"What's a 'eunuch'?" Kushina asked, echoing everyone's confusion, as the term didn't exist in this world.
Seeing Ryukawa step forward to intervene, Chiren lifted his foot from Saburo's face and explained calmly, "It means a man, but without… that part."
"Huh? That part?" Kushina's big eyes filled with question marks.
Minato, stroking his chin, ventured, "Probably means without the lower bits, like in biology class."
"Ah—!"
Kushina's face turned beet red, and she punched Minato. Nearby girls chimed in, "How can you say that in front of girls, you pervert blond!"
Minato, nursing a swollen face, stood up, aggrieved. You all asked, and Chiren said it! Why hit me?
Classmates who Saburo bullied seized the moment: "Haha, he's so weak! His uncle must be too. Let's call him Shimura Eunuch!"
"Shimura Eunuch!" Kushina whispered, joining in.
But thinking of "eunuch's" meaning, she flushed, turning to punch Minato again.
Minato hit the ground, nearly crying. "You pick on me because I'm nice, huh?"
Saburo lay there, hearing the mockery, his glare fixed on Chiren like a venomous snake.
The Uchiha are evil, just like Uncle said!
Just wait, Uchiha Chiren! I'll tell Uncle, and you'll pay!
Chiren ignored the clowns.
He opened his palm, feeling the endless power surging within, his heart swelling.
"The Uzumaki physique is incredible! I can fight non-stop without tiring, brimming with strength!"
"This is what it means to live!"
---
After the sparring class, Chiren and Kushina parted at the school gate, agreeing to see the cherry blossoms Sunday afternoon.
Watching her cheerful figure retreat, Chiren thought, Strolling Konoha with a cute girl's not bad.
Definitely not about attribute points…
The next day at noon, Chiren had just finished cooking in his rented house and was about to eat when a knock-knock sounded.
"Who's that? Here at lunch to mooch food?" He set down his chopsticks, muttering, and opened the door.
A familiar, pretty face greeted him, holding a watermelon slice high, eyes curving into crescents. "Chiren, I'm not mooching today. Look, I brought watermelon!"
It was Uchiha Mikoto.
Chiren took the palm-sized slice, frowning. It wasn't enough to fill a tooth gap.
But considering this world's norms, he relaxed.
Mikoto breezed in, sniffing. "Smells amazing! I knew you'd cook something good on the weekend. What's today's delicacy?"
Chiren shook his head and followed.
His and Mikoto's parents were close when alive, making them childhood sweethearts.
Even after Chiren's parents died on a mission, their bond held strong.
Since moving out, Mikoto often "inspected" him, bringing fruits or snacks, like today.
Of course, Chiren's transmigrator cooking skills, far beyond this era's average, were a big draw.
Watching Mikoto eat and praise his food, Chiren asked casually, "Mikoto, your place isn't close. Why'd you come today?"
As the granddaughter of an elder, Mikoto's status and allowance far outstripped his, an orphan's.
Mikoto set down her chopsticks, giving him a mock-glare. "Blockhead!"
She sighed. "You got first in last week's combat assessment, right? The clan's giving out subsidies today, and the elders want to give you, a genius, extra. Grandfather sent me to tell you to come after lunch."
Chiren nodded.
After eating, they headed to the Uchiha Clan meeting room.
The old, gloomy room, unrenovated for "tradition," felt oppressive.
By the time they arrived, others had collected their subsidies and left, leaving Chiren alone.
Mikoto, who didn't need the small sum, waited outside.
Inside, four elders, led by Clan Head Uchiha Setsuna, sat sternly. Uchiha Fugaku, Setsuna's son, stood beside him.
Seeing Chiren enter and bow, Setsuna smiled gently. "Chiren, the elders are here to give subsidies and to recognize your talent."
He paused, then dropped a bombshell: "We've decided to double your annual subsidy, from 240,000 ryo to 500,000 ryo."
Normally, 240,000 ryo was barely enough if spent wisely.
But doubling it? That wasn't simple generosity.
Chiren's heart tightened. "Does the Clan Head have other plans?"
"Hahaha," Setsuna said to Fugaku, "See, Fugaku? Chiren's sharp for his age."
Fourteen-year-old Fugaku studied Chiren, noting only his sturdier-than-average build.
Setsuna continued, "I want to form a direct squad for Fugaku, and I want you in it. You'll learn and grow together. The extra 200,000 ryo will help your training. It's good for both of you. Uchiha Yakumi, a year older, has already agreed."
Chiren got it.
In short: 200,000 ryo extra to be Fugaku's lackey.
He'd thought the Uchiha Clan Head was chosen by merit, not heredity.
For others, this might be a fast track to success.
But for Chiren, with his system and disdain for Fugaku, the "coward" who'd let the clan fall to avoid fighting his son, it was worse than eating flies.
Could Mikoto, his childhood sweetheart, really be happy with Fugaku? Should he try to break them up?
Resolved, Chiren met Fugaku's eyes coldly. "The clan and village have been at odds lately. What's your take, Senior Fugaku? I need to know if you're worth following."
All eyes turned to Fugaku.
He knew this was a test from his father and the elders. A good answer would secure his heir status and win Chiren's loyalty.
After a moment, Fugaku spoke grandly, "The clan's future lies in thriving with the village. We and the Senju built Konoha for peace. These small conflicts will resolve soon."
The clan head and two dovish elders nodded, pleased with his steady, mainstream answer.
"Boring," Chiren said coldly.
Turning his back, his voice carried clearly: "Since the Second Hokage, the village has isolated and suppressed us Uchiha. Keep up this 'co-prosperity,' and the clan will be devoured, bones and all!"