After waiting an hour—and eating plenty of snacks at a tea shop while they waited—Uchiha Zhuang finally saw the two of them arrive. He handed each of them a serving of colorful dango and said, "Let's go!" Then the three of them headed toward the forest above the Hokage Rock.
They walked for over an hour. Uchiha Zhuang strolled along, while the two kids were gasping with exhaustion by the time they reached their destination. Uchiha Zhuang took out a stack of talismans—the kind used for prayers at major events in the Shinobi World. He took out a brush, wrote "Uchiha Zhuang" on one, then handed it to the two of them. They took turns writing their names in crooked characters. "All right. From now on, you're my underlings, and I'm your big brother. Once we burn the paper, the oath will take effect. The gods will keep watch over us. Anyone who breaks the oath will never achieve their dreams and will live in poverty for the rest of their life." Uchiha Zhuang gave them a merciful punishment, one that could hardly be called binding. He knew that oaths couldn't restrain people, and neither could the gods. Only what someone cherished most could do that. Their most precious things were probably their dreams. When he had finished, he used Fire Style: Lighter Jutsu to burn the stack of talismans. The ashes swirled into the sky with the autumn wind, disappearing into the distance. "Now I'll explain the rules you have to follow as my underlings. First, once I'm your big brother, I'm your big brother for life. You can't try to harm me just because you become stronger or invent something useful later. If you do, I'll teach you a proper lesson. Second, if you meet or take in any promising kids, good things, or pets, think of your big brother first and let me choose first. Being a big brother isn't easy. Helping you work toward your dreams is exhausting! So you have to repay my kindness! Third, you must carry out any orders or tasks I give you, as long as they don't go against your dreams. You have to put my wishes first. Got it?" The two were so confused by his rambling that all they understood was that they had to obey their big brother. They nodded vigorously. "Yes!"
Once they were done, Uchiha Zhuang started training them right there. First, he had them run around one side of the Rock and back, then do push-ups, sit-ups, planks, and other basic exercises. It was pure physical training. His two underlings were simple-minded enough to finish every exercise he came up with on the spot, even when they were exhausted and staggering. When he saw them trembling as they came over, then collapsing on the ground, panting and drenched in sweat, Uchiha Zhuang thoughtfully used Water Style: Water Kettle Jutsu, sprinkling water over them to cool them down. Once they had gradually caught their breath, they asked the crucial question: could such grueling physical training teach them ninjutsu? In response to their confusion, Uchiha Zhuang said slowly, "Of course this won't teach you ninjutsu!" "What?!" Uchiha Zhuang burst out laughing, then continued, "You know how trees grow, right? A great tree needs time, sunlight, fertilizer, soil, and a safe environment to grow from a seedling. It's the same for a ninja. To grow from a kid who knows nothing into an outstanding ninja who can stand on their own, you have to develop and build up your strength little by little, like a tree. You can't make a fat man in one bite. Understand?" "Yes!" The two perked up and continued their physical training. At dusk, Uchiha Zhuang drawled, "Your big brother isn't educated, and I'm not much of a talker, but I'll train with you for a month. After that, I'm going to the Ninja Academy. Then you'll have to follow the training plan I make for you. I'll write it up later. No slacking off. Come to my house once a week so I can check on you. Don't slack off." The two were delighted and hurried to praise him. Their big brother was amazing and the best!
When they returned to the clan grounds, Uchiha Zhuang told Genmu he had taken on two underlings and wanted them to come by once a week. He asked if the clan gate guards could register them when they arrived. Genmu said that would be no problem. It was a warm, peaceful evening. After dinner, while Genmu watched TV, Uchiha Zhuang handed him a bean. Genmu looked at the ordinary-looking green bean curiously, and Uchiha Zhuang calmly explained, "The Mountain God gave this to me. He said that if a mortal eats it, it'll heal injuries and restore stamina. It's a God Bean. He gave me two, and I'm giving you one so you'll have some protection on future missions." "Brat, I'm not going to refuse it out of politeness. A gift from the gods isn't something ordinary. Meiko and I will keep what happened to you a secret. I hope you won't go telling people either. Keep a low profile and grow stronger, got it?" "Genmu, you take something this precious and don't even thank me—you just lecture me? Are you asking for trouble?" Uchiha Zhuang, acting far too familiar for his own good, was pushing his luck. Thump! A loving smack landed on his head. Meiko stood behind him and said, "Mind your manners. You're going to school in a month, so try to behave. Don't think about skipping grades. I know you can't stand a peaceful life, but I don't want you facing mortal danger every moment. You're growing too fast. If you keep going like this, you could graduate early. There's unrest all around the Land of Fire, and the Shinobi World is no more peaceful. A ninja's life is like the weeds by the roadside; you could die at any moment. We want you to grow up in peace and enjoy a peaceful life." "But I don't want to be ordinary! If war comes, I'll put an end to it. If the Shinobi World is in chaos, I'll conquer it. If those ugly Daimyo shit on the common people, I'll cut them down! I came here to bring peace to a world in turmoil! I told you, I'm the chosen one!" The two exchanged a glance. Genmu said, "Zhuang, we understand..." "No, you don't! How many times do I have to say it? I'm chosen. I'm the one and only! Stop bothering me!" Face red, Uchiha Zhuang shouted, then rushed into his room. The door slammed into its frame with a bang. The living room fell silent. Genmu held Meiko's hand tightly, and Meiko's eyes reddened. Choking back tears, she said, "He's only five. Other kids his age are asking their parents to pick up groceries or buy soy sauce. Why does he have to go where there's fighting? Why can't he stay by his mother's side and study? Couldn't he become a doctor or an office worker one day?" Genmu opened his mouth, but several times he couldn't get a word out. He watched Meiko's tears fall like beads from a broken string and, in the end, could only let out a long sigh.
Slumped on the floor, Uchiha Zhuang stared blankly at the ceiling, as though trying to find a flower in it. What had gotten into him? Why had he suddenly blown up like that? He was in his thirties, yet he'd acted like a child. Had puberty started already?! That was way too early! Hey, he was only five! Maybe he couldn't be measured by a normal person's age anymore because he was a transmigrator? Uchiha Zhuang felt terribly guilty for inexplicably losing his temper with Genmu and Meiko!
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