𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 | sasuke uchiha

27

Perhaps a bit closer than he had let on, Madara curiously trailed [Name] as he watched her split away from the main battlefield and leap into the cluster of trees to the side, vanishing into the topmost branches.

"Kage bunshin no jutsu!"

Madara watched on incredulously as [Name] produced twelve shadow clones, all of whom shot out upon being formed. Each of them leapt off into twelve different directions, making the Uchiha chuckle at seeing the Kouhage's little secret. Of course, he was no stranger to the jutsu; during times of war against the Senju, he had often seen Tobirama employ its use in battle. He had never had the opportunity to watch Tobirama execute the jutsu closely enough to copy it, though- he had always been busily locked in battle with his older brother, Hashirama.

"How interesting," murmured Madara to himself as he watched the original leap out of the trees and back into the battlefield. "But, for how long will you be able to sustain all of them?"

***

Regardless of how much doubt the Uchiha had had in [Name]'s efficiency in casting Tobirama's jutsu, the safe return of all twelve of her pupils to the clan compound was testament enough.

After yet another victory, the Uchiha shinobi returned to their homes full of cheer and triumph, several of whom had witnessed the impressive ability of their younger ones fighting by their side.

"Kisumi, I never knew you were so good with the sword!" roared one man as he lifted up the ten year old, placing him on his shoulders as they walked through the compound gates. [Name] laughed as she shepherded her group from behind, watching them all as they animatedly spoke of their experience and close calls with the enemy. 

Well, nearly all of them.

"Tatsuya-kun?"

The same boy who had been terrified prior to the battle looked no different to how he had been before; but this time, there was a gaunt look in his eyes, one that worried [Name].

"How did you find the battle?" asked [Name] softly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder as they walked. Compared to the other children in his age group, [Name] had noticed that Tatsuya happened to be much more softer and empathetic when it came to dealing with things. And judging by the bleak look on his face, something had happened out there that had shaken him to his core.

"[N-Name]-sama..."

"Sama?" laughed [Name], wondering why he was being so formal all of a sudden. As she placed a hand on his shoulder, the Uchiha child winced and moved away, taking her aback.

"Tatsuya-kun?" she repeated, this time in confusion. The young boy stopped in his tracks, feet planted firmly on the ground.

"You lot go ahead," [Name] instructed the rest of her group, waving them away. "Go home, enjoy your parents' company."

"Yes, onee-chan!"

As the other children scattered excitedly, [Name] stood in front of Tatsuya with her arms crossed.

"What happened, Tatsuya-kun?" she asked gently, bending down so that she was at eye level with the distressed male. However, when he looked at her this time, there was nothing but absolute venom in his glare.

"How could you have killed that other woman so easily?" asked the Uchiha in a choked voice, his hand balled into a fist near the hilt of his katana. "Why did you have to kill her?!"

Considering that she herself had been embroiled in the middle of the battle against Sasaki shinobi for the entire duration of the battle, [Name] deduced that it must've been the work of one of her clones.