Shin Uchiha returned to his home on Whirlpool Island, thinking about what lay ahead.
He had already been the Uchiha Clan's Deputy Clan Leader when this home was built, and Uchiha Fugaku had been preparing to pass the position of Clan Leader to him, so the house had been built on a scale befitting the Clan Leader. Although he only stayed for a few days at a time when he returned to guide his clansmen after its completion, someone always came to clean it, keeping it spotless.
When Shin Uchiha arrived home, poor little Haku was still in the living room. Although a female clan member had been assigned to keep him company, he was still shy around strangers and sat miserably alone in a corner, hugging his knees with his head lowered.
Shin Uchiha waved the clan member away, then walked over to Haku and looked at him with a hint of helplessness.
Hearing Shin Uchiha's familiar footsteps, Haku raised his head. When he saw that his lord had returned, he scrambled to his feet and looked up at him pitifully, asking:
"My lord, do you not want Haku anymore? Or have I lost my value, so I'm no longer even worthy of being your tool?"
After saying this, Haku's eyes grew moist, tears beginning to well up.
Shin Uchiha placed a hand on Haku's head and ruffled his hair, speaking gently. "Kid, how could I abandon you? You're a treasure I brought back from the Land of Water. I may have many subordinates, but you're one of a kind."
Shin Uchiha paused, then continued, "I brought you back because I wanted to train you here. Only by training and studying hard, and defeating everyone your age, can you become a proper tool, become my retainer, and follow in