Study time always flew by.
Before he knew it, the dismissal bell rang.
After a parting kiss with Kurenai Yuhi, Shiro Gen strolled toward home at an easy pace.
When he reached a quiet corner, he spoke in a flat tone.
"Come out. Let me see which sneaking rat has been tailing me."
His voice was calm, but carried the lofty contempt of someone looking down from above.
Shinku Yuhi felt his temper spike.
Infuriating.
Not only had this brat kissed his adorable daughter.
He even dared speak to him with such disrespect.
Unbearable.
Shinku appeared in front of Shiro Gen without a flicker of hesitation.
"You little punk, where are your manners?"
Those ruby eyes and features five parts like Kurenai's told Shiro Gen who he was.
So what if he was Kurenai's father?
Shiro Gen's expression did not change.
"Why should I be polite to someone who stalks me?"
"And you, a jonin of the village, tailing a student from the academy, aren't you ashamed?"
"You..."
Shinku felt a twinge of unease. This Uchiha Shiro Gen was too sharp-tongued.
Was he about to be out-argued by a six year old?
Calm down. Breathe.
He was an adult. How could he fail to handle a child?
"Quite a clever mouth."
"I am Kurenai's father. Out of concern for her, I followed you to talk. Isn't that reasonable?"
"Why should I be ashamed?"
"Oh."
"In that case, let's talk."
Unruffled and even, Shiro Gen's answer made Shinku study him more seriously.
This boy truly was a prodigy.
He had been cool and composed from the first word.
"Do you really think it is good for my daughter to make your lunch every day?"
Shinku went straight to the point.
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"She likes me. She wants to make lunch for me, and she is happy doing it."
"And I enjoy it."
"This is mutual between me and Kurenai."
"Neither of us thinks it is bad."
"Only you do."
"Curious, isn't it."
Shiro Gen's tone stayed mild.
But to Shinku it sounded like barbed irony.
Worse, the boy's logic held.
Yes.
The two of them agreed to it.
He was the only one objecting.
Strange, when he thought about it.
He had planned to say plenty more, but in the end he dropped it.
He would lose a debate to this boy.
And in fact, he had little ground to stand on.
But as Kurenai's father, he had to keep her from harm.
"Even if it is mutual."
"As Kurenai's father, I have the right to protect her."
"I believe she will be hurt if she stays with you, so please keep your distance."
"As her father, I am qualified to make that demand."
Shiro Gen paused, then answered with a straight look.
"You do have that right, and that qualification."
"But have you considered this."
"War is about to break out. If you die, who protects Kurenai?"
"If I truly keep my distance, she will be hurt emotionally."
"And on the battlefield to come, she will also lack a strong protector."
"Think carefully. Is pushing me away really what you want? Is it really best for her?"
Shinku blinked.
He had not considered that.
But frictions on the border were growing. War was coming.
If he died in it.
If Kurenai truly saw combat one day.
His daughter would indeed need a strong guardian.
Only...
Shiro Gen was a genius, but a genius was not yet a powerhouse.
"You make a fair point."
"I admit you are a prodigy, but I do not think you are strong."
His voice had softened.
He knew that even if the boy was not strong yet, as long as he lived, he would become so.
But war loomed, and the future was far.
"I am not strong now."
"But before I graduate, I will be."
"If you doubt me, we can test it."
Confidence filled Shiro Gen's words as he opened his eyes.
Scarlet flooded in, and a single tomoe turned within each iris.
Shinku's pupils tightened.
Six years old. Sharingan.
He had known the boy was gifted, but this exceeded every expectation.
In the clan's long history, had any Uchiha awakened at this age?
It was staggering.
What kind of force would this boy become?
Perhaps...
A shinobi rivaling the First Hokage.
The thought shifted many of Shinku's views.
After two seconds of silence, he spoke.
"I did not expect you to awaken the Sharingan at this age."
"No need to test it. I believe you."
"Treat my daughter well."
"And protect her in the days to come."
"I am leaving. Farewell."
He vanished.
Watching the spot where he had stood, Shiro Gen smiled.
"I thought I would have to trade blows."
"Didn't expect the moment I opened my Sharingan, Shinku would yield."
"These eyes are useful in every sense."
"If Setsuna Uchiha hears I have awakened them, he will surely grant me more resources."
"I am almost at the clan compound anyway. I will stop by to see him before going home."
Closing his Sharingan, Shiro Gen set off at an unhurried pace.
Before long, he stood before Setsuna Uchiha.
"Shiro Gen, what brings you here?"
Going straight to the point, Setsuna asked.
Shiro Gen saw no need to circle around.
"I want to prove my talent and secure greater resources."
As he finished, his black and white eyes turned scarlet, a single tomoe spinning slowly.
The blood-red hook curved around his pupil, as if it held a spellbinding power.