Tsunade had been watching from inside with mild amusement when the knock came at her door. She sighed knowingly. Here to complain, huh?
Sliding it open, she found Indra peeking in, his face scrunched up in pain.
"Sister Tsunade, it hurts! Please heal it!"
He squealed dramatically, biting his lip. 'Damn it, her punch is stronger than my defense!'
Tsunade chuckled softly. "Fine."
A green glow spread from her hands, enveloping the swollen lump. The bruise faded away as though it had never been there. Indra rubbed the top of his head, amazed, then bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Sister Tsunade! I owe you a favor now—you can use it whenever you like!"
Before she could respond, he dashed back into the courtyard. Tsunade shook her head, smiling. "What a handful…"
—
Meanwhile, Renji and Nawaki sat in heavy silence.
"I understand," Renji said at last, his voice low. "We've both been ordered to the battlefield… but Nawaki, you should tell your sister. I—I'm insecure about leaving Indra alone."
Nawaki's expression darkened. "Don't worry. I'll tell her about him. I'll look out for your brother, too."
Renji exhaled, standing. "Then… it's time for me to go."
"Understood. Rest easy, at least for today."
The two walked back toward Tsunade's courtyard—only to freeze.
Indra was lunging at Kushina, only to be slammed into the dirt again and again. His face was bruised, his eyes glittering with reckless fire. He staggered upright, hands flying through seals.
"Fire Style—!"
A surge of heat burst forth, and Nawaki instantly stepped forward, prepared to block. But before Indra could unleash more, Renji caught his wrist and shook his head.
"She keeps hitting me, ni-san! It's not fair!" Indra protested, puffing out his cheeks.
Renji only sighed, smiling faintly. Then he looked at Kushina with quiet gratitude. "Thank you… for taking care of my brother."
He raised his voice just slightly. "And you as well, Lady Tsunade. Even when you're not in his sight, I know you're watching over him."
With that, the two Uchiha left the compound, returning straight to their clan's training grounds. There, Renji began showing Indra proper taijutsu, his movements sharp and precise.
—
Five days later.
Indra startled awake in the night. He rolled over, blinking.
"Ni-san…?"
The bedding beside him was empty. Panic fluttered in his chest as he rushed outside. There, faint streaks of white liquid glistened under the moonlight, trailing away from their house.
Indra followed, running until he was panting, the trail ending at a quiet shop. The windows were dark, the place seemingly empty. He pushed the door open cautiously.
"Hello…?"
Suddenly, the lights blazed on.
"Happy birthday Indra!!"
Indra froze.
Renji, Nawaki, Tsunade, Kushina, Mikoto, Minato, and Noboru stood before him, grinning from ear to ear.
"It's my… birthday?" Indra's voice trembled.
Renji stepped forward, smiling warmly. "Forgot, huh?"
Tears welled in Indra's eyes before he could stop them. He nodded quickly, lips trembling into a smile.
A cake was set before him, and Renji placed his hand gently over Indra's, guiding the knife as they cut it together. Cheers rang out around them.
"Happy birthday, Indra!"
Minato and Noboru hugged him tight. Kushina looked away with a faint blush, pretending she wasn't smiling.
"Well, aren't you going to ask for gifts?" Renji teased, watching his brother's expression. Nawaki leaned forward, curious what Indra would say.
But Indra only wiped his tears and shook his head. "You all remembered my birthday… and made this celebration. What more could I possibly want?"
The group laughed warmly.
Noboru grinned. "I'll tell you anyway! The cake's from me, Minato, Mikoto, and Kushina. The food and place? That's all thanks to the adults!"
They all sat down at the center table, which was stacked with barbecue and countless dishes. Indra's eyes sparkled as he picked up a package.
Ichiraku Ramen.
He tore it open immediately, digging in, adding barbecue meat into the broth as though it was the most natural thing in the world. The room filled with laughter as the night carried on in warmth and joy.
—
The next morning.
Renji knelt before Indra, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Indra returned it, clinging tightly.
"Indra, I'm being deployed again," Renji whispered. "If you ever feel stuck—or if you miss me—go to Sister Tsunade or Brother Nawaki. Promise me."
"Okay!" Indra cried, hugging tighter. "I'll pray for your return!"
—
Back in the academy classroom, Indra entered to find Haruto in fresh clothes, looking smug. The other students murmured, surprised at his new look.
Noboru leaned toward Indra with a grin. "How're you feeling, birthday boy?"
Indra smirked, stretching his arms. "Yep! Feeling all fresh!"
Minato smiled faintly, though there were shadows under his eyes.
"I'm really tired today. Didn't get much sleep last night…"
"Why?" Indra tilted his head curiously.
Minato sighed. "I dropped my house key somewhere, so when I got home I had to climb over the wall into the courtyard."
"Ooo, a tough story," Noboru said with mock sympathy, though his grin betrayed him.
Indra frowned. "But what exactly went wrong?"
Minato scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Well, I couldn't open the back door either… and before I finally went to sleep, I slipped on something in the dark."
Before Indra could reply, the classroom door slid open and shut with a firm click.
"Everyone, history class begins now!" Daiki announced, striding to the front.
Indra leaned forward, interest flickering in his eyes. The teacher adjusted his notes and turned sharply.
"Let's rehearse the previous lesson… from student Hayashi Noboru."
Noboru froze, panic flickering in his expression. He glanced desperately at Indra. Indra gave a tiny nod, mouthing the words carefully.
Following his lips, Noboru spoke in a rush:
"Previously, we discussed about Hashirama Senju as the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha as a villain… and also the greatness of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Daiki gave a curt nod. "Good. Sit down."
Noboru collapsed into his seat, exhaling loudly.
"You're my boss now, Indra. You saved me from generational embarrassment!"
Indra and Minato chuckled softly, and the class flowed on with its endless history.
—
Later that afternoon, the three met at the training ground. Excitement burned in their eyes.
"On three! One, two, three!"
They charged forward together. Indra grabbed Noboru's kick mid-swing and—without thinking—hurled him straight into Minato.
The collision cracked like thunder.
Blood sprayed.
Indra froze, horror locking his limbs. "H-hey! I'm sorry! Minato, does it hurt?"
Minato staggered back, blood running down from his scalp. Indra tore at his own shirt, ripping off a strip and wrapping it clumsily around his friend's head. His hands trembled.
"I'm sorry, Minato, I—"
Minato's calm voice cut through his panic. "It was an accident, right? Then it's okay."
His tone was steady, but the sight of blood still weighed on Indra like a stone. The three left the training ground early that day, the air heavy with unease.
—
That evening, Indra returned home. Without a word, he headed straight for the bath.
Steam filled the room as he poured hot water into the tub. Stripping off his clothes, he slid into the water. The heat seeped into his body, sending tingles along his spine as he leaned back, trying to relax.
But his thoughts kept circling back to Minato.
I hit him so hard… blood sprayed…
The memory gnawed at him. A sharp dizziness struck, making his head swim, but he forced himself to stay composed, clenching his teeth until the wave passed.
In the silence of the bath, Indra's fists tightened beneath the water.
Am I… too dangerous?
——
A birthday ark was needed...right?
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