Shinji slowed as he passed through the familiar gate. The sound of the sliding door opening snapped his attention forward. A small figure burst out of the house.
"Shinji!"
Shinji barely had time to react before the boy launched at him. He caught him automatically. The smaller boy clung to him like he had been waiting days to do it.
"Shinji-niisan! You're finally back!"
Shinji blinked down at him.
The boy looking up at him had dark hair, bright eyes, and a Konoha headband tied slightly crooked around his forehead.
A new one.
Shinji smirked faintly. "Well look at that."
He adjusted his grip slightly. "Since when did you become a shinobi?"
The boy puffed up slightly with pride. "I graduated from the academy last week!"
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
The boy nodded rapidly. "Yes! I'm a genin now!"
He stepped back and straightened his headband proudly. "I'm going to become the strongest shinobi in the clan!" Shinji ruffled his hair. "We'll see about that."
The boy groaned. "Hey!"
Shinji chuckled quietly. "Still shorter than me, Itachi."
The boy scowled. "For now."
From the doorway behind him came a quiet laugh.
Shinji looked up. Standing in the entrance was Mikoto Uchiha. Her expression softened the moment she saw him.
"Welcome home, Shinji."
Something about her voice made the word home feel real again. Shinji bowed his head slightly.
"I'm back."
She stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, studying him closely.
"You've grown."
Shinji smirked faintly.
"It's been some time, only natural.."
"That isn't what I meant."
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer.
War had changed him.
From behind her, another figure stepped into the light.
Fugaku Uchiha. The clan head studied Shinji for a moment without speaking.
Shinji straightened slightly. "Father."
Fugaku gave a small nod. "You've returned safely."
"Yes."
Fugaku spoke again. "You've caused quite a stir."
Shinji raised an eyebrow.
"That tends to happen during wars."
Itachi immediately leaned forward. "It's true!" His eyes practically sparkled. "I heard stories from the jonin who came back! They said you fought multiple Suna shinobi by yourself!"
Mikoto sighed slightly.
"Itachi"
"What?" he protested. "I'm just saying!" He looked back at Shinji eagerly. "Did you really defeat two jonin?"
Shinji shrugged lightly. "Something like that."
Itachi's jaw dropped. "That's amazing!"
Fugaku cleared his throat. He turned slightly toward Shinji. "Walk with me."
Shinji nodded.
They stepped inside the house while Mikoto gently ushered the still-excited Itachi toward the kitchen.
"But I want to hear the rest of the story!"
"You can tomorrow," she said patiently.
The sliding door closed behind them. Fugaku led Shinji down the hallway toward the back of the house. They entered a quiet room lined with shelves of scrolls and documents.
Fugaku's study.
The clan head closed the door behind them. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Fugaku turned toward him. "You've made the clan proud."
"I did what was necessary."
Fugaku walked to his desk. "It was more than that."
He opened a drawer and pulled out a folded document. "Your name has begun appearing in reports across the Land of Wind."
Shinji frowned slightly.
"That's not ideal."
Fugaku looked up.
"No."
He unfolded the paper and placed it on the desk. "It means your enemies are paying attention."
Shinji stepped closer. The paper contained a simple report. A bounty notice.
"They've already placed a bounty on you." He looked back up. "That was fast."
Fugaku studied him carefully.
"You eliminated several high-value targets during the campaign." He tapped the paper lightly. "Villages remember things like that."
"It means you represent the strength of the Uchiha."
Shinji said nothing.
"The clan needs shinobi who remind the other villages why our name is respected."
Fugaku met his gaze.
"I intend to train you personally." "You've already proven your potential on the battlefield." He stepped forward slightly. "But potential must be refined." "I will ensure that no one ever dares to threaten an Uchiha again."
Shinji was silent for a moment. Then he spoke carefully. "There's something you should know."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly. "What is it?"
Shinji took a slow breath. "Earlier tonight I spoke with the Hokage." "He offered to train me."
The air in the room grew noticeably heavier.
"And?"
Shinji met his gaze directly. "I accepted."
For a moment Fugaku did not react.
Then he slowly leaned back in his chair.
"I see."
"You chose the Hokage over your own clan."
Shinji shook his head immediately. "That isn't what this is."
Fugaku's eyes sharpened slightly. "Explain."
Shinji stepped closer to the desk. "You said it yourself." He gestured toward the bounty notice. "The villages are watching." "The Uchiha already carry a reputation." "A dangerous one." "If I become stronger under the Hokage's direct guidance"
"It sends a message."
Fugaku tilted his head slightly. "What message?"
"That the Uchiha and the village stand together." "The clan's relationship with Konoha has been… strained."
Fugaku's gaze hardened slightly. "A diplomatic way of putting it."
"But if the Hokage personally trains an Uchiha…" He gestured slightly. "That changes how people see us." "If I want to protect the village…" He paused. "And the clan." "Then someone needs to start bridging that gap."
For a long moment Fugaku said nothing.
"Did the Hokage say this to you?"
Shinji shook his head. "No." "I came to that conclusion myself."
Fugaku leaned back slightly. His fingers tapped once against the desk. "You believe this will improve relations between the Uchiha and the village."
"Yes."
"And you believe the Hokage can make you stronger."
"Yes."
Fugaku studied him for several seconds. Then something unexpected happened. A faint smile appeared.
"Interesting."
Shinji blinked slightly.
Fugaku folded his arms. "Most shinobi your age would have accepted the Hokage's offer out of pride." "You accepted it as a political decision."
Shinji shrugged slightly. "Someone has to think ahead."
He stood slowly. "If the Hokage truly intends to train you…" "Then it will certainly attract attention."
Shinji waited.
Fugaku looked at him carefully.
"Very well."
Shinji blinked slightly.
"You're allowing it?"
Fugaku gave a small nod. "Yes." Then his expression hardened again. "But do not misunderstand."
Shinji straightened slightly.
"You are still an Uchiha." "No matter who trains you."
Shinji nodded. "Of course."
Fugaku walked past him toward the door.
"And Shinji."
Shinji turned.
"Yes?"
Fugaku's gaze lingered on him for a moment. "The clan will be watching." A faint smirk touched his lips. "Try not to embarrass us."
Shinji allowed himself a small smile.
"I'll do my best."
He had barely taken two steps into the hall when he heard hurried footsteps. "There you are!"
Shinji looked up just in time to see Itachi sliding to a stop in front of him. The younger boy had clearly been waiting right outside the door.
"You were taking forever," Itachi said, trying to sound annoyed.
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "It's been ten minutes."
"That's a long time."
"For you maybe."
Itachi crossed his arms. "Well I had questions."
Shinji leaned against the wooden pillar beside the hallway. "You always do."
The younger boy's serious expression cracked slightly as he looked up at him.
"So"
"was the war really that crazy?"
Shinji let out a small breath. Kids. He had almost forgotten how simple their questions were.
"It was loud," he said.
Itachi blinked. "Loud?"
"Explosions. Jutsu everywhere. Shinobi yelling."
Shinji shrugged. "Battlefields are messy."
That seemed to satisfy Itachi for about three seconds. Then the next question came.
"Did you fight a lot?"
Shinji tilted his head.
"Enough."
"How many?"
Shinji smirked faintly. "What is this, a mission report?"
Itachi looked slightly embarrassed.
"No I just". "I heard some of the jonin talking."
Shinji sighed internally. Of course he had. "They exaggerate."
Itachi shook his head quickly. "They said you fought two jonin at once!"
Shinji stared at him for a moment. "Who told you that?"
"They were talking outside the compound gate."
Shinji rubbed the back of his neck. "Jonin talk too much."
"So it's true?"
Shinji shrugged. "Something like that."
Itachi's eyes widened. "That's amazing!"
Shinji snorted. "It's not."
"But jonin are really strong."
"Yeah."
"And you're only eleven!"
"Yeah."
"So that means"
Shinji pushed himself off the wall. "You've gotten taller."
Itachi blinked.
"What?"
Shinji circled him slowly like he was inspecting something.
"Still short though." Itachi frowned. "You changed the subject."
"I did."
"That's not fair."
Shinji smirked slightly. "You'll get used to it."
The younger boy squinted at him. "You definitely fought them."
Shinji didn't answer.
Instead he flicked Itachi lightly on the forehead.
"Ow!"
"Genin shouldn't worry about jonin fights."
"I'm still curious!"
"You should be curious about your own training."
Itachi straightened slightly.
"My team starts missions soon."
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
"Yes."
"What kind?"
The boy hesitated. "…D-rank."
Shinji burst out laughing.
Itachi's face turned red. "Hey!"
"Sorry," Shinji said, still chuckling. "You're going to be chasing cats."
"That's not funny."
"And helping old ladies carry groceries."
Itachi groaned. "I trained for years for that?"
Shinji patted his shoulder. "Everyone starts somewhere."
"That sounds terrible."
"It is."
The younger boy sighed dramatically. "This is not the heroic shinobi life I imagined."
Shinji grinned. "Welcome to reality."
They started walking down the hallway toward the open main room. For a few seconds they walked quietly.
Then Itachi spoke again. "Were you scared?"
Shinji glanced down at him. "Sometimes."
Itachi looked surprised. "Really?"
"Anyone who says they aren't scared in battle is lying."
The boy thought about that.
"What do you do when you're scared?"
Shinji shrugged. "You focus on the next thing you need to do."
"Like what?"
"Move. Dodge. Throw a kunai." Shinji glanced at him. "Simple stuff."
Itachi nodded slowly, clearly thinking about it. Then his curiosity returned. "So when the jonin attacked"
Shinji grabbed his shoulder suddenly. "Come outside."
Itachi blinked. "What?"
"You wanted to know about fighting, right?"
"Yeah?"
Shinji pointed toward the back door of the house. "Let's spar."
Itachi's eyes widened instantly. "Really?"
"Really."
The boy's entire mood flipped immediately. "Yes!"
He bolted toward the door. Shinji followed more slowly. They stepped out into the small training yard behind the house. Itachi immediately took a stance in the center. Shinji stopped a few steps away.
"You're eager."
"I've been practicing."
"Oh yeah?"
"Every day."
Shinji folded his arms. "Alright."
Itachi leaned forward slightly. "Don't go easy on me."
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "You're seven."
"And a genin."
"Still seven."
Itachi frowned. "That's not the point."
Shinji sighed. "Fine." He raised one hand lazily. "Come at me."
Itachi didn't hesitate. He rushed forward immediately. His movement was quick for his age clean footwork, good balance. He threw a straight punch toward Shinji's chest.
Shinji caught his wrist effortlessly.
"Not bad."
Itachi twisted, trying to break the grip. Shinji let him go and stepped back. The boy immediately followed with a kick. Shinji sidestepped.
"You're telegraphing."
Itachi tried again. Shinji blocked easily. Then again. Shinji stepped around him. After a few exchanges the younger boy was breathing harder. Shinji tapped him lightly on the forehead.
"You're open."
Itachi groaned. "You keep doing that."
"Because you keep leaving it open."
The boy reset his stance stubbornly.
"Again."
Shinji chuckled.
"Alright."
They sparred for a few more minutes. Eventually Itachi dropped onto the grass, breathing heavily. "That's… harder… than it looks." Shinji sat down across from him. "You'll get better."
Itachi looked up at the stars. "…When you were my age were you this good?" Shinji shook his head.
"Nope."Itachi blinked. "Really?"
"I tripped over my own feet." The boy laughed. "I don't believe that."
"It's true."
They sat quietly for a moment. Then Itachi looked over at him. "I'm glad you came back." Shinji looked out at the quiet yard.
"Yeah."
Itachi grinned.
"Next time you fight jonin though"
Shinji sighed. "Don't start."
"tell me the story."
Shinji smirked slightly. "Maybe when you're older."
Itachi rolled onto his side and looked over at Shinji. "…So?"
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "So what?"
The younger boy pushed himself up slightly. "How good do you think I am?"
Shinji smirked slightly. "You're a high genin."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
Shinji nodded. "Your basics are clean." He gestured lightly. "Good balance, decent speed, and your timing isn't bad."
Itachi looked pleased for about half a second. Then he frowned.
"But?"
Shinji chuckled quietly.
"There's always a but."
Itachi crossed his arms again. "What is it?"
"You're predictable." The boy's eyebrows lowered slightly. "I am not."
"You are." Shinji shrugged. "That'll improve with experience."
The younger boy nodded slowly. Then he looked up at the sky again. "High genin is good though, right?"
Shinji laughed quietly. "For a seven-year-old?" "That's ridiculous."
The boy smiled slightly at that.
Shinji studied him for a moment longer. "You're a prodigy."
"If you're talented, you can protect people right."
Itachi's eyes lit up slightly. "Like you?"
Shinji paused. "Something like that."
Itachi seemed satisfied with the comparison.
""Remember why you're getting stronger."
Itachi looked up.
"Why?"
Shinji pointed toward the village beyond the compound walls. "You're a shinobi of Konoha now." The younger boy followed his gaze. "When shinobi get stronger just for themselves" "They lose their way."
Itachi nodded slowly. "And if it's for the village?" "Then it means something."?
Shinji smiled faintly. "The village isn't just buildings and walls." He tapped the ground lightly. "It's the people." "Your teammates." "Your family."
Itachi glanced toward the house behind them where their parents were inside.
"The First Hokage believed the village should feel like a family."
Itachi nodded. "I learned about him at the academy."
"Then you know the idea."
The boy thought about it for a moment.
"So getting stronger means protecting that family."
"Exactly."
Itachi looked back toward the village. "I like that."
Shinji chuckled. "Good."
The younger boy hesitated slightly.
"Do you think I can protect people?"
Shinji looked at him. He reached over and ruffled Itachi's hair. "You already started."
Itachi blinked. "I did?"
"You became a genin." Shinji shrugged. "That means the village trusts you."
The boy sat up a little straighter. "I won't let them down."
Shinji smiled faintly. "That's the spirit."
They sat quietly again for a moment. Then Itachi looked at him again.
"So if I'm high genin"
Shinji sighed. "Here we go."
"How strong are you?"
Shinji rubbed the back of his neck. "Stronger than a genin." Shinji smirked. "You'll figure it out eventually."
"Tomorrow you start training with the Hokage, right?"
Shinji nodded. "Yeah."
"That's really cool."
"It's just training."
"It's the Hokage."
Itachi turned his head slightly. "Can I watch sometime?"
Shinji thought about it. "Maybe."
The younger boy grinned. "I'll get stronger too."
Shinji stood slowly and stretched. "You better."
He looked down at him. "Because if you're going to catch up to me someday"
Itachi sat up quickly. "I will."
"you've got a lot of training ahead of you."
The younger boy jumped to his feet. "Then let's spar again!"
Shinji groaned. "You just got tired five minutes ago."
"I recovered."
"That's not how stamina works."
"Come on!"
Shinji shook his head, but a small smile crept onto his face.