Harsh World

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Two months had passed. Eiji's physical prowess had improved to the point that he was able to perform the Beginner's Fist taijutsu techniques in an effective manner. His strikes were now more powerful, swift, and agile. Eiji couldn't wait to show his father the improvements he had made.

His progress wasn't only limited to taijutsu. He had also improved his chakra control to a degree where controlling the flow of chakra around his body was a much smoother process, though he still wasn't able to do it unconsciously.

Finally, his shurikenjutsu proficiency had improved to the point that he was able to simultaneously hit three targets that were in close proximity to each other.

Each task was difficult in its own right, even for Eiji, who had an incredible memory. The only reason Eiji could find as to why these tasks were significantly more difficult than the ones he encountered in real life was due to their unusual nature. In his past life, Eiji was never required to channel chakra, practice throwing shuriken, or even learn how to fight.

A lot had changed since his father left. For one, his mother was now pregnant; therefore, he had more responsibilities on his shoulders. His mother would often send him to do the shopping for groceries while she took care of the rest at home.

"Mother, how're you feeling now?" Eiji asked, standing by his mother's bed. His mother's health was progressively getting worse as she advanced closer to the later stages of her pregnancy. Kiyoko was a woman in great shape, so when she first became pregnant, it was hard to tell.

'My parents, for some reason, had been hiding the fact that I was going to have a younger sibling. I can't understand why though... Mother is now in her fourth month. This would only make sense if Father knew he was going to be sent to the front lines and didn't want me to stress. He is close with Uncle Fugaku, so I wouldn't completely rule out that possibility...'

Kiyoko mustered the best smile she could and responded, "I'm doing fine, dear; you don't have to worry about me."

Eiji clenched his jaw. Initially, it had taken him a while to accept his new family, but after experiencing the authentic love they gave him, he started cherishing them. The understanding that he couldn't help those he loved made him feel useless, and he began resenting his weakness.

'If I was strong enough, I could have put the enemy at bay, preventing the village from needing to use the military police. That way my father would be at home and not have to risk his life. I don't even know if he'll be back in time to see the birth of his new child.'

Noticing the apparent frustration painted on Eiji's face, his mother reached for his hand and pulled him in close, hugging him. "You're still young, Eiji. Don't put everything on your shoulders. This is our task as your parents," Kiyoko consoled Eiji.

Wanting to respect his mother's wishes, Eiji forced a smile on his face and returned the embrace by wrapping his arms around her. 

"You look just like your—" Before Kiyoko could finish her sentence, a knock on the door sounded, alerting the two.

As Kiyoko attempted to get up, Eiji blocked her off and said that he'd go and check who it was himself.

'I wonder who's at the door. That firm knock sounds just like my father's. Is he back?!'

Eiji rushed to the door and opened it, finding it wasn't his father, but the clan head. "Uncle? Come in," Eiji managed to say, pushing aside his disappointment.

'Who're those people with him?'

Upon being invited inside, Fugaku and his entourage of two people entered and sat down at the dining table. Fugaku's face was more serious than usual.

"Is your mother around?" he asked in an emotionless tone.

Eiji nodded and commented, "She's around, but as you know, her health has been getting progressively worse."

Fugaku, looking lost in thought, slowly nodded, returning his gaze to Eiji and replied, "Yes, I'd forgotten about that. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'll be checking back in soon."

As the group prepared to leave, Kiyoko's voice could be heard. "Who is it, Eiji?" she yelled. Fugaku shook his head at Eiji, signaling he didn't want his presence to be known to his sister.

"It's just a neighbor!" Eiji shouted.

'Damn it! I couldn't think of a better excuse! Now she might come in to meet the gue—'

As Eiji had predicted, Kiyoko entered the living room, her eyes wide. "Brother! You should have let me know if you were coming!" she complained, rushing to the kitchen to make some tea for the guests.

"There's no need for that, Kiyoko. We are only here to talk, then leave," Fugaku said.

Kiyoko insisted on making tea, so the three remained seated. After some time, Kiyoko returned holding three cups of tea on a tray and placed it on the dining table.

"So, what did you come here to say?" Kiyoko asked her brother.

Fugaku took a long sip of his tea, staring at his cup, unable to look his younger sister in the eyes. "I have to tell her. I can't avoid it. It's best if she hears it directly from me," Fugaku thought.

'...'

A distressing thought had entered Eiji's mind, and he couldn't dispel it. Fugaku's behavior was reinforcing the validity of the thought.

Eventually looking up from his cup, Fugaku looked his sister in the eyes and began, "Sato, he's..." The silence said it all. Kiyoko knew her brother was acting abnormally, but like Eiji, didn't want to think of the possibility Sato had passed.

Heat started to emerge behind Eiji's eyes.

"Don't give me that bullshit!" Eiji roared.

The man that sat to the left of Fugaku was visibly angered by Eiji's words. "This is the clan head you are speaking to!" the man shouted back.

"Silence, Yashiro!" Fugaku roared the loudest. The room became silent once more. "Sato has died in battle," Fugaku resumed.

Kiyoko dropped to her knees, no longer able to keep reality at bay, and passed out.

The sight of his mother's anguish enhanced the heat Eiji felt behind his retinas. Losing the motivation to restrain the burn, Eiji allowed it to envelop his eyes.

The sudden change of chakra in the room caused Fugaku to fling his head around and face the source of that change. "Eiji? Those scarlet eyes... The Sharingan?! But he's so young!" Fugaku pondered.

Recalling Kiyoko's state, Fugaku returned his attention to her and crouched by her side, telling his two aides to get the clan's medical ninja, while he carried her to bed.

Eiji remained behind, still paralyzed by the news.

'This world is cruel...'

Shortly after, a medical ninja from the clan arrived and proceeded to look at Kiyoko's condition, concluding that she was fine and only fainted from the shock.

Not in need of any further assistance, Fugaku allowed his aides and the medical ninja to leave, leaving him alone with Eiji.

"Your father was my best friend and a warrior. He fought fiercely, a true pride of the Uchiha. I hope one day you can be as close with my son as your father was to me and inherit your father's fighting spirit." With those brief words, Fugaku left, closing the door behind him.