Completing the clone jutsu had pushed Seiji's progress to just over 33%.
Now, after practicing Lightning Release: Iron Block, his progress had climbed to 45%.
For someone of the Yogetsu clan, Lightning Release and physical techniques came almost naturally. Seiji learned this jutsu smoothly, his strikes heavier, his body firmer.
"I'm still a little short," he muttered, exhaling.
The physical strength entry hadn't yet triggered, but with a little more training, it would.
He was already far from the malnourished, frail man of two months ago.
Kakashi Appears
"Hey, Seiji, aren't you leaving yet?"
Kakashi's voice drifted from outside.
"Coming."
Seiji packed his things, slung the cloth bag over his shoulder, and stepped out. Living at the edge of the Uchiha settlement had its advantages—it meant he could meet with Kakashi without walking too deep into Uchiha territory.
For some reason, Kakashi often came to see him.
Together, they headed for the academy. Along the way, Kakashi mentioned something: his father, Hatake Sakumo, was finally returning from a secret mission.
Seiji knew this mission. Infiltration. Pre-war maneuvering. A task that would tip the balance of nations.
And he knew what would happen. Sakumo would choose to save his comrades over the mission. The Land of Fire would suffer politically, and public opinion would turn against him. Even the very comrades he saved would condemn him.
Almost there, Seiji thought. A few days, and the White Fang's fall begins.
He glanced sideways at Kakashi, who would soon graduate early and rise swiftly to Chunin.
Classroom Dynamics
"Kakashi, Seiji-kun!"
Nohara Rin greeted them brightly as they entered, her eyes flicking almost immediately to Kakashi.
Seiji nodded back. Whenever Kakashi was around, Rin's explanations after class grew longer, more detailed. If it had only been Seiji, she probably would've stopped weeks ago.
And then there was Obito. Always finding excuses to show up.
"Okay, class is starting," the teacher said, clapping the desk.
Obito stumbled in, breathless. "I—I accidentally helped too many old ladies on the way—"
The teacher sighed, pointing to the back. "Plenty of excuses, right? Go stand."
Obito scratched his head, embarrassed. He stole a glance at Rin, only to see her leaning closer to Kakashi and Seiji.
"Hurry up," the Chunin teacher barked.
"Ah, okay…" Obito slouched toward the back, but Rin's soft voice followed him: "Don't worry, Obito, it's only for this class."
Obito's gloom melted instantly. As expected, Rin is the best! One day, I'll be Hokage, and she'll stand by my side…
After Class
Later, back at the Uchiha settlement, Seiji was summoned to an old building. Uchiha Hazuki led the way—dressed in a dark purple robe with the clan's fan crest, a teardrop mole marking her elegant features.
Hazuki: the woman who would one day be Uchiha Izumi's mother. And the woman who would fall to Itachi's blade.
She delivered the order: "Medicine Fan, a D-rank Lightning Release scroll."
Seiji followed her inside. Another man awaited them—Uchiha Yaoshan, scarred, his grin twisted grotesque.
"Half-bloods are rare," Yaoshan said, voice sharp with mockery. "And one from the Land of Lightning? Rarer still."
He fetched a key, unlocking a dark room lined with shelves of ancient scrolls. Dust swirled in the lamplight.
"The Lightning Release section is here," Yaoshan said, plucking a scroll labeled D-rank.
Seiji frowned. "Can't I choose for myself?"
Yaoshan glanced at Hazuki. The scroll paused in his hand.
Hazuki shook her head. "Fugaku gave no such order. We can't decide on our own."
"Did you hear that?" Yaoshan sneered, scars folding grotesquely as he smiled.
Seiji said nothing. He simply accepted the scroll. "Thank you."
As they left, Yaoshan relocked the iron door and slumped under the eaves. Hazuki walked with Seiji for a while before speaking:
"Fugaku is the clan head. His word must be obeyed."
"I understand," Seiji replied, smiling faintly. "It's for my own good. After all, I don't yet know which jutsu suits me."
Inside, his thoughts were sharper. If they mean to slight me, fine. I'll just collect the interest later. Isn't that fair?
Hazuki blinked, surprised at his gentle answer. For a moment her stern features softened, lips curving.
"You're a good child to think that way."