**Chapter 35: Changes Brought by the Butterfly Effect**  

"I'm not your teammate, but we are like-minded companions," 

Konan said softly, looking at Itachi, who was holding her hand. 

Her voice was distinct, enough to stir a protective instinct in many men. 

"Come in and have a seat," Itachi said, releasing her hand and stepping aside to let Konan into the room. 

Seeing this, Konan gracefully stepped into Itachi's room, her movements elegant. 

If only the melancholy in her eyes could turn to joy—it would make her even more perfect. 

Itachi gently closed the door behind her and walked to the table, pouring a cup of tea for Konan. 

"That new outfit you bought doesn't seem to fit very well..." 

Konan remarked softly as she noticed Itachi zip his jacket up to his neck after closing the door. 

"This was something I picked up casually the last time I had a free moment. I've never worn it before..." 

Feeling a bit suffocated, Itachi unzipped the jacket halfway down, stopping at his chest. 

... 

"When did you join the organization? I don't remember seeing you before." 

After Konan took a sip of tea, Itachi poured himself a cup and asked her, though he already knew the answer. 

"I'm one of the founding members of the organization. I've just been in seclusion training all this time," Konan replied. 

"That's impressive..." Itachi said, genuinely impressed by her dedication. 

Hearing his words, a faint blush rose to Konan's cheeks as she thought about the stacks of explosive tags she had crafted using her Paper Release technique. 

"I suppose that counts as training too..." 

Konan mused silently but replied casually, "It wasn't too bad." 

... 

The room fell silent. Neither of them was particularly talkative. 

"I just finished my training and heard there's a new recruit in the organization—a rather young one. I thought I'd come and take a look," Konan broke the silence after a while. 

"Yeah, before I knew it, it's already been more than half a year since I joined. If you round it up, I've almost been here for a year," Itachi replied with a tinge of nostalgia in his voice. 

"Do you miss your village, Itachi?" 

Konan could sense the melancholy in his tone, which tugged at her heart. She decided to ask gently. 

"No," Itachi answered succinctly. 

His brief response left Konan momentarily taken aback. She couldn't quite figure out why she had come to see him either. 

Glancing around the room, her gaze fell on the disheveled bedding on Itachi's bed. 

"Well, Itachi, I'll get going now. You should rest," Konan said softly, placing the teacup she had been holding back onto the table. 

This visit was only to meet Itachi and get acquainted. There would be more opportunities to connect in the future—no need to rush things. 

... 

After seeing Konan out, Itachi closed the door. 

He walked back to the table, deep in thought, and instinctively picked up the cup of tea he had poured earlier, taking a sip. 

The faint fragrance of the tea filled his senses, and Itachi froze for a moment. 

Looking around, he realized that the seat he had taken was the one Konan had sat in earlier. The teacup in his hand was the one she had used. 

It wasn't surprising, though. When he was alone, he always preferred that seat. Lost in thought earlier, he had instinctively gravitated toward the familiar spot. 

When Konan entered the room, it had been the closest seat, so she had naturally sat there. 

... 

Itachi placed the cup back on the table and noticed that the tea inside was almost gone. 

---

After thinking it over, Itachi decided that since he had already started drinking the tea, he might as well finish it. Leaving it there half-drunk was a bit unsettling. 

Of course, this was just his inner perfectionism talking. 

Itachi poured the remaining half-cup of tea onto the ground, then turned the cup upside down instead of placing it back on the tray. 

Feeling a bit parched, Itachi picked up the tea he had poured for himself earlier and drank it. 

"When you're young, you must control your desires—they are your greatest enemy! When you're in your prime, you must restrain your aggression! If you master these disciplines, you will have a promising future…" 

Itachi's solemn voice echoed through the room. 

Lying in his bed, he kept muttering these words from a philosopher over and over to himself. 

---

"Sasuke, how's your progress with the hybrid ninjutsu techniques I've been teaching you?" 

In a small courtyard, Sasuke was diligently practicing hand seals. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared at Sasuke's side, his expression gentle and kind. 

When Sasuke used chakra paper for testing, Hiruzen was astonished to discover that Sasuke, like him, had all five chakra natures. This revelation made him cherish Sasuke even more. (Although Sasuke lacked the Yang nature, he possessed the other six primary chakra properties.) 

Hiruzen was especially pleased with Sasuke's relentless effort. It gave him a sense of hope and continuity, as if the future was in good hands. 

But possessing such a rare gem in Sasuke also brought fear—fear of losing him. 

"Itachi, it's time for you to leave this world... Let this be your final act of service to the village and to your younger brother." 

Hiruzen's heart turned cold and ruthless. 

As long as Itachi, who knew too much and could potentially sway Sasuke's resolve, was eliminated, Sasuke would become Konoha's brightest star. Once he rose, no one else would be able to compare. 

---

"Grandpa, am I a bit slow? You've taught me five C-rank jutsu, but I've only mastered three. And my hand seal speed is still too slow…" 

Hearing Sasuke's words, Hiruzen paused and looked at him with a kind smile. 

"Foolish child, persistence wears down the stone. You've only been practicing for a month, and you've already mastered three jutsu. That's far better than most people. But remember, it's important to balance hard work with rest. You don't want to neglect refining your chakra." 

Hiruzen patted Sasuke's head gently, his tone soft. 

In that moment, he seemed like a loving grandfather, even refraining from smoking in front of Sasuke. 

---

"Oh…" Sasuke's lips curled slightly in frustration as he responded. 

"Don't worry, child. You're still young. When you grow up, you'll understand. But practicing hand seals regularly is a good habit, especially since the hybrid ninjutsu techniques I specialize in require great hand seal speed." 

Seeing Sasuke's dejection, Hiruzen spoke soothingly. 

The saying goes, "The older generation plants the trees, and the younger generation enjoys the shade." Orochimaru's defection had been a regret and a lingering scar for Hiruzen, but also a valuable lesson. 

He understood now that what children needed most was love and companionship. 

That's why Hiruzen spent time with Sasuke every day after he returned from school. 

He listened as Sasuke talked about amusing things, and occasionally introduced thought-provoking political topics to broaden Sasuke's perspective and deepen his thinking. 

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi truly spared no effort for Sasuke. 

He treated Sasuke better than perhaps even a biological grandfather might have. 

Sasuke, after all, had a heart of flesh and blood. While Indra's will occasionally influenced him, making him extreme and reclusive at times, Hiruzen's care and attention slowly opened his heart. 

In Sasuke's heart, Hiruzen left a deep and lasting mark. 

---