The first rays of the morning sun, just past seven, filtered through the window as Renzou slowly opened his eyes, the lingering warmth of his early morning chakra refinement still present.
"Almost time," he murmured, rising from his futon and preparing his things for school.
He'd woken at four that morning, completing his morning ablutions before settling into his meditation, focusing on his chakra until now. Despite inheriting the dual bloodlines of the Uchiha and Hyuga, he hadn't yet perceived any extraordinary progress in his cultivation.
Packing the lunch he'd prepared earlier into his bag, Renzou headed out.
Reaching the school gates, he noticed his teacher, Murayama Shigeru, engaged in conversation with another man. This stranger stood with his back to the light, radiating an aura that discouraged approach. A young boy stood beside him, about Renzou's age, his head bowed, unruly bangs obscuring his forehead.
As the sunlight caught his features, Renzou saw sharp, almost fierce eyes peeking from beneath the dark fringe. Slender, reddish-phoenix eyes darted around, above a high-bridged nose. But the most striking detail was the unmistakable round fan crest emblazoned on the backs of both the man's and the boy's attire.
The Uchiha clan!Renzou thought. Descendants of Indra, the Sage of Six Paths' eldest son. Renowned for their Sharingan, their mastery of Fire Style ninjutsu, and their unique eye techniques. They were one of Konoha's founding clans and also his father's lineage.
The other great clan, the Senju, were now largely integrated into Konoha's society, following the clan leader's directive. Only a few elderly or infirm members, along with Tsunade, remained as a distinct entity.
Lost in these thoughts, Renzou had unknowingly drawn closer. The trio noticed him simultaneously.
"Good morning, Murayama-sensei," Renzou greeted.
"Good morning, Renzou. Perfect timing. This is a new student joining our class, Uchiha Kai. I have some matters to attend to here. Would you mind escorting Uchiha Kai to the classroom? It would be good for them to get acquainted."
Murayama Shigeru, surprised to see Renzou, asked him to take the new Uchiha student ahead.
Uchiha Kai glanced at the man beside him, Uchiha Yusuke.
But Yusuke's gaze was fixed intently on Renzou.
"Boy… are you Shanzhou's child?" Recognition sparked in Renzou's mind. Uchiha Yusuke – a respected elder of the Uchiha clan, the deputy captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, and a powerful figure within the Uchiha, as his father had mentioned.
"Yes, my name is Uchiha Renzou. Uchiha Shanzhou was my father."
Hearing Renzou's confirmation, the sternness in Uchiha Yusuke's eyes softened, replaced by a look of complex emotion.
"Indeed. Shanzhou's son. You resemble him. Renzou, I heard about Shanzhou. He died protecting his comrades. That is an honor to Konoha."
It seemed that despite the Uchiha clan's general coldness towards Renzou's branch of the family, not everyone shared that sentiment.
"Shanzhou? Isn't he the traitor the Uchiha clan… forcibly exiled?" Kai blurted out.
"Kai!" Uchiha Yusuke sharply interrupted his son before he could continue.
Then, turning to Renzou, his expression was kind, almost apologetic. "Renzou, please forgive my son. Kai meant no harm."
"It's alright, Uncle Yusuke. What Kai said is the truth," Renzou replied calmly, neither offended nor in denial. After all, the Uchiha had only ostracized his father, never actively persecuted their small family, even offering subtle assistance occasionally.
Yusuke remained silent for a moment, glancing at a nearby clock as if a thought had just struck him.
"Kai will be in your care from now on, Renzou. I have urgent business to attend to, so I must take my leave." Uchiha Yusuke said politely.
"Understood, Yusuke-dono. We'll manage," Murayama Shigeru replied.
Uchiha Yusuke nodded, then vanished in a swirl of leaves.
"Alright, you two head to the classroom. I'll go to the office to prepare today's lessons. Renzou, please make Kai feel welcome." With a smile, Murayama Shigeru also disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
"Let's go then," Renzou said, looking at Uchiha Kai beside him.
The only response he received was a curt "Hn." Having watched the Naruto anime, Renzou was familiar with the Uchiha's often aloof demeanor, so he didn't take it personally.
Upon reaching the classroom, Renzou made his way to his usual seat. Kurenai, who was reviewing her notes, looked up and greeted him.
"You're here, Renzou. Good morning."
"Morning, Kurenai."
After greeting her and settling down, Renzou pulled out his textbook just as the class bell rang. He then turned to Uchiha Kai, gesturing to the empty desk beside him.
"You can sit here for now. Murayama-sensei will assign you a permanent seat later."
Uchiha Kai glanced at the offered spot, nodded almost imperceptibly, and sat down.
Kurenai eyed Uchiha Kai with curiosity but refrained from asking questions, returning to her studies.
A minute later, Murayama Shigeru entered the classroom and called Uchiha Kai to the front to introduce himself. Uchiha Kai walked to the podium and stated simply, "My name is Uchiha Kai," before returning to his seat. Murayama Shigeru sighed inwardly. Very Uchiha.
"Now that Kai has introduced himself, let's find him a spot. There's an empty desk to Renzou's left. Kai, you can sit there."
Uchiha Kai nodded and took the designated seat.
The other students weren't particularly surprised. Aloofness was almost expected from an Uchiha. Though, students like Obito and Renzou were exceptions to that rule.
The morning passed with Teacher Murayama Shigeru's lecture filling the air.
Ring ring ring. The dismissal bell finally rang, and a collective sigh of relief swept through the classroom. Students packed their bags, eager to return home.
Renzou slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked Kurenai to her doorstep. Once alone, he set off in a different direction. Over the past two days, he'd scouted the area and discovered a secluded clearing in the forest behind Training Ground Seven. The flat terrain, hidden amongst the trees, seemed ideal for his private training.
After a while, Renzou passed the training ground itself without stopping, veering off towards the dense foliage beyond.
Lost in his thoughts and hurrying along, Renzou didn't notice a dark figure emerge from Training Ground Seven, its gaze fixed on him, following silently.
Oblivious, Renzou ventured deep into the woods, reaching the open space he'd found. He dropped his schoolbag, pulled out the ninjutsu scrolls he'd brought, and began to study them intently. Just then, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes.
"Who's there! Show yourself!" Renzou called out sharply, his senses immediately on high alert. His left hand moved forward, while his right tightened its grip on a kunai.
The dark shadow that had been trailing him stepped out of the undergrowth, revealing a familiar, stoic face, radiating an almost palpable air of distance. The Uchiha crest on his back was unmistakable.
"Why are you here?"
"Why are you here?"
The two boys spoke in unison.
Renzou felt a flush of embarrassment. He was still just a five-year-old, easily provoked. But his inherited Uchiha pride was strong.
"Then come on," Renzou said, waving a hand dismissively at the clearly agitated Uchiha Kai. He took a few steps to the side of the clearing and nodded, signaling his readiness.
The air crackled with unspoken tension.
The confrontation was about to begin.
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End of Chapter 4