After Renji's wedding, the younger generation of the Uchiha clan soon followed with engagements and marriages of their own. Among Renji's groomsmen, only Uchiha Fugaku was still engaged; within the month, the others each married their bridesmaids from Meimei's side.
Renji, the type to never let a grudge go, made sure to wreak havoc at his brothers' weddings - relentless with his toasts, cheeky with bride-and-groom antics, he was so outrageous that many guests thought he should have been hired as the master of ceremonies.
His friends swore revenge. "You're married now? Then you'd better hurry and have a kid! When you do, we'll make sure to drink you to death at the baby feast. This feud is sealed."
Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan's retail shops thrived. Renji's mind turned to bigger schemes. Two weeks before Orochimaru and Danzo returned, he rolled out a bold new plan: the founding of the Royal Technical Academy and the Uchiha Research Institute.
The Royal Technical Academy was designed as a supplement to the Sunflower Project. It was led by the Uchiha, with the Daimyo holding 20% of shares, the Uchiha retaining 60%, and the Royal Chamber of Commerce 20%. One clause confused many: 20% of the profits would be injected into the Veteran Support Fund.
Skeptics scoffed. "What kind of school makes money?" Renji thought to himself, Idiots. Go practice your jutsu. Technology is the true engine of progress.
The Academy was split into two campuses: one in the Land of Fire, the other in Konoha.
The Land of Fire campus taught civil arts: beauty and hairstyling, image design, cooking, horticulture, music, and other civilian trades.
The Konoha campus specialized in advanced fields: computer science, electronics, biology, mechanical engineering, and metallurgy.
The Land of Fire students could graduate in five years. Six months before graduation, the Royal Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans' Guild would provide internships; outstanding students would be hired directly, others would return for their exams.
The Konoha campus required nine years: four years of foundational training, three years of specialized study, and two years of internship and advanced electives. Internships were served at the Uchiha Research Institute. Exceptional graduates could sign twenty-year semi-lifetime contracts with the Institute, gaining access to classified technologies. Upon graduation, they signed confidentiality agreements.
The Uchiha Research Institute itself was wholly funded by the clan, focused on biology, mechanical engineering, and computing. All technologies and patents belonged solely to the Uchiha.
To head the Biology Division, Renji personally sought out Hiruzen Sarutobi's old acquaintance, Orochimaru's peer — Hiruko, who at the time was scraping together ryo for lab supplies. Renji promised: "Complete our research goals and teach the students. In return, your personal projects will be funded." Hiruko nearly cried. No more paying out of pocket, and he'd even draw a salary. He signed on the spot, begging to ink the contract before Renji could change his mind.
For the Metallurgy Division, Renji recruited the master craftsman Feng Haofanren from the Land of Craftsmen. The old smith resisted at first, until Renji offered to cover half the material costs for his work and showed him rare ores from the Uchiha vault. At the sight of the minerals, the man abandoned his home instantly, demanding to move into the Institute.
The Mechanical Engineering Division went to Xiao Jun, an unsung genius in Konoha who had independently invented cranes and excavators. Renji couldn't believe someone like this had been ignored all along. In his mind echoed the slogan: "When it comes to digging, trust the Royal brand."
The Computing Division went to Meng Zhongxing, a civilian prodigy recommended by Hiruko. Since childhood, he had tinkered with electronics until he could repair or build nearly anything, with computers as his specialty. When he heard the academy was for commoners, he agreed without hesitation. Money meant little to him; what mattered was giving other children of humble birth the chance to learn. He even suggested building dormitories — which startled Renji, who half-wondered if this man also had memories of another world. In the end, they moved the campus closer to the village and designed student housing.
As for the overall Konoha campus principal, Renji already had the perfect candidate in mind - someone he would approach once they returned.
The very day Orochimaru arrived back in Konoha, Renji received word from a clansman and immediately went to wait outside the Hokage Tower. He had resolved not to leave until he secured Orochimaru.
He waited the entire morning, almost sending the Sunflowers to fetch him a bowl of ramen, when at last he saw Orochimaru: pale-skinned, long black hair, walking with an icy air.
Orochimaru was seething with mixed emotions, his anger fading into sorrow. His beloved teacher no longer trusted him, refusing even to ask questions before denying him. Was it power? Age? What had changed his master?
"Lord Orochimaru, I came here specifically to speak with you," Renji said, stepping out with a calm smile.
Orochimaru blinked, then recognized him. "Oh, it's you, Renji. What is it you want?"
"This isn't the place to talk. Allow me to treat you to barbecue while we discuss. Will you join me?"
Renji's invitation piqued his curiosity. What could an Uchiha want with him? Besides, he hadn't eaten since morning, still brooding over Hiruzen's words.
"Very well. I'll hear you out," Orochimaru replied.
The two headed toward the food district. At the same time, an ANBU raced into the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, Orochimaru just left the tower. He was approached by Uchiha Renji, and the two have gone together to the food street."
This ANBU was one of Hiruzen's watchers, assigned to keep an eye on the young Uchiha prodigy. Finding this unusual, he reported at once.
"I understand. Thank you. Take some rest," said Hiruzen.
Left alone, the Third Hokage shook his head. His disciple was becoming harder and harder to read. Orochimaru, what is truly in your heart?
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