The morning sun spilled golden light across Training Ground 36, where the clang of weapons echoed sharply. Enji moved with deliberate rhythm, a long metal staff taken from the Anbu training grounds,gripped tightly in his hands.
Across from him, Itachi practiced his kenjutsu,the blades flashing and returning with flawless precision. When he paused, he turned to Enji.
"Enji," he said, his tone soft but certain. "Mother asked me to invite you for dinner tonight. She… wishes to meet you."
Enji blinked, lowering the staff. A small smile tugged at his lips. "Dinner with the Uchiha family, huh? That sounds like an honor."
Itachi nodded once, though a faint smile passed over his young face.
As they parted for the day, Enji decided he couldn't arrive empty-handed. After all, Itachi's little brother was bound to be there too. With the few ryo he had saved, he visited a craftsman's stall in the market and purchased a finely carved wooden toy shuriken set ,painted black and red, safe for a child. He imagined Sasuke would prefer training tools rather than some toys, and the thought made the purchase feel right.
Bagging the gift carefully, he left the stall, only to hear a booming, cheerful voice echoing down the street.
"YOUTH IS ABOUT PUSHING BEYOND YOUR LIMITS!"
Enji looked up just in time to see a tall muscular man with a bowl cut and bushy eyebrows, wearing an eye catching green jumpsuit, sprinting past, upside down, moving on his hands at breakneck speed. Dust plumed in his wake. Without thinking, Enji laughed, tucked the gift tighter, and dashed after him.
"Wait! Excuse me!"
Guy twisted mid-motion, still balancing on his hands, to peer at the boy chasing him. His broad grin widened. "Ah! Another flame of youth burning brightly!"
" But who are you? I'm sure I have never seen you before."
Panting, Enji caught up just long enough to bow slightly. "Sarutobi Enji. I just… had to introduce myself. You're incredible!"
Guy beamed, his teeth flashing. "Ha!
I'm Might Guy, the guy who'll be the strongest."
Enji replied with the same enthusiasm - " Not when I'm here, Guy san."
"You've got spirit, Enji-kun! I can see it — the signs of training carved into your muscles, the fire in your stance! Truly, the springtime of youth shines within you!
Enji couldn't help but grin back at the man's overwhelming energy. "Thank you, Guy-san. I'd be honored to train with you one day."
Guy flipped upright, his green jumpsuit gleaming in the sun. With a powerful thumbs-up, he declared, "The day we train together will shake the heavens themselves with the power of youth! Until then keep your flames burning!"
With that, he sped off again, leaving Enji grinning in the middle of the road, his new staff slung over his back, and a small wrapped gift in his hand.
Tonight, he would meet the Uchiha family.
The Uchiha compound was alive with the hustle and bustle of its clansmen. Stalls lit the walkways, casting long shadows across the manicured courtyards. Enji followed beside Itachi, staff slung across his back, the faint weight of the gift in his hand. It felt like a village within the village.
It didn't take long before eyes followed him.
"Who's the kid beside Itachi?" someone whispered.
"I heard he is training with an outsider and ignores our kids."
"What business does he have here?"
The murmurs carried suspicion, curiosity, and faint disapproval. Enji felt the weight of their gazes, but Itachi walked with his usual calm, completely undisturbed. Enji matched his composure, refusing to let the whispers show on his face.
At last, they reached Itachi's home. Mikoto was already waiting at the door. Her smile swept away all the gloom that had accumulated .
"Welcome, Enji-kun," she said warmly, ushering him inside. "Itachi's told me about you."
Inside, Sasuke sat cross-legged on a cushion, eyes widening with curiosity as Enji knelt and offered the wrapped package with both hands.
"For you, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke carefully unwrapped the gift, revealing the painted wooden shuriken set. He looked at it for a moment, then lifted his head with a polite smile. "Thank you, Enji-niisan."
Enji grinned back, seeing the normally rude kid behaving all prim and proper.
The gift was set aside, and Mikoto quickly gathered everyone into the dining room. Her warmth filled the space - she ladled food for Enji herself, making sure his bowl never stayed empty for long, asking about his training, his health, even whether he had been eating properly. Enji laughed softly at her fussing, though he seemed happy, a smile unknowingly appearing on his face.
Halfway through dinner, Enji leaned toward Itachi with a mischievous glint in his eye. "So… does Aunt Mikoto know about your fangirls ? Or how they are still busy following you around?"
Itachi froze mid-bite, the tips of his ears turning faintly pink. Mikoto laughed gently into her sleeve, while Sasuke's eyes went wide with amusement seeing his usually calm brother blushing.
Itachi shot Enji a look, but his friend only grinned wider. Enji and mikoto discussed the topic animatedly making him even more embarassed.The moment passed in warm laughter, though Fugaku remained silent, watching carefully. His dark eyes measured Enji, his composure, his manners, his ease at the table.
Later, when Mikoto carried dishes back to the kitchen, Fugaku finally spoke. His voice was steady, clipped, but not unkind.
"Your training… how is it progressing?"
Enji straightened immediately. "Well, Fugaku sama. I've begun incorporating a weapon into my regimen."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly in approval. He had already noticed the discipline in the boy's bearing, the intensity in his eyes. Talented ,clearly. And more importantly, a Sarutobi, close to the Hokage himself. A connection worth cultivating.
"You show promise," Fugaku said stiffly. "Keep up your efforts. And if you ever have need… contact me."
Enji blinked, surprised, then bowed deeply. "I will, Fugaku sama."
The meal ended soon after. Enji took his leave with gratitude, and Itachi walked him partway back before returning.
---
Back inside, Sasuke sat by the wooden shuriken set, turning one of the painted pieces in his fingers. His polite smile had long faded.
"…Nii-san," he muttered. "This is… just a toy. I already have better. You've given me better."
Itachi crouched beside him. His voice was calm but firm. "Sasuke. You're thinking of worth in the wrong way. I give you things because I have plenty, our parents provide for me, and I even get extra allowance. But Enji? He buys his own food, pays for his gear, covers all his needs himself. He doesn't have much, but he still chose to spend it on you."
Sasuke froze, realization dawning in his young eyes.
Itachi continued gently. "Giving when you have plenty is easy. Giving when you have little… that shows heart."
The boy's lips pressed tight. "…I didn't think of that. I was wrong."
Itachi rested a hand on his brother's head. "Then learn from it. That's enough."
Sasuke nodded, though a trace of guilt lingered on his face. Seeing it, Itachi smiled faintly. "Come. Let's train outside. I'll show you a new exercise."
Sasuke's eyes lit up at once.
The two brothers stepped into the moonlit courtyard, sparring quietly together. Behind the sliding door, Mikoto and Fugaku stood side by side, unseen.
Mikoto's smile was tender, full of pride. Fugaku's face remained composed, but in his silence was deep satisfaction. His sons were growing well, strong in more than just skill.