Chapter 6 – Tending Seedlings

"Talk"

'Think'

Flashback

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei. So…yeah.

Still four years later

Punch, block, kick, block, jump backwards, do hand seals and "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"

"You've improved Ichirou" Shisui said with a smile "Your hand seals are even faster"

Ichirou smile widely at Shisui's compliment. Seeing the smile, Shisui was reminded how different Ichirou was when Shisui first met him two years ago

Flashback (few days after Uchiha meeting)

"Here" Fugaku said passing Shisue a scroll.

"What's this?" asked Shisui while looking at the scroll with disinterest. He just got back from a gruelling mission when he was informed that the Uchiha clan head was looking for him.

"List of your potential students"

"Huh?" while unrolling the scroll "This is more than 20!" exclaimed Shisui "Some even have not entered the Academy !"

Fugaku smiles faintly (it was funny to see the great Shisui freaked out even if just a little bit) and pat Shisui on the shoulder "I'll tell them you're free tomorrow"

Inwardly Shisui sighed (he was looking forward to sleeping the whole day) "9 am at Uchiha training ground" Shishui said, gave a bowed and left to mooch food from his sister

At Uchiha training ground

Shisui perched on a tree branch, hiding his chakra while observing the crowd, 23 Uchiha progenies ranging from 4 to 13 years old. With a smile, he jumped down and start attacking everyone, gaging their reactions and responses.

The result was…total failure. Nobody was prepared and when surprised, was stunned like a deer caught in the headlights.

After some introductions (just names), Shisui ordered for the pre-Academy to practice basic taijutsu moves whereas for the Academy students and genins, he sparred with them one on one before pointing out their mistakes and give suggestions for improvement before dismissing them.

Similarly, Shisui asked each pre-Academy kid to show him his or her taijutsu's form before Shisui commented and give suggestions for improvement before dismissing them.

Most of the Academy students and genins are alright in Shisui's book albeit they lacked the drive to push them harder, except one, Uchiha Ichirou.

When he was observing the crowd, he noticed that Ichirou sat alone while the other ignored him. He was glum during the introductory and he sparred with little fire.

Once he has sent everyone home, he sat down with Ichirou and started to talk.

"You know, you don't have to come if you don't want to. This is voluntarily" Shisui said slowly.

"…my uncle force me. He said I'm a disgrace for not having Sharingan" mumbled Ichirou.

"Who's your uncle?"

"Uchiha Inabi"

Shisui sighed, looking at a dejected face of Ichirou and contemplated for a while "What do you want in life Ichirou?"

"What?"

"What do you want in life? Or what do you want to be?"

Ichirou looked at him with a surprise. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but no word came from his mouth.

Shisui looked at him straight in the eyes and smiled kindly "Think about it. I'll ask you again next month"

Shisui then looked at the retreating figure of Ichirou before he walked away, remembering that he has promised to see Itachi.

A month later

For the second training, Shisui set the time differently for different group with Ichirou being the last. He planned to eventually ingrain the Hi no Ishi, or the Will of Fire in each of his student after he got through Ichirou.

"So Ichirou, I ask again, what do you want in life? What do you want to be?"

"…" mumble Ichirou unintelligibly.

"Sorry, what?"

"I want to be useful" Ichirou said with sadness.

"What do you mean?"

"My uncle always says that I'm a useless person and he regrets the day he took me in after my mother died. I…I tried not to be a burden, I cleaned, I washed, I cooked…but nothing seem good enough for my uncle. I even give him my mission's money, and he said the money was not enough for the trouble and embarrassment I've caused him" Ichirou said miserably.

Shisui pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to calm his rising anger towards Inabi. Not only he called for civil war, he also inflicted mental pain to his young nephew for no good reason.

"Your uncle is wrong. I've talk to you team sensei, He said that you are very helpful and a great asset to the team"

"Gaku-sensei said that?" Ichirou asked incredulously.

"Yeah" Shisui said with eyes smile. Technically, Inuzuka Gaku said Ichirou was always willing to help although unfortunately, was full of blunders thus making the job twice harder but on the occasion he got his acts under control, was a great team member.

"After sparring with you, I think your basics are unstable so for this coming two months, I won't be seeing you but I'm giving you the training schedule. See here-" Shisui showed Ichirou the schedule he has made after consultation with Inuzuka Gaku "-is the minimum amount I hope you can do and here is the maximum amount if you wish to do more. Do not exceed the maximum number as it will only cause damage to your body" Shisui added sternly.

"…"

"Will this make me strong so my uncle can start to acknowledge me?" asked Ichirou hopefully.

"I think even if you become God, your uncle would have nothing good to say about you" Shisui said and added after seeing Ichirou sad face "Some people are just incapable of seeing the goods in other people and unfortunately, your uncle is one of them. From what you've told me, you've done more than enough seeking his approval. Instead, why don't you re-focus on your team? Train with them, build-up your relationship and protect each other"

Ichirou looked pensively, and nodded "I'll try Shisui-sensei".

End Flashback

After that, Ichirou started to improve and after a year, he was promoted to chūnin along with his teammates. Despite of that, Inabi constantly put him down due to his lack of sharingan thus Shisui suggested casually that Ichirou moved out from Inabi's house, which Ichirou did in a heartbeat to Inabi's displeasured. Fortunately, since Ichirou is a chūnin, Inabi has no control over him.

Looking back, Shisui was happy with the performance of his students. They've embraced the Hi no Ishi like duck to water and some even influenced their parents subconsciously, which is something more than Shisui hoped for.

Nevertheless, there is a part of him remained worry as Inabi remained the giant thorn in his plan. The two years waiting period is almost over…

Sarutobi Hiruzen was ambling along the Uchiha district, noting that the atmosphere seemed lighter than two years before. When Shisui told him of his plan two years ago, Hiruzen realized that he also has to do something to help Shisui, something that appeared casual, but also showing that he has no prejudice against the Uchihas. Then he remembered the Uchiha Senbei that was famous in Five Great Shinobi Countries.

After that, he made an effort to drop by the store that was run by Uchiha Teyaki and Uruchi frequently as well as to chat with a few Uchiha that he met.

End Chapter 6

Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu – Fire style: Grand Fireball Technique

Senbei – rice crackers.