Uchiha Meetings
The second day of the academy concluded. Identical to the day prior, Itachi waited at the door for Eiji. As Eiji approached, Tetsuya nudged him, his voice low. "Eiji, you've got to introduce us to Lord Fugaku's son."
Ryuu nodded earnestly, adding, "It wouldn't hurt making ties with Lord Fugaku's son."
Eiji shrugged, the weight of his book and scroll shifting under his arm as he gestured dismissively.
'Well, we're all walking the same way home, so they'd get to know him sooner or later. It's not that big of a deal.'
The group made their way over to Itachi, and Eiji placed his hand on his cousin's shoulder. Standing between them, he ensured that all parties were within his view.
"I've got people to introduce to you. These two are both Uchiha, Tetsuya is the same age as you and Ryuu is the same age as me," he explained, pointing to each in turn while carefully balancing the book and scroll he had picked up from the library.
Itachi shook both their hands. "Nice to meet you," he said with a slight nod, his voice calm but welcoming.
"Likewise!" Tetsuya exclaimed, his voice booming a bit too enthusiastically.
"Nice to meet you too," Ryuu echoed, his tone more measured.
Turning back to Itachi, Eiji's expression tensed with a hint of guilt. "I told these two about the shortcut you found. You're not going to get mad about it, right?"
"That isn't a problem. The shortcut is for all Uchiha," Itachi replied.
Tetsuya's laughter rang out, as he slapped Itachi on the back. "As expected of Lord Fugaku's son!" he laughed.
Eiji couldn't help but join in, his laughter mingling with Tetsuya's. Watching Itachi handle the situation with such awkward grace was more amusing than he had anticipated. Itachi's usual composure was rattled by the hearty slap.
'Itachi and Tetsuya are complete opposites! Ahaha, he's slapping his back and Itachi is being all awkward. He doesn't know how to react! Look at his face!
Growing impatient, Tarou, their instructor, called out from the front of the classroom, his voice echoing down the hall. "Lesson has been over for 15 minutes now, boys. Go home! I can't leave until all of my students do."
The four boys bowed quickly and left the classroom, their steps quickening as they took Itachi's shortcut. The sky was a bright blue, cloudless and vast, the sun beaming over them.
'I wish days like this lasted forever.'
As they arrived at the Uchiha residence, Eiji's tone was hopeful. "Me and Tetsuya will be training together today. Anyone else interested in coming?" His head bounced from Itachi to Ryuu, eager for more companions.
"I'll be meeting up with Shisui today. He told me to bring you along. Don't be too long with your training. We will be at 'that' place," Itachi declined, his voice tinged with a hint of secrecy.
"I've got a family dinner today, so I won't be able to make it," Ryuu answered, his regret apparent in his downturned gaze.
Eiji let out a big sigh, his disappointment briefly clouding his features before turning to Tetsuya with a resigned smile. "It appears it's going to be just you and me. We'll stop by my place before we begin our training."
Itachi and Ryuu said their goodbyes and left. Left alone with Tetsuya, Eiji motioned forward. "Lead the way, Sensei," Tetsuya joked, sparking a small smirk from Eiji.
Following a short walk filled with their low, comfortable chatter, the pair arrived at their destination. Eiji ascended the steps, knocking thrice on the door. From inside, muffled sounds grew clearer as a childlike voice called out, "Mom! Mom! Big bro is here!" It was Michiko, her voice bubbling with excitement.
Hearing his younger sister's call, warmed his heart. Eiji had a deep love for his younger sister. Whenever he heard her innocent, childish voice, he felt an urge to protect her from the horrors of the world.
'Michiko..'
Eiji's face lit up with a smile when the door opened to reveal his mother, Kiyoko, with Michiko clinging to her skirt. "Big Brother!" Michiko yelled, her small arms reaching out. Eiji bent down, his movements swift but gentle as he scooped her up, placing her on his shoulder.
"Whoaa, I can see everything!" Michiko exclaimed, her delight infectious.
With Michiko perched high, Eiji hugged his mother, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. "Mom, this is a friend of mine from school. His name is Tetsuya," he introduced.
Tetsuya bowed deeply, "Nice to meet you, Miss."
"Likewise. Come inside and have some tea," Kiyoko responded, her voice warm and inviting.
They all entered the house, Tetsuya sitting at the dining table with Michiko, playing with her, while Eiji disappeared into his room to change. He placed the scroll and book on his shelf beside his other study materials, his eyes lingering on the substitution scroll.
'This doesn't seem too long. I'll learn that jutsu in no time. For now, I'll show Tetsuya my routine, then I'll have that meeting with Shisui and Itachi.'
Ready to get started with his training, Eiji reentered the living room, urging Tetsuya to hurry up with his drink. "Eiji, It isn't polite to rush your friends," Kiyoko chided from the kitchen doorway.
"We've got to go train, Mom," Eiji replied, his tone a mix of impatience and respect.
Kiyoko shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips even as she disapproved. She then scooped up Michiko, heading toward the bathroom. "But, But I want to be with Big bro!" Michiko cried out, her voice wobbling with the onset of tears.
Eiji waved at his younger sister, feeling guilty that he had to leave her. "I'll bring Sasuke to come play with you sometime!" he promised.
He and Tetsuya left the house, their strides purposeful as they made their way to the training grounds.
"The first step of my routine is to build up my body, in order to have more effective taijutsu. You will run laps everyday, along with doing pullups, pushups, squats and situps. The goal is to push past your limits everyday. Come back to me, when you can perform 50 consecutive pushups, 10 pullups, 100 squats and 100 situps. You must also be able to sprint 1000 metres without stopping."
Tetsuya tilted his head to the side "What do you mean? I thought you were going to teach me something"
"Oh Tetsuya, how naive of you. I can't teach you anything if you're weak. Train your body. I've got a meeting to go to. The great Shisui calls for me" Eiji joked, turning around and running off.
"Oh come on.. Eiji! Eiji! Come back! … How does he expect me to achieve all of that? That'll take ages!" Tetsuya yelled, his voice echoing throughout the forest.
Eiji had arrived at the secret meetup spot. Shisui and Itachi were sitting on a cliff outside the village, below which water flowed.
"It's about time you arrived," Shisui said, facing back towards Eiji who wanted to sneak up on them.
'How'd he even see me?'
Shisui gestured towards Eiji, waiting for him to sit down. Eiji sat to the right of Shisui.
"The clan has been having meetings. And because I'm a genin, I've been attending these meetings." Shisui spoke, his tone serious.
"Where?" Itachi asked, a troubled expression on his face.
"At Nakano Shrine," Shisui answered.
Shisui collected his thoughts for a moment, looked down and continued, "It's something you don't have to know about yet."
'Meetings? Bad energy surrounding the clan? They're planning something big for sure.'
Eiji noticed Itachi had an uneasy look. It was rare to see Itachi look like this. The last time he saw that expression was 2 years ago when his personality changed.
'I guess he's thinking the same thing I am..'
"What do we do?" Itachi questioned.
Eiji cut in and made his stance clear, "If things hit the fan, I'm with the clan. My father died for our prosperity, I can't betray that now. I'll do my all to ensure the existence and survival of our clan."
Shisui nodded, understanding where Eiji was coming from, but Itachi remained still.
"We'll see how things play out." Shisui said, staring off into the distance.
"Yeah.." Itachi and Eiji said, simultaneously.
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Powerstones are greatly appreciated, let's get to 50 for a double release. I am currently on a streak, dropping a chapter every single day. It wouldn't hurt to support. Also leave a good review if you're enjoying the story.