Chapter 100: The calm before the storm (part 3)

In one of the many training fields next to the Uchiha clan compound, stood a small boy with short black hair, and wearing dark colored blue clothes.

He was wearing gear and bandages on several spots on his body while throwing several shurikens at a lone tree.

The boy was Uchiha Takao.

An orphan boy whose only remaining relative was his grandmother, with whom he lived near the outskirts of the clan.

*Thud*

- Alright I did it!

The boy managed to hit the 3 targets with 3 separate shuriken he had thrown.

Making the boy happy with his current progress.

- Itsuki was right.(Though I wouldn't say that to him...he gets weird when he gets praised)...but those strength building exercises and those other exercises that he made me do to keep my arm from shaking really helped.

The boy said as he began spinning his arm to make it less tense, since he had been training for several hours.

- It really is all within the fingers and wrist. I rarely miss from this distance now...but Itsuki is quite late today.

The boy looked towards the direction where his friend usually arrives when they decide to meet for training or sparring lessons but this time he was quite late.

And rather late.

No matter how many times he looked in the same location, the person he was waiting for never arrived.

-I wonder what happened to him? Maybe I should cut today's training-!

*rustling*

Suddenly the boy looked up as he heard the sound of something crackling from above his location.

Which prompted him to look above and he quickly caught sight of a figure perched on a tree branch.

To be more precise, he saw a figure of a boy perched on a large tree branch.

One of many available within the forest, since the forest he was in was quite thick with vegetation and rather impressively tall trees.

But to Takao the fact that Itsuki had finally arrived lifted his spirits as he was rather lonely and contemplating of going home, but only stayed because it was rare for Itsuki to not show up for training; so he was rather worried.

- Ah! You're late, Itsuki!- pouted Takao as he pointed at his friend and older brother figure.

-...Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to make you wait, but I got delayed. (Itsuki)

Looking at Itsuki apologetic face and demeanor, the boy thought it was quite different from his usual demeanor.

Especially the fact that he apologized.

It wasn't uncommon for him to do as much but still Takao didn't really think much of it.

He just figured that he probably knew that he was in the wrong and had no excuse to make him wait this long without warning him beforehand or telling him if he would come later than usual.

- I know, but sorry. Can we cancel today's exercise? Something came up. I will make sure to make it to you later. (Itsuki)

The boy said in an apologetic tone.

Takao was quite weak to people sweet talking or praising him.

So he usually was a person easy to forgive others or those who wronged him.

He was overall quite naïve and gullible.

- Alright, but you have to take me out for launch next time, you hear!

-... Yeah, I will. But I can't treat you that much. I am quite broke, especially recently. (Itsuki)

- That's always your excuse.

- Yeah, forgive me...about that. Anyway I really got to go.  (Itsuki)

- Huh?

As soon as the boy perched on a tree to apologize to Takao, he quickly left the area by jumping onto another tree branch further away.

And did the same several times until he was completely gone.

- Wait! Itsuki! When did he get that fast?

Although Takao knew that Itsuki had started his training faster than himself and could jump quite high, it was the first him seeing his friend move that fast.

- Tche! That Itsuki didn't even wait for me to finish talking... I will definitely have him teach me how to move that fast next time.

The boy said, looking at the direction from where his friend had left.

- Whatever, I should go home early today and surprise granny.

The boy grabbed his weapons from the several targets and locations he had thrown them towards and stored them before he left. 

Running towards his house at full speed.

Eager to learn new tricks and experience days yet to come.

Chapter end.