Morning.
A few weeks passed and Sasuke's birthday arrived. Until then, all his days had been routine. He trained five days a week. As usual, it was a mix of mental and physical training.
He spent the first half of the day outside, going to the library and hanging out with Naruto and Ayame at the playground. Of course, the other kids didn't want to play with Naruto, so he and Ayame gently taught them that if they didn't want to play with him, they shouldn't approach them with an offer to play. So aside from the three of them, the only other kids that were added were those from clans that didn't have such prejudices and had a mind of their own. They were Ino, Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba. They had only a superficial acquaintance with them, as Sasuke wasn't particularly interested in interacting with these children.
After returning home and resting for a while, he would look at different objects and their details in the yard with full concentration.
For example: Tree, leaves, veins, branches, bends, birds, feathers, color, bark, insects on them, what kind of insects, their details and so on. In this way he developed his Fokus and Patience.
Afterwards, he organized exercises related to speed and general reaction. Sprint, shuttle run from line to line - his goal was to develop as much speed as possible, to learn to brake quickly and turn around in the opposite direction, while training the reaction of the body and vision: from A to C, from C to B, from B to D with different distances and so on. It's also training for when you need to be able to stop your movement in time to avoid being hit by a technique or weapon. Such as Explosive Marked Kunai, Swords, Axes, and other enemy weapons that are based on surprise attack.
He practiced my grip by holding on to branches, or iron supports, climbing a tree only by grasping the rough bark without feet. A peculiar but safe method of climbing. In a ninja career, this is also one of the most important details. If you drop your weapon from your hands in battle, it can be considered half a defeat. Unless it's the backbone of your fight.
Flexibility and Endurance Training. Developed flexibility of my body, learning to slowly sit on the twine, pre-warming up, bridge with variations, simple plank, walking, squatting and its more complex variant, pistol, leaning on a tree. Handstand, leaning on the body.
Memory and intelligence training. When he would go home and review his memories of the previous day and in parallel review his memories of whether he had made any major or minor mistakes during his training, so that in the next practice he could reduce them even less or get rid of them altogether. Meditation. And other other practices which do not diminish their importance.
And on weekends, he would go out with Itachi for a walk through the woods with Shisui, completely relaxed and not thinking about anything serious and have picnics by the Naka River and talk about all sorts of interesting topics.
********
Waking up on another warm and sunny day, Sasuke habitually jumped out of bed without opening his eyes, and still in his pajamas, headed to the bathroom. After a brisk shower, he changed into a new set of clothes and went downstairs for breakfast.
Mikoto, Itachi, and even Fugaku, seeing Sasuke coming down, with a happy smile, parted from the table to the sides, where in the center of which was a child's cake with four candles and other goodies around it, said loudly:
- Happy Birthday, Sasuke!!!
Mikoto covered her mouth with the palm of her hand, hiding her smile and said:
- Yeah, you've been outside so much playing with your friends and spending a lot of time in the library, it's probably not even surprising that you forgot your birthday.
Itachi grinned as well and said:
- Seeing how good you are with the other kids and how you try to become strong in your own ways and rarely rest, yet you don't ask for our help, we felt guilty and decided that on your birthday we would give up our works and dedicate it to you. Right father?
Fugaku too with a smile on his face, continued:
- That's right, especially seeing your will and determination as a ninja, as well as the fact that you don't forget about your friends, I too decided to take some time to accompany you all. Especially lately, rumors have reached me that one Uchiha boy has befriended some civilian children who are being ignored by others. And taught some of them a lesson that you can't treat someone who is part of the village like that and you should treat them equally. I felt so proud when I found out that this well-mannered and sensible child turned out to be my son. And it was a little less of a hassle when the villagers saw your interaction with others and seemed to think about it quite a bit.
And earnestly continued:
- Striving to become strong is important, but don't overwork yourself, and don't give up the rest. Otherwise, it's not you, but the power that will control you in the future.
Sasuke:
- I'll keep that in mind!
And looking back at everyone, also with a bright smile on his face, he added:
- Thank You All!
His family sat down at the table, and his mother said to him:
- No need to thank us. Go ahead, blow out the candles and make a wish, only mentally, that it comes true!
Taking in a lungful of air and puffing up his cheeks, while instinctively closing his eyes, he blew on the candles. Itachi silently patted his hair as a sign of support. Fugaku took a knife in his hand and carefully cut the cake, placing most of it on Sasuke's plate.
After everything was finished. Fugaku stood up from the table, said goodbye to his family and went to work.
Mikoto took all the dishes to the sink and asked:
- So, have you thought about how you're going to spend the day?
Sasuke closed his eyes, brought his hand up to his face and began to think. After less than five minutes of thinking, he said:
- Hm. I have an idea. Let's walk around the village together, I still haven't been to many places, especially I haven't been to the Hokage Rock since it's high up. Afterward, I'd like to call Shisui, Naruto, and Ayame to have a picnic there near the trees and play some games in the air until evening. I'm sure the view from the cliff in the evening will be very beautiful! And you can end with dinner at Ichiraku!
Mikoto and Itachi:
- That's a great idea, we'll do that.
Itachi, summoning a crow said:
- I'll notify Shisui that we'll be going to the Picnic afterward. For now, we need to change our clothes.
Sasuke:
- Uh-huh.
And everyone went to their rooms to get ready to go out.
Some time passed and soon they were gathered at the door.
Mikoto:
- Well, let's go, shall we?
Sasuke and Itachi replied:
- Yes.
Once outside the clan, the first thing they did was head out to check out some of the local attractions such as: Fire Park, Senju Park, Kikyoo Castle, Yamanaka Flower Shop, Ninja School, Dango Restaurant, Hokage Residence, and Ichiraku Restaurant. As they passed by these places and stopped to look around a bit, they continued their tour of the village to familiarize Sasuke with it.
When they reached Ichiraku, Sasuke said:
- I think that's enough and I'd like to call Ayame and Naruto for a picnic, brother, and you go get Shisui and head to the Hokage Rock together.
Itachi ruffled Sasuke's hair and motioned towards Shisui's supposed residence and replied:
- Okay. I'll go get him and we'll wait for you there.
Sasuke and his mother pulled back the curtains of the restaurant and saw the two children and the boss of the place.
Mikoto:
- Hello.
Sasuke:
- Hello Uncle Teuchi!
Teuchi, who was wiping the plates glanced towards the visitors and seeing Sasuke, replied softly:
- Oh, it's you Sasuke, nice to see you again. Will you be ordering something or are you here to play?
Sasuke said with a smile:
- I'd like to take Naruto and Ayame for a picnic, since today happens to be my birthday. But we'll be back here tonight to finish the celebration with your Best Ramen!
Teuchi:
- Oh, what happy news, well, you can take them with you, but don't forget to please visit me, in honor of today, my cooking is sure to be excellent and you'll be satisfied with the quality of the food!
Sasuke:
- I have no doubt about it! Ayame, Naruto, let's go!
Ayame and Naruto who were listening to their conversation all this time said with a sad face:
- Why didn't you say it's your birthday, we didn't even prepare a present.
Sasuke a little touched by their general warmth, said:
- My best present is my friendship with you! Don't think too much, let's go!
Mikoto watching their interaction, walking out of the restaurant, said quietly to herself:
- Well done! What a good and understanding son. It makes me feel even more ashamed that I couldn't find the time to devote to Sasuke.
Teuchi said to them in return:
- See you tonight.
Sasuke, Ayame and Naruto:
- See you tonight!