Chapter 3 — The First Spar
The tension from the spar melted into the usual hum of the training field. Shisui tossed his wooden sword aside with a laugh.
"That was fun. You're definitely not boring."
The twins, Haruto and Renji, came over immediately, speaking over each other.
"You almost beat Shisui!" Haruto blurted.
"No way, Shisui almost beat him!" Renji argued.
"You're both wrong," Shisui cut in. "We'd still be going if Fugaku-sama hadn't stopped us."
Fugaku ignored them, already walking toward the weapons rack. "Pair up. Switch partners." His voice was calm but carried an unspoken command that made even Shisui straighten up.
Akira found himself partnered with Naori. She was quiet, but her eyes never seemed to blink. When their blades crossed, she didn't waste energy — every motion was efficient, her strikes sharper than Shisui's flashy style.
She's not just aiming at me, Akira realized mid-swing. She's testing reactions, predicting responses.
For every strike she sent, Akira adjusted, sometimes blocking, sometimes letting the blade pass close before countering. Naori's expression didn't change, but her stance grew tighter. She was taking him seriously now.
The bout ended in a draw again. Naori stepped back, nodding once in acknowledgment. "You learn quickly."
Akira gave the smallest shrug. "It's easier when the opponent is skilled."
Her eyes softened — just slightly. In the Uchiha clan, such words were both compliment and challenge.
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Midday Break
By noon, the sun was high, casting sharp shadows across the field. The younger children collapsed under the shade of a tall oak tree where lunch boxes awaited.
Akira sat cross-legged with his bento, neatly untying the cloth. His meal was simple — rice balls, pickled vegetables, and a few slices of sweet egg omelet. Fugaku's wife, Mikoto, had packed it for him that morning. She always included the omelet; she'd caught him eating it first the very first time she fed him.
Shisui plopped down beside him without asking. "So, where'd you learn to move like that?"
"Observation," Akira said between bites.
Shisui grinned. "Observation, huh? Sounds mysterious."
The twins sat across from them, still bickering over who had done better during their own match. Naori, on the other hand, sat a little apart, quietly eating while keeping her gaze on the group.
Akira noticed her glances but didn't comment. In truth, he already knew her type — someone who preferred to understand a person fully before deciding if they were worth trusting.
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Afternoon Training — Endurance
After lunch came endurance drills. The group was made to run laps around the entire training ground, a circuit designed to test stamina more than speed. The younger children panted heavily by the third lap, their steps dragging.
Akira's breathing, however, stayed steady. His body moved with rhythm, conserving energy, each step perfectly measured.
Inside, the transmigrator in him compared it to a game stat screen: Stamina bar — 60% remaining. Pace sustainable. Increase slightly on last lap for advantage.
By the final stretch, Shisui tried to sprint ahead, but his earlier energy had burned too quickly. Akira passed him without changing expression, finishing first without looking winded.
Shisui collapsed on the grass. "You're a monster, Akira."
The twins flopped down next to him, groaning. Naori arrived shortly after, only slightly flushed. She gave Akira another quiet nod.
Fugaku observed the group from the side. His face didn't betray much, but Akira caught the subtle lift of his brow — approval.
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Evening Reflections
Training ended as the sun began to sink, the sky painted in warm orange and deep purple. The children dispersed, heading back to their respective homes.
Akira lingered for a moment, standing at the edge of the empty training field. The shadows stretched long, the air cooling with the promise of night.
He thought about his father — the man who had held him once and vanished into another world. About his mother's warm hands and soft voice that he only faintly remembered.
I'll get strong enough to find you, he thought silently. But for now… I'll enjoy this life, step by step.
He turned and walked back toward the Uchiha compound, the faintest gold flicker appearing in his eyes before vanishing again.
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