Once the maid had prepared the tea and left, the living room was left with only Shiraishi, Uchiha Sora, and the Uchiha guard.
After Uchiha Sora had finished his tea, he glanced around the room and began, "There doesn't seem to be any noticeable changes here from the past. Ruri has always been quite a unique child. Getting along with her can sometimes be challenging, wouldn't you agree?"
He maintained a friendly smile throughout.
"I haven't found it particularly difficult to get along with her"
As he spoke, Shiraishi discreetly observed the. Uchiha Sora who was dressed in an out-of-fashion yet finely crafted black kimono. His white hair, evident wrinkles, and thin face, complete with a beard under his chin, gave him a frail appearance.
He had a relatively slender build, and while his body seemed slightly frail, it was not marked by scars but instead exuded a majestic and awe-inspiring aura. In his youth, he must have been an accomplished ninja. Although he was retired now, his elite ninja aura had only become more pronounced with age, making him appear truly extraordinary.
"Elder Sora, did you come to see Ruri for something specific?" Shiraishi inquired.
"It's nothing of great importance. It's been a while since I've been out shopping, and I happened to pass by here today, so I decided to drop in" Elder Sora replied casually.
Although Shiraishi wasn't familiar with Elder Sora, he wasn't sure if the elder had genuinely come just for a casual visit. Nevertheless, the reason given seemed perfectly reasonable and didn't raise any suspicions.
However, Shiraishi had heard from Ruri that this Elder Sora was the radical leader of the Uchiha clan, with a status even higher than the patriarch. It was said that he had been a follower of Uchiha Madara, and since the death of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, the Third Hokage, was wary of his abilities.
Although Elder Sora now seemed like a secluded old man uninterested in worldly affairs, it was clear that the ambition of his youth hadn't waned. His questions, though casual, carried weight because of his history and position.
Shiraishi answered Elder Sora's questions dutifully. As Ruri's mentor, he couldn't afford to be dismissive.
"Have you ever considered marriage?" Elder Sora suddenly asked, catching Shiraishi off guard.
"Huh?" Shiraishi was momentarily surprised by the unexpected question.
The question itself didn't shock him, but the abruptness with which it was raised felt somewhat odd.
"Young people these days become hesitant when it comes to marriage. In our time, as soon as two people exchanged glances, they'd be married within a year or two" Elder Sora commented, appearing to grumble.
Shiraishi showed a somewhat awkward smile.
"You'll both be eighteen soon. It's about time to think about marriage. The life of a ninja is dangerous; death can come at any moment. It's better to have children sooner rather than later" Elder Sora said, his tone low as though he were merely making casual conversation.
It was as though he were wishing death upon them with such words, which was rather inauspicious. Shiraishi couldn't help but lament inwardly.
However, Shiraishi couldn't openly object to the elder's words, given his status. So, he responded, "Well, I'll certainly consider it seriously with Ruri."
Elder Sora appeared satisfied with the response and continued sipping his tea.
"All right, it's about time for me to leave" Elder Sora announced.
"So soon? Why not stay for dinner?" Shiraishi suggested, offering dinner as a courtesy.
"No need for the trouble. I just felt like taking a stroll today and seeing how the village has changed. As one grows older, they become nostalgic for the past" Elder Sora replied.
Shiraishi could only nod in agreement. In the presence of Elder Sora, even the Third Hokage would address himself as a junior, let alone a new generation ninja like himself.
Shiraishi couldn't help but wonder about Elder Sora's intentions as he watched the elder and his Uchiha Jonin guard walk away. Did he genuinely come for a stroll? Or did he have other motives?
As Shiraishi stood at the door, he was thinking about the situation. He couldn't decipher Elder Sora's thoughts, but he concluded that it didn't concern him, and there was no need to dwell on it.
....
However, as Elder Sora continued his journey, the Uchiha guard, Rindk, couldn't help but ask, "Are you really planning to go through with this, Elder Sora?"
"Rindo, this is the only path left for the Uchiha clan" Elder Sora replied.
"But if Ruri finds out, she'll never forgive you. You understand her character better than anyone" Rindo pointed out.
"For the younger and more vigorous Uchiha flames, these old bones of mine can still be useful. Shouldn't I count myself fortunate?" Elder Sora retorted.
Indeed, as Ruri's mentor, Elder Sora fully grasped her personality and was aware of her reactions.
Once he understood this, the decision to sacrifice himself for the sake of the clan became clear.
"The current Uchiha clan is on the same path as me. The Third Hokage has pushed our clan into this corner" Elder Sora declared.
Rindo fell into a contemplative silence. He recalled the conflict between Root and Ruri a few years ago and considered the events that had unfolded.
While the Hokage strived for balance in each decision, certain matters involving the village's principles couldn't be tolerated. A delicate balance had to be maintained.
As Elder Sora had pointed out, the Hokage's loyalty to Konoha and his love for the entire village could be trusted. However, his ability to lead was questionable.
Root in this problem was the darkness that had emerged during his complacency and indecision.
"The Uchiha's only path forward is to save themselves. We shouldn't place our clan's hopes on outsiders. Uchiha men and women can only meet their end on the battlefield, even if it means their death." Elder Sora said.
"But the Third Hokage is working hard to repair our relationship with the village" Rindo added, his expression conflicted.
At Uchiha Sora's age, he should be enjoying his retirement, not continuing to fight in the political arena and sacrificing his life to illuminate the path for the clan.
"We are in the same boat. Hiruzen Sarutobi, whether he's trying to figure things out or actually solving problems, we can never get a definite answer from him. Sooner or later, the Uchiha will fall due to his 'trying to figure things out' indecisiveness. His leadership, as a Hokage who hesitates and lacks decisiveness, falls far short of Hashirama Senju. Let's go, Rindo"
Uchiha Sora snorted.
Rindo fell silent.
........
It was late, ten past seven.
"Are you back? You must be tired from your mission outside. Come over and have dinner. It'll get cold if you don't eat soon."
At the dining table, Shiraishi had already set the dishes, waiting for Ruri to join him for dinner.
Ruri didn't say anything and simply took her seat at the dining table, ready to have dinner with Shiraishi.
"How was your mission today?" Shiraishi inquired.
"It was a very ordinary C-rank task. Next year, I'll be taking the three genin to the Chunin exams. Once they pass, they can tackle A-level missions. C-rank missions aren't very exciting" Ruri replied.
Hearing this, Shiraishi couldn't help but offer silent condolences to the three genin in Ruri's team.
C-rank and D-rank missions didn't involve ninja battles. However, starting from B-rank missions, the difficulty increased significantly, including battles against other ninjas. A-rank missions involved combat with enemy ninja at a more advanced level, and failure could lead to the annihilation of the team.
Chunin were typically allowed to take on B-rank and A-ran missions once they passed their exams. Normally, a new Chunin squad would choose B-rank missions to gain experience before progressing to the more challenging A-level missions. However, Shiraishi suspected that with Ruri's personality, she might prefer to jump straight into A-rank missions as soon as her genin team became Chunin.
Compared to leading others, Ruri seemed to prefer having adventures of her own. A-rank missions were undoubtedly more interesting than lower-level missions, even though they carried greater risks.
"By the way, Elder Sora came to see you today. You weren't here. He had some tea and left" Shiraishi mentioned, recalling Elder Sora's visit earlier that evening.
"Elder Sora?" Ruri paused while eating, her brow furrowing.
"Why? Upset? I remember he taught you various combat. You must respect him, right?"
"Just an old man nearing the end of his life" Ruri replied dismissively.
"That's quite disrespectful" Shiraishi remarked.
"He came here, did he say anything unpleasant to you?" Ruri's tone carried a hint of displeasure.
Now, the Uchiha clan held significant positions in the village, with many of its members leaning towards radical ideologies.
Uchiha Sora was the leader of this faction. In Ruri's view, radicals like them had problems with their thinking. They seemed overly enthusiastic about acquiring power, as if they believed becoming Hokage was the only way to save the Uchiha clan.
To Ruri, they lived in the glory of the past, were driven by force and arrogance, and displayed a lack of intelligence. While Ruri hadn't completely distanced herself from them, she knew she didn't quite fit into that environment. Her own strength and philosophy didn't align with theirs.
Even Elder Sora, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, didn't appeal to her. Despite his ability to unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan, she had little interest in this legendary eye technique. She didn't want to meet someone who made her feel uncomfortable, not to mention that dealing with the Hokage was strictly business. She avoided unnecessary contact and made her reluctance clear.
Moreover, after mastering the Sage Mode, she didn't attach as much importance to the legendary doujutsu, the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Most importantly, after practicing Sage Art, Ruri found that she could keep her emotions calm most of the time, enabling her to think rationally. Of course, there were still moments when she couldn't stay calm.
With displeased eyes, Ruri stared at Shiraishi, who looked puzzled. He wondered if he had done something to upset her again. Perhaps he had missed a kiss by 30 seconds during their recent embrace? Maybe he should make it up to her tonight?
"How could he? He just came to see you, and I found him quite friendly."
Shiraishi said, speaking honestly.
According to Ayane, the elders of the Hyuga clan were strict and reserved, constantly putting on a facade, which bored her.
However, she had to maintain a polite demeanor at all times. In comparison, Shiraishi found Elder Sora to be kind-hearted and accommodating. He even seemed supportive of Shiraishi's relationship with Ruri.
"Don't be fooled by his friendly facade. In politics, his cunning surpasses even the Third Hokage. Even now, I can't figure out what he's thinking and what he's plotting. Just be careful."
Ruri warned with a serious expression.
"Is he really that intimidating?" Shiraishi asked, surprised by Ruri's stern assessment.
"He's the type who can chat and laugh with you one second and dispose of you with a smile the next. He's an unfeeling old man who's cold-blooded to the core. In his mind, there's already a clear distinction between what's useful and useless within the clan."
Ruri explained.
Shiraishi was taken aback by Ruri's comments about the seemingly kind Elder Sora.
"In the past, many Uchiha opposed his leadership of the radical faction. But within a few years, he silenced all opposition. Those who had voted against him either died on missions or disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Among the Uchiha clan, he's the most feared by the Hokage."
Shiraishi found Ruri's words eye-opening. "Really?"
Acknowledging that Ruri didn't exaggerate, Shiraishi considered that Elder Sora must be an extraordinary individual.
To have lived through the Warring States Period, the founding of Konoha, the deaths of the First and Second Hokage, and to still be alive today made him a witness to history. However, Shiraishi couldn't help but wonder why this was relevant to him. After all, he was the man who had caught the eye of their family's future star. He didn't need to seek approval from Elder Sora, did he?
...
December passed quickly, and January arrived. Konoha Village came alive with the approaching New Year Festival.
Ninjas temporarily put their mission tasks aside, while those with special roles continued their duties. Many of Konoha's border patrol ninjas returned home for the New Year.
However, Sunagakure remained quiet, showing no signs of starting a war. If it weren't for the orders placed by the Purple Rose for the considerable medical supplies that Suna had purchased, Shiraishi would wonder if Suna had abandoned its plans to attack the Land of Fire. Perhaps Suna wanted to celebrate the New Year, hold a lively festival, and then consider resuming the war afterward?
In this light, the Third Kazekage appeared somewhat humane, not wanting bloodshed during the New Year. After all, war during such a time was seen as an ill omen.
On the night of Konoha's New Year Festival:
"How do I look?"
Ruri turned gently in her kimono, displaying her graceful figure to Shiraishi. Her long, jet-black hair flowed like satin, the light blue kimono was both fresh and elegant, adorned with beautiful patterns, and the moon-white ribbon tied at her waist formed a bow at the back, adding a touch of playfulness. Her usual air of indifference had softened, and her eyes were noticeably kinder.
"You look beautiful" Shiraishi replied, somewhat entranced. Perhaps leaving Konoha after the New Year wouldn't be such a bad idea.
But how could he explain this to Ruri and, more importantly, when should he confess his feelings? Shiraishi found himself increasingly anxious at this critical juncture, which was unusual for him, as he wasn't typically one to hesitate.
Hand in hand, Shiraishi and Ruri strolled out of the Uchiha clan's compound. When they reached the village's commercial street, they were met with a bustling crowd. Compared to its name as a village, Shiraishi often felt that "town" better described Konoha's size.
They bought some barbecue from a street vendor and enjoyed their meal while walking, attracting the occasional playful glance from each other. Though they felt somewhat embarrassed, seeing Ruri blush and look happy made Shiraishi feel a bit more audacious.
"Cough..." Shiraishi choked suddenly, having eaten too quickly.
"You idiot, you're eating too quickly." Ruri scolded gently.
"Sorry, it's just so delicious" Shiraishi apologized.
"What's delicious?" Ruri looked up at Shiraishi. With the lively festival as a backdrop, her long, black hair cascading down to her waist, she resembled the gentle moonlight, her eyes gleaming.
"Um…" Shiraishi found the question rather philosophical. Was the food delicious, or did unmarried girls simply taste better? As he prepared to answer, a familiar voice interjected, direct and tinged with mockery:
"You two brats, do you find it fun to set off firecrackers in a place like this?"
Tsunade, wearing a light blue kimono adorned with pale yellow flower patterns, seemed to exude a ladylike aura. However, her heart was as bold as they come, a quality that had earned her the respect of countless warriors.
Beside her, Shizune, in a smaller kimono, watched Shiraishi and Ruri with curiosity. She couldn't believe that someone as ordinary as Shiraishi had such a beautiful love. Her respect for him increased considerably.
"Tsunade-Sensei, and Shizune, you're both here?" Shiraishi asked, surprised by their presence.
"With such a lively festival, how could I stay at home and not enjoy a drink?" Tsunade replied, her loud voice contrasting with her ladylike appearance.
"Is that so?" Shiraishi couldn't help but wonder about Tsunade's decision to get drunk on such a festive night.
Seeing Shizune standing there with a helpless expression, Shiraishi knew she'd have her hands full tonight.
"Yo, Tsunade, you're here" another voice chimed in.
Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, had changed out of his ninja attire into casual clothes, giving him a mature, masculine appearance, though his ever sloppy grin remained.
Beside him stood a man with a pale complexion, emanating a cold, snake-like aura - none other than Sannin, Orochimaru.
Shiraishi found it amusing that it was turning into a Sannin party tonight. With these two around, he needn't worry about Tsunade getting too drunk. Shizune would undoubtedly be the one to take care of Tsunade, a responsibility that would keep her busy throughout the night.
"It's you, Jiraiya. Didn't you agree to spend this festival with Minato?" Tsunade inquired.
"Don't mention it. These young people nowadays, they're something else. Minato and Kushina are together, and I'd just be a third wheel. I would only embarrass them" Jiraiya responded with a helpless smile.
"You fool, do you have time to worry about other people's feelings?" Tsunade scolded.
"So, how about it? Do you want to join us for a drink tonight? Orochimaru is here too, and it's been a while since we all had a drink together, right?" Jiraiya invited Tsunade to join them for drinks, unfazed by her sarcasm.
"Don't drag me into this"
Orochimaru frowned, feeling a headache coming on. These two always drank the most when they got together, and they'd keep going until they could hardly stand, ignoring everyone else's discomfort. They had bad manners and even worse drinking habits.
"What's the big deal? You're Danzo's right-hand man. Lately, you've been more distant, and I feel like we've lost touch. Now is the time to renew our friendship" Jiraiya slung his arm around Orochimaru's shoulder, chuckling.
"Fool"
Orochimaru snorted, turning his face away.
"Doesn't matter if one person drinks for three... Anyway, Shiraishi boy, can I ask you for a favor?"
Tsunade turned her attention to Shiraishi.
"Busy? What's up?" Shiraishi asked.
"The three of us are going for a drink, and Shizune will stay with you" Tsunade said, pushing the bewildered Shizune forward.
Before Shiraishi could say anything, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had already drifted away down the street, waving at him.
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then" Shiraishi muttered to himself. He scratched his head in frustration, realizing that his plans for some private time with Ruri had just been thwarted.
"Well, Shiraishi-senpai, Ruri-senpai, I hope I won't be a bother. Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble" Shizune said, bowing politely.
"No need to worry. In fact, the more, the merrier, I think" Shiraishi replied with a smile, continuing to scratch his head.
"Hypocrite"
Ruri chimed in suddenly and walked toward a clothing store.
"Shizune, why don't you have some fun on your own for a bit? I'll come pick you up later" Shiraishi suggested to Shizune.
After some consideration, Shizune realized she would only be a third wheel with Shiraishi and Ruri, making things awkward for everyone.
She nodded in agreement.
"Alright, then I will have something to eat over there" she said, pointing to the barbecue restaurant they had just visited.
"Okay, enjoy your meal. I will come get you after Ruri and I finish shopping" Shiraishi said as he handed her some money.
.....
"Darn it! This is Konoha's final festival, and I can't even steal a kiss from Shiraishi-kun!" Ayane lamented. She was dressed in the kimono that Shiraishi had given her, but it couldn't fill the emptiness she felt inside.
In front of her were piles of food, including takoyaki, grilled skewers, and fried noodles. She stuffed them into her mouth one by one, using eating as a way to vent her frustration.
"Boss, another fifty skewers of takoyaki and ten bowls of chashu ramen, please! Quick!" she called out impatiently.
"Alright, alright, just give me a moment"
The shopkeeper replied nervously. Ayane was undeniably cute, but her insatiable appetite was starting to worry him. If this continued, his small eatery would go out of business.
After all, he was the one who had put up the sign at the door saying, "You don't have to pay if you eat for three consecutive hours" in an attempt to attract customers.
"Even though Hiashi-sama said we could enjoy ourselves, you don't have to eat like this,"
Beside Ayane, Fuyuma from the Hyuga branch couldn't help but be astonished by the mountain of food disappearing in front of her. If Ayane's identity hadn't been confirmed, she might have suspected that Ayane was a spy sent by the Akimichi clan to infiltrate the Hyuga clan.
"No, not even the Akimichi clan eats like this" He thought to herself. Ayane's appetite was truly remarkable.
"Anyway, it's not just our group that's here to protect Hiashi-sama. Senpai, why don't you join us and eat?" Ayane suggested.
"No need. My mission is to protect Hiashi-sama" Fuyuma replied.
"Oh" Ayane said. She had initially intended to include him, but she understood that it would be awkward. Instead, she turned her frustration into an even bigger appetite and continued feasting.
"Boss, bring me more!"
.......
Humans can be quite noisy creatures, this was the only thought in General Tu's mind. He found himself rendered speechless, though his mental faculties remained unaffected.
Buried within the earth, he could keenly perceive the bustling activity of Konoha at that very moment. Because of this noise, he lost the motivation to freely swim through the earth.
Despite the noisy world above, he could have gone deeper into the earth where no sound could reach. But why did he long for such noise?
A glint appeared in his pitch-black eyes, and he sat still in a dim corner, silently watching Konoha's festival.
If only onne day he could openly participate in such an event..
A child ran over over and inadvertently stepped on his head.
Konoha's brats were so annoying.
He thought that maybe someday he should stuff a few exploding tags at this location to enjoy some peace and quiet.
However, today there were no missions, and the time felt unusually idle.
Accustomed to running errands, General Tu suddenly found himself with nothing to do. He didn't know what to do with his newfound leisure.
His younger sister, Ameyu, and his younger brother, Raimei were working in the Land Of Demons, while their elder sister, Shadow Dancer, always acted like a child who never grew up, sticking to their father and mother, seeking their affection.
Even though he was only three years old, their father had told him that he was no longer a child, but a mature adult. So, he couldn't be clingy or act as childishly as his siblings.
A man who loved his work was a mature man. Even during the festival, he remained vigilant, never letting his guard down.
General Tu was a diligent individual.
....,...
The festival was halfway through when Shiraishi and Ruri decided to return early. Despite being away from the bustling atmosphere of the village, the festivities were still ongoing and would likely continue until midnight.
Explosions resonated in the night sky, with brilliant fireworks bursting into colorful patterns.
"It's truly beautiful" Shiraishi remarked.
"Yes" Ruri agreed.
Even though individual sparks were fleeting, when they all came together, it created a sense of awe-inspiring beauty.
Just like humans, one person's light might be limited, but when everyone's efforts combined, it created a radiant display, much like the beauty in the night sky.
Shiraishi saw not just fireworks but also the love and determination of the people for life, sharing in their joy and excitement despite being away from the crowd.
In a peaceful courtyard, Shiraishi and Ruri watched fireworks burst across the night sky.
Unable to contain his emotions, Shiraishi pulled Ruri into his arms. She leaned against his shoulder, blushing, and they savored the happiness that was uniquely theirs.
Shiraishi gently ran his fingers through Ruri's silky hair.
Gradually, the sounds of the surrounding revelry seemed to fade, leaving only the faint echoes of fireworks in their eyes.
Their heartbeats resonated clearly, and Ruri initiated a kiss. Shiraishi responded, and their embrace grew passionate.
Their smooth skin and tender bodies radiated warmth, and the roles quickly reversed.
Shiraishi stared, flushed, as Ruri took control.
At this point, words were unnecessary—actions spoke louder.
Together, they surrendered to this moment
.....
As the festival neared its end, the liveliness and noise gradually faded away.
"Well, young lady, our shop is closing. Won't you leave?" The owner of the barbecue restaurant called out to the dispirited girl sitting outside in the chilly breeze.
Shizune appeared oblivious to the owner's plea, her gaze fixed on the distance.
'Why… Why… Why hasn't Shiraishi-senpai come to pick me up as promised? Didn't he agree to retrieve me after shopping with Ruri-senpai?'
'Shiraishi-senpai, you're a big liar!. I'll report this to Tsunade-sama, and you'll regret it, Shiraishi-senpai!'
Shizune's heart was filled with resentment and anger.
---------
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