Naruto: The Fifth Hokage [24]

Chapter 24: Bonds

"You're so slow. Is this the quality of the Uchiha clan's ninjas?"

Before Makoto and the others could even greet anyone, a Jonin from the Utatane clan voiced his displeasure.

His words froze the two civilian ninjas nearby who had wanted to greet Makoto. They stood awkwardly in place, unsure of what to do. After all, whether it was Uchiha or Utatane, both were people far above their standing—especially for mere special jōnin like themselves.

Makoto glanced at the speaker, scoffed with disdain, and directly ignored him. Instead, he walked over to the two civilian ninjas with a warm smile and extended his hand.

"My name is Uchiha Makoto. It's an honor to carry out this mission with you."

The two were visibly flattered as they shook hands with him. They had never imagined that the new Uchiha clan head—a famed figure from the Three Wars—would be so approachable.

"Nagai Seiichi. I'll be in your care on this mission, Captain Makoto."

"I'm Kuroki Ryuta. With you here, I'm sure this mission will go smoothly."

Makoto smiled. "This mission depends on everyone working together sincerely. I'm looking forward to it."

Utatane Nagi, the jōnin who had spoken earlier, scowled when he saw Makoto completely ignore him. "Didn't you hear what I said? You show up late and don't even offer an apology?"

"As I recall," Makoto turned back, his gaze sharpening, "the agreed gathering time hasn't even passed yet."

Inabi and Zaito, standing behind him, activated their Sharingan in an instant, glaring coldly at Nagi.

"Besides, didn't your elders teach you to show at least the minimum respect to your superiors?"

As he spoke, the three tomoe in Makoto's eyes rotated slowly.

Murase from the Inuzuka clan, Hayate, and Yugao had been about to greet Makoto as well, but seeing the situation unfold, they held back. Meanwhile, the two Hyuga clan members merely crossed their arms and watched with disinterest.

"All right, everyone's here now. Let's move."

Kakashi stood up from under the eaves where he'd been reading, putting his book away as he stepped into the center.

"Since Kakashi has spoken, let's go," Makoto said, deactivating his Sharingan and smiling once again.

Although the first meeting had been tense, the group soon completed the exit procedures under Kakashi's lead and officially departed from the village.

The mission wasn't time-sensitive, so there was no rush. According to intel, Orochimaru had recently appeared near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields, so they headed north.

Along the journey, Murase's ninja dog, Mamoru, kept coming up to Makoto.

"You've got a sharp nose," Makoto said with a smile, taking out some raw meat from a sealing scroll to feed the pup.

After eating, Mamoru let out a satisfied bark and licked Makoto's palm.

"Huh? That's rare," Murase remarked, surprised. "Mamoru doesn't usually warm up to Uchiha."

Although the Inuzuka and Uchiha clans didn't have direct conflict, their relationship was naturally distant—dog summons versus cat summons didn't make for friendly ties.

"Probably because I'm one of the few Uchihas who didn't sign with the Ninja Cat Clan," Makoto explained. "I use a hawk as my summon, so I always carry raw meat. That might be what attracted him."

"Ah, that makes sense," Murase chuckled.

Thanks to that small interaction, Murase and Makoto grew closer. The Inuzuka were simple people—if their dogs liked you, they were quick to accept you.

Seeing this, Hayate and Yugao also came over to chat with Makoto. As time passed, everyone began to warm up to each other. Even the two aloof Hyuga eventually joined the conversation after Makoto took the initiative to break the ice.

Only Utatane Nagi and the two Mitokado clan members remained on the outskirts, increasingly isolated.

By evening, the group reached Tansho Town in the north of the Land of Fire.

"It's getting late. Let's rest here tonight," Kakashi said.

Everyone agreed, and Kakashi led them toward a small inn. Just then, Makoto spoke up.

"How can we rest properly in a place like this?"

"Tch. We're on a mission, not a vacation. It's not your place to be picky," Nagi sneered. "If you're not satisfied, go back home."

Makoto ignored the jab and said, "Since we're lucky enough to be on the same team, I'll cover tonight's expenses. Kakashi, as the team captain, I assume you have no objections?"

"No objections at all," Kakashi replied easily.

"Good." Makoto turned and headed toward the center of town.

The others hesitated—especially the civilian jōnin—but when they saw Kakashi follow without question, most of them trailed after as well, leaving the trio from Utatane and Mitokado behind.

Makoto led them to the most luxurious hot spring hotel in the area. After booking a private suite for everyone, he suggested grabbing a few drinks. The team agreed without hesitation.

Everyone had assumed Makoto would take them to a modest barbecue place, but to their shock, he brought them to the most upscale restaurant in town. A place usually reserved for nobles and wealthy merchants.

Even Murase, despite being fairly well-off in the Inuzuka clan, had never dined somewhere so extravagant. As for the civilian jōnin, they lived frugally—saving every spare ryo to trade for scrolls and techniques. Dining here had never even crossed their minds.

So, after they were seated, everyone was naturally a bit stiff.

Sitting at the head of the table, Makoto raised his glass.

"Thank you all for accepting my invitation. Since we're all here, relax a little. The Uchiha clan has always been generous to our friends."

"Hah! That's true!" Murase laughed and raised his glass. "I recognize you as a friend!"

After everyone finished their first cup, Kakashi finally chimed in.

"By the way, Makoto, you're not even an adult yet. Isn't this technically a violation of the three ninja prohibitions?"

Makoto gave him a side-eye. "Says the guy who clutches his dirty book all day. You really have no right to talk."

The table burst into laughter, and the once-tense atmosphere melted into cheerful camaraderie.