c85: The Hokage Building Is Not Clean Anymore
On the afternoon of New Year's Day, deep in the forest area reserved for the Uchiha clan in Konohagakure, laughter rang out intermittently from among the trees. The rich aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air, merging with the cold mist of early winter.
A closer look revealed Uchiha Gen tending a barbecue with three Genin under his guidance Anko Mitarashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Yūgao Uzuki.
"How's the last mission? Anything worth noting?"
Gen asked as he turned over skewers dripping with savory juices, flames licking at the fat.
"Do you even need to ask?"
"Of course we nailed it!" Anko said, puffing her chest with pride, her cheeks stuffed.
"Looks like you three are getting along." Gen smirked. "But don't get cocky."
He glanced at Anko. "Anko, don't act on impulse during missions. Kurenai is your vice-captain coordinate and value each other's input."
"Yeah, yeah. I know," Anko muttered, rolling her eyes.
"You're just a year older than me, but you nag like a grandma," she added while munching.
"Barbecue doesn't stop your mouth, huh?" Gen teased.
"We'll just let the others have your share of dessert, then."
"Wait no! I take it back!" Anko exclaimed, almost dropping her skewer.
Kurenai and Yūgao chuckled.
Anko's obsession with sweets was notorious even Ebisu had once mentioned it. Being denied dessert while watching others indulge? Torture.
"By the way," Gen said, brushing ash off his sleeve, "unless plans change, I'm leaving the village the day after tomorrow."
"It's another task from Orochimaru-sensei."
That name made the trio pause. Orochimaru, the Sannin, was both a genius and someone cloaked in mystery, often moving in the shadows.
"Why does Sensei always send you on missions outside the village?" Anko pouted. "He never asks me to go with you."
"Why would you come with me? You know you're not ready yet."
His tone cut through her complaints. She sulked quietly. She did know she was still far behind.
Kurenai flipped a strand of hair behind her ear. "When will you be back?"
"Hard to say. Could be half a year, or up to eight or nine months. Depends on what I find."
He didn't say it out loud, but he had to be back before the Nine-Tails Attack before October 10th, the night that would change Konoha.
If his Mangekyō Sharingan awakened, he had a plan. If not—he had a different one.
"So long?" Yūgao said, her smile faltering.
"It's an important errand. Both for Orochimaru-sensei and myself."
Gen took a skewer from the grill. "Alright, I'll make you a deal. If you girls show improvement in mission completion when I return, I'll teach you real ninjutsu. B-rank or higher."
Anko raised an eyebrow but stayed composed. Orochimaru already taught her plenty—she wasn't starving for jutsu.
Kurenai looked pleased. Her family had collected genjutsu, but it was nothing compared to the Uchiha's arsenal.
Yūgao's excitement was obvious. Her late father had only left behind basic kenjutsu and low-level ninjutsu.
"What kind of jutsu?" Yūgao asked, eyes gleaming.
Gen smirked. "You'll know when the time comes."
Kurenai and Yūgao deflated. Anko, meanwhile, was still busy with skewers.
"No point in revealing it now," Gen said. "Who knows what your specialties will look like in a few months?"
They nodded. That made sense.
"Alright, enough talk. Who wants to take over grilling? I've barely eaten."
"I'll do it," Kurenai said, standing.
"Third dibs," Yūgao added.
"I guess that leaves me last," Anko muttered.
...
They grilled until about four in the afternoon, then packed up. Full and content, they headed back.
After returning to the Uchiha district, Gen stopped by Uchiha Fugaku's house to request leave. As usual, he cited Orochimaru as the reason—both a truth and a convenient shield.
The Uchiha clan didn't have any pressing missions at the moment, and Fugaku wasn't one to nitpick when the village was peaceful.
He politely declined Uchiha Mikoto's offer to stay for dinner he had other plans.
Gen made his way to one of Orochimaru's hidden research labs. Despite the holiday, the sannin hadn't stopped working. His obsession with mastering the Impure World Reincarnation technique and other forbidden jutsu kept him buried in his experiments.
When Orochimaru finally finished his current experiment, Gen spoke.
"Sensei, it's New Year's. How about you and I eat together tonight drink a little?"
"Is it New Year's already?" Orochimaru mused. "Time does fly."
"Fine."
He peeled off his gloves and drank a tall glass of raw egg mixture in one go, not even flinching.
"Also, I'll be leaving the village again soon."
"Again? You burned through your last budget that fast?" Orochimaru asked lazily.
Gen shook his head. "No. But while it's peaceful, I want to travel. Expand my worldview. Strengthen myself."
"Mm. Good. That's wise," Orochimaru said, eyes narrowing. "Don't be like him the one who never left the village but talks endlessly about the Will of Fire. What a limited perspective."
Gen nodded. "You're right. A man's path should be the stars and the sea."
Orochimaru's lips curled. "Stars and sea, huh? Poetic. Though I doubt even the stars would amuse me for long."
"I'm no genius like you, Sensei, but I'll do what I can."
Gen paused. "To awaken and wield great power… but still enjoy the simpler pleasures?"
"Hmph. That's passable. Still, women are dull," Orochimaru said. "I hear you're leading a squad now with three lovely kunoichi?"
"You already know everything. Why ask?" Gen said, unamused.
"Take it from me women will only distract you. Slow you down."
Gen sighed. "I'm too young to be that detached. I want to live a little before I see through everything. Not everyone's born with your clarity. Even Jiraiya-sensei hasn't."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Fair. That fool Jiraiya will never see through anything."
He paused, eyes glinting. "Even Hiruzen can't keep his urges in check."
"…What?"
"Let me tell you a secret. Your 'noble' Hokage? He spies. Peeping, with ninjutsu. From the Hokage's office."
Gen stared, feigning horror. "That's… perverse."
"And he hides behind ideals like the Will of Fire. Jiraiya spies on bathhouses. Sarutobi-sensei spies from the Hokage's tower. The Hokage Building is no longer clean."
"Hmph…"
Resentment dripped from Orochimaru's voice like venom.
"Anyway, I'm using you as my alibi again. If anyone checks, please cover for me."
"Of course."
"I'll head to your house and start cooking. I'll summon you later."
"What's the menu?"
"Anything with eggs. And apples for dessert."
"Very well. See you later."
—
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