Naruto: The Fifth Hokage [21]

Chapter 21: Archery

After reporting his work to the Hokage, Makoto's days finally became peaceful.

The work of recruiting civilian ninjas by the Police Force went smoothly. After the news of Makoto angrily scolding the two consultants at the gate that day spread, the civilian ninjas had a changed impression of the Uchiha clan.

When they heard that the current head of the Uchiha clan was the Uchiha Makoto, who had implemented the smiling law enforcement policy, they put aside their worries and came to apply.

There were even several little guys who had just graduated from the ninja school but did not have a team leader, and they came directly to the door hoping to get a position in the Police Force.

In less than a week, the Police Force completed the task of doubling the enrollment ordered by Makoto.

At the same time, after Makoto implemented the smiling law enforcement policy throughout the Police Force, he himself, under the arrangement of the clan, lived in a luxurious mansion in the heart of the clan. After Makoto moved into the new home, the first thing he did was to set up an archery range in the yard.

Makoto, who had some free time, drank tea every day, went around the Police Department, wrote some evidence of Danzo's crimes and asked the Shimura clan members in the interrogation room to put their fingerprints on them, and then went back to drink tea and practice archery.

One afternoon, Makoto returned from the Police Department as usual, changed out of his ninja vest, put on a haori, and practiced archery in the yard.

Makoto held his breath and concentrated, and shot two arrows in succession into the bull's eye.

At this time, Uchiha Keiko, the housekeeper arranged by the clan for Makoto, walked into the yard: "Clan leader, Hatake Kakashi is here to visit."

"Please let him in," Makoto said without turning his head.

"Yes."

Shortly after Keiko left, Kakashi followed her into the yard. After bringing Kakashi in, she tactfully left and closed the door leading to the backyard.

"According to the order of the Third Hokage, the operation to capture the traitor Orochimaru will officially start the day after tomorrow," Kakashi said.

Makoto did not say a word, but just stared intently at the target in front of him. After holding his breath and concentrating, he drew his bow and shot an arrow that hit the center of the bull's eye again.

Seeing this, Kakashi said no more, but found a pillar in the yard to lean against and took out his beloved "Icha-Icha Paradise" from his pocket.

For a moment, the only sound in the entire courtyard was the swish of arrows breaking through the air.

After shooting a pot of arrows into the air, Makoto temporarily stopped and said, "I'm sorry about your father's matter, but this is all I can do for now."

"About that matter." Hearing this, Kakashi put down the book in his hand and said seriously, "Thank you, that's enough."

In the past few days, the village suddenly launched an activity to learn about the Will of Fire. In this activity, his father, Hatake Sakumo, was repeatedly mentioned as a positive image of a hero with the Will of Fire. Only then did some children in the village know that there was such a heroic ninja in the past.

"Would you like to try?" Makoto smiled and handed the longbow in his hand to Kakashi.

"Archery? I'm not good at that," Kakashi refused. "Besides, as a ninja, it's more common to use shuriken."

"Shuriken?" Upon hearing this, Makoto touched the ninja tool bag on his waist with his right hand. Four black shadows shot out instantly. After colliding with each other in the air, each of them hit the center of the target fifty steps away from the two of them at an incredible angle.

"The Uchiha clan's shuriken throwing technique is indeed exquisite," Kakashi praised.

"Nothing special, just practice makes perfect." Makoto wiped his hands and picked up the longbow again. "Kakashi, in fact, whether it is archery or shurikenjutsu, the purpose of their creation is to be a technique for killing people."

Makoto shot another arrow and hit the bull's eye. "But I still prefer the bow and arrow."

Kakashi looked confused. Shouldn't bows and arrows be used by the samurai? If it really comes down to convenience and speed, shuriken is the best choice for ninjas.

"Although shuriken are convenient, only one-tenth of them can be recovered after use. Even if they are made of the best quality iron, they are only a little more convenient to use. However, bows are different. As long as the bow is not damaged, arrows can be replenished at any time."

"And where the arrow goes is always determined by the bow."

The sound of breaking wind was heard, and another arrow hit the bull's eye. This time, Makoto used his chakra to shatter the shuriken that was previously nailed to the bull's eye.

After listening to Makoto's words, Kakashi was thoughtful.

"What do you think, Kakashi, do you want to try it?" Makoto turned around and looked at Kakashi and asked.

"Then... let's try it." Kakashi pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Keiko, bring a new bow for Kakashi," Makoto said loudly toward the gate.

Not long after, Keiko entered the courtyard holding a longbow and presented it with both hands.

Kakashi took the longbow and looked at it carefully, but still felt it was a little unfamiliar.

Although the Hatake family was transformed from a samurai family, since his father's generation, apart from using swordsmanship as the main means of fighting, they have been considered relatively pure ninjas in other aspects. He had never touched things like bows and arrows.

Kakashi placed the arrow on the bowstring, pulled the bow somewhat awkwardly, and aimed at the target fifty steps away.

"Stand straight, use your spirit to connect the arrow and the target, the intention should be ahead before the arrow is shot." Makoto's voice rang in Kakashi's ears. Kakashi followed what he said, adjusted his posture somewhat clumsily, and aimed at the bull's eye fifty steps away.

Kakashi maintained this posture but did not shoot the arrow for a long time.

"Kakashi, calm down." Makoto saw Kakashi's problem and reminded him slowly.

Kakashi took a deep breath, calmed his slightly agitated heart, and then shot an arrow.

After the arrow flew out, Kakashi stared at the arrow moving forward.

After all, it was his first time shooting arrows. After the arrow was shot, Kakashi judged that it had missed the target, and a trace of regret appeared on his face.

But at this moment, the sound of bowstring breaking through the wind rang in his ears.

Kakashi turned around and saw Makoto beside him, the bowstring of the longbow in his hand still vibrating slightly.

Looking up at the sky again, another arrow was shot later but arrived first and actually hit the arrow shot by Kakashi in the air. What was even more incredible was that after the two arrows collided with each other, they actually went straight towards the target.

With two muffled bangs, two arrows hit the bull's eye one after the other.

Kakashi looked at Makoto in surprise, but only saw his meaningful smile.