Chapter 21: A Fair Exchange
Mastering a single jutsu from the Academy Three had pushed the entry's progress to just over 33%. It now sat at 45%, as Takumi had shifted his primary focus back to 'Lightning Release: Iron Fortress' after solidifying the Clone Technique. His progress with the ninjutsu was unnaturally smooth, a testament to the Yotsuki clan's innate affinity for Lightning Release and physical disciplines.
"It should only be a matter of time now," Takumi exhaled, a faint crackle of energy dissipating from his skin. The entry for a robust physique hadn't yet triggered, but he could feel his body responding, adapting. He was a world apart from the scrawny, undernourished boy who had arrived in Konoha over two months ago. His frame was now filled with lean muscle, his posture radiating a latent strength.
A voice called from outside his door, interrupting his training. "Hey, Takumi. Aren't you leaving yet?"
"Coming," Takumi replied, swiftly gathering his things into his canvas bag.
It was Kakashi. For reasons Takumi couldn't quite fathom, the prodigy had taken to meeting him in the mornings to walk to the Academy together. His home, situated on the periphery of the Uchiha compound, made this convenient, sparing Kakashi a journey deep into Uchiha territory. During these walks, Takumi had gleaned a crucial piece of information: Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo, had returned from a long-term, highly classified mission.
Takumi knew the truth of that mission. The White Fang had been leading a team to infiltrate an enemy stronghold during this volatile pre-war period. The mission's success was deemed critical to the Land of Fire's security. And soon, the news would break: Hatake Sakumo had failed. He had chosen to save his teammates over completing the objective.
It's happening, Takumi thought, stealing a glance at Kakashi. The fallout would be swift and brutal—a torrent of public condemnation, even from the very comrades he had saved. And in the wake of this tragedy, Kakashi would accelerate his path, graduating early and rocketing through the ranks to Chunin in record time.
"Kakashi! Takumi-kun!" Nohara Rin's cheerful greeting met them as they entered the classroom. Her attention, as always, was primarily fixed on Kakashi. Takumi merely nodded in acknowledgment. He'd noticed a pattern; Rin's after-school tutelage became far more detailed and enthusiastic whenever Kakashi was present. If Takumi were alone, her guidance would be concluded in a few days. But with Kakashi consistently showing up, the sessions continued indefinitely. Of course, this also guaranteed the inevitable arrival of Obito, who would find any excuse to insert himself into the group.
"Alright, settle down. Class is about to begin," the Chunin instructor announced, tapping his desk to restore order.
A flustered figure came barreling into the room at the last second. "Sorry! I was, uh, helping too many old ladies cross the street!" Obito tried to sneak to his seat but was immediately caught.
"There's no end to these old ladies in need, is there? Go stand in the back," the teacher said, his tone weary. Obito's chronic tardiness was a running joke. He'd even been late on the first day of enrollment.
"Uh... really? Are you sure?" Obito scratched the back of his head, feigning innocence.
From his seat, Takumi observed the scene. Before his descent into darkness, Obito's defining trait really was this almost pathological need to help every elderly person he encountered. He turned to Rin and began asking a question about shuriken-throwing trajectories, lowering his voice.
Obito's gaze swept down, taking in Kakashi's aloof expression and the sight of Takumi whispering with Rin. A flicker of irritation crossed his face.
"Go. Now," the instructor insisted.
Obito reluctantly trudged to the back of the room, deliberately taking the aisle that passed right by Rin's desk.
"Don't worry, Obito. The next period is a different class. You won't have to stand for long," Rin whispered comfortingly.
Hearing her words, Obito's frustration instantly evaporated, replaced by a goofy, hopeful grin. Rin is the best! he thought, his mind already leaping to a future where he was Hokage, married to her, and at the pinnacle of his life.
After School - Uchiha Compound
Not long after returning home, Takumi received a visitor who led him to an ancient, solemn building within the compound. Uchiha Hazuki, the woman Fugaku had assigned to handle the scroll, was his escort.
She wore a dark purple Uchiha robe with the clan's flame fan crest on the cuffs. A single, elegant teardrop mole rested just below her eye. Takumi knew her as the future mother of Uchiha Izumi—another soul destined to fall by Itachi's hand.
"The scroll. A D-rank Lightning technique," Hazuki stated flatly to the man at the archive.
The fact that it had taken a full month for her to fulfill this simple task spoke volumes to Takumi. It was clear she, and likely many others, did not take his presence seriously. The scroll would have remained undelivered without Fugaku's direct order. For a typical Uchiha child, this process would have taken days at most. The subtle ostracism was expected. The Uchiha were a proud clan, and he was an outsider, a half-blood from the rival Land of Lightning. Ancient clan history meant nothing to the present generation.
"A new clansman?" Uchiha Yashiro, the archive keeper, stuck his head out. He was a man in his early forties, with a scarred face that made his smile look more like a grimace.
"Yes. This is Uchiha Takumi," Hazuki replied.
Yashiro's scarred face twisted into a wider grin. "Half-bloods in the Uchiha are rare. Ones shipped in from the Land of Lightning are even rarer."
Hazuki didn't respond, merely gesturing for him to retrieve the scroll.
Takumi stood silently, using the moment to observe the dusty, traditional furnishings.
"First time here, eh?" Yashiro's voice was gruff, his smile not reaching his eyes. There were precedents for mixed-bloods in the clan, but never one from as far away as Lightning.
He turned and walked to a heavy iron gate at the rear, unlocking it with a large key. Sunlight streamed into the dark room, illuminating swirling motes of dust, but failed to penetrate the deeper shadows. Yashiro lit several oil lamps, casting a warm, orange glow over shelves crammed with scrolls.
"Lightning Release is over here," he announced, moving to a section marked with the character for 'Lightning.' He picked up a random D-rank scroll and held it out.
"May I not choose for myself?" Takumi asked, raising an eyebrow. He had hoped to select a technique that complemented his specific training regimen.
Yashiro paused, his hand hovering mid-air, and looked to Hazuki for guidance.
Her pretty face remained impassive as she gave a slight shake of her head. "Fugaku-sama did not specify. I cannot authorize that."
"You heard her," Yashiro said, his scarred face splitting into that unpleasant smile once more.
"Very well. Thank you," Takumi said, his voice neutral as he accepted the scroll. He offered no further argument.
Once they were outside and the iron gate was locked behind them, Hazuki spoke again as they walked away. "Fugaku-sama is the clan head. His orders must be followed." There was a faint, almost imperceptible hint of something in her tone—apology? Justification?
"I understand, Hazuki-san," Takumi replied, a polite, understanding smile gracing his features. "This is for my own good. After all, I wouldn't know which ninjutsu is truly suitable for me yet."
It was perfectly fine for them to harbor ill intentions toward him. He would simply… charge appropriate interest later. That was only fair, wasn't it?
Hazuki was taken aback by his seemingly genuine and mature response. A gentle, relieved smile softened her features. "You are a good child to think that way."
(End of Chapter)
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