> *Ding-dong… ding-dong!*
Two shuriken spun through the air, slamming precisely into the bullseyes of two wooden targets. Both embedded halfway in—with force few present could ever hope to match.
> "How was it?"
**Uchiha Haruki** clapped his hands confidently, small chest puffed, his head tilted at an angle that screamed drama. A smug grin tugged at his lips.
> "Tch… missed two bullseyes. What a shame."
His sigh and slight disappointment felt almost theatrical, drawing the stunned silence of the crowd around him.
**Uchiha Masaru's** mouth twitched. This kid was only three, yet he already exuded such natural flair for showmanship. A little absurd, if still adorable.
Despite Haruki's flair for the dramatic, Masaru gave genuine praise.
> "You have incredible talent. Even if your dōjutsu doesn't awaken the Sharingan, you could still become a top-tier ninja. Konoha and the Uchiha clan would be proud."
He meant every word. Haruki's physical control and perception were exceptional. Many great shinobi didn't rely solely on kekkei genkai. Look at **Jiraiya**, **Minato Namikaze**, or **Hatake Sakumo**.
Haruki simply shrugged.
> "I understand where you're coming from… but I'm naturally gifted. I don't really want to be a ninja. I've never felt that ambition everyone talks about. All I want is for my family to be safe."
He was honest—from the heart.
The idea of loyalty to the village or clan didn't move him. He had no desire to be another pawn in the conflicts of others.
> "Hmph… No ambition!"
**Itachi**, who had remained on the sidelines till now, suddenly spoke, his voice icy.
> "A person without dreams or village loyalty will never be a true warrior."
To Itachi, Haruki's words were more than disappointing—they were an insult. A warning.
An Uchiha with no loyalty to the clan or Konoha was dangerous. Such outliers only fueled the widening rift between the elders and the village leaders.
His gaze grew sharper. If ever he needed to "set an example" for the clan or the Hokage faction, Haruki would be the first one to fall.
Masaru said nothing at first, pondering Haruki's reply. After a beat, he tried again.
> "Even so, being a ninja is rewarding. Missions pay extremely well."
Haruki tilted his head in mock interest.
> "Rewarding? Do they pay more than my father, **Uchiha Daigo**, makes?"
Masaru laughed bitterly.
> "Haha… no, not quite. Your father's business likely brings in more in a single day than most jōnin earn in a year."
> "Then I'll just inherit the family business."
Masaru had no reply.
Honestly, it made sense.
He and the other shinobi risked their lives daily, while Haruki could sit comfortably at home—maybe eat a roast chicken or ten—and still earn more.
> (Unfair? Yep. But true.)
Still, he pressed once more.
> "Then why do you come to the training grounds at all? Aren't you here to become a ninja?"
> "Me training doesn't mean I plan to register as a full-time ninja," Haruki said plainly. "Even if we're rich, I want to be strong enough to protect myself. I don't want to live life relying on bodyguards everywhere."
His words carried a hidden edge—a quiet calculation.
Strength meant survival, especially in Konoha. He'd rather stay under the radar for now. If **Hiruzen** or **Danzo** caught even a whisper of his abilities too early, he could be silenced before he even hit puberty.
Masaru sighed.
If someone didn't have the motivation to chase greatness, then even godlike talent wouldn't matter much. Without the will to wield it, even Haruki might never reach beyond Chūnin.
Still—that made Haruki no less dangerous.
And in the meantime, the other clan children's disdain toward Haruki only grew.
Evening fell quickly.
The sky was tinged orange, and many Uchiha trainees began heading home after a long day of practice.
Only **Itachi** and **Sasuke** continued their training by the targets, their effort winning silent nods from both instructors.
Meanwhile, Haruki lay stretched behind some blue-grey stones, basking in the last light of the sun with a peaceful look on his face.
Then—
> "Haruki!"
A soft, familiar voice drifted over the wind. It was warm, melodic, and feminine.
> *Thump!*
Haruki leapt up nimbly and blinked toward the source, alert and ready.
His reflexes were sharp—far too sharp for a "casual trainee."
Even Masaru's eyes glinted briefly with intrigue.
And there she was.
A graceful woman approached—the very picture of warm nobility and elegance.
**Senju Sayaka**, Haruki's mother, smiling kindly as she walked through the gates of the training ground.
She was born of legendary blood—as a descendant of **Senju Hashirama**, her bright chakra and calm bearing marked her immediately.
Yet, because she was a **Senju**, and Daigo was an Uchiha merchant… their union drew scorn from both sides.
> "Mom! What are you doing here?" Haruki dashed up to her with surprising energy, slinging his backpack behind him.
Sayaka hadn't planned to visit, but something deep inside had bothered her lately. Her son—marked by strange eyes and ostracized blood—was training among sharp-eyed children raised to be rivals. It disturbed her heart.
As she arrived, her fears were confirmed. She could feel the judgmental stares even now.
> "My little Haruki… Were you bullied again today?" she asked gently. "Come home. I'll make your favorite for dinner."
Haruki smiled and shook his head.
> "I'm fine, Mom. Just tired," he lied.
Yet to Sayaka, it sounded like he was hiding the truth—like he just didn't want her to worry.
Her expression gentled into something sadder.
> "If you don't want to train anymore… don't force yourself. I'll take care of you, okay? Forever, if I have to."
> "No, I'll keep coming!"
His tone was firm, eyes set.
> "I want to learn more. Strength is… necessary. And I need a small favor."
Sayaka blinked. Haruki rarely asked for anything.
> "What is it?"
> "I want…"
He took a breath.
> "I want to find a taijutsu instructor."
Sayaka was stunned.
> "Taijutsu…? A teacher?"
Haruki nodded.
His visual ability, connected to both **Sharingan** and **Byakugan-like perception**, made taijutsu the perfect discipline. The Uchiha rarely pursued it seriously, but he knew how powerful it could be if perfected.
Mastering close combat would unlock one of the few paths hidden between the power systems of leaf elites.
> (Someday, I'm going to rewrite the balance. My way.)
📝 *Author's Note:*
*If you're enjoying this series, please drop power stone, review! Your support helps me keep the chapters coming. Thank you!*
**(End of Chapter 6)**