"This isn't low enough. Horse stance is all about the lower body. The steadier your foundation, the more advantage you'll have in battle later."
Hyūga Hiyasu looked at Neji, who was drenched in sweat, and continued instructing him without pause.
Neji didn't respond, but he kept holding his horse stance seriously, focusing on strengthening his lower body.
Seeing how earnestly Neji followed the instructions, Hyūga Hiyasu couldn't help but shake his head.
That blind guy really wasn't wrong—geniuses are easy to teach.
Unlike Guy.
Speaking of Guy… where was he?
Why hadn't he shown up at the training ground today?
"Neji, have you seen a man wearing a green tight suit?"
"No. I've been alone here the whole time."
"Oh. Then keep training."
Hyūga Hiyasu stroked his chin, his mind racing.
How strange. That training maniac Guy actually didn't come to the training ground. Where could he have gone?
Forget it. He's a grown man. It's not like he'll get lost.
...
"Shikamaru, you say you want to learn ninjutsu?"
Shikaku was shocked by Shikamaru's sudden request. He quickly checked his son's forehead.
"No fever… doesn't look sick."
He then checked his own forehead.
"I'm not feverish either… so I shouldn't be hallucinating."
A large "#" mark appeared on Shikamaru's head.
"Dad, what kind of image do you have of me in your mind? Do you think I only loaf around and do nothing?"
He complained in a childish voice.
Shikaku hurriedly checked again.
Still no fever.
Then—
Smack!
"Ow! So I wasn't dreaming!"
Shikamaru: "???? So you'd rather slap yourself than believe I'm telling the truth?"
In the Nara residence, they found an open space.
"Although I don't know why you suddenly want to train ninjutsu, at just three years old you're still far from meeting the requirements to extract chakra. Oh, right—I forgot to explain what chakra is. But that's minor. You can read about it later."
"For now, you can only train physical conditioning and hand seals."
"The physical training books are in the west room. The hand seal books are in the east room. Remember to return them exactly as they are, or cleaning up will be troublesome."
Shikamaru endured it again and again—but eventually couldn't hold back.
"So everything is left for me to read and train myself. Then what exactly are you responsible for, Dad?"
"I'm responsible for telling you where the books are."
"Then why did you make me come all the way to this empty space to tell me?"
"It feels more formal this way."
"Argh! Dad, today only one of us will survive!"
...
At the largest ninja tool shop in Hidden Leaf Village—
Uchiha Kamito walked in holding Uchiha Sasuke.
In the past, he used to carry little Itachi. Unfortunately, Itachi had grown up now and wouldn't let his uncle carry him anymore. Kids really become less cute as they grow.
He set Sasuke down.
"Little Sasuke, it's time to pick a birthday gift for your brother. What kind of gift he gets depends entirely on your taste."
"Don't worry! I'll pick something Brother will love!"
Sasuke patted his chest confidently.
As long as it was chosen by him, his brother would definitely like it.
The shop owner—Tenten's father—greeted Kamito.
"Department Head Kamito, here again to buy tools for the kids?"
"Can't help it. Uchiha children like playing with ninja tools from a young age. No matter how I explain, it doesn't work."
"That's good! It means they'll become great ninjas in the future."
"Great ninjas? As long as they don't cause trouble for me, I'll be grateful."
"You're joking. How could Uchiha children be anything less than excellent?"
"You sure know how to talk. Not planning to ask me to handle anything for you if something happens, are you?"
"Of course not! I'm a conscientious businessman. You can send someone to inspect anytime."
"No need. There might be a large inspection campaign in the second half of the year. We'll handle it then."
(The shop owner thought: There it is—information. Second half of the year. Inspection campaign. Gotta pay attention. Business really does require a good mouth.)
"I've chosen!"
"Alright. Boss, ring it up."
"No need for that small amount of money. I'll give it to you."
"Tell me the price. If you don't, someone will come inspect you later."
"Three thousand seven hundred ryo."
After hearing the price, Kamito praised Sasuke.
"You sure know how to choose. Not even trying to save your uncle money."
"You're so rich! This is nothing to you!"
Sasuke kept shaking Kamito's hand.
"You little rascal. For your brother, you're squeezing your uncle like this—do you have any conscience?"
After paying, Kamito carried Sasuke home.
Back home, Sasuke ran off to find his mother.
Kamito sat down somewhere to rest. But suddenly, sensing chakra nearby—
"How are you here?"
Uchiha Fugaku instantly became irritated.
Calm down. Don't argue with the sick. Don't argue with the blind. Don't argue with someone mentally unstable.
"Mikoto is my wife. Itachi and Sasuke are my sons."
"Oh. So?"
"So this is my house. I live here."
"Oh? Since when does getting married and having children automatically mean you must live together?"
Fugaku's face darkened.
How would he know who made that rule?
But I live with my wife and children—what's wrong with that?
"If you want to fight, just say it directly. No need to beat around the bush."
Kamito stood up and picked up the ninja sword beside him.
"Let's go."
Fugaku: Damn it. Who wants to fight you? If I could beat you, wouldn't the Police Force leader position be mine? It's unfair. Truly unfair. Why can't I beat you even though you're blind? I should at least be Kage-level!
Kamito: Fugaku, there are differences even between Kage-level fighters. Weak as you, strong as me—it's obvious at a glance.
"Kamito-san, Fugaku-san, I'm here! This is the gift for Itachi. I don't know where to put it!"
A sweet voice sounded.
It was Uchiha Izumi—specially invited by Kamito as a distinguished guest.
Itachi's birthday wouldn't be complete without her.
For this family, I really work myself to exhaustion.
After a while—
"I'm back."
Uchiha Itachi stepped through the door.
Hmm?
It's dark inside.
And there's a faint sweet scent in the air.
Definitely a trap.
He instantly drew the ninja sword from his back and slashed toward a flickering shadow of light.
Hearing the sound behind her, Uchiha Izumi happily turned around.
"Itachi, happy birth—"
She saw the blade descending at extreme speed.
Itachi saw that his target was actually Izumi.
"Anyone! Please—someone come save us!!!"