Chapter 27: A Toast to the Third Hokage
"Speaking of which, inviting everyone to dinner is just the Uchiha Clan Leader's personal gesture. It doesn't interfere with the mission, does it?" Hyūga Ken'ya now openly stood on Uchiha Douhuan's side.
Moonlight Hayate, Uzuki Yūgao, and the two civilian shinobi, though cautious due to their clan ties, showed silent support by standing beside Douhuan.
In just one evening, Taku Homura and Hayato Koharu had become the targets of what could only be described as American-style ostracization.
And the mastermind behind it all—Uchiha Douhuan—hadn't even said a word.
Once the tension settled, the group entered the town. Homura and Koharu, still sulking, stormed off without so much as a word, heading for the cheapest lodgings typically used by mission-bound shinobi.
Meanwhile, Douhuan led the others to yet another feast.
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"Are we really just going to ignore them? What about the mission?" One of the four jōnin on this mission, Kuroki Ryūtai, expressed his concern over his cup of sake.
"Kuroki, don't worry about it," said the eldest of the group, Nagai Seiji, as he poured himself another drink. "This is Orochimaru we're dealing with—one of the legendary Sannin. Whether those two come along or not won't make a difference. When things get serious, it'll be Uchiha Clan Leader Douhuan and Captain Kakashi taking the lead. Our job is to support them. You don't see Inuzuka or Hyūga complaining, do you?"
"In that case, I'd like to raise a toast to Clan Leader Douhuan, for his generosity in letting us enjoy the delicacies of the Fire Country even during missions!" Nagai Seiji lifted his cup enthusiastically.
"Seiji-dono, that's too much praise," Douhuan responded, smiling warmly as he raised his own cup. "When I was just a boy in the Academy, I was already basking in the warmth of the Will of Fire, spread by our Third Hokage. Ensuring my comrades are well-treated—is that not the best embodiment of the Will of Fire? If you must give thanks, then let us thank our great Third Hokage and his legacy!"
"You're absolutely right, Clan Leader Douhuan. My thinking was too shallow," Nagai Seiji said, nodding deeply. "Now that you mention it, someone like you, who understands the Will of Fire so profoundly, is almost like a reincarnation of the Third Hokage himself!"
"Oh?" Douhuan chuckled. "That's an interesting perspective. Perhaps I am just an avatar of the Will of Fire."
"So when we complete this mission and earn recognition, we must not forget the Third Hokage. We must not forget the Will of Fire."
"Everyone—raise your cups! To the Third Hokage! To the Will of Fire!" Douhuan declared, downing his drink in one go.
"To the Third Hokage! To the Will of Fire!" The enthusiasm spread like wildfire. Even the youngest among them, Moonlight Hayate and Uzuki Yūgao, were caught up in the moment and drained their cups as well.
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As the drinks kept flowing, the camaraderie grew even stronger than the night before. Faces turned red, and laughter filled the air.
But then, Nagai Seiji suddenly let out a long sigh.
"Seiji-dono, why the heavy sigh?" Douhuan asked.
"My apologies, Clan Leader Douhuan. I've spoken out of turn. I'll take three penalty drinks for ruining the mood," Seiji said before pouring himself a generous serving.
"Nonsense! It's only natural for a father to worry about his son. What weighs on your mind?" Douhuan inquired.
"I only wish my son was as talented as you say," Seiji sighed again. "I may have been lucky enough to be promoted to jōnin, but all my techniques were purchased through the village's exchange system. As a result, I lack the means to personally teach my son, who inherited his chakra nature from my late wife. If he doesn't get a good sensei after graduation next year… what then?"
"Forget it, no point talking about such things. I don't want to spoil the mood." Seiji shook his head, raising his glass. "I'll just drink to that and move on."
"But Seiji-dono, looking out for your child is a father's duty. Your son is fortunate to have such a caring parent," Douhuan replied, mind already running through the intel he had on Nagai Seiji.
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Nagai Seiji
Ninja Registration Number: 009841
Mission Record:
D-Rank: 472
C-Rank: 617
B-Rank: 391
A-Rank: 122
S-Rank: 4
Background: Promoted to jōnin during the Third Shinobi War. Specializes in Suiton (Water Release). Due to limited talent, ranks among the weaker jōnin in Konoha.
Potential Fate: Likely to die in a future dangerous mission or retire voluntarily.
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Clearly, Seiji wasn't the type to sit back and let fate take its course. He was an ambitious man who had sensed the Uchiha Clan's growing influence and was trying to seize an opportunity.
"Seiji-dono, have you considered having your son join the Police Force?" Douhuan proposed. "Although we recently recruited a batch of newcomers, we'll likely expand again next year when fresh Academy graduates enter the workforce. If your son is interested, I'll personally request Captain Fugaku to keep an eye out for him."
It was a natural offer, and Douhuan had no qualms about bringing more ambitious people under his wing—so long as they remained loyal to him. He could offer far more than they ever dreamed.
"Really? That would be an incredible opportunity!" Seiji said, delighted. "I owe you my deepest gratitude, Clan Leader Douhuan!"
Raising his cup, Seiji gave a toast.
Inuzuka Kaze laughed and chimed in, "Seiji-dono, you've just set your son up for a great future! The Police Force's pay and benefits are far better than what most shinobi get. Even some kids in my clan want to join!"
"Oh? Then why haven't I seen any Inuzuka names in the application records?" Douhuan asked, feigning curiosity.
"The elders wouldn't allow it," Inuzuka Kaze admitted. "Historically, we've been aligned with the Senju Clan, and relations with the Uchiha haven't always been the best. Plus, since most of your clan contracts with ninja cats, things get a little… tense. The kids who tried were given a thorough beating, so they dropped the idea."
"But our clan head has been considering something else—proposing a deal to the Police Force. We'd like to supply you with our latest breed of ninja hounds. After all, when it comes to tracking down criminals, dogs are a lot more useful than cats, aren't they?"
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