[Uchiha Clan] Ch 134: The First Celestial Team (Patreon)

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Amazon Lily—Uchiha training grounds

Naruto burst onto the training grounds, creating a mini sandstorm in his wake. "Outta my way! The future Alliance leader is here—dattebayo!"

Sasuke sat on a log near the center, lazily tossing a kunai in the air. 

Karin leaned against a tree nearby, arms crossed as she spotted Naruto making his dramatic entrance.

“Why is he so loud?” Karin muttered, adjusting her glasses.

Naruto skidded to a stop, pointing a finger at her. “Hey, four-eyes! Got something to say?”

Karin didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah, I do. Maybe don’t scream so loud next time—you’ll scare the birds.”

She paused, tilting her head mockingly. “Oh wait… Is that why your hair looks like a bird’s nest?"

"I understand now, you’re trying to shoo them away.”

“WHAT?!” Naruto yelled, his hands flying to his spiky blond hair. He frantically tried to smooth it down but only made it worse. “At least I don’t look like… uh… whatever you look like!”

“You’re making it worse for yourself.”  Sasuke said, shaking his head with a small grin.

Naruto’s attention snapped to him. “And you! What are you laughing at, duck-butt?”

“Duck-butt?” Sasuke raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “At least my hair doesn’t look like exploded ramen noodles.”

Naruto puffed up his chest, glaring. “Laugh all you want, duck-butt and four-eyes! When I become the Alliance leader, I’ll make you regret it!”

Sasuke snorted. “You? After Akira-nii? Forget it. You’ll never even make it to Hokage, let alone Alliance leader.”

Naruto’s face turned red with anger. “You wanna fight?!”

Before things could escalate, Hinata stepped forward hesitantly. “U-Um… Naruto-kun… maybe we don’t have to fight? We are all friends after all.” Her voice was soft, barely audible over the tension.

Naruto froze mid-rant, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. “Oh, uh… yeah, maybe you’re right, Hinata…”

Sasuke smirked. “Wow, Naruto actually listened. Guess miracles do happen.”

“Shut up, duck-butt!” Naruto snapped, his face turning red for a different reason.

Karin nudged Sasuke. “It’s because she’s Hinata. If it were anyone else, he’d still be yelling.”

Hinata blushed so hard she looked like she might disappear. “I-I didn’t mean to… cause any trouble…”

Before Naruto could respond, Neji strolled onto the training grounds, looking unimpressed as usual. He glanced between Naruto and Sasuke with a sigh. “Akira-sama is coming soon, and this is how you want him to see you?”

“Are you two seriously fighting over your bad hairstyles?”

Naruto jabbed a finger at Neji. “And what’s your problem, Mr. Fancy Hair? Think you’re so cool with that perfect little braid?”

Neji sighed, flipping his long hair over his shoulder with exaggerated flair. “Jealousy is such an ugly thing, Naruto.”

“JEALOUS?!” Naruto sputtered. “Why would I be jealous of your weird… long hair?!”

Neji didn’t respond, but the smug look on his face said it all.

“Naruto, you’re amazing,” Sasuke said mockingly, “at making your situation worse.”

“That’s it!” Naruto yelled, pointing at Sasuke. “I challenge you to a sparring match! Right here, right now!”

Sasuke stood up and dusted off his pants. “You sure? Last time, you couldn’t even land a punch.”

Naruto clenched his fists. “This time’s gonna be different! I’ve been training!”

“Training to fall on your face again?”

Before Naruto could charge, Hinata stepped forward again, her hands clasped nervously. “N-Naruto-kun, um… maybe it’s okay to just wait for Akira-sama? Fighting isn’t…a good thing…”

Naruto blinked, then just smiled. “Oh… yeah, you’re right, Hinata…”

Karin watched in disbelief. “Wow, Naruto is really listening to Hinata. Akira-sama’s the only other person who managed to do that.”

Hinata blushed even harder, looking like she might faint. “I.....I-I…”

Naruto turned back to Sasuke, shaking his fist. “This isn’t over, duck-butt! Next time, I’ll clean the floor with your face—dattebayo!”

Sasuke chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets as he walked away. “Yeah, in your dreams maybe.”

Naruto glared after him, muttering, “Just wait… I’ll show everyone.”

Hinata stepped closer, her voice soft but sincere. “Naruto-kun… um… I think you… did really well.”

Naruto blinked, his expression brightening. “Really? You think so?”

Hinata nodded, fidgeting nervously. “Y-Yes. You’re always… amazing.”

Naruto grinned, his confidence instantly restored. “Thanks, Hinata! You’re the best!”

Neji sighed deeply, shaking his head. “This is why I train alone. If not for Akira-sama’s orders, I wouldn’t be here.”

---

After some time, Uchiha Akira finally appeared, his presence commanding yet approachable, and walking beside him was a woman walking like a puppet.

Naruto was the first to react, his voice booming across the training grounds. “Akira-nii! You’re finally here!”

Sasuke immediately frowned, crossing his arms. “Idiot, don’t be so casual. Show some respect—call him Alliance Leader.”

Akira raised a hand, cutting through the banter with a warm smile. “It's ok, Sasuke. There’s no need for formalities between us. I’m glad to see you all together.”

The group quieted, their attention focused as Akira’s tone shifted slightly. “I have an important announcement,” he began, his gaze sweeping across them. “Starting today, the five of you—Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, Karin, and Hinata—will form the first team of the Celestial Alliance.”

Naruto’s jaw dropped. “Wait, what?! You’re serious, Akira-nii? Us?!”

Akira nodded. “That’s right. You’ll be the first to take on the responsibility of venturing into another world to explore, learn, and grow.”

Sasuke’s eyes gleamed with determination, while Neji narrowed his gaze, calculating the implications.

“But,” Akira continued, his smile turning playful, “there’s an additional challenge for all of you.”

Naruto tilted his head, confused. “Challenge? Like training?”

Sasuke frowned, his curiosity piqued. “What kind of challenge?”

Neji’s brow furrowed. “What else could we possibly need to do, Akira-sama?”

Akira chuckled softly, gesturing to the woman standing beside him. “Well, take a good look at me. Don’t you think there’s something… strange?”

The group exchanged puzzled glances. Naruto squinted, scratching his head. “Uh… you look normal to me, Akira-nii. Cool as always!”

Sasuke rolled his eyes. “Ugh, you’re hopeless.”

It was Neji who finally spoke up, his sharp gaze narrowing. “You look… somewhat older, Akira-sama.”

Akira’s smile widened as he nodded. “Exactly. And the reason for that is her.” He motioned toward the woman beside him, who stepped forward with a blank expression.

“This is Shinobu, and she possesses the power of the Ripe-Ripe Fruit—a Devil Fruit ability that allows her to accelerate the age of anything she touches, including living beings.”

The group’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait, what?! So..She made you older?” Naruto exclaimed, his expression a mix of awe and horror.

Akira shrugged lightly, his tone calm but firm. “Indeed, youth is full of potential, but being too young can hold you back from realizing it. That’s why I made myself the age of 23.”

He glanced at Shinobu, thinking. “It wasn’t easy. I had Shinobu use her Ripe-Ripe Fruit powers to age me, and while she succeeded, it took a lot of energy to advance me even a single year."

"This proved one thing—while I may not age naturally, I’m not truly immortal. If I were, aging me would’ve been impossible. It seems I might have an infinite lifespan—or perhaps even a finite one. Either way, it’s something to think about.”

---

Akira’s tone softened as he addressed the group. “Now, for your challenge. You’re all incredibly skilled for your age, but at seven and eight years old, you’re simply too young to train effectively for the worlds ahead."

"The choice is yours—you can remain as you are, or you can let Shinobu age you. But understand this: the process is real, and you will lose that part of your lifespan.”

The room fell silent, the weight of Akira’s words sinking in. But then—

Naruto grinned, punching his fist into his palm. “Alright! If Akira-nii believes in us, then I’m all in—!”

Sasuke smirked, confidence flashing in his eyes. “Try not to embarrass us, Naruto. We’ll make this team the strongest, no matter what.”

Neji gave a small nod, his expression serious. “I accept, Akira-sama. Growing stronger is my priority.”

Hinata glanced shyly at Naruto and whispered, “I’ll… I’ll do my best too.”

Karin adjusted her glasses, her eyes gleaming with interest. “The Ripe-Ripe Fruit… such an incredible ability. I’d love to learn more about it!”

Akira chuckled, his gaze filled with pride. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s begin. Shinobu, it’s your turn.”

One by one, Shinobu stepped forward to age the group. Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata became twelve years old, Neji thirteen, and Karin fourteen.

Each transformation required new clothes, which Akira had prepared in advance for each small room where the process started.

“Good, good, good!” Akira exclaimed, his smile widening as he admired their new appearances.

Naruto, trying on his new, fancier outfit, looked pleased. But when he glanced at Sasuke, who was grinning ear to ear, he frowned. “Hey, what’s with that smile? What’s he plotting now?”

Sasuke’s thoughts were far away, focused on his older brother. "Hehehe, now Itachi-nii has to call me Sasuke-nii san. That makes me the older brother, right?"

Neji stood silently, his thoughts clear and resolute. This puts me one step closer to freeing my clan.

Meanwhile, Hinata and Karin stepped forward, their transformations stunning the boys. With their longer hair and elegant dresses, they looked like fairies straight out of a storybook.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji gawked, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.

“Are these really the same girls we know?” Naruto muttered, unable to process the change.

“If it weren’t for her red hair and Byakugan…” Sasuke trailed off, staring at Karin and Hinata.

Neji shook his head slightly, trying to regain his composure. “Unbelievable.”

“Ahem.” Akira’s voice broke through their amazement. “Now that the first Celestial team is established, it’s time to assign a leader and vice leader.”

Before the group could react, two more Uchiha figures stepped into the training grounds. Both looked around Akira’s age.

Sasuke’s jaw dropped as recognition set in. “No… NOOOO! How can this be?!”

His shout startled everyone as he dropped to his knees dramatically, looking like his dreams had been crushed.

The two newcomers were none other than Shisui and Itachi, both appearing to be in their early twenties. Shisui gave a friendly wave, while Itachi stood calmly, his gaze as sharp as ever.

“Why?!” Sasuke wailed, clutching his head. “My dream! My dream of making Itachi-nii call me Sasuke-nii-san is ruined!”

Itachi, ever composed, gave Sasuke a small smile. “You’ll always be my little brother, Sasuke.”

The rest of the team exchanged amused looks. Naruto patted Sasuke’s shoulder, grinning mischievously. “Tough luck, duck-butt. Guess you’re stuck as the little brother!”

Sasuke groaned, muttering under his breath, “This is the worst day of my life…”

Akira chuckled warmly, placing a hand on Sasuke’s head. “Alright, that’s enough teasing. Let’s focus on the task ahead."

"With Shisui and Itachi here to guide you, this team is destined for greatness. The multiverse awaits, and it’s time to show the worlds what the Celestial Alliance can do!”

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