Chapter 34: Deep Autumn

In the deep autumn of Leaf Village year 39, at the Uchiha clan's residence of Dong Shilang.

A leisurely, joyful flute melody drifted over slowly.

At times spirited and high-spirited, at times clear and lingering, at times intermittent. It could both soothe hearts and bring joy. The floating flute melody, accompanied by the breeze, made people feel their spirits surge.

'Clap clap clap'—as the piece ended, enthusiastic applause from the audience followed immediately. Even though his old home was somewhat remote, it could not stop people's longing for beautiful music.

"No matter how many times I hear it, Dong Shilang's rendition of 'The Eagle's Song' always makes me feel so delighted!"

"Dong Shilang, you're skipping class again! Even if the ninja academy's lessons are dull, skipping class is not what a good child should do!"

"Grandpa Hiro thanks you for the praise; I'm just passing time between training. Also, Grandma Liri, the ninja academy's morning classes are all cultural subjects, which I've already mastered."

The ones praising and teasing him were two elderly widows. They were both neighbors living next door to Dong Shilang, and both members of the Uchiha clan.

"Grandpa Hiro" used to be a special Jonin who had awakened the double-tomoe Sharingan.

Afterward, due to losing his right arm in a battle,

Although he saved his life, he had no choice but to retire reluctantly, ending his ninja career. After his wife passed away, due to his eccentric temperament, he lived separately from his children.

"Grandma Liri" herself is not a ninja.

However, her husband and son both participated in the last great war, and both perished, leaving her to live alone in solitude. The old lady rarely goes out; occasionally one can see her lonely figure in the family cemetery.

"This Dong Shilang kid has decent talent and is willing to work hard. Spending every day at the ninja academy is simply a waste of time. In my view, joining the Police Force early would be the best choice……

As a former special Jonin who had awakened the Sharingan,

Even after retiring and spending many years at leisure, he still retains the requisite insight and perspective.

Because of their different experiences and beliefs, the two expressed differing opinions on Dong Shilang's skipping class.

Although he was once a ninja, even if he had paid a painful price, Uchiha Hiro still believed that protecting the clan and protecting the village was the Uchiha's mission. Since Dong Shilang possesses outstanding talent, he should join the Police Force to contribute his strength to the clan and the village.

However, as an ordinary person, Uchiha Liri, after experiencing the sacrifice of her husband and son, feels no enthusiasm for the profession of ninja.

Although constrained by Uchiha tradition, she is not inclined to voice opposition, but she still hopes that Dong Shilang can enjoy a happy childhood.

Although the two hold completely different views on the profession of ninja, they both appreciate Dong Shilang's music equally.

At this moment, Dong Shilang wears a white practice uniform similar to a taekwondo training suit, with a ninja fishnet undershirt. On his back is embroidered the flame fan clan crest, and around his waist he ties a crimson sash.

His shoulder-length hair is tied into a ponytail, with a few bangs fluttering above his forehead. His eyes are dark and clear, his brows and eyes still showing youthfulness, yet a heroic spirit is about to burst forth.

At this moment he sits cross-legged on the outer veranda, holding a lush green flute. Watching the two elderly people on either side, who are gradually falling into argument because of his 'skipping class,' he feels somewhat helpless.

Since half a year ago, when Uchiha Meixiang got married, Uchiha Dong Shilang began living alone. Although Sister Meixiang still comes over every week after her marriage to help tidy the house and prepare a meal.

But feeling increasingly lonely, he bought a flute. Occasionally playing a tune from his past life serves as a remembrance and also helps dispel the vexation brought by training and solitude.

Unknowingly, he attracted two listeners.

"It's almost noon; would Grandpa Hiro and Grandma Liri like to stay for lunch? My cooking is still pretty good!"

Hearing this, they glanced at the sky.

The two elders rose in unison, left the small courtyard, and went their separate ways. As for staying to eat, they had never considered it.

"At our age, mooching a meal at an orphan's home—what propriety is that?"

Seeing the two elders off, Uchiha Dong Shilang also rose and went inside to prepare today's lunch. Although he is not yet eight years old, his height has already reached 135 centimeters and his weight is approaching 35 kilograms. Together with his white martial arts uniform and the ponytail on his head, he resembles a warrior more than a ninja.

Indeed, it's a ponytail.

Like Zhang Chulan from the anime 'One Person, Under the Heaven' that I watched in my previous life.

If paired with a katana, his appearance would be no different from that of Battōsai and the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū's Kenshin in the 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal' arc.

Since discovering that men in this world can also keep long hair, he has felt moved. After all, long hair with a sword, wandering the world, then performing a heroic rescue of a beauty, and a tale of love and affection.

This is a dream that every boy has harbored in his heart.

Just then, as the morning Shadow Clone that had been attending school dissipated, a new memory surged into his mind.

Hmm! Interesting—it looks like there will be something fun to do this afternoon……

Eight-year-old Uchiha Dong Shilang can create up to three Shadow Clones to assist his training each time. It's not that he doesn't want to make more; it's that sustaining them for too long would drain him.

The Shadow Clone technique is widespread throughout the Ninja World. Yet why is it that only Naruto Uzumaki uses it extensively to aid his training?

After the clones disperse, they cause fatigue to body and mind, but if the number is small, most Jonin could likely overcome it. The reason everyone abandons this training method is due to chakra consumption.

Just like lighting a candle, which burns fuel continuously, once the Shadow Clone technique is deployed, even if the clones lie still, eyes closed, resting,

chakra also gradually depletes over time.

For an ordinary ninja, even accumulating chakra to vitalize the body is insufficient; who would squander it like this? Even Dong Shilang himself would not choose the Shadow Clone path unless he had a meticulous plan for vitalizing his body.

Even though his chakra amount has steadily reached the upper limit of a Genin, and he still naps two hours at noon, Dong Shilang can barely manage to supply three Shadow Clones for 'low-energy-consumption' activities.

Each morning, one Shadow Clone goes to the ninja academy in his place to attend school and study, another practices fire-attribute chakra nature transformation at home, and the third practices gathering Yang Release chakra at home.

His main body undertakes physical strength training.

In the afternoon, depending on that day's schedule, he decides whether to assign a Shadow Clone or to go himself to school.

Well! Looks like I can rest properly this afternoon……