Inside the Uchiha clan's administrative office stood Uchiha Renjiro, a boy just five years old, who had followed the directions in his memory to get there. This was the place responsible for household records and distributing pensions to fallen shinobi families.
He walked to the small, empty window designated for compensation requests. There weren't many people around.
"Excuse me, has Uchiha Haji's compensation arrived? I'm his son, and I want to claim the benefits owed for his sacrifice."
His calm, steady voice fell into silence for a moment before a man emerged from the office.
This man was Uchiha Kari.
He glanced around quickly, and when he saw no one nearby, he forced a gentle smile.
"Little one, where are your parents?"
"They're both gone. I'm the only one left at home," Renjiro replied evenly, as though he were speaking of something ordinary.
"Ah, how pitiful. So young, and already alone…" Kari sighed in mock sympathy, his eyes narrowing slightly.
But Renjiro did not waver. He fixed his gaze on him and repeated his purpose in a steady tone.
"Uchiha Haji? His compensation? I came here to claim it. It arrived four months ago, but my mother was too ill to collect it. Now she has passed away. Even if it's late, the reward for a shinobi who gave his life should still belong to his family, shouldn't it?"
Kari's expression darkened. The boy's words unsettled him. What truly unnerved him, however, was that despite being so thin and frail, Renjiro met his two-tomoe Sharingan with eyes that did not waver. The child wasn't cowed. He was even showing a spark of defiance.
"Are you trying to make trouble, brat?" Kari sneered coldly. "Do you believe I won't break your legs right here?"
Renjiro slowly stretched out his small hands, his voice chillingly calm.
"Go ahead. When I walked in, many eyes from the clan saw me. If you've got the guts, break my arms and legs right now. I'll crawl to the elders to demand justice."
Kari's face tightened. He was not only taken aback by Renjiro's words but also shocked that this child could withstand the pressure of his two-tomoe Sharingan. That was already a minor genjutsu!
As for using a stronger illusion? He didn't dare. Judging from the boy's frail appearance, it might even kill him—something he could not risk. After all, if this matter were exposed, he would be condemned as the one who embezzled a fallen clansman's pension. That crime was beyond disgrace!
Forcing a smile, he finally relented.
"You truly have guts. As expected of Haji's son. Your father and I were close comrades. How could I not return your family's compensation? Wait here, I'll fetch it."
He turned back into the office. Indeed, he had embezzled the payment. When the clan messenger came twice to deliver the money, Renjiro's sick mother couldn't get out of bed. He seized the chance to pocket it, intending to return it someday, once he had money to spare.
But now, with the boy showing such boldness, he realized he couldn't keep delaying.
"Not dead yet, huh?" Kari muttered under his breath as he glanced at the small figure walking away with the coins. "Even dared to come here and demand repayment… unexpected. But as long as you're still alive, it doesn't count as two lives lost, does it? Hah…"
Unaware of Kari's muttering, Renjiro stepped to another service window.
This side was busier—many children lined up with guardians, some chattering, some fidgeting.
Renjiro stood out among them. He was the smallest and skinniest, his hair dry and tangled from malnutrition. And yet, unlike the others, he stood quietly, his bright, enigmatic black eyes making onlookers stare longer than they intended.
When his turn came, Renjiro calmly stated his purpose without waiting for the clerk to ask.
"I want to enroll in the Academy. Please help me apply."
The staff member at the window, Uchiha Jūko, looked at him with surprise, her voice soft with pity.
"Little one, how old are you? Where are your parents?"
"I'm five years old. I'm the only one left in my family," Renjiro answered simply.
"…Ah… I'm sorry."
Uchiha Ruri lowered her eyes, her tone gentle. Then she explained slowly:
"To attend the Academy, you must be at least six years old. If your parents were shinobi, their children can enter without tuition. If not, civilians must pay half the standard fee. For you Uchiha, as our clan's members, the tuition is already reduced by half."
Though his thin figure betrayed his hardships, Uchiha Renjiro's eyes remained calm and steady, his will unshaken.
End of the chapter.