doesn't matter anymore. I lost my entire family. There's nothing left in this world that I care about… except killing Itachi. But I'm too weak."

Hiruzen watched him silently, his heart heavy. Was this what Itachi feared? he wondered. I see no real danger in him. Could Itachi have made up an excuse to spare this boy?

"There's something else I want to discuss with you," Hiruzen continued. "I want to know if you would be willing to take custody of Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke. Both of you are Uchihas, and he's still just a child. I think you're old enough."

Kazui stared at him in disbelief. His face filled with indignation. "I'm 13 years old, in case you missed that in your report. Don't you distrust me? How can you be sure I wouldn't do to his brother what Itachi did to my family?" His voice rose, charged with fury.

Hiruzen looked at him calmly. "I watched you cry, holding that girl in your arms. I don't think you're capable of harming an innocent child."

"You don't know me!" Kazui shouted, his voice breaking. Tears began streaming down his face as his pain overflowed. His eyes turned crimson, revealing two tomoe in each Sharingan.

Hiruzen rose from his chair, surprised. Slowly, he approached Kazui and, without a word, embraced him tightly. Kazui didn't resist. He buried his face in the Hokage's shoulder as his body trembled with each sob.

"I'm sorry, Kazui," Hiruzen whispered. "I'm so, so sorry..."

At that moment, the young Uchiha let out all the sorrow, anger, and loneliness that had consumed him since the massacre. For the first time since that fateful night, Kazui allowed someone to share the weight of his pain.