Chapter 27: Paying Respects to the Third Hokage

"Technically, inviting everyone to dinner is just a personal gesture by the Uchiha clan head; it shouldn't impact our mission, right?" Hinata Kenya stood by Uchiha Toukan’s side.

Gekko Hayate, Uzuki Yugao, and the two civilian ninjas, constrained by the influence of the clans behind them, did not speak up. However, their physical positioning beside Uchiha Toukan served as a silent show of support.

In just a single night, they had become the protagonists of an American-style bullying campaign. And the instigator of all this had not uttered a single word since the beginning.

After the commotion subsided, the group entered the town. Utatane Ki and Mitokado Hayato, acting as if they were nursing a grudge, headed straight for a low-end inn—the kind typically chosen by ninjas on missions—without so much as a greeting.

Uchiha Toukan, meanwhile, led the rest of the group into another round of dining.

"Say, are we really going to ignore them? What about the mission?" Kuroki Ryutai, one of the four jonin on this mission, still harbored concerns. After draining a glass of sake, he couldn't help but ask.

"Brother Kuroki, set your mind at ease. Whether they come or not makes no difference to this mission," said Nagai Seiichi, the eldest among them, seeing things with crystal clarity. "That is Orochimaru we're talking about, one of the legendary Sannin. For ordinary jonin like us, one or two more or less won't make a decisive difference. When the critical moment comes, we have to rely on the Uchiha clan head and Captain Kakashi. We just need to handle the support work. Haven't you noticed? Even the Inuzuka and the Hyuga have no objections."

"I am grateful for Clan Head Toukan’s generosity, allowing us to enjoy the delicacies of the Land of Fire even while on a mission. I propose a toast to Clan Head Toukan," Nagai Seiichi said, lifting his cup with a hearty flourish.

"Brother Seiichi, you shouldn't say that; this is only what I ought to do," Uchiha Toukan replied, raising his own cup. "When I was just a child in the Ninja Academy, I was already bathed in the brilliance of the Will of Fire spread by the Third Hokage. Being able to resolve problems for all of you—is that not the very embodiment of the Will of Fire? If you want to thank someone, you should thank our Third Hokage, thank the Will of Fire!"

"Clan Head Toukan is right. My thinking was shallow," Nagai Seiichi said. "However, according to what you say, Lord Toukan, a ninja with such a profound understanding of the Will of Fire as yourself... to me, you are like the very incarnation of the Third Hokage."

"Oh?" Uchiha Toukan laughed. "That actually makes some sense. Truth be told, I am an incarnation."

"In this mission, as we achieve results and earn merit, we must never forget the Third Hokage, never forget the Will of Fire."

"Everyone, a toast to the Third Hokage! A toast to the Will of Fire!" With that, Uchiha Toukan raised his glass high and downed the sake in one gulp.

"To the Third Hokage! To the Will of Fire!" Following Uchiha Toukan’s lead, the youngest among them, Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao, felt their blood boil with excitement and drank their cups dry as well. The others followed suit in succession.

...

Three rounds of drinks later, the group, now more familiar with one another than they had been yesterday, loosened up. By now, a flush of intoxication colored everyone’s faces.

It was then that Nagai Seiichi suddenly sighed.

"Why the sigh, Brother Seiichi?" Uchiha Toukan asked upon noticing.

"My apologies, Clan Head Toukan. It was rude of me. I shall punish myself with three cups in a moment," Nagai Seiichi said. "I’ve had a bit to drink, and I couldn't help but think of my good-for-nothing son."

"Brother Seiichi, what are you saying? You are a jonin of the village, a pillar of support. I’m sure your son must be exceptionally gifted," Uchiha Toukan said.

"If only that were true," Nagai Seiichi sighed. "Though I became a jonin through sheer luck, my ninjutsu skills were all exchanged for within the village. While the village doesn't pursue jonin teaching a few low-level techniques to relatives or disciples, my son inherited the chakra affinity of my late wife, who sacrificed herself six years ago. I want to teach him, but my heart is willing while my strength is lacking. If he graduates next year and fails to be assigned a good lead teacher, what will he do?"

"Forget it, let's not talk about this," Nagai Seiichi waved his hand. "I’ve dampened everyone’s spirits. I’ll punish myself with a drink."

"Don't say that. Considering one's son is only natural. With a father like you, your son must be very happy," Uchiha Toukan said, while the intelligence on Nagai Seiichi surfaced in his mind.

Nagai Seiichi, Ninja ID: 009841. Missions completed: 472 D-rank, 617 C-rank, 391 B-rank, 122 A-rank, 4 S-rank. Promoted to jonin during the Third Great Ninja War. Skilled in Water Release, but limited by his natural talent; his strength ranks among the weakest of the jonin class in Konoha. Moreover, coming from a civilian background, he has no room for further advancement.

His ultimate fate would most likely be death on some dangerous future mission or voluntary retirement.

However, it seemed he wasn't a man content with his lot. Having sensed the Uchiha clan’s potential for major moves, he realized the opportunity and was eager to advance—he wanted to place a bet.

"Brother Seiichi, have you considered having your son join the Military Police Force? Although the Police Force has recently recruited a batch of new people, I expect they will expand again after the new academy students graduate next year. If your son has the inclination, I will ask Captain Fugaku to keep an eye out."

Uchiha Toukan naturally extended an olive branch. He was not afraid of subordinates with ambition; as long as they were loyal to him, he could provide far more than they could ever imagine.

"Really?" Nagai Seiichi said, pleasantly surprised. "Then many thanks, Clan Head Uchiha! I toast you with this cup!"

After Nagai Seiichi downed his drink, Inuzuka Fū, who sat to the side, laughed: "Brother Seiichi, you’ve found a great path for your son. The benefits of the Police Force are much higher than those for ordinary ninjas. We even have a few brats in our clan who want to join."

"Is that so? Then why haven't I seen the children of the Inuzuka clan on the application list?" Uchiha Toukan asked curiously.

"The elders in our clan won't allow it," Inuzuka Fū said. "Our ancestors were aligned with the Senju clan, so our relationship with you Uchiha isn't exactly good. Plus, since most of your people use ninja cats as summons, those kids got a beating, and the matter was dropped."

"However, our clan head is considering promoting a batch of our newly bred police dogs to the Military Police Force. After all, when it comes to tracking criminals, ninja dogs are always more useful than ninja cats, aren't they?"