"Yes, your parents died for the village. But Konoha treated you as it did other orphans. Let's set aside Orochimaru and Danzō for now. Konoha did not fail you. If you had been born elsewhere, in your condition, do you think you'd still be alive during the war?" Hiruzen hinted at Shigeo's blindness.
It was true. Had he grown up as an orphan elsewhere, he likely would have died.
Shigeo said nothing, but Hiruzen could see he was thinking.
"No matter what, Konoha gave you something. The orphanage, financial support—Konoha did not starve you. That is fact, whether you admit it or not."
Shigeo asked flatly, "What do you want me to do?" He had little attachment to the Hyuga, less to the Hokage, but Hiruzen was right—Konoha had not let him starve.
"Five S-rank missions. If you complete five for Konoha, our debts are cleared. I won't call on you again."
Hiruzen sighed. That a Hokage had to bargain with a child was shameful. But Shigeo had struck Iwagakure and helped end the Third War. He was too valuable to ignore.
"Three. Any rank. That's all." Shigeo turned to leave. At the door he stopped, pulled out a scroll, and summoned a wooden box. He placed it on Hiruzen's desk.
"Here. Money, repaid. As for the orphanage, those three missions cover that debt."
He left.
Hiruzen opened the box. Gold and jewels spilled out, enough to raise thousands of children. He stared at the boy's back in awe.
That evening, officials delivered the sign-up for the inter-village junior competition. Shigeo signed.
"I thought it was you," a voice came from the window. Uchiha Itachi smiled faintly.
"Brat, grown taller in a year," Shigeo replied, leaping out the window. They exchanged kicks.
"I heard you graduated in one year. Impressive," Shigeo said mid-fight.
"You? How was it outside?" Itachi asked.
"Fine. Too bad Danzō isn't dead."
"Who cares? You're here for the competition, right? Iwagakure asked for you by name. The Hokage had no choice." Itachi threw shuriken. Shigeo, in only sleepwear, countered with ice pillars.
Seeing Hyōton, Itachi's eyes lit. "You've changed a lot. Let's fight outside the village."
"Fine."
They clashed in a valley. Ninjutsu, taijutsu, neither yielding. Itachi had no Sharingan yet, but his skills matched chūnin.
After three hours, they lay in the grass staring at the stars. Itachi whispered, "Yesterday's clan test… my two uncles went mad. One killed another."
Shigeo sat up. This was never in the story. Hidden tragedies.
"Why? It was just a test?"
Itachi clenched his fists. "Are we Uchiha truly cursed?"
"Don't say that. It's education. If you become clan head, change it. The future can be different."
He wanted Itachi to hope. He wanted him not to become the butcher of his clan.
Itachi sighed. "In my family there is no joy. Only struggle. My father tells me only strength matters. No matter the cost. Sometimes… he terrifies me."
"Itachi," Shigeo touched his arm, unsure what to say. At last, "Work hard. When you're clan head, change it."
Itachi nodded faintly.
The next day, Shigeo went to the Academy. It was the selection day. Tomorrow, young ninja from all villages would gather in the Land of Waterfalls for the joint exam.
On the surface, it was about friendship after war. In truth, it was to measure the new generation's strength without risking another clash of higher ranks.
And the Land of Waterfalls, untouched by the war, had the wealth to host.
(End of Chapter)
[50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[10 Reviews = 5 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]