"Little Uchiha brat, who taught you medical ninjutsu?"
Standing tall on Hokage Rock, Tsunade faced the wind, her silhouette proud and imposing. The frustration and grief that had once shadowed her features now seemed like a distant memory.
"That was taught to me by Sister Pharmacist," Fenghuo answered honestly. "Her full name is Nonō Yakushi, she works at Konoha Hospital!"
"Oh, her?" Tsunade's eyes softened slightly. "She's gentle... and sharp. A bit too kind for this world." She nodded, indicating she recognized the name, though a glint of suspicion flickered in her eyes as she studied Fenghuo. "But you…"
"What about me?" Fenghuo felt a cold sweat beginning to break.
"You're way too nervous." Tsunade began to circle him with light steps, one hand thoughtfully stroking her chin. "Uchiha Fenghuo… I've seen your Academy file. Bottom of your class in the first year. Challenged Kakashi Hatake during his graduation and got thoroughly humiliated. You disappeared over break, and when you came back, you started training like a madman. Now you're performing hand seals at a Genin-level speed, and after some rough Taijutsu training, you landed in Konoha Hospital."
Fenghuo's heart jumped. She noticed me that early? That meant others might've too. Sandai Hokage? Or… Danzo? Just thinking about Root made his stomach twist.
"After that, you asked Nonō Yakushi for medical ninjutsu training, didn't you?" Tsunade continued, voice calm but piercing.
"Yeah," Fenghuo admitted quickly. "I don't want to end up hospitalized every time I break a rib—and I can't afford those bills either!"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Practicing Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, now Medical Ninjutsu… and you're an Uchiha with a potential Sharingan." She smirked. "Kid, your ambition's showing."
Fenghuo forced a weak laugh. "I-I'm six. What kind of ambition could a six-year-old have?"
"Mm… who knows?" Tsunade's smirk widened as the wind caught her short blond hair, making her look like a golden fox overlooking the mountain. "But you're not like the other Uchiha brats. I've got my eye on you, kid."
And with that, she leapt.
She really jumped.
Fenghuo stood rooted on the carved head of the Second Hokage, staring at the spot where Tsunade had disappeared. "Hey, hey! You lunatic, take me back with you!!"
He peered down at the sprawling village of Konoha. From this height, everything looked the same—indistinguishable rooftops and distant chatter. Tsunade could leap down like nothing… but him? He'd have to take the long, winding path.
"Damn it," he muttered and began making his way around the mountain's back, grumbling.
The forest behind Hokage Rock was dense and wild, full of thick underbrush and occasional distant roars from animals. Fenghuo shivered.
"This isn't the Forest of Death, right? Shouldn't be anything too dangerous…"
CRACK.
The sudden snap of wood and something massive crashing sent chills down his spine.
It sounded… personal.
Clap clap clap…
Fenghuo clenched his butt.
Clap clap clap…
The air grew colder.
Clap clap clap…
He couldn't take it anymore. He turned and ran.
Thud! Something huge landed ahead of him.
"Who's there?" boomed a loud, enthusiastic voice, as a green blur appeared in front of him.
The man's eyebrows were thick.
His teeth sparkled like steel kunai.
His form-fitting dark green jumpsuit hugged every muscle.
Fenghuo's eyes widened. Thick brows… green jumpsuit… impossibly loud presence… it can only be one man.
Maito Dai—the Eternal Genin of Konoha!
"Hey, kid, what are you doing out here? Where's your guardian?" Dai asked, looking surprised to find a six-year-old alone.
"Hello, sir! I'm Uchiha Fenghuo. I'm… an orphan. I came here to train!" Fenghuo stood tall, hands at his sides, truth beaming from his every word.
"An Uchiha orphan?" Dai looked skeptical. "The Uchiha compound is far from here…"
"I was practicing Taijutsu and didn't notice how far I'd gone. I stopped to rest and was heading back when I got startled."
Maito Dai tilted his head. "But you're an Uchiha. Your clan's Sharingan is one of the strongest Kekkei Genkai. Why train Taijutsu?"
"Because I believe Taijutsu can be just as strong as the Sharingan!" Fenghuo said with conviction, clenching his fists and giving the most sincere smile he could muster.
It worked.
Maito Dai, a man whose life revolved around hard work, lit up.
"Kid… you've got good eyes!" Dai laughed heartily, placing his hands on his hips.
"Uncle, can I train with you?" Fenghuo asked, tail figuratively swishing with anticipation.
Dai looked conflicted. "My training isn't like others'. It's harsh—brutal on the body. You're still very young. If you want something safer, you should check out the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist. It's effective and doesn't wreck your body."
"No way! The Hyūga's style is too… graceful. It's not for me!" Fenghuo exclaimed, panicking. Cold sweat broke out again. If a Hyūga hears that, I'm screwed…
Dai blinked in surprise.
He knew the Hyūga were the top of the Taijutsu world. No one questioned that. For a kid—an Uchiha no less—to say that and still want to train with him, it struck something deep inside.
"Kid… Uchiha Fenghuo, do you really want to learn my Taijutsu?"
Fenghuo nodded solemnly. "I do!"
Maito Dai's eyes shone.
"Then I'll teach you!" he declared, fists clenched, back straight. "We start tomorrow at sunrise! Wear weights!"
Fenghuo's heart leapt. Eight Gates… here I come!