Chapter 23

Late autumn of Konoha year 39

The melodic and cheerful notes of a flute echoed through the air.

At times spirited, at times mellow, and at times intermittent, the music filled the air with comfort and joy. Accompanied by the gentle breeze, the fluttering notes of the flute stirred excitement in the hearts of listeners.

As the tune came to a close, the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause. Even though Toshiro's home currently has only three people in it.

"No matter how many times I hear it, your playing of the flute is always delightful!"

"Toshiro-kun, skipping class again? You know, it's not becoming of a good kid to skip classes at the academy, even if they're boring!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Grandpa Hiro. I'm just passing the time after my practice. And Grandma Lili, the morning classes at the ninja school mostly cover theoretical subjects, which I've already studied and can even recite in my sleep."

The ones teasing and praising him were two elderly neighbors from the Uchiha clan, affectionately called by everyone as Grandpa Hiro and Grandma Lili.

Grandpa Hiro was a former elite jounin renowned for unlocking the Two Tomoe Sharingan. However, he lost his right arm in battle, forcing him to retire early. After his wife's passing, he lived separately from his children due to his peculiar temperament, which only his wife had a handle on.

Grandma Lili, while not a ninja herself, had lost both her husband and son in the last war. Left alone, she seldom ventured outside, often finding herself at the family cemetery.

"Toshiro boy, you have both great talent and dedication. Wasting your days away in a ninja academy seems like a waste to me. In my opinion, joining the police force as soon as possible would be the wisest choice."

As a former elite ninja who unlocked the Sharingan. Even after years of retirement, he possessed an eye for talent and dependable people.

Due to their divergent experiences and perspectives, Hiroshi Uchiha and Uchiha Lili held differing opinions on Toshiro's class skipping.

As a former ninja from the Warring clan era, Hiroshi, despite the sacrifices it entails, still believes in the Uchiha's mission of protecting the clan and the village. Given Toshiro's talent, he advocates for joining the garrison to serve both.

On the other hand, as an ordinary person who has suffered the loss of her husband and son, Uchiha Lili has little interest in the ninja profession. Despite it being an Uchiha tradition, she wishes for Toshiro to enjoy a happy childhood.

Despite their contrasting views on ninja life, both appreciate his music.

Seated on the verandah in a white uniform reminiscent of a taekwondo training outfit, Toshiro exuded a calm aura. His family crest adorned his attire, accentuated by a fiery red belt around his waist. With shoulder-length hair tied back, he held a cyan colored flute in his hand.

Observing the quarrel between 'Grandpa' and 'Grandma' over his class skipping, he felt a sense of helplessness.

Since Mei's marriage six months ago, Toshiro has been living alone. Though she visited weekly to help with chores and prepare meals, he often felt lonely. To combat this, he took up playing the flute, finding solace in the music of his past life while alleviating the solitude of training.

As noon approached, he considered inviting Hiroshi and Lili to stay for lunch, confident in his cooking skills. With a glance at the sky, he made his decision.

Both Hiroshi and Lili rose simultaneously, exited the small courtyard, and went their separate ways. The notion of staying for lunch never crossed their minds.

What kind of people would they be, if they free-loaded at an orphan's home at their age?

Observing the departure of the elderly, Toshiro also stood up and headed inside to prepare lunch. Though not yet eight years old, he stood at 135 centimeters tall and weighed nearly 35 kilograms. Clad in a white martial arts uniform with a small ponytail atop his head, he resembled more of a samurai than a ninja.

Since discovering that men in this world could grow their hair long, he has been intrigued. The image of a hero with long hair wielding a sword, traversing the world, and rescuing damsels in distress was a dream shared by many.

In this moment, a fresh wave of memories surged through his mind as the shadow clone dispersed after attending the academy for the morning session.

Well, this seems intriguing; perhaps there are enjoyable activities to engage in this afternoon...

Toshiro is currently relying on three shadow clones to aid in his training at any moment, aside from sleeping. It's not that he doesn't want to create more shadow clones; rather, he's unable to sustain them for extended periods.

Each morning, one clone attends ninja school to read books on his behalf, another practices fire attribute chakra nature change at home, and the third focuses on condensing yang chakra.

Meanwhile, the main body focuses on physical cultivation.

In the afternoon, the decision to send a clone or attend school in person depends on the day's class schedule.

At two o'clock in the afternoon that day, Toshiro stood at the doorway of the Uchiha station. His hands were tucked into the pockets of a white hooded sweatshirt, paired with gray mid-length pants and ninja sandals. Bandages adorned his wrists and calves, a precautionary measure against potential injuries. Stepping over the red torii gate marking the entrance, he moved forward with purpose.

Despite the family's tradition of wearing a cotton turtleneck and a dark blue T-shirt, Toshiro didn't feel the need to do the same. As his hair grew longer, his fashion sense evolved to mirror that of his previous life, favoring a sporty and casual style. However, he always made sure to maintain a connection to the clan by having Mei embroider the Clan's fan symbol on his clothing.

While exiting the clan compound, I saw a couple of other academy students also gathering near the exit gate. This is the advantage of having the homes near the academy, they can have lunch at their homes, and there is no need to pack lunches.

"Hey Toshiro, how was the academy today?"

"Toshiro, your outfit looks cool. You truly are embodying the qualities of the best of our generation," remarked one of his batchmates to embarrass him. Since enrolling in the academy, Toshiro's exceptional physical abilities, including strength, speed, and reflexes, have earned him the prestigious title of Best Student. Of course, this achievement was made possible in part by his use of multiple shadow clones to aid in his training, not inherent talent like Itachi or Kakashi.

Laughing and chatting as they walked, the group of boys and girls made their way into the academy, then dispersed to their respective classes.

In the second-year classroom, Toshiro entered just as the class bell rang. Taking his seat at his desk, he pulled out a copy of "Legends of the Land of Wind" and began to read it with keen interest.

Over the past four years, he has delved into various books and scrolls to deepen his understanding of Chakra and the ninja world. His reading repertoire extended beyond ninjutsu-related subjects to encompass history, mathematics, physics, military strategy, formations, and even introductions to bloodline limits.

His choice of his current book wasn't merely for leisure; while some of the tales within were entertaining, many held deeper insights. In the current book, he was engrossed in detailed mythological tales from the Land of Wind.

Legend has it that before the emergence of ninjas, a malevolent spirit roamed the territory of the Land of Wind. This spirit commanded a terrifying demon, wreaking havoc on the world. Those who defied its orders faced the wrath of the demon, which would lay waste to their villages and countries. However, a towering hero, reaching to the heavens and the earth, rose to defend the common people. Eventually, this hero vanquished both the spirit and its demon, but not without leaving the Land of Wind in ruins.

Another tale recounts the Sage of the six paths wielding the Sword of Creation. They defeated the malevolent god, reshaped the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind, and restored balance to the chaotic seas. To maintain peace and harmony, they established the ninja sect to spread chakra, aspiring for unity and peaceful coexistence among people.

Similarly, there's a legend about an island near the Fire Nation. Every few decades, a sudden fog descends upon the island, enveloping its inhabitants in illusions. Within these illusions, there is no pain or hunger, only endless feasting and revelry. Rivers flow with milk and honey, and construction materials are made of gold and silver.

These are just a few examples of the myriad of legends, each more strange and captivating than the last.

"Toshiro, have you heard about the fights going on between Uchiha and other classmates after the academy timings?" asked Shido Ryo, a slightly chubby boy from a civilian family, sitting beside him with a concerned expression.

Shido Ryo, an ordinary-looking boy with a timid demeanor, had gradually opened up to Toshiro over the past two years. Initially hesitant, he now freely asks questions about chakra and how to train. Recognizing his genuine curiosity, Toshiro too shared his knowledge openly with him, finding him to be a decent person worth befriending.

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Special thanks to Brian Matthew for supporting me.