The Two Uchiha Brothers

The cold coin bounced around in his palm. Hyuga Kiyonari could only spread his hands in resignation and let out a long sigh.

Right now, his wallet was even emptier than his stomach, all thanks to that barbecue feast two days ago.

He had to admit, the Akimichi Clan really knew their way around food. The two of them had gotten carried away and kept ordering more. Hinata Hyuga especially had stuffed her cheeks until they bulged, like a hamster hoarding food for winter.

As a result, she hadn't brought enough money, and he'd had to cover the remaining two-tenths. Even that two-tenths had cost more than their meal at Ichiraku Ramen the other night, so if he was being honest, he'd still come out ahead.

It would still be a while before the clan handed out his living expenses. He had enough money left to get by, but if he wanted meat at every meal, things might get a little difficult.

"Looks like I'll have to go to that place."

The "place" Hyuga Kiyonari had in mind was the dreaded Forest of Death just outside Konoha Village.

As a ninja of the village, even a "reserve," he couldn't just leave whenever he pleased. But the Forest of Death was considered part of "Konoha Village."

Besides, now that spring had come and the snow was melting, the animals in the forest were becoming active again. It was the perfect time to hunt.

This wasn't his first time doing this. He dragged a wooden box out from under his bed. Inside were all the tools he needed: a short bow made from exceptionally resilient wood, a quiver holding twenty neatly fletched arrows, a gleaming skinning knife, and a bag for carrying his catch.

He checked each tool carefully. Once he was sure everything was in order, he slung the short bow over his shoulder, hung the quiver and bag from his waist, and fastened the knife on the other side. Then he headed for the Forest of Death.

The forest's outskirts.

With the snowmelt, the ground had turned soft and muddy, making it perfect for tracking prey.

Hyuga Kiyonari slowed his pace as he made his way through the trees, carefully scanning the ground. Before long, he spotted a fresh trail of footprints. Judging by their shape, they belonged to a rabbit.

He followed the trail cautiously, sometimes bending to push aside ferns in his way, sometimes turning sideways to squeeze between two closely spaced trees. He didn't make a single unnecessary sound. After walking about a hundred meters, he spotted a few rabbit droppings beneath a low bush.

It had to be nearby.

He slowed his breathing and searched the area carefully. At last, he spotted several gray rabbits beneath a slightly open slope, nibbling on tender grass roots near their burrow. They took a few bites, then stood up to look around, only lowering their heads to eat again once they were sure the area was safe.

Kiyonari didn't rush to draw his bow. Killing just one would be a waste. His target was the whole burrow.

He circled around and slowly approached the rabbits from the other side. Once he was close enough, he sprang forward while they were focused on eating and grabbed two plump rabbits in one swoop.

The startled rabbits scattered in every direction. Kiyonari reacted quickly and caught another, stuffing it into his bag. But one rabbit shot through a gap he hadn't noticed and bolted like lightning into the depths of the forest.

"Trying to run?"

Kiyonari snorted. He pulled the drawstring tight with his right hand, sealing the bag, then reached over his shoulder with his left and drew his short bow. He nocked an arrow in one smooth motion, without the slightest hesitation.

"Whoosh—"

The arrow flew with a sharp whistle, predicting the rabbit's escape route perfectly. It pierced the back of its neck and pinned it to the ground.

He jogged over and pulled the arrow from the soil. It was hard to believe that kind of power could come from a three-year-old child, and he couldn't help grumbling to himself.

"Chakra sure is useful."

He hefted the bag. This would be enough to last him a few days. Then he headed toward the nearby river, where he could hear the sound of running water.

Crouched on the riverbank, Kiyonari used his sharp knife to slit open the rabbit's belly and remove its organs... Just as he finished cleaning the second rabbit, a series of strange noises came from the bushes behind him.

"Rustle, rustle... crack!"

The bushes were being shoved aside, and something heavy was snapping the dead branches beneath it.

Kiyonari tensed at once, gripping the skinning knife tightly in his right hand as he turned to look.

"Roar!"

A low growl rang out. A massive wild boar, as big as a small truck, suddenly burst out of the trees!

Its body was covered in coarse black-brown bristles, and its long, curved ivory tusks gleamed in the sunlight. Its bloodshot eyes fixed on Kiyonari and the rabbit carcasses at his feet.

Clearly, the boar had gone hungry during the snowy weather and had been drawn by the strong smell of blood.

"Damn it!"

Kiyonari's heart sank. His weapons were no better than toothpicks against a beast this huge. For all he knew, he might end up as its next meal.

The boar breathed heavily, hot white vapor pouring from its nostrils as it scraped its hind hooves against the muddy ground, readying itself to charge.

"Run!"

Kiyonari threw the rabbit in his hand at the boar, poured chakra into his legs, and leaped to the other side of the river.

"Rumble!"

The boar wasn't distracted by the rabbit. Its massive body barreled through the river like a speeding hundred-ton truck and crashed into the forest, destroying everything in its path.

"Help! Is anyone there?"

Kiyonari leaped from branch to branch toward Konoha Village, shouting for help as he went.

Just then, two figures appeared on the treetops a short distance ahead.

One was a little taller, wearing a black shirt. Two slowly rotating black tomoe were set in his scarlet eyes. The other was shorter, looked about Kiyonari's age, and wore an expression of nervous excitement.

It's them?!

Itachi Uchiha glanced over, fixing his gaze on the rampaging boar. He leaned toward his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha, and spoke in a low voice.

"Sasuke, aim for the eyes."

"Yes, big brother!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Itachi leaped into action, throwing three kunai with Explosive Tags attached to them between Kiyonari and the boar.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The sudden explosions made the charging boar stumble. Sensing danger, it stopped and let out a series of furious roars.

Kiyonari seized the opportunity to escape the danger completely. He landed on a branch next to Sasuke Uchiha, nocked an arrow, and aimed for the boar's eyes.

"Whoosh—whoosh—"

The two arrows flew one after the other, but only one struck the boar in the eye.

"Argh!"

The boar let out a piercing shriek and began leaping about wildly, crashing into the trees on either side.

Just then, Itachi Uchiha appeared above the boar's head as if he'd teleported. Holding a Ninja Blade, he plunged it down without mercy into the boar's other eye socket, driving it deep into its brain.

With a wet squelch, the boar's massive body convulsed several times before finally falling silent.

The battle was over.

Kiyonari jumped down from the tree and dropped onto the ground, sitting hard. Looking at the Uchiha brothers, he thanked them sincerely. "Phew... Thanks for saving me."

Itachi pulled out his Ninja Blade and wiped the blood off on the boar's body. "This should be the boar mentioned in the mission."

"Mission?"

"A D-rank mission. This boar has been destroying the nearby crops, and our job was to drive it away."

Sasuke jumped down from the tree and stared at the enormous boar, shouting excitedly, "Big brother, we did it! This thing is huge!"

But as soon as he'd shouted, he realized someone else was there. He quickly faked a couple of coughs and put on a cool expression.

Itachi nodded and turned to Kiyonari. "The mission only required us to drive it away, so we can split the boar between us. Do you... need help taking it back?"

Kiyonari paused, then smiled. "Thanks. I'd appreciate that. My name's Hyuga Kiyonari. What about you?"

"Itachi Uchiha," Itachi answered calmly.

"Sasuke Uchiha!" Sasuke imitated his brother, giving only his name.