Night had fallen over the Uchiha compound. The celebration had ended hours ago. Lanterns had been extinguished, and the once lively courtyard now sat quiet under the pale moonlight.
The Naka Shrine. The wooden doors creaked softly as they opened. Shinji stepped inside.
Standing near the center of the shrine was his father. Fugaku Uchiha.
Shinji walked forward slowly. "You wanted to see me?"
Fugaku nodded slightly but didn't turn around. "Yes." "I plan to enroll Itachi in the next Chunin Exams held in Konoha."
Shinji blinked once. "…That's soon."
Fugaku turned to face him. "Yes."
Shinji frowned slightly. "You know he's nine right now." "Ten when the exams actually begin."
Fugaku didn't respond.
Shinji continued. "And more importantly" "He doesn't even have a team."
The Chunin Exams weren't meant for individuals.
They were built around three-person squads.
Shinji tilted his head slightly.
"How exactly do you expect him to participate?"
Fugaku stepped forward calmly. "The boy will pass."
"He is ready."
Shinji studied his father for a moment. "You've already decided."
Fugaku didn't deny it. "Yes."
He folded his arms. "I wanted your perspective."
Shinji looked toward the shrine entrance for a moment before answering. "Itachi is strong." "But the Chunin Exams aren't just about talent."
"He looked back at his father.
"And again he doesn't have a team."
Fugaku nodded slowly.
"I'm aware."
His voice remained calm.
"The Hokage has agreed to allow a solo entry."
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "Minato approved that?"
"Yes."
That meant the decision really had already been made.
Shinji sighed. "Well."
He shrugged slightly. "If that's the case he'll probably pass."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly. "Probably?"
Shinji smirked faintly. "Unless someone stronger shows up."
Fugaku chuckled quietly. "Fair."
Then his expression grew serious again.
"You should tell him."
Shinji blinked.
"Me?"
Fugaku nodded.
Shinji turned toward the shrine exit.
"Fine."
"I'll tell him."
A few minutes later, Shinji walked through the quiet streets of the compound. Most houses were dark now. He stopped outside his house.
Shinji knocked lightly. The door slid open almost immediately.
Standing there was Itachi Uchiha.
The boy looked up at him calmly. "Shinji niisan."
Shinji leaned against the doorway. "Couldn't sleep?"
Itachi shook his head slightly. "No."
Shinji sighed. "Figures."
He stepped inside. Itachi sat back down at the low table where several small scrolls were spread out.
Shinji glanced at them. "You've been studying?"
Itachi nodded. "For the Chunin Exams."
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "So you already know."
Itachi looked up. "Father told me earlier."
Shinji sat down across from him. "Well."
He studied the boy carefully. "You're only nine."
"Ten when the exams start." Itachi nodded.
"I know."
Shinji leaned back slightly. "They're not easy."
"I know."
Shinji sighed. "You're really calm about this."
Itachi looked down at the scrolls again. "I've been preparing."
Shinji studied him for a moment. Then asked the obvious question. "Are you ready?"
Itachi looked up. "Yes."
L
Shinji couldn't help but smirk slightly.
Yeah he's an Uchiha.
Itachi hesitated slightly before speaking again. "Shinji."
"Yeah?"
The boy looked directly at him. "Will you train me?"
Shinji paused. Then exhaled slowly. "I wish I could."
Itachi tilted his head slightly.
"But now that I'm a jonin"
Shinji gestured vaguely. "My schedule's about to get a lot worse."
Itachi nodded slowly. "I understand."
Shinji leaned forward slightly. "But you won't be training alone."
Itachi looked up again.
Shinji smirked. "If you're going to take the Chunin Exams" "You should learn from the clan head."
"I will."
Shinji walked toward the door. Before leaving, he glanced back at the boy. "Don't lose."
Itachi's answer came immediately. "I won't."
Shinji chuckled quietly as he stepped outside.
The door slid shut behind him.
Inside the house, Itachi looked back down at the scrolls. The Chunin Exams were coming. And he would be ready.