Chapter 14: Two Years

The weather was clear and bright, a rather nice day.

At the entrance to the Uchiha compound, a red torii gate, engraved with the clan emblem, stood tall and proud. The street, paved with rectangular stone slabs, was traversed by many ninjas dressed in Konoha Police Force uniforms, coming and going into the village.

Many clan members were either out shopping or wandering around, entering and exiting various shops. Some returned with bags full, while others came back empty-handed, still in search of their next target, exuding a subtle but vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

Groups of Uchiha children walked by in threes and fives, looking relaxed, backpacks bulging as they noisily passed through the street.

Uchiha Toshiro, clad in a black high-collared long-sleeve shirt, with the distinctive red and white fan on his back, wore black pants, a ninja gear pouch strapped to his waist, white shin guards around his calves, and carried a two-foot-long small sword.

Now six years old, Uchiha Toshiro could already be considered a young boy. Reasonable physical training and sufficient nutrition had pushed his height over 120 cm and his weight to nearly 30 kg. He looked quite sturdy, like a young calf, standing out among his peers.

Bidding farewell to the elders who warmly greeted him along the way and the two Uchiha ninjas standing guard at the torii, he walked out of the gate and proceeded along the path. The trees on either side of the road were evergreens, still lush and green even in winter.

The group of children laughed and joked as they made their way through Konoha's bustling main street, heading southwest. After about half an hour, they arrived at their destination.

It was a scenic river valley with slopes at the foot of the hills on either side blooming with patches of tricolored wildflowers and scattered pink camellias, creating a dazzling and colorful sight.

A white rapid flowed between the mountain gorges, rushing forward with melted ice, winding through the valley. The flat valley floor by the river was their picnic destination.

This place was the Naka River, which provided a significant portion of Konoha's domestic water supply. To ensure safe drinking water and prevent enemy ninjas from poisoning it, though now gradually replaced by tap water, its role remained crucial.

In the near future, this area would become the new Uchiha compound. Uchiha Shisui, who possessed the strongest genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, would drown himself in this river. With his death, the "ultimate filial son" Uchiha Itachi would raise his blade against his beloved clan, composing a requiem for this millennia-old family.

Upon arrival, they chose a green grassy area as their camping spot. Nearly twenty kids gathered in small groups. Some took prepared fishing rods and cages to the river. Girls, in twos and threes, ran to the blooming wildflowers to pick their favorites or joined different card games, creating a lively scene.

Uchiha Toshiro found a flat grassy area and sat down to enjoy the warm spring sunshine.

He glanced at the nearby card game. Kids nowadays were not limited to playing Werewolf. He had taught them various games like tractors, upgrades, and poker to pass the time, earning himself the nickname "Little Poker Prince" after "Toshirō the Wolf".

"Such warm and happy times always pass by quickly. I hope everyone cherishes them…" he thought to himself.

After a while, feeling drowsy in the sunlight, Uchiha Toshiro stood up and dusted off his pants.

"Does anyone want to go into the woods with me?" he asked, holding his small sword high.

"Me!"

"Count me in!"

Instantly, kids gathered around him. Compared to playing by the riverside, exploring the woods held a novel allure for them.

"Not you, Kazuki. Your chakra control is too poor; you can't even climb trees to avoid danger!"

"Ryūka can come. I saw him practicing tree climbing seriously last time."

Leading four or five children, Uchiha Toshiro headed into the forest near the Naka River.

The forests around Konoha were vast and deep, rich with resources like rare herbs, valuable timber, and various venomous snakes and ferocious beasts.

Of course, he didn't plan to venture too deep with his friends. Their current skills were not enough to handle the forest's threats.

Near the village's edge, big beasts and venomous creatures were rare. But wild chickens, rabbits, and occasionally wild boars appeared from time to time.

After about ten minutes of trekking, Uchiha Toshiro found a clearing and began directing his friends to set up traps.

At that moment, another figure came running over, panting.

"How about it? Anyone followed us?"

"No! Two tried, but En stopped them," replied Uchiha Mamoru, one year older than Toshiro. Due to the spring break from the ninja academy, he joined their outing.

They've had several such picnics and hunting trips, always with some unapproved kids trying to follow. If not for Toshiro's foresight, they might have succeeded in sneaking along, which would be too dangerous for five- or six-year-olds.

Thus, Uchiha Toshiro set a basic requirement: only those proficient in tree-climbing with chakra control could join. This way, they could at least quickly climb trees to escape danger. He also asked Uchiha En to keep an eye out for any stubborn tagalongs.

This Uchiha En, said to be the first squad leader's daughter, had trained alongside Uchiha Toshiro. She was the genius who first extracted chakra on their initial night, ranking among the top in her age group...

(Chapter End)