Chapter 38: The Inuzuka Clan's Choice
Uchiha Douhuan led Sasuke to the backyard where he usually practiced archery, lighting the lanterns along the corridor.
"What jutsu do you already know?" Douhuan asked.
"My brother taught me the Three Basic Techniques, and just a few days ago I learned Lightning Release: Thunderball," Sasuke replied, his eyes lighting up with excitement at the mention of his accomplishments.
"Thunderball, huh? Let me see," Douhuan said calmly.
"Yes!" Sasuke nodded eagerly, forming hand seals at lightning speed. In no time, a golden lightning ball over a meter in diameter appeared, floating in the air before launching forward and exploding after traveling about seven or eight meters. A brilliant white light briefly illuminated the dim backyard.
With pride evident on his face, Sasuke turned to Douhuan, clearly expecting praise.
Instead, Douhuan smacked Sasuke on the back of the head with a loud slap, leaving the boy stunned.
"What the hell was that? I asked you to demonstrate a jutsu, not destroy my lawn!"
"I-I'm sorry..." Sasuke muttered weakly, rubbing his head.
"Watch carefully. This is how you really use the Thunderball."
Douhuan snapped his fingers, and a small, dark blue lightning ball, only about ten centimeters in diameter, appeared in midair. Despite its small size, Sasuke could feel the energy within it was far denser and more controlled than his own version.
Douhuan moved his fingers slightly, and the lightning ball began to circle around both of them, tracing graceful arcs through the air. Sasuke watched, eyes wide with amazement.
After a few rotations, Douhuan snapped his fingers again, sending the ball soaring into the sky where it exploded in a beautiful display like a firework.
"Amazing..." Sasuke murmured, utterly captivated.
"See that? Practice until you can do the same. Once you've mastered this level of control, I'll teach you something else," Douhuan instructed.
"Yes!" Sasuke answered confidently, filled with determination.
Douhuan couldn't help but smile at Sasuke's enthusiasm. He knew the boy would likely struggle with this challenge for quite a while. Controlling chakra at such a refined level was something even many Chunin specializing in Lightning Release couldn't accomplish. Sasuke was in for a long, grueling process of practice.
However, if Sasuke could master it, his grasp of other techniques in the future would be exponentially easier. Moreover, the training would also temper his temperament, hopefully preventing him from turning into that impulsive and reckless version from the original timeline.
Once Sasuke left, Douhuan changed into training gear, preparing for his own nightly practice.
Before leaving, he gave some instructions to his attendant:
"Hueko-san, send invitation letters to both the Inuzuka Clan and the Aburame Clan."
"Now, at this hour?" Hueko asked, slightly surprised.
"It's fine. I don't think they'll mind," Douhuan replied confidently.
"And in whose name should the invitations be sent?"
"Inuzuka's will be sent in the name of the Police Force, while the Aburame's will be sent under my personal name."
"Understood." Hueko bowed and quickly set off to carry out the task.
---
The Inuzuka Clan was far from calm that night after receiving Douhuan's invitation. They immediately convened a clan meeting.
Unlike the chaotic shouting matches typical of Uchiha meetings, Inuzuka clan meetings were efficient and well-organized. In the clan's shrine, around a modestly sized table, sat the Inuzuka Clan Head, Inuzuka Jaw, along with three other important members, including the Great Elder, Inuzuka Kotsu.
Jaw glanced at the invitation lying in the center of the table before speaking:
"What do you all think of this invitation?"
The old Great Elder, Kotsu, spoke first, stroking his chin.
"An act of goodwill from the Uchiha Clan? That's rare indeed."
Jaw nodded. "This new Uchiha leader is quite different from the previous ones. Kaze, you've worked with him on a mission. What's your impression?"
Inuzuka kaze, the youngest of the four, scratched his chin, contemplating his answer.
"To be honest, I can't see through him at all."
This admission made everyone frown.
"But," Wind added, "I think working with him wouldn't be a loss. Let me explain what happened during the mission..."
Wind then recounted the events that took place during the mission to capture Orochimaru and how Douhuan had dealt with the situation.
After listening, Kotsu gave a low chuckle.
"This Douhuan truly seems to be an exceptional individual."
Jaw asked cautiously, "So... should we fully ally ourselves with the Uchiha Clan?"
"No," Kotsu shook his head. "He sent the invitation under the Police Force's name, giving us some flexibility. Let's start small. Prepare a gift of around twenty of our finest adult ninja dogs as a show of goodwill."
"That's not enough," Kotsu interjected again. "We should also select some dog trainers and talented ninja hounds to join the Police Force. Perhaps we can even negotiate for a few permanent spots in their unit."
Jaw hesitated, his brow furrowing.
"That would be seen as openly siding with the Uchiha. Isn't that too much, Elder?"
Kotsu took a deep breath, his old eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"Jaw, you know why I've always told you to act with caution, right? Our clan, despite having traditions dating back to the Warring States period, has always been a small clan. We don't have powerful bloodline limits, just some dog-taming techniques. Careful management over generations is what's kept us alive and somewhat prosperous. But..."
He paused, then continued with determination:
"381 years ago, our ancestors chose to side with the Senju Clan, and that decision built the foundation for today's Inuzuka. Now, another opportunity lies before us."
Kaze spoke up, grinning.
"Personally, I don't think it's a bad move. The Inuzuka have always been pushed to the village's outskirts. If the Boar-Deer-Butterfly Alliance can secure a stable position, why can't we?"
Jaw was still hesitant, but after seeing the agreement among the elders and Wind's confidence, he finally nodded.
"Very well. We'll take the first step. Wind, prepare the dogs and trainers as the Elder instructed. I'll personally deliver the gift to the Police Force."
With the meeting concluded, the Inuzuka Clan had made their choice.
As the night deepened, Douhuan looked up at the starry sky, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
"The first piece has moved. Good."