After their hearty meal, the group leaned back in their seats, patting their full stomachs. Tenshin looked at his empty wallet with a twinge of regret, mourning the toll their feast had taken. Thankfully, with Fugaku backing him, he didn't need money often—otherwise, he'd be jumping off the Hokage Building by now.
"Alright, that's it for tonight. Let's all head home and get some rest."
Kakashi was the first to stand, clutching his own full belly, and he thanked Tenshin politely. But Tenshin could detect a hint of satisfaction in Kakashi's tone, as if pleased with the expense he'd caused.
This brat! Wouldn't it be nice if he stuffed himself to death?
Grinding his teeth, Tenshin watched Kakashi slowly make his way outside. Rin was quick to follow, offering a hasty thank you before heading off after him. Tenshin couldn't help but smile, sensing the bittersweet undertone of her exit.
Before she left, he noticed Rin exchange a glance with Kurenai, though he couldn't quite decipher its meaning. After that, Obito snapped awake, suddenly alert, and after giving Tenshin a pat on the shoulder, ran off to catch up.
Asuma took his time, casting a sidelong look at Kurenai before rising from his seat. "Thanks for the treat. See you around."
Then, Might Guy stood, clutching his belly as he staggered towards the exit. "I can't believe it... Kakashi not only beats me in skill, but in eating too! I'll need to train even harder..."
Watching them go, Tenshin turned to Kurenai, who was still seated. "Aren't you heading back?"
She looked down, her voice soft as she replied, "Um... Could you walk me home?"
(TL: Here we go yessir, but fuck too early author they're only kids rn.)
With a lifetime's experience, Tenshin easily caught her meaning. Smiling, he said, "Of course. I'll walk you back."
Upon hearing his answer, Kurenai jumped to her feet and quickly made her way toward the door. As she passed, Tenshin caught a faint whiff of her perfume and noticed the faint flush on her cheeks.
Grinning, he kept pace with her, strolling through the village streets in comfortable silence. Kurenai kept her gaze lowered, clearly lost in thought.
Finally, she broke the quiet. "Con... Congratulations on graduating."
"Thank you."
With that, the conversation seemed to come easier, and Kurenai continued, "After this... we probably won't see each other much, will we?"
"Of course we will. We can still get together sometimes. Besides, once you're a ninja, we might even go on missions together. And if you really want to see me, you know where to find me."
Hearing this, Kurenai's face turned even redder. "Okay..."
Tenshin chuckled at her adorable expression, choosing to leave it at that. Over the past year, he'd noticed her fondness for him but never brought it up. After all, they were only four or five years old—hardly old enough to understand real affection. He trusted that, given time, her feelings would fade.
And so, with their own thoughts, they walked on in silence until Kurenai's family home came into view.
"I... I'm here," she said softly, her gaze a bit shy as it flitted away from him.
"Alright, see you then." Tenshin nodded, turning to leave.
"W-wait, Tenshin-kun."
Tenshin looked back to find Kurenai staring at him with a determined look in her eyes. "I'll work hard to keep up with you. Just... wait for me!"
Her earnest expression tugged at his heart, and he couldn't help but smile warmly. "Then call me 'big brother' from now on. 'Kun' sounds so stuffy."
"Good luck."
Without waiting to see her reaction, Tenshin turned and strode away.
"Tenshin... big brother, huh? Wait for me."
Watching him disappear down the dark street, Kurenai's crimson eyes sparkled with a soft, gentle light.
Back in the Uchiha compound, Tenshin hurried to his home.
"Back already?" a deep voice greeted him.
"Yes, I went out for some barbecue with the others," he replied, entering the house to find Uchiha Fugaku seated inside.
"I know," Fugaku nodded with a pleased smile. "Congratulations on officially becoming a ninja."
With that, he handed over a gift he'd promised earlier. Tenshin accepted it eagerly, his eyes lighting up at the sight.
It was a short sword made entirely of chakra-forged steel—a must-have for any sword-wielding shinobi.
Before he'd applied for early graduation, he'd asked Fugaku for this very item, on the condition that he passed.
Watching Tenshin's delighted expression, Fugaku took out a scroll and tossed it to him. "These are the Uchiha clan's sword techniques and insights. If you have questions, come ask me."
"Our clan's strength lies in the Sharingan, but perfecting your swordsmanship isn't a bad choice. Combined with the Sharingan, you'll become a reaper on the battlefield."
Tenshin nodded in acknowledgment, though his reasons for mastering the sword had little to do with what Fugaku had in mind.
All of this was for the power of his Ghost Hand.
About a year ago, when he first discovered his strange ability, he'd come up with an idea. In his previous world, there was a game that featured a class known as the "Ghost Swordsman"—a figure wielding ghostly powers that left a strong impression on him.
Once he realized that his own Ghost Hand could summon ghostly energy, the image of the Ghost Swordsman returned to mind.
He was certain that to fully wield the power of the Ghost Hand, a sword was the ideal weapon.
When the time came, he would strike with a single slash, not only tearing flesh but rending his opponent's very soul—maybe even leaving them paralyzed, forever unable to control their own body, like Orochimaru under the Reaper Death Seal.
"Alright, don't forget to report to the Hokage Building tomorrow. There's a surprise waiting for you," Fugaku said, ruffling Tenshin's hair before rising to leave.
"A surprise?" Tenshin asked, curious.
(TL: Gonna get recruited into Root.)
"You'll see tomorrow. It's about your new ninja squad," Fugaku replied, vanishing before Tenshin could ask anything further.
A ninja squad, huh? I wonder who'll be on my team and who'll be our sensei.
As an Uchiha prodigy already catching the higher-ups' attention, Tenshin knew his team wouldn't be ordinary. There was even a chance...
...that one of the legendary Sannin might lead it.
....................
Advance chapters in patreon.com/CuteSelfieCat