Chapter 13
From the time Sasuke started training, it felt like time was flying. He was learning so much from his brother and Shisui that before he knew it, they had running water and electricity. Looking back at it, he could vaguely make out helping with building the houses and some poles to connect the water wheel to the rest of their village. He even remembered helping with some shaping jutsu to help mold the little lake into something closer to a stream with an overhang. It almost looked like a waterfall coming down across the wheel. He didn’t know a whole lot about how it worked but was happy it did.
Itachi pouted a bit when he realized the project Mikoto was working on was a fully functional bathhouse in a secluded clearing nearby. Shisui still laughs about the stories he tells Sasuke about their failures getting around Mikoto. He sensed outside chakra a few times while they were finishing up some of their projects but they never came into the new boundaries for their “Village,” so Sasuke didn’t worry too much.
When one got too close, someone was always going that way to take care of it. He didn’t know what happened but he didn’t want to know either so he tried not to think too much of it.
It didn’t take long after that for all the houses to be built. It felt like fields cropped up over night. Apparently there were veggies you grow year round in this country. There was a tanner, blacksmith, and a butcher as well. They were still working on a glass making shop but it wouldn’t be long.
Sasuke was still a touch upset about the school though, “Why can’t I sit in the older classes,” He pouted at dinner. Shisui and Naruto had moved into a modest house already so it was the family of four eating tonight.
Fugaku’s pursed lips were easy to read for Mikoto as she tried to explain. “Wouldn’t it be better to learn with kids your own age?” She tempted him but knew it was worthless.
“But I know all of this already.” Of course Fugaku and Mikoto knew that even with Itachi’s private lessons, Sasuke was bored with the rest of his class. They were in quite the situation. While they wanted to keep him with kids his own age, he was more of a teachers aid then an actual student at this point.
“What about all the help you're giving your teacher,” She tried. She knew it was a low blow when Sasuke bit his lip and turned away. Sasuke wouldn’t stop helping just because he was bored and both parents knew it.
Itachi was trying hard to look at anything except Sasuke. He had been teaching him fine control on shuriken and senbon but left most of his ninjutsu training to the new academy. It was no wonder the boy felt like he was falling behind. There was also the fact that he had barely activated his Sharingan with all the excitement and work to be done.
“How about we see what we can do about teaching you a bit ourselves after next week?” Fugaku joined the conversation. The idea of Fugaku teaching Sasuke was satisfying enough that the boy stopped pouting for a bit. The truth being that in a couple of days, Sasuke would have his awakening ceremony. Mikoto felt awful that they hadn’t done it, especially since Sasuke hadn’t mentioned it since his initial question a while before.
They were almost finished with all the preparations for this celebration. They were planning to make it bigger than normal for two reasons. One being that Sasuke was the first to awaken while they had cut ties with Konoha. The second being that they will officially put in a request to the Daimyo for them to be an official village of the county.
It was a hard decision to seek official approval because then they would be placed on the map and make them easy to find. One the pro side of things, they would be about to accept missions and open official trade routes with the surrounding villages.
They had been thinking about a name for a while but with the kids learning history, inspiration struck there. The village hidden in whirlpools was the area they had settled in and what better name than the one that already existed before the land of lightning hunted down its people.
They unveiled the name Usushio a few days before the official introduction during the village meeting. Their normal meetings in Konoha were definitely not the new normal here. Where Konoha left out most of its civilians and only gave the council and the clan heads a voice during meetings, the Uchiha simply built a speaking platform in the village center.
They kept the large fireplace the children originally built and everyone who wanted to was welcome to come and speak.They tried to keep it late enough, most of the small kids were in bed it wasn’t uncommon to see several older kids in the crowd. Sasuke and Itachi were usually there as well and sometimes Naruto would sit in as well.
Tonight would be the last night that they would be nameless. They would send Shisui with an official request the next evening and they were all confident it would go through. Sasuke’s party would be the next day too but he didn’t know about that part. Mikoto did request Naruto to be there during the name discussion though. It was about time she sat down and talked to that boy about his family and what he wanted to do.
The meeting itself was mostly about supplies and what they would ask for with the Daimyo. “We need to be able to use the trade routes going to the land of iron and the land of lightning,” their blacksmith declared.
“Konoha too,” Fugaku added and all went quiet with that statement. “They are close enough that we should be able to work with them. We can’t afford to be too picky.” It was agreed but had to be put to a vote.
“I know,” Mikoto comforted some of the others. “I don’t like it either but we don’t need to go to war right now with one of the five largest and most powerful villages.” Even without the Uchiha, Konoha would be either a powerful ally or enemy. Fugaku knew he would never trust them again, but maybe he could use them to create a better village for everyone.
“We also need to get approval for the academy.” One of the elders added. “Technically, we’re all rogue until we get this settled.” He set down the lesson plan and curriculum for the older students and the younger students in front of Fugaku. Mikoto was the one to pick them up and put them in the delivery bag. It was getting thick with the paperwork but all of this would be required.
Sasuke was half asleep as he listened to the conversations about everything they would need. He had been helping with messages and math so he could understand what was being said but that didn’t mean it was interesting. He envied Naruto leaning on his shoulder and all but snoring. He wished he could do that but he ,as the clan head’s son, needed to show more maturity.
Besides, lots of the others were beginning to doze before they were done and his father called the meeting to an end. “Hey, wake up.” Sasuke tried to shake Naruto gently but when the blond didn’t move, he just got up and let him fall sideways. The sensation of falling did the trick and Naruto awoke flailing and yelling.
Sasuke couldn’t hold back his giggle as he watched the show. Normally, he would have just let Shisui take him home but mother said she had to talk to Naruto before tomorrow. Naruto asked if Sasuke could be there too and she agreed after a silent conversation with Fugaku.
Naruto sent Sasuke a glare and got to his feet. The two boys were wide awake before they got back to the main manor. Shisui and Naruto both would be spending the night. Mostly because Shisui had to make last minute preparation and because Mikoto would be watching Naruto while the older boy would be gone.
The two boys settled on one side of the table while Mikoto settled on the other. Fugaku left with Itachi and Shisui and that left the three of them sitting. Sasuke was confused why his dad had to leave too but figured he was just too tired after all the talking earlier. It took a few tries for Mikoto to start but once she did, there was no hesitation.
“While we were in Konoha, they made two special rules about you, Naruto.” She started and then thought about how to continue. Rules and laws were the same at this age so she tried to keep it simple. “One of those was that everyone in the Village had to keep your parents a secret.”
Naruto perked up at this. “You said I looked just like my dad.” He sounded happy and broke Mikoto’s heart to see how much that little piece of information elated the orphan. “Why keep it a secret?”
Now he was asking the important questions. “Because your dad was a very important man. He was the fourth Hokage after all.” Sasuke felt his jaw drop and Naruto’s eyes outright sparkled. “They were worried about your safety and made everyone promise not to tell you or approach you. I know because I was good friends with your mother. You may look like your dad but you sound just like her.”
Here Mikoto picked up a piece of paper lying on the table next to her. “It took a long time to find this but I want you to have it.” Mikoto handed him a photo. It had two girls in it. One of them had dark hair and eyes. “Is that you?” Sasuke recognized her even if she was younger.
“Yes,” Mikoto answered and pointed to the red haired girl in the photo and that’s Kushina. Naruto’s mom. I’m sorry, I don’t really have pictures of your father.” She had scoured photo albums all over to find the one picture but couldn’t find any of Minato. Naruto mouthed his mothers name and reached out to the photo.
Sasuke reached over and held his hand as the other boy started to tear up. “This is… This..Mom?” He was shaking now and put the photo back on the table, likely worried he would damage it. Then he bowed his head and completely broke down.
It took over an hour to calm him down before Mikoto asked her next question. “I couldn’t tell you a lot about your dad but how about I tell you some stories about your mom while you're staying here.”
Naruto looked like a bobble head with how fast he nodded his head. Sasuke thought it was kinda funny but couldn’t laugh without letting go of Naruto’s hand. That night the two boys went to bed listening to bedtime stories about the adventures of Mikoto and Kushina.