Practicing Again

Uchiha Zhuang knew that peace required strength. Without strength, talking about peace was like trying to stop a chariot with one's bare arms. But strength without a desire for peace was simply indulging one's desires, and would ultimately turn him into a dragon. To stand tall between heaven and earth, he needed both. Having worked through the problem, Uchiha Zhuang smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting. He took out the healing device and scanned his entire body. He could clearly feel his tissues repairing themselves, and his heart settled. He lay back in the hospital bed, meditating as he drifted off to sleep.

Once Uchiha Zhuang had fallen into deep meditation, Genmu cracked open an eye and glanced at him. Seeing that he was sound asleep, Genmu quietly slipped out, closed the door, and raced toward the clan compound. In the Uchiha meeting hall, dozens of male clan members sat together, discussing something among themselves. Uchiha Ichinohe sat at the head of the room with his eyes half closed, silent. After a long while, Genmu entered the hall. Everyone fell quiet, watching as Uchiha Zhuang slowly approached the clan head and then sat down cross-legged. Uchiha Ichinohe opened his eyes and looked around before asking, "Have we still not found Uchiha Madara?" "No! We haven't found him!" replied a masked Uchiha clansman. Uchiha Ichinohe remained silent. Then an older clansman stepped forward and said, "Clan Head, we've been searching for Uchiha Madara for seven or eight years, but we still haven't found him. I suspect he may already be dead, so please call off the search!" When he finished, several people chimed in. "That's right." "Stop wasting resources looking for him." "He betrayed the clan." Uchiha Ichinohe opened his eyes, his three tomoe slowly turning, and addressed the others. "He possesses many secrets passed down since the Warring States period, as well as great personal strength. Our Uchiha Clan must find him. Even if we can't bring him back to the clan to face judgment, we must uncover all his secrets." The clan head's imposing presence filled the room, and no one dared speak. After a while, Ichinohe continued, "Tobirama is growing more and more impatient. He's been making moves against us for years, trying to wipe out our Uchiha Clan. Recently, our ANBU members went out on a mission, but were killed on their way back. The reason given was that they were collaborating with the enemy. That despicable Tobirama!" The room immediately erupted in murmurs. Everyone was shocked that Tobirama had been so ruthless as to openly kill their people, and then came a wave of curses and angry outbursts!

"I suggest we stop sending our clansmen to serve in the ANBU field unit. It's too dangerous," one clansman said. "But then we'd fall right into Tobirama's trap. He wants to purge our Uchiha Clan's strength from the ANBU. That way, we'll know nothing about the Konoha High Command's actions, and we'll be left in a very passive position." The people below started arguing again, each acting as though only they were right. Ignoring the chaos, Uchiha Ichinohe said, "Lastly, let's discuss the boy from Genmu's family. To have this much strength at his age, he'll surely become an excellent Uchiha ninja! The clan elders and I have decided to give him special training and raise him to become the next clan head of the Uchiha Clan. Does anyone object?" Everyone looked at one another, but no one spoke. Then Genmu stepped forward. "Lord Ichinohe, Uchiha Zhuang is an ambitious young man with his own ideas. I hope he can be allowed to develop freely and devote himself to training until he formally takes over as clan head, without too many distractions from other affairs that might hinder his growth." Seeing Genmu finish speaking and bow low to the floor, Ichinohe furrowed his brow and considered it for a moment before replying, "That seems reasonable. I can make that decision. I'll persuade the clan elders. For the next few years, let him focus on training and stay out of trouble." "Yes! Thank you, Lord Ichinohe!" Genmu bowed even lower.

Back with Uchiha Zhuang, though he was still asleep, his body had quietly begun to evolve. Slowly nourished by the Perfect Warrior treatment, the gene serum, and the Chakra Essence, his body was growing stronger. Perhaps that was the secret behind a child having such a strong physique. Only when the bright sunlight fell across his face, the yellow leaves on the trees trembled in the breeze, and chattering birds darted about in search of food did Uchiha Zhuang finally wake. He stretched luxuriously, feeling refreshed after his long sleep, as if he were stronger and more energetic than before. He got out of bed and put on his worn cloth shoes, only to find that the pair that usually fit him now felt tight. When he stood, his view was slightly higher, too. Uchiha Zhuang realized he had grown taller again. His sudden movement startled the lively birds outside the window. Looking out at the bleak hospital garden, Uchiha Zhuang thought of the street children who shivered in the winter cold, huddling in corners and waiting to die. He couldn't let these promising children die like that. He had to step up his recruitment efforts and bring in more talented youngsters. He could even take in families so poor they were on the verge of starving to death, building a powerful organization governed by rules, bound by emotion, centered on him as its master, and devoted to him with fervent worship. Clenching his fist, Uchiha Zhuang vaulted out the window, pulled it shut behind him, and bounded off toward home. (Escaping through the window was practically a traditional skill for Konoha Hospital patients.)

Over dinner at home, Uchiha Zhuang said he needed to take his training further and would set off a month later to travel through the northwestern part of the Land of Fire. He reassured Meiko and Genmu that they didn't need to worry. Genmu and Meiko listened intently, as if the family's pillar had suddenly become Uchiha Zhuang overnight. Then Genmu said, "Go without worrying. I've already asked the clan head, and until you take over as Uchiha Clan Head, you'll be free to train without restraint. I'll also arrange for you to take leave from school, saying you're receiving special training at the clan compound." "Don't forget to say goodbye to Akihime before you leave!" Meiko emphasized. "I won't," Uchiha Zhuang replied with a solemn nod. Then the family finished their meal in a quiet atmosphere.

As Uchiha Zhuang sat thinking in the living room, he spent a few hundred points to exchange for a matte golden ring and a jade-green bangle. The gold ring boosted Earth-style energy by five percent, improving the efficiency of Earth-style energy. The bangle increased luck by ten percent. He gave the gold ring to Genmu and the bangle to Meiko, telling them to wear them at all times. They were ancient relics of the Xia Kingdom, acquired during his travels through the Land of Rivers. The two exchanged a smile and put on their gear. The discreet items were very practical, and that gave Uchiha Zhuang a little more peace of mind.

During that month, Uchiha Zhuang behaved like a model student, attending class quietly and going home obediently. He didn't cause trouble or deliberately beat up Fat Tiger. Of course, now and then, some clueless upperclassmen got taught a lesson by Uchiha Zhuang in the back alleys. Thanks to the potions, Uchiha Zhuang, who had once been of average intelligence, now only needed to think briefly to solve the ninja world's bizarrely difficult mathematical theories. He could even give examples, work backward, and prove them from the opposite direction. Naturally, he ignored the envy of all the little kids and ate lunch from the same bowl with Akihime every day. Their closeness was obvious to their teacher, Kirito, but they were both children of Konoha's powerful clans, so all he could do was cough now and then to remind them he was there, then carry on with class.

On the first day of winter in November—the ninja world also followed the twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar—the evening before Uchiha Zhuang's departure, the two walked side by side, ignoring the Chunin bodyguard who hid behind Akihime every day. The sunset painted the entire sky, laying blocks of orange and reddish-orange across the surrounding houses. Uchiha Zhuang couldn't help sighing, "What a beautiful view. I wish we could stay in this moment forever." Akihime blushed, her lovely face hidden behind the rosy glow, and said, "The setting sun fades so quickly, and youth passes just as fast." Uchiha Zhuang glanced at her and replied, "Affection comes from eight thousand miles of mountains and rivers; love promises fifty thousand stars in the galaxy." The two walked along, speaking in riddles. At last, when they reached the gate of the Hyuga Clan Compound, Uchiha Zhuang rested his hands on Akihime's shoulders and said, "I'm going into seclusion to train. I may not be able to come to school for months, so take good care of yourself." Looking at Uchiha Zhuang's resolute face and serious gaze, Akihime said, "You take care of yourself, too, and don't overdo your training! You're already the strongest person your age. You don't need to push yourself so hard." Looking at Akihime, who was a head shorter than him, Uchiha Zhuang smiled and said, "Don't get cocky, Akihime. You'd better train hard. You can't afford to be that much weaker than me!" Akihime giggled and punched Uchiha Zhuang with her little fist.

In the sunset, the two waved goodbye.