Chapter 8
Sasuke Uchiha
The car zoomed off. Sakura’s parents seemed very anxious to leave his house. They were nervous saying hi to Sasuke. The two didn’t even say anything to him; just a polite wave and nod were given at the group of kids in the driveway.
Sakura was hugging Suigetsu when Sasuke noticed something off. The driveway had other cars in it. He looked back at his house, a medium sized mansion donning a traditional Uchiha style. It had black wood that climbed up the walls until it reached the redwood that traced every corner and the bottom of the dark tiled roof. The roof had many points on it. They almost looked like waves with how curved each point were, and in the middle of each wave was a redwood wall, trying to break through. At the top of the mansion stood a patio that had a short, black wood fence and a roof. This is where Sasuke would spend hours at, just staring at the city of Asamachi.
The mansion was fenced off by black brick, with a metal gate in the front to allow entry to the large circular driveway. The driveway was separated from the house by a small moat that traced its front side. The only way across was a redwood bridge that had lanterns on each end to light the way at night, which was almost upon them by the time the group made it home.
The driveway was usually empty when they came home but today, it had other cars in it.
Three cars. All black luxury SUVs.
“We should do this again sometime,” a voice said in the background. It brought Sasuke back to reality. He watched the car zoom off with the anxious parents and their cool daughter. After they were gone, he was again be confronted by his thoughts. Why are there three cars in my driveway? I don’t even own a single car.
“Someone’s home,” Jugo said, head immersed in his comic magazine.
“Were you expecting someone today,” Karin asked, her voice at her normal high pitch because Sakura left.
“We should probably head home,” Suigetsu suggested, gesturing for the group to leave. “He has guests over so we shouldn’t bother them.”
“It’s fine,” Sasuke interjected, though still cautious about who would be at his house right now.
Madara is starting his campaign, could it be local journalists trying to grab an interview?
He was no stranger to journalists. Sasuke knew that he was perceived mostly as the president’s bum nephew, but he was still the nephew of the most powerful man in the Konoha and part of the Uchiha Family, the most notable family in the region. Thus, when journalists ran out of material to write about, they came knocking at his door to interview him. When he was younger, the journalists were almost second family with how often they came to interview Itachi. Back then, it was usually about the deaths of his father, Fugaku, and his other uncle, Inabi, but as Itachi got older, it became interviews about politics, with his brother being publicly against most of Madara’s policies. But, when his brother disappeared, the journalists scarcely came. Sasuke was never outspoken like Itachi, and when he was interviewed, he never gave the interviewers a lot to work with. Nonetheless, on rare occasions, some journalists would come and ask him things about his uncle that Sasuke had no knowledge of. These things would range from alleged crimes to simple matters like foreign trade. Luckily, the interviews would never make it to the public. He didn’t want to be in the public eye. Being perceived as a nobody was better than perceived as someone. Sasuke just wanted to live his life in peace, away from people and the world.
But journalists usually wait outside. Nobody would grant them access into the house.
The group walked on the bridge, heading towards the house. The rest kept talking as Sasuke’s mind repeated the same thought.
Three black SUVs.
The thought kept hammering away in his head, each repeat becoming louder than the last.
Three black SUVs.
They had made it past the bridge and now were at the front door. The mansion loomed over them. Its shadow covered the front yard and driveway. Sasuke’s mind kept running.
It’s damn near 7:00. The maids would’ve left by now, their shift ends at 5. How did they get in? Have they been waiting since before 5? Why would they wait this long? Did they come for me? Of course, they did, I’m the only one who lives here.
“Sasuke,” Suigetsu said in a calm, concerned tone. “You okay?”
His face must’ve reflected the inner turmoil in his head for Suigetsu to ask. However, that man always knew the inner thoughts of Sasuke even though he had no telepathy quirk.
“I’m fine,” he muttered. Sasuke pushed the thoughts to the back of his head, trying to let them not bother him.
He then opened the front door.
The house was usually silent, but this time, the faint murmurs from one of the sitting rooms carried throughout the hallways and into the front entrance. As they walked inside, Sasuke used his perception quirk to hear the words being said.
“…The most notable thing about this town, besides its forgotten history, is that school,” a somewhat recognizable voice said. “So, holding-,” the voice paused, suddenly. Like it had been spotted.
“Are you listening, boy,” the voice asked, in a calm tone. That’s when Sasuke knew who the voice belonged to.
“Nevermind, go home,” Sasuke whispered to Suigetsu.
“Got it,” the kid whispered back. He started to gather the rest of the group when the voice boomed from the sitting room.
“Come on now, introduce me to your friends!”
The kids froze like deer in front of headlights. Like the wood floors had turned into quicksand. The fear held them all captive. So close to escaping, the voice had caught them just as they were leaving. Now the group had to endure Sasuke’s fate. Slowly, they made their way through the hallways and into the sitting room.
The sitting room matched the ancient aesthetic that the house had, except the wood walls were painted brown. It was bigger than most rooms, made with the purpose of seating at least twenty guests comfortably. It had two levels. The first one which was the general area made for guests had a bar and a small coffee table across from it that was surrounded by small comfy chairs. The second level sat only half a meter below the first. It was where the black leather couches sat in front of the TV and fireplace. Beyond that was the backyard patio that was separated by glass doors that were wide open. On the patio was two men, seated on either end of a dark, metallic table.
The one on the left side sat straight up, his body looking ready to attack at any moment. He wore a long, black cloak that covered everything except his head. His face was covered by a freakish, orange mask that was carved with many ridges that all spiraled to a singular point: the left eyehole. It was the only hole on the mask. Sasuke knew this man very well, seeing the masked man much when he was younger.
That man was Tobi.
On the other end was a man in an unbuttoned black suit slumped into his chair, right hand on his forehead. He had black, spiky hair, though it was a lot shorter than Sasuke remembered it. Nonetheless, it still reached past down his face and was held back by that same black bandana with red patterns that always laid on top his forehead. For a man damn near sixty, he didn’t look a day past forty, with his hair not showing a single sign of grey and his face only possessing small wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. When he noticed the kids approaching him, he gave them a big, white smile.
When the Taka group saw him, they all got on one knee and bowed, like the man was not their president but their king. All except Sasuke. He only stared at the man.
The man was Madara Uchiha.
His uncle laughed. “I’m only your president, please don’t overindulge me,” he spoke in that same, deep tone that tried to give off warmth. It may sound warm to most but to Sasuke, it was only the most chilling tone he’s ever heard. “Are these your friends, Sasuke?”
“Yes,” the boy responded, timid. Madara coming back was not a good sign. This was the first time they had talked to each other in years, the last time being when Itachi disappeared. The man always came back when things were wrong, never when they were right.
“Are you going to introduce me,” he said, now sitting up from his slumped position.
“This is Suigetsu, Karin, and Jugo,” Sasuke quickly responded.
“And we’re…the taka squad…” Suigetsu murmured.
“Gang…” Jugo whispered back.
“Well, kids, I’m pretty sure you know who I am judging how you bowed to me,” he chuckled. “And you better not start calling me your grace either. Mr. Uchiha or hell, just Madara is fine.” Their president rose from his seat. “It is a pleasure to meet my nephew’s friends,” he said, smiling and shaking their hands. When shaking Jugo’s hand, Madara made a remark and everyone laughed except Tobi and Sasuke. The boy was not paying attention. He had his head pointed towards the ground and away from his uncle. He’s back, his thoughts repeated, which bothered him more than the three SUVs outside.
A strong hand grabbed his shoulder and Sasuke flinched.
“Do you have plans with your friends today,” his uncle asked, hand rubbing the boy’s shoulder in an attempt to be soothing but instead, it came off threatening. Madara always tried to be kind to him, but the cruelty he showed Itachi was never far from Sasuke’s mind. At any moment, this kindness could turn to cold, calculated wrath.
“N-No,” stuttered the boy.
“Okay,” his uncle said, smiling. He turned to the rest of the group. “I’ll organize rides for all of you. Though I only have one person in my Personal Guard, I have an abundance of drivers that I take with me everywhere. Also,” he pulled out his wallet and gave each kid twenty Ryo. “Tell the drivers to stop by wherever you want and get yourself something to eat. Or whatever twenty Ryo can get ya.”
After escorting the excited kids out of the mansion, Madara instructed Sasuke to stay in the sitting room they were just in. The boy took a spot on the far end of the couch. Madara poured a drink from the bar.
“Well, Christ. Look at this Tobi,” Madara exclaimed. His son gave no response, as always. “Sasuke, you know what I told Tobi? That these drinks would be empty when I come by. I mean, leave a kid home alone and he’ll drink all the liquor! I swore it, on my grave of my brothers! But these things are fucking full! Did the maids not allow you to drink at all?”
It was Itachi that didn’t allow Sasuke to touch the liquor. His brother made him promise to never touch it. However, his maids would probably allow Sasuke to shoot a man on his front doorstep as long as they got paid at the end of the week. The maids never even talked to him, much less enact discipline. Those things weren’t in the job description.
“Yeah,” Sasuke responded.
“Well, they need a raise. They’re raising you right,” Madara said, approaching the couch, drink in hand. He took a seat across Sasuke. Tobi stood guard a few meters away, his gaze looming over the entire room.
“You looked shocked to see me, Sasuke,” the president concerningly said as he sipped from his drink. “Did nobody tell you I was coming?”
“No,” Sasuke responded.
“Huh. I could’ve sworn that I told Dahlia ahead of time. Doesn’t matter. I’m here now.” He took another sip from his drink. “Do you know I’m starting my reelection campaign?”
“Yes,” Sasuke responded, immediately regretting it. He didn’t want to tell Madara who Goro was and have him find out Goro’s political opinions.
“Wow, look,” Madara said emotionally. “My nephew keeps up with the news on his dear uncle. Isn’t that sweet, Tobi?”
Tobi gave no response.
“Yes, I’m starting my reelection campaign. Won’t be too much of a challenge. The people I’m up against are nobodies so I don’t think I’ll have a hard time dealing with them.”
Sasuke didn’t say anything. He sat silently and let Madara talk.
“Plus, the Uzumaki Party has already come out to endorse me, on time for once. Christ, last time, they waited so long to endorse me, it could’ve cost the election.”
Madara put his feet up on the table and allowed his body to slump into the couch.
“And obviously, the Uchiha Family is in support of their fellow member, so now, I have two major endorsements so this race will be a lot easier, I think. I was talking with Tobi about this, I’m thinking about switching to one core issue instead of a lot of general ones to really engage the people. All the other candidates right now are talking about ‘oh I can make a better leader, just trust me’ but won’t give anything specific as to how, just making general, empty promises of a better country. But, if I give the people a singular goal instead of a general one, it’ll engage the audience in making them feel like they’re working together to achieve something when they vote for me. It’ll make the community of voters feel a lot more united than before. Isn’t that genius? I think so. So, after saying all this, why do you think I’m here?”
Silence filled the air for a while until Sasuke realized Madara asked a question.
“I-I-uh,” was all that came from Sasuke’s mouth.
“I’m here to hold a rally at your school!” He said it like Sasuke was getting surprised with a brand-new car. “Isn’t that great?”
“Yeah,” responded the boy, timid.
“I’ll be holding it at the end of the week. I already talked to Principal Sarutobi, bless that veteran. Went from the army to teaching kids, the man truly cares about his country. I sent some people earlier to inform him that I wanted to a hold rally there and he happily obliged. Anyways, Sasuke, I came here early because I want you to give a speech at my rally.”
The statement shocked Sasuke. He didn’t want the public eye on him. The most anyone ever thought of him was the president’s bum nephew and he wanted to keep it that way.
“What,” Sasuke managed to blurt out. “N-No…” he said, hesitantly.
Madara leaned forward from his slumped position and put on that same smile he had when Sasuke’s friends walked in. But this time, his uncle’s eyes didn’t reflect the face. They were instead offended at the disobedience.
“Sasuke…” the president started, voice lower and colder than before. Tobi began to creep closer towards Sasuke like a predator. “I’ve decided to focus on education. Now, you go to Sarutobi High, and are my nephew. Having you speak there will be very beneficial. There’s emotional resonance with audiences when you have younger members of the family support you and you’re the only child on my side of the family. You understand this, right?”
“Y-Yes,” responded Sasuke. He knew any more insubordination and Tobi would attack his prey.
“Great! I’ll prepare you for the speech. Teach you how to talk to crowds, what you’ll say, etc. By the time of the rally, you’ll be speaking like you were the president himself,” he laughed but his eyes never left Sasuke and they still had that same offended look in them. “Anyways, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to sleep. It has been a long trip and I am tired.”
Madara got up from the couch and walked away, leaving his unfinished drink on the table. Tobi lingered for a little bit but eventually left, leaving Sasuke alone in the sitting room. Those two were done threatening. They knew that Sasuke wasn’t going to disobey.
They knew Sasuke wasn’t Itachi.