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Konoha Year 39, late autumn, Uchiha Clan's Winter Lion's Residence.
A melodious and cheerful flute tune slowly drifted through the air.
At times it was spirited and passionate, at times clear and melodious, and at times intermittent. It could both soothe the soul and bring joy. The floating tune, accompanied by a gentle breeze, made people feel their hearts swell with emotion.
'Clap, clap, clap'—the tune ended, followed by enthusiastic applause from the audience. Even though his old house was somewhat remote, it could not stop people's yearning for beautiful music.
"Every time I hear it, Fuyu Shirou's performance of The Eagle's Song is so uplifting!"
"Fuyu Shirou, you skipped class again. Even if the Ninja Academy's classes are dull, skipping class isn't something a good child should do!"
"Thank you, Grandpa Hong, for your praise. I just play to pass the time when I'm not training. And Grandma Lili, the morning classes at the Ninja Academy are mostly cultural subjects, which I have already mastered."
The ones praising and teasing him were two widowed elders. They were both neighbors living next to Fuyu Shirou and members of the Uchiha clan.
'Grandpa Hong' used to be a Special Jounin who had activated the Mangekyou Sharingan.
He lost his right arm in a battle, though he managed to save his life. He had to retire reluctantly, ending his ninja career. After his wife passed away, he lived separately from his children due to his peculiar temper.
'Grandma Lili' was not a ninja herself.
However, her husband and son both participated in the last great war and were ultimately sacrificed, leaving her to live alone. The old lady rarely went out, and her lonely figure could only be seen occasionally in the clan's cemetery.
"Fuyu Shirou is a talented and hardworking child. Staying at the Ninja Academy every day is a waste of time. In my opinion, joining the Police Force is the best choice…"
As a former Special Jounin who had activated the Sharingan, even after years of retirement, he still possessed the keen eye and insight.
Due to their different experiences and beliefs, the two had different opinions on Fuyu Shirou's skipping class.
As a former ninja, even at the cost of great pain, Uchiha Hong still believed that protecting the clan and the village was the Uchiha's mission. Since Fuyu Shirou was exceptionally talented, he should join the Police Force and contribute to the clan and the village.
As an ordinary person, Uchiha Lili, after experiencing the loss of her husband and son, was not particularly fond of the ninja profession.
Although she respected Uchiha traditions and did not voice her opposition, she still hoped that Fuyu Shirou could have a happy childhood.
Although their views on the ninja profession were completely different, they both appreciated Fuyu Shirou's music.
At that moment, Fuyu Shirou was wearing a white martial arts uniform similar to a taekwondo training suit, with a ninja fishnet undershirt. The Flame Fan Clan Emblem was embroidered on his back, and a fire-red belt was tied around his waist.
His shoulder-length hair was tied into a ponytail, with a few strands of bangs fluttering in front of his forehead. His eyes were dark and bright, and his features were still youthful, but a sense of heroism was beginning to emerge.
He was sitting cross-legged on the veranda outside, holding a bright green flute. He looked helplessly at the two elders who were slowly getting into an argument over his 'skipping class'.
Ever since Uchiha Mika got married half a year ago, Fuyu Shirou had started living alone. Although Mika would come over once a week to help clean the house and prepare a meal, he began to feel lonely and bought a flute. Occasionally, he would play music from his past life to reminisce and alleviate the boredom and loneliness brought by training.
Unconsciously, he had attracted two listeners.
"It's almost noon. Would 'Grandpa Hong' and 'Grandma Lili' like to stay for lunch? My cooking is pretty good!"
Upon hearing this, they looked at the sky.
The two elders got up simultaneously, left the courtyard, and went their separate ways. They had never considered staying for lunch.
At their age, it would be inappropriate to freeload at an orphan's home.
Watching the two elders leave, Uchiha Fuyu Shirou also got up and went inside to prepare lunch. Although he was not yet eight years old, he was already 135 centimeters tall and weighed nearly 35 kilograms. With his white martial arts uniform and ponytail, he looked more like a samurai than a ninja.
Yes, a ponytail.
Like Zhang Chulian from the anime "One Punch Man."
If he had a katana, he would look just like Kenshin Himura from "Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal" and the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
Ever since he discovered that men in this world could have long hair, he had been intrigued. After all, long hair and a sword, traveling the world, and rescuing damsels in distress, were dreams that every boy had.
At that moment, with the Shadow Clone he had sent to school in the morning dispelling, a new set of memories flooded his mind.
Hmm! Interesting, it looks like I have something fun to do this afternoon...
At eight years old, Fuyu Shirou could create up to three Shadow Clones to assist in his training. It wasn't that he didn't want to create more; it was that he couldn't sustain them for long.
The Shadow Clone technique was widely known in the ninja world, but why did only Naruto Uzumaki use it extensively for training?
The fatigue caused by the dispelling of a Shadow Clone, both physically and mentally, could be overcome by most Jounin if the number was small. However, the main reason everyone abandoned this training method was the chakra consumption.
It's like lighting a candle; it burns fuel constantly. Once the Shadow Clone technique is used, even if the clone lies still or meditates, chakra will gradually be consumed over time.
Ordinary ninjas barely had enough chakra to activate their bodies and didn't want to waste it like this. Even Fuyu Shirou himself, if he didn't have a detailed plan for activating his body, wouldn't choose the Shadow Clone path.
Even with his chakra reserves steadily reaching the upper limit of a Genin, and taking a two-hour nap every noon, Fuyu Shirou could only barely manage to supply three Shadow Clones with 'low-power' activities.
Every morning, one Shadow Clone would go to the Ninja Academy to study, another would practice fire nature chakra transformation at home, and another would practice gathering Yang chakra at home.
The original body would focus on physical strength training.
In the afternoon, he would decide whether to send a clone or go to school himself based on the day's schedule.
Well, it looks like I can have a good rest this afternoon...
(End of Chapter)