Makoto scooped a spoonful of miso soup. The steam, wrapped in a salty aroma, drifted past his nose, mingling with the toasted crispness of roasted seaweed, spreading warmth on his tongue.
Across the wooden table, Fugaku finished the breakfast in his bowl in a few quick bites. His bamboo chopsticks tapped lightly against the rim of the white porcelain bowl with a tok, making the bowl vibrate faintly on the table.
"I'm off to the Police Force," Fugaku's Adam's apple bobbed, his brows knitted into a deep furrow, "Lots to do today."
By the time Mikoto saw Fugaku to the courtyard gate, the morning mist had just begun to creep over the stone steps, the damp moisture wetting the straps of his geta.
With the Kumogakure's envoy arriving in Konoha to sign the ceasefire agreement, the entire village was as tense as a drawn bowstring.
Especially the Konoha's Military Police Force, holding authority over public order, had to be extra vigilant, even with their breathing.
Not long after Makoto finished breakfast, Itachi stood in the morning light. It was extremely rare for him not to be contributing to the Will of Fire today.
It wasn't that he didn't want to, but all Konoha's Shinobi were taking a break.
Whether Genin, Chunin, or Jonin, none were on missions today. Instead, they had gathered at the village entrance to welcome the Kumogakure's envoy. Konoha had even organized a grand celebration ceremony for the occasion.
"The celebration ceremony is about to start. Want to go together?"
Itachi's voice was lighter than the morning mist, the curve of his eyes exceptionally soft as he inquired.
Hearing this, Makoto didn't refuse.
Lately, Itachi had been doing missions day and night, refilling the numbers in Makoto's previously nearly emptied [Player Shop] balance.
"Let's go."
Including Mikoto, everyone in the household set out for the village entrance.
The morning mist hadn't fully dissipated yet, but Konoha's streets were already bustling.
By the time they reached the village entrance, a long line stretched from the main gate all the way to the street corner, like a winding dragon.
The morning sun had just climbed over the edge of the Hokage Rock, plating Hiruzen's Hokage robe with a golden edge.
He stood at the very front of the procession, his pipe emitting thin wisps of smoke, his face wearing its usual gentle smile, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piled into folds, but a barely perceptible gravity hid in their depths.
Behind him stood several of Konoha's higher-ups. Danzo was wrapped in his black cloak, half his face hidden in shadow, his thin fingers unconsciously rubbing his cane.
The two Konoha's elders, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, stood side by side, occasionally whispering to each other, their voices hushed.
The Konoha F4 were all present.
Further back were the heads of the various clans. The busy Fugaku was among them. Only the head of a certain clan was missing.
The streets on both sides were already packed with people. Konoha's villagers stood on tiptoe, craning their necks, their heads forming a vast, dark sea of humanity.
The entire Konoha's Military Police Force was mobilized, responsible for maintaining order.
Makoto stood on the stone steps, his gaze passing over the bobbing heads, when he suddenly met Danzo's single eye.
This old fogey, though one-eyed, had excellent vision and was currently glaring viciously at him.
Seeing this, Makoto raised an eyebrow, already starting to pick out a suitable bridge for this famous bridge sealing master in his mind.
After staring at Danzo for a moment, Makoto withdrew his gaze, scanning the entire venue.
Countless Shinobi bearing their clan crests were crowded among the masses.
After a quick sweep, Makoto inwardly clicked his tongue, 'Indeed, where there's a Sleeping Dragon, there must be a Young Phoenix.'
When he watched this part of the plot in his previous life, he found it utterly absurd… the entire village's Shinobi were here to show respect, only the Hyuga Clan was collectively absent.
Today was the third birthday of the Hyuga Clan's Main Family's heiress, Hyuga Hinata. The Hyuga Clan actually closed their doors to hold a ceremony at home, tossing the village's diplomatic affairs to the wind.
Thinking of this, Makoto couldn't help but shake his head.
'This matter was a complete slap in the face to the Hokage. This way of doing things... was it the Land of Hyuga in Konoha? Obeying orders but not acknowledging authority? Or did the Hyuga Clan place themselves above the Hokage?'
The Uchiha Clan might lack political savvy, but the Hyuga Clan was no better. Sure enough, the old saying holds true: where there's a Sleeping Dragon, there must be a Young Phoenix. (T/N: It's an ancient Chinese saying that refers to two equally brilliant strategists or individuals who appear around the same time or place.)
It's just that compared to the Uchiha's aggressive nature, the Hyuga preferred to close their doors and play by themselves.
'If I, Uchiha Makoto, became Hokage, the first thing I'd do is come down hard on such clans!'
As Makoto was thinking this, a creaking sound came as the main gate of Konoha slowly swung inward, the turning of the wooden hinges particularly grating.
The Kumogakure's envoy came into view.
Makoto looked them over carefully, memorizing their appearances. The Kumogakure's envoys had their own plans, after all.
Then he turned and left. He had matters to attend to tonight, and such crowds held no attraction for him.
Behind him, the Konoha's welcoming party erupted into enthusiastic applause. The wave of sound bounced off countless buildings, mixing with the footsteps of the Kumogakure's Shinobi, like muffled thunder before a storm.
Itachi watched Makoto's figure disappear into the sea of people but didn't ask anything.
He knew all too well Makoto's seemingly casual, yet more strong-willed than anyone, personality. He withdrew his gaze, letting it fall beside him.
Sasuke was hanging his head, black hair falling over his forehead, the tip of his shoe grinding a small pebble on the bluestone, producing a faint, crumbly sound.
His shoulders were slightly slumped, even his usually taut spine seeming deflated.
Itachi's Adam's apple bobbed gently… lately, he's been busy with all sorts of missions, so he seemed to have somewhat neglected Sasuke, who always loved following him.
He half-crouched, bringing his eyes level with Sasuke's, his voice softer than the evening breeze: "What's wrong? Sasuke, are you feeling down?"
Hearing this, Sasuke buried his head even deeper. After a moment, he whispered, leaning close to Itachi's ear.
"Makoto... he awakened the Two Tomoe Sharingan."
His small fists were clenched tight, knuckles white, the trailing tone carrying a tremble he himself didn't notice: "Nii-san is a genius, Makoto is a monster, and I... I'm nothing."
Hearing this, Itachi raised his hand, his palm gently covering the top of Sasuke's head. His fingertips brushed through the black hair, his movements so light as if afraid of breaking some priceless treasure, and he whispered comfortingly.
"I believe in Sasuke's talent. Who knows, maybe you'll awaken the Two Tomoe Sharingan directly like I did, skipping the One Tomoe stage, and keep up with Makoto."
Sasuke was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. His black pupils first showed confusion, then, after a few seconds of thought, the sun shining on him, his previously sad mood swept away.
A small flame ignited in his heart.
He stared at Itachi for two seconds, then suddenly let out a light snort, the corners of his mouth quirking high, revealing two small canine teeth: "Of course!"
He started laughing, and in his heart, he resolved to find an opportunity to properly spar with Makoto.
Even without having awakened the Sharingan yet, he, Uchiha Sasuke, feared not Uchiha Makoto with his Two Tomoe Sharingan!