Chapter 24: The Uchiha Clan Has Always Been Generous to Friends

"You're very slow. Is this the standard of a ninja from the Uchiha clan?" No sooner had the three of them—Uchiha Touhuan and his companions—arrived than the Jonin from the Utatane clan launched a verbal assault.

As these words fell, the two civilian ninjas standing nearby, who had intended to greet Uchiha Touhuan, froze in their tracks, unsure of how to react. After all, both the Uchiha and the Utatane were clans they could not afford to offend, even if they themselves were at least Special Jonin.

Uchiha Touhuan glanced at the speaker, gave a disdainful smile, and ignored him entirely. He walked over to the two civilian ninjas, a warm smile on his face, and took the initiative to extend his hand.

"I am Uchiha Touhuan. It is an honor to be executing this mission with you all."

The two civilian ninjas were somewhat flattered to shake his hand. They had not expected that this new head of the Uchiha clan—a powerhouse who had already made a name for himself during the Third Great Ninja War—would be so easy to approach.

"Nagai Seiichi. Please look after us during this mission, Clan Head Touhuan."

"Kuroki Ryuta. With you here, I am sure this mission will be completed successfully."

"Not at all. We must rely on everyone working together sincerely," Uchiha Touhuan said with a laugh.

Seeing that Uchiha Touhuan and his companions had completely ignored them, the Utatane Jonin, Utatane Itsuki, grew indignant. "Did you not hear what I said? You arrive so late, and you don't even offer an apology?"

"If I recall correctly, we have not yet reached the agreed-upon meeting time," Uchiha Touhuan replied, turning back with a cold gaze.

Behind him, Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Yakuto instantly activated their Sharingan, fixing their eyes on the others.

"Furthermore, did your elders never teach you to show at least a modicum of respect toward those stronger than you?" Three tomoe slowly rotated in Uchiha Touhuan’s eyes.

Inuzuka Kaze, Gekko Hayate, and Uzuki Yugao had originally intended to come over and greet Uchiha Touhuan, but seeing the situation, they chose to remain onlookers. As for the two members of the Hyuga clan, they simply stood with their arms crossed, watching the scene with cold eyes.

"Alright, since everyone is here, let's head out," Kakashi said, putting away his "Make-Out Tactics" novel and stepping between the group.

"Since Captain Kakashi has spoken, let's go." Uchiha Touhuan deactivated his Sharingan and smiled once more.

Although the initial encounter was not particularly pleasant, the group followed Kakashi to the village gates to complete their departure procedures.

***

There was no rush for this mission, so the group did not hurry. According to intelligence, Orochimaru had recently been spotted near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Fields, so their destination lay to the north of the village.

While traveling, the ninja hound belonging to Inuzuka Kaze, known as Merumaru, kept trying to nuzzle up to Uchiha Touhuan.

"Your nose is truly sharp, little guy," Uchiha Touhuan said with a laugh, taking several pieces of raw meat from a storage scroll and feeding them to the hound.

After eating, Merumaru yipped in satisfaction and licked Uchiha Touhuan’s palm.

"Huh? It’s strange that Merumaru would be so friendly to someone from the Uchiha clan," Inuzuka Kaze said, looking surprised. It was well known that while the Inuzuka and Uchiha clans had no major conflicts, their relationship was rarely friendly, given that the Inuzuka raised dogs while most of the Uchiha formed summoning contracts with ninja cats.

"It’s probably because I’m one of the few in my clan who didn't sign a contract with the ninja cats. Besides, since my summoning creature is a ninja hawk, I keep raw meat on me often, and the little guy must have smelled it," Uchiha Touhuan laughed.

"I see." Inuzuka Kaze offered a hearty smile.

With this small interaction, the distance between Inuzuka Kaze and Uchiha Touhuan narrowed significantly. That was how the Inuzuka clan worked: as long as you got along with their dogs, they would become exceptionally friendly.

Seeing this, Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao also came over to greet Uchiha Touhuan.

As time passed, the group grew more familiar with one another. Even the two Hyuga ninjas, encouraged by Uchiha Touhuan’s ice-breaking efforts, dropped their guard and joined the conversation. Meanwhile, Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato, who had been hostile from the start, were gradually isolated.

By evening, the group reached Tanzaku Town in the northern Land of Fire.

"It’s getting late. Let’s rest here for the night," Kakashi said.

No one raised any objections. Kakashi led them to a small inn to check in, but just then, Uchiha Touhuan spoke up: "How can anyone get a good rest in a place like this?"

"Hmph, we are on a mission, not here to be picky," Utatane Itsuki scoffed, looking at him with disdain. "If you're not satisfied, you should have gone back sooner."

Uchiha Touhuan ignored their snide remarks and said, "Since we are fated to be in the same squad, I will cover the expenses for today. Kakashi, as our captain, you don't have any objections, do you?"

"Of course not," Kakashi nodded.

"That's good." With that, Uchiha Touhuan walked toward the center of town.

The others hesitated for a moment, especially the two civilian ninjas. But seeing Kakashi follow Uchiha Touhuan without a second thought, they followed suit, leaving Utatane Itsuki and Mitokado Hayato standing where they were.

Uchiha Touhuan took the group to the most luxurious hot spring inn in town. After booking a suite for everyone, he suggested they find a place to have a few drinks, a proposal no one opposed.

They had expected Uchiha Touhuan to treat them to a meal at a local barbecue joint at best, but to their surprise, he led them to the most prestigious restaurant in the city.

This establishment catered mostly to the nobility and wealthy merchants of the Land of Fire. Among the group, even Inuzuka Kaze, who held a decent standing within his clan, had never frequented such a place. As for the two civilian ninjas, although they were Jonin, they lived frugally to save for ninjutsu scrolls; a place like this was beyond their imagination.

Consequently, once they were seated, everyone felt a bit restrained.

Uchiha Touhuan, sitting at the head of the table, raised his glass first.

"Thank you all for giving me the honor of your company. Since we are here, let's relax. The Uchiha clan has always been generous to its friends," Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile.

"Well said!" Inuzuka Kaze laughed and downed his drink. "I acknowledge you as a friend!"

After they toasted, Kakashi spoke up: "By the way, Touhuan, you aren't an adult yet, are you? It’s probably not great to be breaking the three prohibitions of the ninja code so early."

"Someone who walks around all day clutching a smutty book doesn't seem to have the right to say that," Uchiha Touhuan retorted dryly.

The group burst into laughter, and the atmosphere at the table grew lively.