Chapter 27: A Toast To The Third Hokage
"By the way, inviting everyone for a meal was just the Clan Head Kuragami's personal act, right? It doesn't affect the mission, does it?" At this moment, Ken Hyuga also stood on Kuragami Uchiha's side.
Hayate Gekko and Yugao Uzuki, along with the two civilian-born ninjas, remained silent due to the clans backing them. However, their choice to stand beside Kuragami Uchiha was already a silent declaration of support.
In just one night, some had become the targets of bullying.
And the instigators of all this had remained silent the entire time.
After the initial confrontation, the group entered the town. Tsumegumi Itsuki and Menjin Mitokado, seemingly out of spite, stormed off without a word, heading straight for the inn where most mission-bound ninjas stayed.
Meanwhile, Kuragami Uchiha led the others to another round of feasting.
"Speaking of which, do we really ignore them? What about the mission?" Ryuta Kuromu, one of the four Jōnin on this mission, was still a little worried and couldn't help but ask after finishing a glass of wine at the table.
"Relax, Ryuta."
Seiichi Nagai, the eldest among them, showed a knowing smile and said. "We're dealing with Orochimaru here, one of the legendary Sannin. Whether those two come or not makes no difference. When things get serious, it'll be up to the Clan Head Kuragami and Captain Kakashi. Our role is just to assist. Haven't you noticed that even the Inuzuka and Hyuga clans have no objections?"
"I appreciate Clan Head Kuragami's generosity, allowing us to enjoy the finest food from all across the Land of Fire, even while on a mission. I propose a toast to Clan Head Kuragami."
Seiichi Nagai declared while raising his cup enthusiastically.
"Seiichi-san, there's no need for such formalities. This is merely what I should do."
Kuragami Uchiha said, lifting his cup with a smile. "When I was just an academy student, I basked in the radiance of the will of fire spread by the third Hokage. Helping you all is simply a reflection of that very will of fire. If gratitude must be given, it should be to our third Hokage and the will of fire itself!"
"Clan Head Kuragami is absolutely right. My thinking was too shallow."
Seiichi Nagai admitted. "In fact, with your profound understanding of the will of fire, I'd say you're practically the embodiment of the third Hokage himself."
"Oh?" Kuragami Uchiha chuckled. "Now that's an interesting thought. Actually, you might not be too far off; I am, indeed, an embodiment."
"If we accomplish great things on this mission and earn merit, we must not forget the third Hokage and the will of fire!"
"Everyone, let's toast to the third Hokage! To the will of fire!" Kuragami Uchiha declared, raising his cup high before downing his drink in one go.
"To the third Hokage! To the will of fire!" The others echoed, their spirits lifted. Even the youngest, Hayate Gekko and Yugao Uzuki felt their blood boil with enthusiasm as they emptied their cups.
The atmosphere grew increasingly lively after several rounds of drinks. Compared to the night before, the group had grown more familiar, and now, intoxication loosened their tongues further.
Suddenly, Seiichi Nagai sighed.
"Seiichi-san, what's the matter?" Kuragami Uchiha asked upon noticing.
"Apologies, Clan Head Kuragami. I misspoke. I'll punish myself with three drinks."
Seiichi Nagai said before pouring himself another cup. "It's just that drinking like this reminds me of my disappointing son."
"Seiichi-san, what do you mean? You're a Jōnin, a pillar of the village. Surely, your son must be quite talented as well?" Kuragami Uchiha remarked.
"If only that were true."
Seiichi Nagai sighed. "I may have been lucky enough to become a Jōnin, but all of my jutsu were acquired through the village's exchange system. As you know, while the village doesn't mind if Jōnin passes a few basic jutsu to their relatives or students, my son inherited the Chakra nature of his late mother, who passed away six years ago. I want to teach him, but I simply don't have the ability. If he graduates next year and doesn't get assigned a good team leader, what will become of him?"
"Forget it; no need to dampen the mood."
Seiichi Nagai said, waving his hand. "I'll drink another as an apology for bringing up such worries."
"There's no need to apologize."
Kuragami Uchiha reassured him. "Caring for one's son is only natural. Your son is fortunate to have a father like you."
As he spoke, information about Seiichi Nagai surfaced in Kuragami Uchiha's mind:
Seiichi Nagai
Ninja number: 009841 (Seiichi Nagai)
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 World War. Skilled in Water Style, but due to limited talent, ranks among the weaker Jōnin in Konoha. A civilian-born ninja with little room for further advancement.
His most likely fate? Dying on some dangerous future mission or voluntarily retiring.
But clearly, this man wasn't content with that. He had sensed the growing power of the Uchiha Clan and saw an opportunity, a chance to gamble on a better future.
"Seiichi-san, have you ever considered letting your son join the Konoha Military Police Force?"
Kuragami Uchiha suggested. "The department recently recruited some new members, but next year, after the academy graduates, we're likely to expand again. If your son is interested, I can ask Captain Fugaku to keep an eye out."
"Really?"
Seiichi Nagai's eyes lit up. "That would be great! Thank you, Clan Head Uchiha! This drink is on me!"
He downed another cup of sake, and Kaze Inuzuka laughed. "Seiichi-san, you've just secured a bright future for your son! The Konoha Military Police Force pays far better than regular ninja work. Even some kids from my clan want in."
"Oh? Then why haven't I seen any Inuzuka applications?"
Kuragami Uchiha asked curiously.
"Our elders won't allow it."
Kaze Inuzuka admitted. "Our clan originally followed the Senju, so relations with the Uchiha have never been great. Plus, since most of our people use Ninja Hounds, and your clan prefers summoning Ninneko, those kids got a good beating when they brought it up, so they dropped the idea."
"That being said, our Clan Head is considering selling a batch of our newly bred police dogs to the Konoha Military Police Force. After all, when it comes to tracking criminals, Ninja Hounds are far more useful than Ninneko, don't you think?"