Where There Are Chocolate Sticks, There Is Heaven

As soon as the bell rang for after school, Shin-chan couldn't wait to start packing his bag.

"Kakashi." Shin-chan hugged his bag and ran over to Kakashi's seat. "I can't go to training today."

Kakashi looked up and glanced at him.

"Why?"

"I'm going to Uchiha Toru's house." Shin-chan pointed to Uchiha Toru, who was standing nearby. "He said his house has lots of chocolate sticks."

Kakashi's brow furrowed slightly.

"Blade Techniques require consistency; if you don't practice for a day, you'll get rusty."

Shin-chan's expression slumped. "But the chocolate sticks..."

"It's alright." Uchiha Toru walked over and stood beside Shin-chan. "My house has a dedicated training ground. If Shin-chan wants to practice, he can do it at my place too."

After saying that, he looked at Kakashi, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Kakashi, do you want to come along?"

Kakashi looked at him, his eyes revealing no particular emotion.

"No."

Having said that, he hoisted his bag onto his back and turned to leave.

Shin-chan waved at the retreating silver-haired figure. "See you tomorrow, Kakashi."

Kakashi didn't look back; he simply gave a light wave of his hand.

On the way to the Uchiha Clan Compound, Shin-chan kept chattering about chocolate sticks the entire time.

"Toru, are there really strawberry-flavored ones?"

"Yes."

"What about milk-flavored?"

"Those too."

Shin-chan's eyes lit up like lightbulbs.

"Your house is amazing, Toru. It's practically Heaven!"

Uchiha Toru smiled but didn't say anything.

However, as they walked, Shin-chan noticed the surrounding architecture changing.

The roads grew wider and the houses became larger, yet there were fewer people on the streets. The one or two people they passed walked with hurried paces.

Only those wearing clothes with the Uchiha Crest looked at him with strange expressions.

It wasn't malice or dislike; it was as if they were looking at some rare animal.

Shin-chan tilted his head and whispered to Uchiha Toru, "Why do they keep looking at me?"

"Because very few people come to the Uchiha Clan Compound." Uchiha Toru kept his head down, his voice quiet. "People from the outside generally don't come here."

"Why?"

Uchiha Toru was silent for two seconds. "Because... our home is a bit different from the outside world."

Shin-chan blinked, not quite understanding.

The two small figures continued to walk forward, passing through those appraising gazes.

Uchiha Toru's house was much larger than Shin-chan had imagined.

Upon entering, there was a large courtyard paved with flagstones, with an old tree standing in the center.

The house was a classic piece of Japanese Architecture, featuring a Wooden Corridor and Paper Sliding Doors, looking very expensive.

"Wow." Shin-chan opened his mouth wide. "Your house is so big!"

"It's alright, I guess." Uchiha Toru felt a bit embarrassed. "I've lived here since I was little, so I'm used to it."

At the Genkan, a woman wearing a kimono walked out, her eyes gentle and her hair neatly combed.

When she saw Shin-chan, she paused for a moment but quickly revealed a polite smile.

"You must be Toru's friend, welcome."

"Hello, Auntie." Shin-chan looked up. "My name is Shin Nohara, and I'm five years old."

Toru's Mother couldn't help but smile as she looked at him. "Hello there. Toru mentions you often."

"Really?" Shin-chan turned to look at Uchiha Toru. "What do you say about me?"

Uchiha Toru turned his face away, feeling a bit shy. "Nothing much."

"He says you're a very good person," Toru's Mother answered for her son. "That you take good care of him at school."

Shin-chan shook his head proudly. "Of course, Toru is my best friend."

Uchiha Toru interrupted their conversation. "Mom, I'm taking Shin-chan to have some snacks."

"Alright." Toru's Mother nodded. "I'll go prepare them for you. Is there anything you don't eat?"

"None." Shin-chan raised his hand, "I like Chocolate Sticks, strawberry flavor or milk flavor are both fine."

Toru's Mother smiled, "Alright, Auntie will remember that."

The snacks were eaten in a large Japanese-style Room.

Shin-chan sat cross-legged on the Tatami, with a large plate of Chocolate Sticks laid out in front of him, various flavors piled up like a small mountain.

"Uchiha Toru..."

"Hmm?"

"Can I eat them?"

"Of course, they were prepared for you."

Shin-chan took a deep breath, then reached out his hand and picked up the first one.

Strawberry flavor.

He took a bite.

Uchiha Toru watched him nervously, "How is it?"

Shin-chan Closed eyes, chewing slowly, a look of intoxication appearing on his face.

"This is the best Chocolate Stick I have ever eaten."

"You said that last time, too."

"Because it's this delicious every time."

Uchiha Toru couldn't help but laugh, and he also picked up a milk flavor one to eat along with Shin-chan.

The Sunlight from Outside Window spilled in, feeling warm and cozy.

After Shin-chan ate for a while, he suddenly remembered something.

"Uchiha Toru, where is your family's Training Ground?"

"It's Behind the House."

"Can I take a look?"

Uchiha Toru was stunned for a moment, "Do you want to practice?"

Shin-chan thought for a while, then looked at the Chocolate Stick in his hand, his expression looking a bit conflicted, "Hmm... I don't really want to practice, I just want to see it."

Uchiha Toru smiled, "Then let's go."

The Training Ground was an open space covered in Fine Sand, with several Targets standing around and a few Kunai placed in the Corner.

Shin-chan stood on the edge, looking at the open space.

"Uchiha Toru, do you practice here every day?"

"Yes."

Shin-chan looked at the Training Ground, then looked at Uchiha Toru, "You work so hard."

Uchiha Toru was stunned for a moment.

"Hard?"

"Yeah, having to practice at home after After School, isn't that hard?"

"It's not hard." Uchiha Toru shook his head, "I like the feeling of getting stronger."

Shin-chan blinked his eyes and didn't speak.

"Let's get started." Uchiha Toru stretched his body, "You practice Blade Techniques, and I'll practice Fire Style."

"Are we really going to practice?"

"Since you're already here."

Shin-chan sighed and began to swing his blade.

One swing.

Two swings.

Three swings.

As he swung, his gaze drifted toward Uchiha Toru's side.

Uchiha Toru stood at the other end of the Training Ground, forming seals with his hands.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A ball of flame erupted from his mouth and exploded in mid-air, the firelight turning the entire Backyard red.

Shin-chan's mouth was wide open, he forgot to swing his blade and just stared blankly.

So cool.

Uchiha Toru tried it again, but this time the fireball was a little smaller than before, so he subconsciously frowned and tried once more.

Shin-chan walked over without realizing it and stood beside him, "Uchiha Toru."

Uchiha Toru stopped and turned his head to look at him.

"What's wrong?"

"This thing of yours, how do you do it?"

Uchiha Toru was stunned for a moment: "You want to learn?"

Shin-chan nodded: "A little bit."

"Aren't you supposed to be practicing Blade Techniques?"

"Blade Techniques can wait a little longer," Shin-chan said as if it were only natural, "I want to learn this right now."

"Sorry." Uchiha Toru's expression became somewhat troubled, and his voice lowered unconsciously, "This is a clan Ninjutsu; without the clan's permission, I cannot teach it to outsiders."

"Since he is a friend of Xiao Che, it doesn't matter if you teach him Fire Style."

An Elder stood at the edge of the Training Ground, wearing a dark Kimono, his hair gray and white.