Chapter 21: Bows, Arrows, and Shuriken

After reporting to the Hokage, Uchiha Douhuan’s days finally settled into a rare period of calm.

The recruitment of civilian ninjas into the Police Force went smoothly. After the news spread about Douhuan standing up to the two advisors at the department gates, the civilian ninjas’ impression of the Uchiha clan changed significantly. Upon hearing that the clan was now led by Douhuan—the man who had championed "smiling law enforcement"—they cast aside their concerns and came to apply.

Even several youngsters who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy without being assigned a team leader came knocking, hoping to secure a position within the force. In less than a week, the Police Force had fulfilled the doubling of its recruitment quota as ordered by Douhuan.

With Douhuan’s "smiling law enforcement" policy implemented throughout the department, he himself moved into a luxurious mansion in the heart of the clan district, as arranged by his kin. The very first thing he did after settling into his new home was to set up an archery range in the courtyard.

With his temporary reprieve from duty, Douhuan’s daily routine consisted of drinking tea, taking a stroll through the Police Force, having the captured Shimura clan members in the interrogation room thumbprint evidence of Danzo’s crimes, and then returning home to drink tea and practice archery.

One afternoon, after returning from the department as usual, Douhuan swapped his flak jacket for a haori and began practicing his marksmanship in the yard. He held his breath, focused his mind, and sent two consecutive arrows straight into the bullseye.

At that moment, Uchiha Keiko, the housekeeper assigned to him, entered the courtyard. "Clan Leader, Hatake Kakashi is here to see you."

"Show him in," Douhuan said without turning back.

"Yes."

Shortly after Keiko withdrew, Kakashi followed her into the yard. Once she had led him there, she discreetly retreated, closing the gate to the rear courtyard behind her.

"By order of the Hokage, the mission to capture the rogue ninja Orochimaru will officially commence the day after tomorrow," Kakashi announced.

Douhuan did not speak, keeping his gaze fixed on the target. He held his breath, drew his bow, and released another arrow, which struck the center perfectly. Seeing this, Kakashi said nothing more; he simply found a pillar in the yard to lean against and pulled his beloved *Make-Out Tactics* from his pocket.

For a time, the only sound in the courtyard was the *swish* of arrows cutting through the air.

After emptying his quiver, Douhuan paused his practice. "Regarding the matter of Senior White Fang, I apologize; this is all I can do for now."

"About that," Kakashi replied, setting his book aside with a serious expression, "thank you. It is already enough."

In recent days, the village had launched a sudden campaign on the "Study of the Will of Fire." During this campaign, his father, Hatake Sakumo, was repeatedly mentioned as a positive example of a hero who embodied the Will of Fire. Some of the village children were only then learning that such a heroic ninja had once existed in their village.

"Care to try?" Douhuan asked with a smile, holding out his longbow to Kakashi.

"A bow? I’m not very good at this," Kakashi declined. "Besides, for a ninja, shuriken are more fitting, wouldn't you say?"

"Shuriken, you say?" Douhuan’s right hand brushed his ninja tool pouch. Four black shadows shot out instantly; they collided in mid-air and, at impossible angles, struck the center of the target fifty paces away.

"The Uchiha clan's shurikenjutsu is indeed exquisite," Kakashi praised.

"It is nothing more than the result of practice," Douhuan wiped his hands and picked up the longbow again. "Kakashi, in truth, whether it is a bow or a shuriken, they were forged for the same purpose: as weapons to kill." He released another arrow, hitting the bullseye once more. "However, I happen to prefer the bow."

A look of confusion crossed Kakashi’s face. He thought that bows were weapons used only by the long-obsolete samurai. If one sought convenience and efficiency, shuriken were clearly the superior choice for a ninja.

"While shuriken are convenient, you can rarely recover more than one in ten after use. Even the finest refined iron only makes them slightly easier to handle. But a bow is different—as long as the bow is intact, you can always replenish your arrows. And ultimately, it is the bow that decides where the arrow flies."

The sound of wind being split echoed as another arrow struck the bullseye. This time, Douhuan infused it with chakra, shattering the shuriken that had previously been pinned there.

Hearing this, Kakashi fell into deep thought.

"Well, Kakashi, would you like to try?" Douhuan asked, looking back at him.

"Then... I suppose I will," Kakashi replied after a moment of hesitation.

"Keiko, bring a new bow for Captain Kakashi," Douhuan called out toward the courtyard gate.

Before long, Uchiha Keiko returned carrying a longbow, offering it with both hands. Kakashi took the weapon, inspecting it closely, but it still felt foreign to him. Although the Hatake family had transitioned from a line of samurai, since his father’s generation—aside from maintaining swordsmanship as their primary means of combat—they had been quite pure ninjas. He had never touched a bow in his life.

Kakashi nocked an arrow, drawing the string with some clumsiness, and aimed at the target fifty paces away.

"Straighten your body. Use your spirit to connect the arrow to the target. Before the arrow is released, the intent must fly first," Douhuan’s voice sounded in his ear. Following these instructions, Kakashi awkwardly adjusted his stance, aiming at the center of the target.

He held the pose but did not release the arrow for a long time.

"Kakashi, calm your heart," Douhuan noted, offering a gentle reminder.

Kakashi took a deep breath, settling his restless mind, and finally loosed the arrow. As it cut through the air, he watched it intently. Being his first time, he realized mid-flight that his shot was off-target, and a flicker of regret crossed his face.

Just then, the sound of a bowstring snapping echoed in his ear. Kakashi turned to see Douhuan, whose longbow was still vibrating slightly.

Looking back to the air, he saw a second arrow overtake the first, colliding with it in mid-flight. Even more incredibly, after the impact, both arrows continued straight toward the target.

With two dull thuds, both arrows struck the bullseye, one after the other.

Kakashi looked at Douhuan in astonishment, only to be met with a meaningful, knowing smile.