How to Survive as an Uchiha

193 – The Friend Who Sees Through Masks

The power of senjutsu was a blind spot in the Uchiha ninjutsu system.

The curse seal, however, was a shortcut independently developed by Orochimaru.

Even for Masashi, who had already mastered Sage Mode, this technique was highly beneficial.

In the original timeline, this curse seal greatly contributed to Orochimaru's immortality.

He was indeed a genius, in every sense of the word.

"Curse Seal?" Orochimaru didn't agree immediately. Instead, he recalled the entire process of his re

"Peace?" Tetsuka raised an eyebrow.

"How many friends have you lost, Tetsuka?"

"Too many." Tetsuka's grip on his cup tightened.

"Peace comes at a price. Someone always pays it." Masashi's eyes drifted to the window, where the Hokage Rock was barely visible in the darkness. "Sometimes I wonder if those we lost would recognize the village they died for."

"They would." Tetsuka's voice was unusually firm. He poured himself another cup. "They'd be proud. We're building what they fought for."

Three cups later, his eyes were getting misty. "You know what's funny? During the war, we thought peace would be boring. But here we are, training the next generation, protecting the village..." He laughed, but it was hollow. "I miss them. The ones who never saw this."

By the time the second bottle arrived—ordered by Tetsuka despite Masashi's protests—the usually cheerful Uchiha was deep in his cups, recounting war stories with increasingly slurred speech.

"Remember that mission in... in..." he swayed slightly. "The one where... where did all my sake go?"

"Come on, hero," Masashi sighed, throwing Tetsuka's arm over his shoulder. "Time to go home."

The walk to the Uchiha district was mercifully short. Tetsuka's father was still awake, looking unsurprised at the sight of his son's condition.

"Ah, Masashi," the older Uchiha smiled warmly, helping move Tetsuka to a nearby couch. "Please, join me for some tea. It's the least I can offer."

The tea was served in the traditional style, steam rising gently from ceramic cups. Tetsuka's snores provided a steady background sound.

"He gets it from his mother, you know," Tetsuka's father said, glancing at his sleeping son. "That inability to leave a troubled friend alone. That and his poor tolerance for sake." He turned back to Masashi, his expression growing serious. "You're good for him. He needs friends who can keep him grounded."

"He's more likely to get himself into trouble than cause any," Masashi replied diplomatically.

The older man chuckled. "That's what worries me. He charges headfirst into everything—friendship, fights, life itself. One of these days, that straightforward nature of his..." He sighed, looking older for a moment. "Well, just keep an eye on him when you can. He respects you."

Their conversation meandered through various topics—village politics, the new training programs, the changing times. By the time Masashi finally excused himself, the clock showed nearly eleven.

Stepping into the cool night air, he couldn't help but smile bitterly at the irony of it all.

In his life as Muzo, he spent decades fighting the Uchiha clan. Now here he was, sharing drinks and forming bonds with them. The memory of Tetsuka's earnest concern, his father's warm hospitality—it was a far cry from the battlefields of his previous existence.

Truly, life was unpredictable.

This year, he turned twenty-three.

The timeline stretched before him like a well-worn map: next year, Sasuke and Naruto would enter the academy.

In six years, they would graduate. This time around, there would be no "stolen" forbidden scroll incident—he'd make sure of that.

Still, some things were bound to happen. he thought, looking up at the stars.

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