> "You really want to join Daigo and work for the Chamber of Commerce?"
**Uchiha Omura** stared at the shinobi who came with him, trying to gauge if they truly meant it. "Think this through. Once you cross this line, it's not just about jobs. You'll be cut off from the rest of the clan—and the village will push you further away."
He needed to lay it all out. Once they chose this path, there was no going back.
> "Brother Omura, don't you see it yet? It's not that we don't want to follow the village or support the clan. The problem is—they've already turned their backs on us."
**Uchiha Kai's** voice was calm, yet full of bitter clarity.
The other Uchiha nodded, each casting meaningful glances toward Omura.
> "Join the Chamber of Commerce, brother," one said. "We can at least look out for each other there. We can work with pride and take care of our families again."
Daigo didn't interrupt. He awaited Omura's choice.
Omura sighed heavily.
> (Maybe I've just been too stubborn...)
> "Fine. Daigo… assuming we join—what are the terms?"
His voice was serious now, purposeful. He hadn't come lightly to this decision—and now that he was ready to move, he wanted to know exactly what they were walking into.
Daigo's eyes lit with celebration.
> "You're in? Great! Okay—jōnin get 20,000 ryō per month, chūnin 10,000, genin 6,000. On top of that, every mission earns bonuses."
He spoke clearly, laying out the structure with practiced ease.
Those numbers caught their attention immediately.
As shinobi working for Konoha, they'd barely earned 10,000 ryō a month—even putting their lives on the line.
Here, they were being offered double the income… with fewer life-threatening sacrifices.
> "That's solid. I'm in," Omura said at last, nodding to Daigo with conviction.
> "Welcome aboard!" Daigo laughed heartily. "With Uchiha shinobi on our team, no group of bandits will even think about touching our goods!"
> "Today—eat, drink, and celebrate! My treat!"
From that moment forward, Daigo's budding empire now had elite shinobi—Uchiha warriors with Kekkei Genkai—guarding its operations. With them escorting trade caravans, most threats would think twice.
That evening, he spared no expense: the best food and sake in all of Konoha, all in celebration of this powerful alliance.
—
> "Daigo… is Haruki okay?"
Omura glanced over mid-dinner at the three-year-old who was still devouring food as if it were nothing.
> "He's had more than me, Genji, and Kai—combined."
> "It's not a problem," Daigo said with a shrug. "Last night, he told me he wants to train in taijutsu. He's probably just bulking up."
Gazes shifted toward Haruki, who (while still chewing) waved without a care.
Kai tilted his head.
> "With an appetite like that… he might actually have a real taijutsu gift."
> "So who's teaching him?" Kai asked, clearly intrigued. "You find him a good teacher yet?"
> "We've been considering it," Daigo admitted. "The Hyūga clan has tried-and-true taijutsu, but they're secretive about Byakugan-exclusive techniques."
Kai nodded. "Then there's also **Might Guy**—probably the best taijutsu expert in Konoha right now."
> "But that's unlikely too," another added. "Guy is a jōnin, extremely valued by the village. He doesn't need money, and he doesn't take disciples."
> "I'll offer 30,000 ryō a month," Daigo said flatly.
Kai shook his head.
> "Even so—it won't matter. Missions come first with him. He's loyal to duty. His time is tight, and teaching isn't on his radar."
Everyone fell into momentary silence.
Even Daigo looked a bit stuck. No one in the room could match Might Guy as a teacher in raw taijutsu.
> "Don't worry about it, uncles," Haruki finally said, wiping barbecue sauce from his mouth. "I'll figure it out myself."
He had already sent someone yesterday to monitor Guy's assignments. According to intel—Guy had no ongoing missions and had been spotted running laps around Konoha recently.
He was going to "bump into him" on purpose.
The lively banquet continued late into the evening.
When the sake ran dry and stomachs were full, the shinobi left to prepare for onboarding at the Chamber of Commerce. Uchiha Daigo took Haruki home, both father and son satisfied with what they'd accomplished that day.
—
### The Next Morning – Just Before Dawn
> "Burn hot, run fast, train hard!"
Haruki stood at the edge of the village in training gear, tied with a bright red headband that read: **"BURNING YOUTH!!"**
> "Haruki? You're up already?" **Senju Sayaka** blinked in surprise as she saw her son gearing up to run.
> "Mom! Morning hours are for champions," Haruki said cheerfully, already packing snacks.
He stuffed two chicken legs into his mouth and rushed out the door.
He followed a trail along the village's outer rim, a full circuit path that looped through the periphery of Konoha—Guy's usual training route.
Sure enough—he wasn't far ahead.
About ten minutes in, the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed from behind.
> *Thud-thud-thud.*
Wearing his iconic green jumpsuit and orange leg-warmers, a tall teenage shinobi ran up alongside him.
**Might Guy**, around 18 or 19 now, looked freshly pumped with energy.
> "Huh??"
Guy blinked as he caught sight of Haruki.
> "A little kid… running? At this hour?"
He blinked again as Haruki picked up the pace.
> "And—he's fast!"
Haruki didn't even glance at him—he simply kept running harder.
While their legs were different sizes, Haruki's pace matched Guy's step for step.
They were locked in a tight cycle—neither getting ahead, neither falling behind.
Guy glanced at the boy again.
> (He's serious. So young… and that drive!)
Haruki kept his focus forward.
They were running—quiet, focused, and destined to complete the **first lap of many**.
Side by side, thunder in their steps.
One full-grown genius of taijutsu.
And one hungry little monster—growing stronger with every breath.
📝 **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 10**