Chapter 21: That's Fair, Isn't It?
Each time Seiji completed one of the basic jutsu, his overall progress on the Three Basic Techniques trait would increase by about 33%.
Now it had already reached 45%.
That was because after mastering the Clone Technique, Seiji shifted his focus back to practicing Lightning Release: Iron Body.
He progressed quickly with it—no surprise, really. The Yotsuki Clan was naturally attuned to Lightning Release and taijutsu.
"Still a bit more to go."
He exhaled deeply.
The trait for Robust Physique hadn't triggered yet, but he figured he was getting close. With more training, he'd surely meet the conditions soon.
Compared to who he was over two months ago, he was a completely different person now.
No longer a frail and undernourished figure—he had filled out and grown stronger.
"Hey, Seiji, aren't you coming?"
Kakashi's voice came from outside.
"Coming."
Seiji packed up his gear, slinging a cloth bag over his shoulder, and stepped out.
He lived near the edge of the Uchiha compound, which made it easier to get in and out without needing to venture deep into Uchiha territory.
Kakashi, for reasons unknown, frequently came to find him.
The two of them walked together to the Ninja Academy.
On the way, Seiji learned something from Kakashi:
Kakashi's father was returning from a top-secret mission.
Seiji knew what that meant—it was the infamous mission where Sakumo Hatake served as the captain infiltrating enemy lines.
The ninja world was in a sensitive pre-war state, and this mission was bound to have a massive impact on the Land of Fire.
It would also lead to Sakumo facing the classic shinobi dilemma: mission or comrades.
He would choose his comrades—and pay the price.
"So we've reached that point."
Seiji thought to himself.
In just a few days, news would break of the mission's failure.
Public opinion would turn against Sakumo—so much so that even those he saved would criticize him.
Seiji glanced at Kakashi.
This would be the event that drove Kakashi to graduate early and become a chūnin shortly afterward.
---
"Kakashi! Seiji!"
Rin Nohara greeted them warmly as they entered the classroom.
Her gaze was fixed almost entirely on Kakashi.
Seiji nodded politely.
Whenever Kakashi was present, Rin's after-class tutorials were more detailed.
If it was just Seiji, her guidance usually ended after a few days.
But once Kakashi started coming regularly, Rin had never mentioned stopping the lessons.
Of course, Obito would always find some excuse to join as well.
---
"Alright, class is starting."
The chūnin instructor clapped his hands, cutting off their small talk.
Just then, someone rushed in, clearly late.
"Sorry! I, uh, helped too many old ladies cross the street!"
Obito tried to sneak in but was instantly caught by the instructor.
"Old ladies again, huh? Go stand in the back."
The teacher clearly didn't want to hear excuses.
Obito was a repeat offender.
On the very first day—when they needed to collect their registration forms—he had still shown up late.
"Seriously though…"
Obito scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Seiji watched from his seat.
A pre-darkening Obito really did have a soft spot for helping elderly people.
He turned toward Rin, asking her a few questions about shuriken-throwing techniques.
Obito, glancing toward them, could see the ever-serious Kakashi looking exasperated—and Seiji chatting casually with Rin.
"Get moving already."
The instructor snapped again.
Only then did Obito look away and sulkily head to the back.
"Obito, the next class is a different subject. You won't have to stand long."
He had deliberately walked past Rin's desk, and her soft voice lifted his spirits instantly.
"See? Rin cares about me the most!"
As he made his way to the back, Obito started daydreaming again—becoming Hokage, standing tall at the peak of his life, with Rin by his side…
---
After school.
Back in the Uchiha compound, Seiji had just returned home when someone came knocking.
He was brought to an old-fashioned building by Uchiha Hazuki.
"One military fan, and a D-rank Lightning Release scroll."
Hazuki spoke calmly.
She wore a deep-purple Uchiha robe, her sleeves adorned with the Uchiha clan's blazing fan crest, a small beauty mark beneath her eye adding to her striking appearance.
Seiji stood quietly behind her.
Hazuki had been sent by Fugaku to deliver the scroll.
She would later become the mother of Uchiha Izumi—and like many others, would die at Itachi's hands.
But Seiji wasn't blind. It had taken her a whole month to deliver this.
It was obvious they hadn't taken his request seriously.
They only acted now because they couldn't delay it any longer—probably on Fugaku's direct order.
If Seiji had been any other Uchiha, he would've received the scroll in two or three days at most.
Being sidelined and treated coldly within the Uchiha clan was perfectly normal.
They were, after all, a proud and insular bunch.
If Seiji had been born and raised in Konoha, even as a mixed-blood, maybe things would've been easier.
But he was from the Land of Lightning—that made all the difference.
Perhaps the Uchiha clan had once lived in the Land of Lightning long ago—but that was ancient history.
So ancient, in fact, that no Uchiha today felt any connection to that place.
In Sasuke Shinden, Sasuke only learned about the Uchiha's past ties to the Land of Lightning from members of the Chinoike clan.
"A new clansman?"
Uchiha Yakusen poked his head out. He looked to be in his early forties, the crisscrossing scars on his face twisting his smile into something more menacing than friendly.
"Yeah. This is Uchiha Seiji," Hazuki introduced plainly.
Yakusen grinned wider, his scars bunching up grotesquely.
"A mixed-blood Uchiha, huh? Rare enough already. But one sent all the way from the Land of Lightning? That's practically unheard of."
Hazuki didn't respond. She simply motioned for him to fetch the scroll.
Seiji stood still, silently observing the layout of the old building.
"First time here, huh?"
Yakusen's awkward smile didn't do much to soften his face.
There had been mixed-blood Uchiha before—but never one sent from so far away. He turned and walked to a heavy iron door, pulling out a key to unlock it.
When the door creaked open, a sliver of daylight pierced the darkness inside.
But the deeper parts of the room remained shrouded in shadows, with floating motes of white dust catching what little light there was.
Yakusen lit several oil lamps, bathing the room in a soft amber glow.
Rows of old bookshelves came into view, lined with scrolls of all kinds.
"Lightning Release is over here."
Yakusen walked to a section marked with the kanji for lightning (雷) and picked out a D-rank jutsu scroll.
"Can't I choose for myself?"
Seiji raised an eyebrow. He had hoped to pick a technique that suited him better.
Yakusen paused and glanced toward Hazuki, scroll still in hand.
Hazuki, her delicate face calm, gave a subtle shake of her head.
"Fugaku didn't authorize it. I can't make that decision on my own."
"You heard the lady," Yakusen said with another lopsided smile, his scars twitching again.
"Alright. Thank you."
Seiji didn't press the issue. He accepted the scroll without further complaint.
Once they stepped out, Yakusen locked the iron door behind them and returned to his seat under the eaves.
"Fugaku is the clan head. His orders are to be followed."
After a moment of silence, Hazuki spoke as they walked.
"I understand, Lady Hazuki. It's for my own good, after all. I wouldn't even know which jutsu suits me best."
Seiji nodded, offering a gentle smile.
He didn't mind if people looked down on him.
That just meant he could collect a little interest later on.
Fair enough, right?
Hazuki paused, clearly caught off guard by Seiji's calm and good-natured response.
She looked at his sincere smile, and a trace of warmth softened her expression.
"If you can think like that… you're a good kid."
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