"Yeah, if you want to put it that way."
Shikai began to gather his belongings; it was already getting late, and he was about to head back.
"Shikai, how about training with me and Itachi, three times a week when we have free time? We can come here to train and have some fun. You know, by joining the academy and becoming genin, we won't have this much free time, so we should make the most of it now. What do you say?"
"No, thank you. I just want to slap that arrogant face, that's all." he said with a slight smile, the words coming straight from his heart.
"Hmm, but you'll need more than that to beat Itachi."
"We'll see," he murmured, moving slightly away from the fire.
"Hey, Nara..."
"Yes?"
"You've probably heard of the 'Will of Fire,' what do you think about it?"
Shikai's cheerful face fell visibly.
'I fed him for free, gave him a place to warm up. Now, with a full stomach, he decides to spout this nonsense? He's got some nerve.'
"No, it's the first time I've heard that term."
"Ah, really!? The Will of Fire is actually..."
"I'd love to discuss it, Shisui, but it's getting late, and I'm afraid my uncle will worry about me."
"Alright. We'll talk about it another day, Shikai."
He made a mark on the tree where he had been leaning.
"Next week, around 4 pm. Are you coming, Itachi?"
Itachi gave him one last look: "Next time, I won't hold back." he said in a cynical tone before disappearing into the distant tree.
"Hey, wait for me, Itachi!" she cried.
"Um, it was a pleasure to meet you, Shikai," she said timidly before running off.
As their silhouettes disappeared into the distance, Shikai was satisfied with his day, even though Shisui and Itachi had known each other earlier; he would only make some adjustments, but nothing notable would change.
He made his way towards the Nara clan's domain.
***
Within the Nara clan, Shikai was isolated. Most of the children his age ignored him, and he had made no effort to make friends; in fact, he had done the opposite. The only people he was close to were the clan leader and the one he called his uncle, Shikaku Nara. Over the weeks, Tsunade had also paid him five visits. They had become closer, spending time sharing their daily experiences, but nothing truly significant. And Shikai had made sure to always maintain a certain distance from her.
Shikai arrived at Shikaku Nara's residence; he knocked gently on the door and waited. It opened to reveal the silhouette of Yoshino Nara, his aunt by marriage, her face illuminated by a warm smile.
"Shikai? How are you? Come in, you're just in time for dinner."
"Thank you, aunt, but..." Shikai was about to refuse, but seeing her insistent gaze, he quickly abandoned the idea.
"My cooking isn't good, is it?" she asked, a hint of challenge in her voice.
"Yes, aunt, I'm already drooling," he replied, raising his hands in surrender.
"Hm, go wash your hands then," she said, sniffing, and then returned to the kitchen.
Shikai entered, carefully leaving his shoes outside, before sighing to himself. "Why do the women of the Nara clan have to be so domineering?"
After washing his hands, he returned to the main room, where Shikaku was already seated at the table, his arms crossed and a nonchalant air about him.
"Ah, Shikai, sit down. What brings you here today?"
Shikai sat opposite him, crossing his arms with a troubled expression. "Uncle, I was humiliated today."
Shikaku raised an eyebrow. "Humiliated? By whom?"
"An Uchiha. Itachi, to be precise," Shikai replied.
"Ah, Fugaku's son. A prodigy, they say," Shikaku said with a slight smile.
"I know! That's why I want you to train me. I want to beat him one day," Shikai declared, determined.
Shikaku burst out laughing. "Me? Train you? The ninja academy is for that. You'll learn the basics there. As for the clan's secret techniques... Frankly, I'm too lazy."
Shikai frowned. "If you don't train me, I could talk to Aunt Yoshino. Or Tsunade. Or both."
Shikaku closed his eyes, a strained smile on his face. "Just thinking about it gives me a headache. For you to threaten me like that, there must be something else going on. And you're sure it's just because of that?"
Shikai cleared his throat, as if he were embarrassed: "That girl was also present, so..."
"Who?" Shikaku raised an eyebrow.
"Izumi Uchiha."
"All this to impress a girl? You're only three years old, aren't you? Aren't you a bit too early for that?" Shikaku reasoned, yawning.
Shikai continued: "Anyway, uncle, to make it easier for you, you just have to train me. When your child is born, I'll train him in return."
Shikaku fixed his gaze, looking pensive. "Hmm, alright. But on one condition."
"What?" Shikai asked, suspiciously.
"You have to beat me at shogi."
Shikai looked at him exasperatedly
"Seriously?"
Shikaku shrugged, smiling. "I'm not that petty. You'll get several matches."
'This lazybones just wants to play shogi.'
Shikai rolled his eyes. "One match."
"Deal," Shikaku replied, visibly disappointed but amused.
That's when Yoshino arrived with dinner. The rich and savory aroma of grilled meat, stir-fried vegetables, and spices filled the room. A bowl of miso soup steamed next to each plate, accompanied by perfectly cooked rice. The pieces of marinated fish melted literally in the mouth, while the crunchy vegetables provided a contrasting texture.
Shikai tasted a piece and nodded. "It's delicious, aunt."
"Of course it is," she replied proudly before sitting down with them.
After dinner, Shikaku invited Shikai to take a walk within the compound.
"So, Shikai, what do you think about life?" Shikaku asked, his hands behind his back.
'I'm only asking him to train me now, and he comes up with a philosophical question. Well, I'll play along.'
"Life? A series of events. Some controllable, others not. The goal is to maximize the former and minimize the latter."
Shikaku smiled. "And love?"
"A social concept. Useful for reproduction and cooperation, but irrational and cumbersome in most cases."