I belatedly realized not long ago that March 20th marks the SECOND year of this fic, which, what the fuck? I've definitely grown as a writer in the past 2 years, but I've gotta admit, 150k words in 2 years is a bit lousy.
Anyways, Happy 2nd Anniversary of The Fire Inside! I hope I can keep writing this fic for a long time to come.
I'm glad people enjoyed the last chapter. Hopefully I can keep the quality up. I edited chapter 10 as well, changing a lot of the chapter, including Shimada's big screaming match with Daisuke, as I was dissatisfied with it. If you wanna check it out, you're welcome to. It'll be a bit relevant for the next chapter.
If you're interested in joining the Discord (currently empty as a desert), then this is the code:
uDyCFFxB2X
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10:03am, 20th of August 1bNb
The sliding door of the genkan groaned softly as it slid, revealing sunken flooring and a shoe rack. "Excuse the intrusion," Kaa-san and I said in union, bowing. Taking my shoes off uniformly, I took the opportunity to have a proper look at the area. The genkan was neat and proper, smelling of incense. Polished wooden steps lined the doorway to the rest of the house.
As I entered, I found my grandmother's house to differ from our family abode significantly. One word came to mind: Dignified. The decor spoke of someone of moderate wealth, the clean lines and simplicity of the interior spoke of her character. There was no grand piece of decor, but the combination of simplicity and pragmatism spoke volumes of her approach to the maintenance of her house. The scent of aged wood and tatami wafted through the air, not a speck of dust to be seen, and the hardwood floors were clear of any sign of dirt.
I almost felt self-conscious about the possibility of tracking dirt inside.
Having removed my shoes by the genkan, my gaze wandered, searching for indoor slippers to put on. The standard in my home was that everyone wore slippers inside, but after a quick scan, clearly the rule did not extend to her home.
I felt the urge to turn and glance with more than just my eyes to properly explore my surroundings, but I thoroughly buried that thought away. If fidgeting was enough to offend her, acting my age was probably enough to get kicked out. The hallway was lined with polished wooden planks, showing signs of age, yet thoroughly taken care of. At the opposite end of the hall, an open fusuma allowed golden rays of sun to shine through and illuminate the interior.
Without further ado, my grandmother turned her back to the two of us, beckoning us to follow her. We made our way down the hallway as I held back the urge to make a sound of awe. I had never seen a house so traditionally Japanese in person. Despite the cultural similarities to Japan, The Land of Fire and Konohagakure were definitely not fully based on Japan, and many buildings were not very 'Japanese' looking. Of course, grandmother's house seemed to be an exception.
Going down the hall, we took a right turn into a tatami room. Kaa-san nodded curtly before entering, and I wasted no time in mimicking her. The floor was covered in softly woven tatami mats, the scent of the tatami now melding with a subtly fragrant incense. The walls were pale and simple, keeping with the rest of the house, and a large, hanging scroll adorned the back wall, an Uchiwa painted upon it. At the center of the room, a low chabudai table laid, its polished surface glistening. Cushions were arranged neatly around it.
Grandmother turned to face us, "Please, take a seat," she said with an air of formality. Kaa-san and I bowed, and I looked back at the cushions. Two cushions were arranged side-by-side, facing the side where a singular cushion was laid. The two of us took a seat, as grandmother stood, pacing out of the room, "I will return with your tea," she said, leaving the two of us to our devices. I made eye contact with Kaa-san, acknowledging her insistent look with a nod. At the genkan, she tested my patience with a two minute delay. It wasn't clear whether she would continue to test me, but I knew I had to act with the assumption that she was. That's what Kaa-san was communicating with her eyes.
Chatting with Kaa-san as grandmother fetched the tea was a normal way to pass the time she would be away, but maybe she was waiting to see whether I would amend my previous lapse in patience. I kept my body rigid and disciplined, not even shifting my weight as we awaited her return.
After about a minute, grandmother returned with the tea as promised. I was relieved she wasn't going to let us wait for a longer time. She poured the tea for us, not a drop wasted. Even her pouring was immaculate. I nodded politely, "Thank you very much," I said, allowing the smallest degree of gratitude to color my tone. Kaa-san parroted me, and grandmother simply nodded, gazing at me with an unreadable expression.
My smile became strained as she continued to stare at me with unblinking eyes. What was she trying to tell me? My mind raced, looking for an answer in her expression. Her eyes were giving me no hints, the gaze neither positive nor negative. As I rummaged internally for an answer, my eyes darted to my tea and widened. I get it now! She was waiting for me to try the tea, right?
I carefully brought the cup up to my lips, the rising steam coating my face in warmth. I took a sip of the tea and nearly flinched. Searing pain scorched my tongue. The tea was hot, obscenely so, and I knew it couldn't be an accident. Despite the mild burning of my tongue, I downed the mouthful of tea down as gracefully as I could manage, pretending I wasn't swallowing lava. I set the teacup down with no urgency, "The tea is delicious," I commented lightly, secretly mourning my tastebuds.
I was not going to be tasting so well for the rest of today.
Grandmother's lips twisted into a frown. "The tea was only freshly prepared. Is it not too hot?" she asked, feigning worry. I didn't scowl at her, but it was a close thing. Uchiha Reina was a prick. I shook my head, "Not at all, Obaa-sama. The tea is wonderful." I lied, a pleasant smile on my face. The expression cleared from her face, "I see," she said blandly.
Neither Kaa-san nor grandmother had touched their tea yet. Kaa-san knew this might happen.
Grandmother's gaze shifted to Kaa-san, "It seems that Hazuki deemed it necessary to inform me of the birth of my grandchildren only when she required a favor – years after the fact." she started, bitterness in her voice, "Naturally, I am not ignorant. Regardless of the taint of civilian blood, the birth of an Uchiha is a matter of great significance. I would be a fool not to remain informed." she continued, revealing she had already known about me.
Her eyes fell on me once again, "You seek to join the Konoha Military Police Force, do you not? And at such a young age, no less. Your motivations must be compelling, if you are seeking me out." Grandmother narrowed her eyes, "You were not raised among us, nor were you taught our ways, and yet you wish to stand alongside the clan your mother abandoned. Why do you seek to join the Military Police force?" she finally asked, scrutinizing me with her onyx gaze.
I swallowed a lump in my throat. Here goes nothing, "The Uchiha are the strongest clan in the village, and we have been entrusted with more than that. The Police Force is the legacy of the Uchiha, and if I am to serve, I see no reason to separate myself from my heritage. As you say, I was not raised as an Uchiha, but even so, I want to understand what it means to be one. The clan has always been respected, and even feared, and joining the Police Force might be the first step in figuring out why that is." I responded resolutely. I was trying to appeal to my grandmother specifically with my words. I hadn't known her for long, but I could tell she holds the clan in high regards. She has at least some desire for me to become more of an Uchiha if she agreed to speak in the first place.
A pause hung in the air, before grandmother scoffed, "You seek to join the Police Force, not out of duty or responsibility, but to understand?" A bitter smile wrinkled her face, "You speak as an outsider, despite your apparent desire to embrace your heritage. The Uchiha clan is not some riddle to be solved. Daisuke, it is as you say – we are the strongest. Is it not a given that we command respect and even fear?" she asked rhetorically, her smile dropping from her face as she scowled.
I hesitated, taken aback by her words, "... Surely a sense of duty comes with a deeper understanding of our legacy." I defended myself, keeping my tone measured. Grandmother sighed in disbelief, "Your mother, too, treated her duty to the clan with the same superficial regard. It appears that her misguided notions were carried down to you. How convenient it must be to approach me with such casual indifference, spitting upon the values of the Clan with your convenient motivations. You disappoint me." She leaned forward, shortening the distance between us.
"Do not waste your breath embarrassing yourself. Lip service sickens me," Her face was level with mine, "The Military Police Force was entrusted to us by the Second Hokage. Only those who possess the requisite strength, resolve and mental fortitude are fit to join its ranks. Do you truly believe that you fit those standards?" grandmother asked. There was no humour in her tone. I could tell she was not mocking me – she wanted a serious answer.
Despite the sudden change from what seemed like an interrogation, her pointed question calmed me down. Apparently, she was done belittling me. Previously, she was nitpicking at my statement, calling into question my sense of duty and my loyalty to the Uchiha, which – how could I even have the sense of duty she expects of me if I have never been a part of the clan? It was part of the reason that I wanted to enter the Police Force in the first place.
I nodded deeply, opting to exude confidence, "I believe I do possess those qualities, Obaa-sama." I responded, watching my grandmother's dark eyes narrow at me, but without judgement. "Clearly, you are confident in your skills, however confidence amounts to little without wisdom." she noted, properly hearing me out, "I suppose it is not my responsibility to gauge your aptitude as a shinobi," she acknowledged after a moment, "however, it would waste both the Clan's efforts as well as your own to pursue the Police Force half-heartedly. If this is the path you wish to take, then you must demonstrate that your resolve is genuine. Do you possess the ambition to truly become great, or will you continue to endure scalding tea to appease your superiors?" she asked, a stern look returning to her face.
Once again, I fought to keep myself from grimacing. I had misread Uchiha Reina, expecting her to appreciate blind compliance. I mentally shook myself out of my thoughts. When I tried to convince her to approve of me before, she could tell I wasn't being completely genuine, that I had other thoughts on my mind. She didn't want to hear blind praise, or a fabricated story on my loyalties.
With a sharp breath, I locked eyes with grandmother, "About what I said before, I wasn't being entirely truthful. I was not lying – I do have the desire to learn more about the Clan, but that is hardly my motivation for joining the Military Police Force," I admitted, watching her neutral expression carefully, "You were right. To me, the Police Force is a means to an end. I want to protect this village and the people who live here, from the inside and the outside. There are threats that have not yet made themselves known," I commented, attempting to convey that message more strongly than spoken.
She gazed at me intently.
"I will not pretend that I don't want to grow stronger, but strength alone is not enough to protect everyone. I need to be known. I need to be connected. I need allies. I cannot afford to be someone who is overlooked. Growing closer to the Police Force and the Uchiha clan to gain these allies – that is my answer." I revealed firmly. It was a declaration from the bottom of my heart. Grandmother regarded me for a moment, and then spoke.
"You speak with commendable conviction, but your experience and maturity is still in its infancy. How can you be certain of your words when you have barely stepped beyond the boundaries of the Village? When faced with the burdens of your ambitions – death, deceit… betrayal, will you still stand tall?" she asked in rebuttal, a challenge posed to my resolve.
Burning chakra flowed through my head and into my eyes, coloring the world in a familiar, red haze of clarity. With a blink, my Sharingan was active, "I may still be green, Obaa-sama, but I have killed to keep the village and her people safe. At the very least, do not compare my convictions with the naive daydreams of an Academy student." I shot back, meeting her challenging eyes with an unblinking stare.
For the first time since we met, surprise colored my grandmother's features. She wasn't an especially expressive woman, but from the slight widening of her eyes and the minute parting of her lips, I could tell she wasn't aware that I had awakened the Sharingan. It took less than a second for her to catch herself and control her expression. She leaned her elbows off of the table, the tension clearing in an instant.
"To unlock the Sharingan at such an early age is a remarkable feat, and I am sure it did not awaken without strife." Grandmother murmured with a nod, "There is little to be said about your loyalty to the Uchiha, but it is only a matter of time before you embrace your heritage. You have shown that your motivations are not superficial, at the very least." she acknowledged, before fixing me with a meaningful look.
I didn't show it, but my relief was palpable. It wasn't clear whether she would sponsor my application to the Police Force, but at the very least, she had accepted what I said. It was a risk on my end to be transparent about my thoughts. If she was a little bit less tolerant, she would have shut me down the moment I spoke my mind about how much the clan and their legacy meant to me. Now all that was left was to hear her final verdict.
A sigh resounded around us, "Very well," she said, "I will sponsor your entry into Konoha's Military Police Force," she stated at least. A part of me was disbelieving; sure I had poured my heart out, honestly explaining my motivations, but I felt that her acceptance was too quick. Too easy. "Needless to say, your actions and performance shall reflect upon me, so I expect only the best of your abilities. Sponsorship exempts you from the interview process, but if I catch wind of any foolishness, my support will be withdrawn. Do you understand?" she said sternly as I held my breath. Was she agreeing to it? "However, I have one condition," she continued, her tone allowing no room for argument. "Sponsorship with myself means Official Affiliation with the Uchiha Clan. Due to your… unorthodox lineage, you are not yet an Uchiha Clan member by law. Official affiliation does not equate to full-fledged clan membership, but you will have specific obligations to the clan." she explained sharply.
There it is, the reason she was so quick to accept. The condition came to me as a surprise, but I had already heard of official affiliation to a clan in the academy on a surface level. Non-clan members, generally civilian-born shinobi, can be inducted into clans. Official affiliation gradually grows into full membership if the clan is impressed with the candidate. It was an offshoot of a type of affiliation that allowed outsiders to marry into clans. They began with a small amount of trust, completing missions or tasks in the name of the clan that sponsored them, slowly gaining more trust and rights within the clan. They gain access to certain programs, funds and eventually even jutsu. It is an excellent opportunity for most shinobi, but it can also restrict one's freedom, forcing the shinobi to act in the interest of the clan. If they eventually become a fully integrated member of the clan, they must follow the same rules as any other member, and bore the same obligations and responsibilities.
Grandmother's condition confirmed my suspicions. She wanted me to grow closer to the clan, starting with affiliation. Maybe she even wanted me to eventually become a full member of the clan. I had never met someone so loyal to their clan. The 'yet' in her terms was consciously worded, she was telling me her intentions, plain and simple. From next to me, Kaa-san's breath hitched. She, too, knew what it meant to become affiliated with the clan. Ultimately, it was the sponsored shinobi's decision whether they would fully join the clan or remain affiliated, but from what I understood, if a shinobi chose to become affiliated, a series of contracts would be signed, legally binding for a number of years depending on the agreement.
I breathed out, weighing my objects. I would be sacrificing a good deal of my freedom, and legally, my family wouldn't be my only responsibility anymore. Specifics like where I would live or my deductible income to the Uchiha depended on the agreement between clan and individual, but it was still a life-changing decision. My plan to join the Police Force was to connect myself more with the Uchiha, and this would be a step further. I wouldn't only grow affiliated with direct members of the Force, but also other Uchiha, potentially even influential members or elders.
Simply put, accepting the deal would mean sacrificing some of my freedom to grow closer to the Clan and the Police Force. I wouldn't only answer to the village, but also the Uchiha clan. I would figure out more while signing the clan affiliation contract, but despite my concerns, my choice was made since before I came here. I was going to join the Police Force, conditions be damned. In the end, the price to pay was small when compared to the potential benefits of the agreement. Despite the implications of clan affiliation, I wondered if there would be some crazy hidden clause in whatever agreement I signed. Would somebody like grandmother truly sponsor me so easily? I came in expecting to complete a test or trial of some sort; perhaps a spar or some kind of oral examination, but she seemed to be satisfied with my honesty, despite my admission of the Uchiha and Police Force meaning little to me beyond what they could offer me.
I shook those thoughts away. If grandmother was willing to do this, there was no reason to delay it. I straightened my back, meeting her uncompromising gaze with my own, "Your condition is agreeable. If that's what it takes to stand with the Police Force, I'll do it." I said, lowering my head respectfully. Her features became less severe as she nodded, her characteristic sharpness leaving her eyes. It was difficult to tell for sure, but I imagined it was the closest her expression could get to a smile. "Good. Then, let us discuss the conditions-" she started, before being interrupted.
"Hold on, if Daisuke is going to be affiliated to the clan, he'll be the one to set the terms of the agreement." Kaa-san insisted, an unflinching edge to her voice. With her expression measured and her tone controlled, she resembled grandmother. Grandmother stiffened, fixing Kaa-san with a harsh look, before leaning forward, a displeased scowl on her face, "How insolent, Hazuki. Do you mean to sabotage your own son's career? Let us not forget that this is his only entry point into the Police Force." she scorned Kaa-san, threatening our entire agreement. My face paled, as I watched Kaa-san in horror. What did she think she was doing?
A knowing smirk found its way on Kaa-san's face, "You aren't as unreadable as you think, Okaa-sama. To think you would allow an outsider to join under such modest conditions, even if he's half-Uchiha. In the past, you wouldn't have even humoured our letter with a response. You've changed." she started, pointing her finger as grandmother, "You want Daisuke-chan to grow closer to the Police Force, to the Uchiha… and especially closer to you, isn't that right?" she guessed, a satisfied grin forming on her face. Stunned silence filled the air.
I studied grandmother's features for a discernable reaction, but couldn't find one. I knew grandmother wanted me to grow closer to the clan, but I attributed it to a sense of loyalty to the Uchiha. If what Kaa-san said was true, more was going on than I thought. I considered our conversation this far. I admitted that the Police Force, and by extension, the Uchiha clan was a means to the ends for me, and she still agreed, despite that disrespect. If she truly was a stern, unmoving Uchiha loyalist, then she would have thrown me out the instant I said that. I figured that she was agreeing early, but was it possible that this was her intention before we even arrived?
Grandmother's jaw tightened as she took in a sharp breath, "That…" she stewed in her thoughts, frowning at the table, before speaking once more, "If Daisuke is to be affiliated to the Uchiha, specific binding terms must be imposed upon the agreement– it is a non-negotiable fact-"
"No. Daisuke-chan will dictate the terms himself." Kaa-san interrupted, "Unless you're okay with us walking away now?" she winked at me, crossing her arms. "Uchiha Daisuke, a talented boy with Sharingan at the young age of then. With the help of a fellow Genin, he eliminated an Iwagakure Chuunin at Utahime. As much as he doesn't know it, Daisuke-chan has options elsewhere." she pressured further, her chest puffing out pridefully.
By now, I had already given up on controlling my features, and I was gawking at Kaa-san like a goldfish. She… had a point. Grandmother's eyebrows shot up, her eyes blinking, attempting to process what she heard. Her hands opened and closed as her lips pressed together. Kaa-san smiled brighter, "I'll run away again, Okaa-sama, son in tow. He doesn't need you to succeed." she threatened. Grandmother took a breath in, as if to respond, but quickly held it again. She was conflicted. My grandmother, an impossibly stern and uncompromising woman, was torn. She glared at Kaa-san, "You have become cruel, Hazuki," she sneered, snapping out of her indecision, before she faced me, "I will hear your terms, Daisuke. Speak." she ordered.
I momentarily stiffened up, picking at my brain for knowledge on clan affiliation. It had been a little while since the Academy but I remembered certain clauses, both reasonable and intrusive. They ranged from simple matters like regular meeting attendance to unreasonable demands like being forced to marry within the clan, unless given explicit permission. Though rare, certain conditions such as inheritance rights being given to the clan, surveillance and restricted travel outside the village were also of concern.
As my gaze shifted to Kaa-san for a moment of support, I took a breath, collecting my courage to speak my mind before facing grandmother, "I agree to mission taxation up to 30%, required clan meeting attendance, clan training quotas, restrictions on jutsu sharing and an obligation to report to the Clan, but the Marriage Clause is not something I can reasonably agree to. Likewise, the Uchiha clan would only be my third greatest obligation, behind my direct family and the village I reserve the right to decline missions or tasks issued to me by the clan that go against my personal code. Judging from these terms, I'm sure you understand that I will decline other significantly intrusive obligations if they make themselves known during the signing process." I added.
Grandmother subtly narrowed her eyes at me, as if attempting to pick away at my resolve. Her eyes flickered for a moment, as her mouth opened. "I…", she started, before clearing her throat in an attempt to stay dignified, "...Very well, Daisuke. I will have a word with the Police Force about the sponsorship shortly. Regarding your affiliation, there is much to be discussed, but I must first consult the elders and Fugaku-sama. Due to your mother's… unexpected interruption, I suspect your terms will keep me busy for a number of days. Expect to receive a second invitation delivered by Akira, the owl summon I am contracted to, in the coming days." she explained, before fixing the two of us with a gaze, more emotional than any other I had seen from her so far, "Hazuki, Daisuke, it would do us well to stay in touch. I hope to see you soon." she spoke, the edge in her voice having disappeared.
For the first time today, I saw Uchiha Reina – she was a loyal Uchiha through and through, but she was also a grandmother who quietly longed to know her grandchild. The fact that Kaa-san's threats affected her proved that much. Somehow, that longing resonated with me.
—-
The next day
With a startled leap, I retreated from a vicious strike from Tsume-sensei, weaving hand seals. Rat-Dog-Ox-! I attempted, before my fists wailed in agony, being blasted apart by Sensei's high kick. A strike to the fingers hurt like hell. I wouldn't be able to properly move my fingers for at least a few seconds now. I hissed, glaring at my teacher, who wore a wolfish grin.
"Din' I tell you 'ta work on yer hand seals?" she taunted, taking satisfaction in my irritation. I was about to show you that! is what I wanted to say, but I bit down on the response. She was just trying to rile me up. The angrier I was, the worse I fought. I would be unable to focus on my chakra, unable to hold back my aggression, and unable to make good judgments.
Against Anko, I lost my cool and nearly lost. I didn't need to headbutt her and trade damage. I didn't need to be hyper-aggressive. I grew tunnel-visioned, and I engaged her in her preferred field of combat. I couldn't defeat her before she caught me with her snakes, and I only won because she was being emotional, too.
It wouldn't happen again.
I could see Tsume-sensei's movements with my Sharingan, but unless she was far enough away or holding back, I couldn't dodge them very easily. It took all of my focus to defend against the Tokujo, a fact that wouldn't change until I grew stronger.
Her muscles braced – no more chit chat. With a fwish, she was behind me. I turned around to meet her in the nick of time, instinctively raising my arms in a block. Pain exploded in my forearms as I slid back, but I knew I couldn't relax yet. Anticipating a follow-up, I dropped my guard, straining my eyes to the maximum, the world around me slowing down further.
Tsume-sensei bent forward, her clawed right arm primed behind her to swing at me. I slid into her left side, twisting my hips and kicking at her head in an arc, angled so my kick would reach her jaw before her hand would reach me. Her eyes widened a fraction of a second before my foot reached her head and she leaned back in a feat of impressive flexibility.
I jumped with my remaining grounded leg, spinning to gain momentum. My left leg flew through the air as my body rotated 270, finding itself rapidly approaching her awkwardly bent abdomen. My momentum was suddenly stopped as my leg was caught in an iron-handed grip. Instantly, the rest of my body plunged downwards, where I hung in her grasp. "Yer gettin' better at hand-to-hand at least, Curls." she complimented, before throwing me away harshly. I landed with a roll, rising to my feet panting. "I thought we were over nicknames by now!" I shouted back in outrage. She shook her head playfully, before curling her index finger back and forth in a taunting invitation, "Land a hit first, Noodlehead!" she jeered, daring me to attack.
I took a long breath through my nose. What a shit nickname.
Gathering a sizable fraction of my chakra in my stomach, I converted it all to Earth Release chakra in just under two seconds. Condensing the chakra, I felt five distinct masses form. Rapidly rolling the stones in my stomach, the freely flowing Earth Release chakra practically gravitated towards the stones, adding more and more mass and power to the jutsu. Earth Jutsu like this was all about condensation to add density. With my current control over Earth Release, the rapidly-forming jutsu wasn't gaining in size, but density and hardness. When all of my recently-converted Earth Release chakra depleted, I shrunk the stones to the side of a walnut. A component of the Stone Pistol jutsu was that the released rocks rapidly gained size as they were shot out.
With a final flare of chakra to fire the jutsu, a volley of five stones flew out of my mouth, growing exponentially in size. Earth Style: Stone Pistol Jutsu! I shouted internally. Two of the stones were aimed at her head, two at her chest and one at right shoulder.
Tsume-sensei's eyes widened the moment the Jutsu left my mouth, bringing up her guard. The reason I shot five stones, dividing the jutsu's power somewhat, was because I wanted her to deflect it instead of dodging it. Sensei fought on the Iwa front during her service; she knew how to fight against the most common Earth Release jutsu. She could likely gauge the strength of any Stone Pistol jutsu thrown at her with a glance.
The Inuzuka Matriarch swung at the first stone, shattering it to pieces instantly.
I thought back to my fight with Anko, pushing a wave of chakra to the flats of my feet. Borrowing Anko's trick with chakra repulsion, I blasted forward towards Sensei. She knocked the second stone behind her with a backhand, and the third stone was clawed in half a moment later. Using the high speed movement Gai drilled into me, I maintained the speed the chakra repulsion blasted me with, making short leaps to sacrifice as little of my momentum as possible to friction. A meter separated us.
The fourth stone was deflected into a nearby tree, and I flared my chakra in anticipation, focusing on the rock behind Sensei. Just behind the fifth stone, I jumped into an uppercut aimed at her gut. In an instant, three things happened:
Tsume-sensei swung her fist in a downward arc, aiming to destroy the final stone and smash my face in with one attack.
Her eyes flickered in realization too late.
I disappeared, substituting myself with the stone that she had backhanded to her rear.
My fist buried itself in her side before she could fully turn around. Tsume-sensei grunted painfully, and I grinned in satisfaction. Before I could celebrate, my vision swam. Pain flared and the sky flew, and before I knew it, I was flat on my back seeing stars. Through the dizziness and confusion, I put together an understanding of what happened. Sensei was an experienced shinobi, and she had probably been hit harder than that. Shaking off pain was second nature to her, and the natural next step was to retaliate.
Sensei grinned down at me, her smile no longer carrying an animalistic edge, "Whoo!" she breathed out, feeling her side, "Ya sure pack a wallop, brat." she smirked. I rose to my feet, staggering, "Daisuke." I smiled through the pain. She tilted her head, "Huh?" she wondered, puzzled. I stood up straighter, pointing at her side, " 'Land a hit first', was it?"
The Tokubetsu Jounin gawked at me, surprised, before howling out in laughter, "S' that what motivated you?" she guffawed, patting my shoulder affectionately, "Not bad, Daisuke! Might just make a fighter outta ya!" she praised, her laughter dying down. She looked down at the back of her hand and whistled, "That trick was yer solution to the 'ol hand seal crisis, yeah? Not th' strongest Earth jutsu I've seen, but I ain't seen any without hand seals yet." she commented, idly feeling at the scratches I made on her hand.
"I realized that hand seals are shortcuts. If I do some of the heavy lifting with my own chakra control, I can omit signs. For the jutsu I'm really used to, I can eventually use them without seals all together." I explained with a thoughtful frown, "I wouldn't be surprised if someone's already come to the same conclusion as me, but I can't imagine it's too common." I reasoned optimistically. Tsume-sensei shrugged in response, "Beats me. I don' fuck around with jutsu like that. Keep it up and iron out that weakness." she said in encouragement, and with a quick pat to my back, she turned her head to the other direction, where Iruka and Shimada had finished up their own spar. Iruka lost, a testament to Shimada's recent growth.
"Alright, runts, we're done for today! I'm hittin' the road! Tomorrow at 7 o'clock as usual, got it!? Sensei shouted out. "Yes, sensei!" Shimada, Iruka and I chorused, and with that, she disappeared with a I wondered why Jounin didn't just, I don't know, walk away? In fact, I brought up that question to my teammates as I approached.
"Maybe they're all super busy," Iruka idly mused.
"They're all socially awkward and want to avoid small talk." Shimada reasoned.
Both valid answers, to be honest.
I sat down by the two with a grunt, legs still shaky from being whacked by Sensei's killer haymaker. "I've really gotta learn that jutsu soon. Can't be a proper Jounin Sensei without abandoning your students, right?" I joked with a sigh. Iruka frowned, "That's not true," he disagreed, "and mean. Tsume-sensei doesn't abandon us," he defended. The boy was just too earnest. Shimada shrugged, "I mean, isn't shit like that part of the job description? Sensei basically just beats us up for a living." she pointed out, eyeing the various scratches on her arms. Iruka sat up straighter, "No, she trains us for a living!" he insisted, pointing a stern finger at Shimada. He glanced at me, "Right, Daisuke-san?" he asked, pleading for support. I hummed, scratching my chin, "I'm actually with Shimada-san on this one. If we become Chuunin without any brain injury, I'll be shocked." I responded half-seriously.
I didn't want to jinx it, but I was pretty sure my skull was at least dented by the crazy woman by now.
Iruka eyed me, unimpressed, "You're acting like you're gonna forget your own name, or something," he sighed. I held my head dramatically, "You're joking now, but I'll remind you of this conversation when I have dementia." I said with a serious tone, a grin hidden under my arms. Shimada turned to Iruka, "That's assuming he'll even remember this conversation," she smiled, getting in on it. Iruka groaned, "I can't have the final word, can I?" he lamented, before perking up, "Anyways, how did your Police Force thing go?" he asked, eager to change the subject.
My expression became pensive, "Long story short, Obaa-sama sponsored my application, so I filled out a form before I showed up this morning. I'll have to wait for an answer, but presumably they won't take too long to respond," I answered. Iruka nodded inquisitively, "And? Will you be accepted?" he asked curiously. I tilted my head minutely, "Not exactly. I'm lucky enough to skip initial interviews because of the sponsorship, but I've still got written and combat aptitude tests to do. My entry will probably be decided by that." I clarified, thinking about the curriculum.
They wouldn't tell us the contents of the test, but Kaa-san and I expected things like Uchiha, Senju and Konoha history, along with some politics and decent knowledge on Konohagakure laws. I was gonna have to hit the library for sure, because while I know some general knowledge from the Academy on Konoha history, politics and law, I needed a more in depth education and to learn more specifics on Uchiha and Senju history. I was excited, but also nervous.
After a pause, I shook my head and continued, "I don't think I'll fail, but I feel like I have a lot to live up to," I grimaced, "I mean, Obaa-sama's really doing me a favor, and I want to prove she isn't making a mistake." I continued, nervously fiddling my fingers. Shimada leaned forward, "Don't take what other people say or think so close to heart. If this is the path to accomplish your goals, who the hell cares what your grandmother thinks?" she asked, her statement sounding a bit personal. I hummed softly, "But I want to care, y'know? Obaa-sama… I feel like I owe her. And I do. If I screw it, she's the one who'll look bad." I insisted, eliciting a dismissive 'hmph' from the Nara.
Iruka tilted his head, "Why's that? She must have tested you, and you're her family anyways. A bit of nepotism should be expected, no?" he commented, confusion coloring his features. I scrunched my face up, "Obaa-sama's kinda strict. Actually, she only sponsored me under the condition that I would affiliate myself officially with the Uchiha-" I revealed casually, watching as my teammates' heads snapped towards me, shocked. Shimada scowled, "That's bullshit. I can't believe you actually accepted that." she shot back irritably.
I threw my hands up defensively, "Wait, wait. That's not the whole story. Kaa-san actually fought back on it, and managed to convince her to allow me to dictate the terms of the affiliation. She… called Obaa-sama's bluff. I couldn't tell before Kaa-san mentioned it, but Obaa-sama wants me to grow closer to the Clan… and to her." I explained, "It's part of why I'm so nervous. I've got a bigger reason to prove myself, and more expectations. There's no doubt the Police Force and Uchiha will have their eyes on me." I elaborated with an anxious smile.
Shimada regarded me blankly, as if contemplating whether she should speak, "I get it, to be honest. You aren't the only one dealing with expectations," she huffed. I raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue, "My little sister's the clan's golden goose. Let me tell you, it's not fun hearing how amazing she is every day," she mused offhandedly, her eyes a bit distant, "Won't be long before she surpasses me, and she's only six," Shimada added bitterly.
I tried to remember a specific talented Nara from canon, and the few who came to mind were Shikamaru and Shikaku, whose genders and ages wouldn't match. I scratched my cheek, "I didn't know you had a sister, Shimada," I said blandly. Iruka nodded to himself, "You'd think we would've heard about it sometime during the Academy…" he agreed. Shimada leveled us with a bored gaze, "It's not like we were having heart-to-heart conversations back then," she deadpanned, before smirking, "I know you have a sister, Uchiha. You don't shut up about her. You never have," she teased, her annoying grin widening.
I grumbled, mildly embarrassed by the observation. She wasn't wrong, but like, shut up please? Iruka smiled, "I feel bad for people with siblings like that, to be honest. Couldn't be me." he chuckled as an only child, to which Shimada smiled faintly, "Must be nice," she said vacantly.
Whenever Shimada's sister was brought up, she acted weird. She didn't seem particularly sad or angry, but she looked… lost.
I punched Iruka's arm playfully, "The benefits of having a sibling far outweigh the trouble, Iruka-san. You're the unlucky one," I pointed out, thinking back to Izumi and my siblings back on Earth fondly. I locked eyes with my Nara teammate, "Shimada-san, I don't know about your home life, but you need to remember that your sister isn't your rival, but your precious sibling. Don't insinuate that it 'must be nice' to not have a sibling. You don't mean that." I lectured, my voice carrying some seriousness.
Shimada regarded me, realization coloring her face, before a small smile split her lips. "I guess you're right," she allowed, before shaking her head. "Anyways, I kinda brought down the mood. Let's get back to you whining about your clan's expectations or whatever." she suggested, a mocking grin on her face. I gawked at her, "It's not whining, it's-" I was rudely interrupted.
"It's definitely whining," Shimada asserted firmly.
"Yeah, stop whining!" Iruka agreed.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, "I'm never opening up about my problems ever again." I declared, trying not to smile. Shimada shook her head, "No, no. It's funny hearing about your drama." she smirked, Iruka wordlessly nodded in agreement. They were complementing each other like Dumb and Dumber, and I wasn't talking about their chemistry, but the fact that they were being morons. "If you two want to keep hearing my drama, then get me lunch. Shit ain't free," I demanded to both of them. They exchanged looks for a moment, before looking back, "Don-no-Ha?" Iruka suggested. That punny Donburi place? Shimada stood up, nodding, "Sure, but I'm not buying you a bowl, Uchiha. We're not there yet." she said, idly stretching.
"Meh, worth a shot. Let's go," I relented, glad to eat with company at least. I leapt up to my feet, reinvigorated by a vivid image of Gyudon in my mind's eye.
—-
26th of August, 1bNb
Days later, an owl delivered a letter to our residence as promised. I opened the letter with bated breath, Kaa-san standing behind me, impatiently demanding I open it. With an exacerbated huff, I relented, opening the letter despite my anxiety.
In the pleasant warmth of this bright Summer, I am delighted to hear of your continued good health.
To my grandson, Daisuke, I hereby humbly report the following,
I confirm that the Konoha Military Police Force has received your application, and you may expect an update within the coming week from the Police Force themselves. I extend my sincerest wishes for your success in this endeavor.
Regarding your affiliation to the Uchiha Clan, I have unfortunate news. Following arduous dialogue with the esteemed Elders of the Uchiha Clan and the honorable Uchiha Fugaku-sama, your proposed terms of clan affiliation have been declined. It was deemed that such terms impose upon the boundless generosity and honor of the Clan. It is with great shame that I must convey this message to you.
Despite my shortcomings in securing affiliation on your terms, I shall not withdraw my sponsorship of your Police Force application, as doing so would gravely disgrace your resolve and integrity. Instead, I offer an alternative path to Uchiha Clan affiliation if you so wish. The position of Shizoku Hi-koukkenin – a Clan ward under my personal supervision – is a path that remains available to yourself. It is a role of significant complexity, and should you desire further discussion in that matter, you are cordially invited to an audience with myself on the first day of September, Year 49.
I extend my deepest apologies for my impudence in the insistence of your affiliation to the Clan.
As the gentle chill of Autumn settles in, I trust this letter finds you in good health and high spirits.
Humbly presented by Uchiha Reina.
The twenty-sixth of August, Year 49
I was squinting like a forty-year-old trying to read a phone screen. I thought I had learned plenty when it came to reading and writing from my parents and the Academy, but I couldn't read half of the kanji in this text. I kinda understood the message, but I couldn't fully tell what she meant at some parts. Thankfully, I had a mother. Kaa-san ruffled my hair and took the letter out of my hands, explaining its contents to me like I was a baby.
Which was helpful. I kept forgetting that Kaa-san was educated by grandmother, and was capable of that same formal speech.
A few things surprised me. First of all, I didn't know that clan affiliation was so serious. I should have expected it, given the culture revolving shinobi clans, but I hadn't, so to hear that they declined the proposal because it would dishonor their name to allow me too many concessions was not something I expected. What surprised me more was grandmother's efforts.
Not only had she presumably fought for my terms, but she also went out of the way to suggest an alternative, while giving me the option to simply walk away from the whole affiliation business directly. For a second, I was tempted, but I still felt like I owed grandmother, and I knew it was a method of becoming directly connected with the Uchiha. She wanted to meet me on the first of September, and I had no intention of skipping out on that.
I didn't know what being a ward entailed, but I was eager to learn about it.
—-
On the 28th of August, my examinations were confirmed for the morning of October the 26th at the Police Force Training Facility, just under two months away.
—-
?, 1bNb
In the darkness of his hideout, a bandaged man sat, awaiting the arrival of his subordinate. The man was generally disappointed with recent events, especially the inauguration of the Yellow Flash as the Fourth Hokage over his chosen candidate, the Snake Sanin. The result wasn't entirely unexpected for a man as cunning as him, but he was peeved by it nonetheless. That being said, it wasn't the end of the world – far from it.
Recently, the man had received reports that were ripe with opportunity. Team Minato's missions were likely to blame for Namikaze's ascendence over Orochimaru, but it wasn't Namikaze's mission that intrigued the man; Namikaze's students' mission did. The son of Hatake Sakumo had led a young civilian girl; Nohara Rin, and an Uchiha boy; Uchiha Obito, into battle with the goal of neutralizing the vitally important Kannabi Bridge, and yet they failed.
The Young Hatake wasn't known for being incompetent, and while all three young shinobi performed incompetently according to reports, their failure inadvertently uncovered a creature of great interest. According to the reports of both Hatake Kakashi and Nohara Rin, an unknown monster mounted an assault, using the legendary Mokuton – Shodaime's infamous Wood Release – against them. Learning more about this creature and its habits was at the top of the man's priorities.
That creature's capture, dead or alive, was the key to replicating the Wood Release successfully.
He had sent a trusted subordinate, a sensor-nin skilled in Iryo-ninjutsu, to protect the two sources of information, with the primary objective of learning as much as possible from nearby conversations. This agent was especially skilled in infiltration, being a great actor and highly adaptable, and possessed highly sensitive ears. Truly, Agent Myaku had bloomed brilliantly since his induction in the organization.
A single knock resounded on through the closed door. The man's wrinkles tilted upwards, a satisfied look on his face. The sensor was as punctual as always. "You may enter," he allowed, his voice raspy from the unrelenting sands of time. The man did not need to look up to know it was Myaku. The talented agent's chakra was always impossibly steady, unimpaired by hesitation. Few could match his prowess – especially his skill in reading the emotions of others from just the flow of their chakra. The man's agent kneeled, utterly silent. "Report." The man ordered.
Myaku remained unmoving, "Yes, Danzo-sama."
As Shimura Danzo, the Shinobi of Darkness, listened to the report, he noted most of the information to be unsurprising. He cared little for the inner turmoil of Team Minato, or their fleeting friendships. Although Myaku managed to secure some information on the behaviour of the beast in question, little of the report was particularly helpful. In the end, the report was within expectations. Danzo never relied on a single source: he had other agents investigating the creature in question across the Elemental Nations, so he wasn't bothered. He almost cut Myaku's report short, until something interesting came up.
"... The boy, when faced with the news of a Wood Release monster attacking his friend, wasn't surprised. The boy's chakra flared up momentarily, his control ultimately unshaken – a telltale sign of recognition-" Myaku reported emotionlessly, before he was interrupted. "Myaku, what is this boy's name?" Danzo boomed authoritatively. Myaku kneeled lower, "The boy's name is Daisuke. Upon further investigation, I found that the boy was born to an Uchiha mother and a civilian-born father." he responded robotically, without hesitation.
Naturally, the name had come up before – Danzo kept tabs on important village matters, such as up and coming Academy students and significant missions. Uchiha Daisuke was a Genin involved in the defense of Utahime and was a generally skilled student during his time at the Academy. He was nowhere near the likes of Hatake Kakashi or Namikaze Minato's talent, but he was notable.
For all Danzo knew, the boy's recognition of the monster was nothing more than a fluke, or perhaps a mistake on Myaku's part. Some might see it as a waste of resources to investigate such a lead, but Danzo was hardly short on agents.
Maybe it was a shot in the dark, but well, Danzo had a good feeling about the boy.
"Myaku, you are now assigned to monitor this Uchiha Daisuke. Learn any relevant information, and confirm whether his recognition of the Wood Release creature was a fluke." Danzo ordered, his interest peaked, "You are dismissed." he finished.
Myaku remained still once again, "Yes, Danzo-sama." he answered emotionlessly, before disappearing in a shunshin.
—-
Crazy stuff fellas.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed the read. This chapter was a bit shorter than recent chapters I think, so my bad. To be completely transparent, I wanted to get this chapter out by the 20th of March in time for the 2nd year of this fic.
If you're confused about Danzo's agent: he actually made an appearance not long ago. Most of you should remember him, I made his presence pretty obvious. If you don't know who the hell I'm talking about, just ask.
If you have any criticisms about how I handled certain things, don't hesitate to let me know. When I say criticism, I prefer constructive criticism with your perspective and opinion on my writing (especially if you think I could've handled something better), rather than being told that I write like shit.
Also, if you have any questions about the story and want to reach out, write a comment, pm me on or write me a message on discord, and I'll try to get back to you. I know that Shimada has been a bad character thus far, and I am doing my best to fix the mistakes of my past self.
Next chapter is a POV chapter as you might have heard. I think it's gonna be shorter than the normal, but I might just go big on it, I dunno. The chapter is still a 'draft 0'.
Anyways, I'll see you in the next chapter! Hopefully it'll still be spring by then lol.