Akira exited the burning compound and took in the sight of the bright, dark flames that raged uncontrollably, showing no signs of dying down anytime soon.
Just as he started to leave, he felt the presence of multiple individuals appearing around the clan grounds. It seemed like a small army as more and more gathered.
"Suiton: Suihachi!!!" A ninja yelled as he released the jutsu.
"Suiton: Bakusui Shōha!!!" Multiple ninjas chanted in unison.
"Suiton: Mizurappa!!!" Another ninja followed with a different water jutsu.
"Suiton!!..."
"Suiton!!!....."
Hearing all the jutsu being released in the distance, Akira looked back for a moment and chuckled.
He continued on his way back to Kushina's home, knowing that those water jutsu would be useless. If they wanted to stop the fire, they would be better off sealing it inch by inch until they covered the entire compound... or just waiting until the fire extinguished itself. After all, the clan walls would prevent it from spreading to other parts of Konoha; it would die out once it burned everything within the clan lands.
But he supposed some people wanted to avoid that at all costs, which was why there were so many ninjas desperately trying to stop the flames.
...
As Akira stood outside Kushina's home, Izumi woke up from the genjutsu.
"Husband!" Izumi called out as she embraced Akira tightly. "I hate Itachi..."
"I know, Izumi." Akira sighed, caressing her waist as he held her.
"That bastard made me see the last moments of my parents... but he also made me see that he sent them on their way happily in a genjutsu. I... I hate him." Izumi sobbed, leaning on his body and wetting his shoulder with her tears.
"Uncle and Aunt are resting now, Izumi. We'll give them a proper burial in the day." Akira tried to console her. "Along with my father and Uncle Fugaku..."
"My sister, Satsuki, Mom, and Mikoto. They still don't know what happened to them..."
"Husband..." Izumi said softly, her voice filled with sorrow at the thought of so many of their family members and clansmen dead.
"It's okay. I..." Akira said, smiling at her.
*Shush* A ninja suddenly appeared a few meters away from them.
"Who are you?" Izumi quickly became alert, grasping her kunais.
Akira looked at the man's clothing and face mask, instantly recognizing him as an ANBU.
The ANBU didn't bother with Izumi or her actions. "Akira Uchiha. I bring orders from the Hokage. You need to present yourself before him immediately. He is awaiting you in his office. I will be your escort."
"Akira..." Izumi whispered worriedly, grabbing the hem of his clothes.
Akira looked at the ANBU, noting the silver hair and distinctive hairstyle he had seen so many times in the anime. He knew the one in front of him was Kakashi.
Akira chuckled at the realization that the eternal loner was standing before him. "Alright. I will follow the Hokage's orders."
Feeling naughty, Akira took Izumi's cheeks with his free hand and caressed her. "Izumi, I need to see the Hokage for a moment. I'll be back later. Take Sasuke and go to the door in front. Inside the house, you'll find my Mom and the others. Would you do that for me, my love?"
"Yes, husband. I will do as you say." Izumi said softly, her eyes filled with love and misty with emotion as she enjoyed his touch.
"That's my good girl, Izumi." Akira smiled, leaning in to kiss her lips.
"Mhmm~~" Izumi moaned softly, enjoying his kiss. She embraced his neck, her tongue eagerly playing with his as she circled it.
After a short moment, they parted, Izumi panting for air, her face blushing, a fine thread of saliva connecting their lips.
"I will take Sasuke. Husband, come back safely." Izumi said with love.
She then took Sasuke from his arms and looked at him one last time before walking inside the front yard of the house.
"I will be back. Tell the others." Akira chuckled, patting Izumi's cute ass as she walked away.
*Hip~~!* Izumi made a soft, surprised sound, looking back briefly at him with her blushing face, her eyes misty with desire, before continuing to walk.
*Cough* *Cough*
"Akira Uchiha, we can't lose time. The Hokage awaits." Kakashi called again, growing impatient as he watched the affectionate exchange between the teenage couple.
"Let's go." Akira chuckled.
At that moment, both of them disappeared.
*Click* The house door opened from the inside as Izumi walked to the entrance with Sasuke.
"Izumi!!! You're fine!" Sayuri called out cheerfully as she saw her niece.
"Aunt..." Izumi called out as she saw her aunt. She wanted to smile, but tears started forming in her eyes, spilling down her delicate cheeks.
---------------------------------
It didn't take long for Akira and Kakashi to appear outside the Hokage's office.
*Knock* *Knock* Kakashi called to the door.
"Come in." A voice sounded from inside the room.
As the door opened, smoke billowed from the room like a breeze.
Akira's eyebrows shot up seeing the curtain of smoke inside the room as he walked in with Kakashi.
But the smoke didn't last long; it was quickly dispersed as a gust of wind appeared and moved it all out of the office through the open window.
The Third Hokage wasn't the only one in the room. Also present were the Konoha council members: Danzo and the other two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Akira knew that even if they were present, this show would be directed by Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Kakashi kneeled before the assembled group. "Hokage-sama, I brought Uchiha Akira as you ordered."
"Well done. You can retire." Hiruzen said as he put his pipe on the desk.
"Hai!" Kakashi said before disappearing from the room.
Inside, only Sarutobi and the council remained, looking at Akira with scrutiny.
"Aren't you going to kneel, child?" Koharu Utatane suddenly asked.
"It is a form of respect to the elders. What have you learned so far?" Homura Mitokado added.
Akira's lips pursed. On Earth, where he was from, there was no kneeling or bowing. He had done it so few times since coming here. He didn't find it humiliating if needed, but he didn't enjoy doing it at every turn.
Sighing, he kneeled, as he still needed their word and approval to have a good time in Konoha without trouble. "Uchiha Akira greets the Third Hokage, Sarutobi, and the Konoha council elders."
Danzo wasn't having it. He could feel Akira's half-baked compliance to their authority. "Sarutobi, that child doesn't respect authority."
Hiruzen took his pipe again from the desk and smoked deeply. After a moment, he exhaled and smiled. He already knew how Akira Uchiha worked. Kneeling was unnecessary; Hiruzen knew Akira would do what he wanted and needed if he provided him with what he most desired and needed—his support.
Hiruzen let him comply with the etiquette for a few seconds, then spoke.
"There is no need for you to kneel, Akira. Stand up." Sarutobi said. "Bring him a chair."
An ANBU suddenly appeared and left a chair beside Akira before disappearing again.
"Thank you, Third Hokage." Akira smiled as he sat without feeling uncomfortable or troubled. Running around all this time without stopping was a delight to his legs and ass; this chair was a welcome relief.
"Sarutobi!" Danzo growled, seeing that he wasn't following the tune he wanted.
"Danzo! I am the Hokage!" Sarutobi simply said as he took another puff from the pipe.
'Damn.' Danzo raged inside as his cane cracked, but he didn't continue saying anything.