Chapter 3: Just a Bit of Wind and Frost
Black-haired and thin, he looked malnourished.
"He doesn't look anything like the rumors about the Cloud Ninja," Shizune thought.
From what she knew, most of the Cloud Shinobi were hulking brutes with arms thicker than some people's thighs—not to mention their signature sausage-like lips.
"Will he end up like that when he grows up?" she wondered, examining Seiji more closely. His lips were actually quite thin—normal, even.
"Flashlight," Tsunade ordered curtly.
"Ah—yes!" Shizune quickly snapped back to attention and handed her a tool from the ninja pouch.
As she looked up again, she noticed the Uchiha boy she'd been quietly observing was smiling at her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she instantly looked away, embarrassed to be caught staring. She knew it was rude.
"A smiling Uchiha—now that's rare," Tsunade remarked with raised eyebrows.
Maybe it's because he grew up outside the village, she thought. He really was different from the proud and aloof Uchiha she was used to.
Honestly, if the situation weren't so delicate and if the Hokage hadn't pressured her, she wouldn't have bothered coming here—especially not in her current condition, with hemophobia.
"That's because Lady Tsunade's eyes are beautiful," Seiji replied, his voice steady. "Like stars in the night sky."
"Oh?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her hand curling into a fist.
If this brat is trying to flirt, he's getting punched.
Seiji continued calmly, "While you were examining me, I could see the responsibility and professionalism in your gaze. Despite your status and power, you took the time to see someone like me—a mere Uchiha."
He paused, then added, "I've read many books. Lady Tsunade must be the real-life version of those traveling doctors who heal the masses."
"Tsunade is one of the Legendary Sannin—the best medical ninja in the Leaf!" Mikoto interjected with a soft laugh. She found Seiji charming in a naive, boyish way.
Hearing this, Tsunade relaxed and let go of her clenched fist.
So it wasn't some pickup line—he was praising her medical skill.
"If I could learn medical ninjutsu like Lady Tsunade, maybe I could help others too," Seiji said earnestly.
Tsunade responded bluntly, "Medical ninjutsu requires Yang-natured chakra. Without it, you can't become a medical ninja."
With that, she stood up and told Mikoto she'd look into the situation further, and would have another talented medic—Yakushi Nonō—come check on him next time.
Shizune followed Tsunade out.
Mikoto turned to Seiji. "Take a good rest for now. We'll arrange for your enrollment soon."
With that, she too left the room.
The once-busy room fell silent, leaving Seiji alone.
"Well, I'm no protagonist blessed by fate like Naruto Uzumaki," Seiji muttered to himself with a wry smile.
Naruto could convince even Tsunade to return and take up the mantle of Hokage. But Seiji? Her rejection had been expected.
If Tsunade had been interested, she would've checked his chakra nature on the spot—something easily within her abilities. But she didn't.
Because in the end, I'm still an Uchiha.
Life rarely goes as planned. But Seiji wasn't discouraged.
He thought of Yakushi Nonō. Tsunade said she would send her next time. If he played his cards right, he might be able to learn medical ninjutsu from her.
The Uchiha clan had few, if any, skilled medical ninja. Most Uchiha, upon graduating from the academy, joined the Konoha Police Force. They only received basic first aid training at school. Very few pursued further study in medical ninjutsu.
Ironically, Madara Uchiha might have been the best "medic" among them—he could perform an eye transplant anytime, anywhere.
Seiji's interest in medical ninjutsu wasn't without reason.
This world is a glass cannon.
Even something as powerful as Sasuke's Rinnegan—with six tomoe—was once destroyed by an ordinary kunai. If he'd had emergency treatment, perhaps it could've been saved.
In the brutal wars of the future, who could guarantee they wouldn't lose a limb or worse?
Hashirama's cells weren't exactly readily available to everyone.
Thankfully, Seiji had learned basic chakra refining techniques, and had even used most of his savings to have some ninjas check his chakra nature.
The result: he had Yang-natured chakra.
Not everyone did. For example, Sasuke's profile lacked "Yang," while Naruto's lacked "Yin."
While chakra natures could theoretically be developed through rigorous training, it often took years. But if you were born with the right chakra nature, you could learn the corresponding techniques far more easily.
Thinking this, Seiji stood from the tatami mat.
Before he realized it, he had wandered to the window. He slid it open casually.
Soft rain fell on the courtyard trees, the leaves rustling gently under the drizzle. A gust of cold autumn wind blew in.
Rainy days always felt colder.
But Seiji simply smiled.
"It's just a bit of wind and frost, nothing more."
He already had a plan for winning over Yakushi Nonō.
She would one day become the head of the orphanage. For the sake of those children, she'd even rejoin the now-disbanded Root organization.
In a world so vast, people's desires came in all shapes and sizes.
Some craved power until their dying breath. Others dismissed it like dirt and sought only immortality.
Nonō's desire was simple: she loved children.
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The Next Day – Ninja Academy
"This is our new classmate—Uchiha Seiji."
The chunin instructor gestured for Seiji to come write his name on the blackboard.
He picked up a piece of white chalk and wrote neatly.
Scanning the room, he spotted many familiar faces—Obito Uchiha , Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yūhi, Asuma Sarutobi and Might Guy.
"His handwriting is beautiful," said Rin admiringly.
"Hey, Rin," Obito whispered, "I heard that guy's from the Land of Lightning. Don't be fooled by appearances. The people there are all brutes."
"Especially with those sausage lips," he added to himself.
"Please take care of me," Seiji said politely, giving the class a warm smile.
The teacher pointed him to a seat by the window in the back row.
"Alright, let's begin the lesson," the instructor announced.
Lately, public opinion about the Uchiha had been rocky, but as far as most teachers were concerned, Uchiha students were a blessing—easy to teach and rarely problematic.
Normally, transfer students would take a basic entrance test: a few illusions and ninjutsu to gauge chakra control and reserves. But for clan children, those skills were often taught privately.
As expected, Seiji was keeping up just fine.
When break time arrived—
"Seiji, is it true you're from the Land of Lightning?"
It was Rin, seated not far from him. She had come over, curious.
"Yes," Seiji replied.
"Is it hard to keep up here? Since you're transferring in?"
Seiji smiled gently and closed the book he was reading. Picking up another, he glanced at her.
"Rin, could you teach me some of Konoha's ninjutsu?"
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