The dead were gone, and life had to go on. After the collective memorial, Konoha officially declared the war over. Peace had arrived.
To celebrate, the village and its merchants and townsfolk put on festivities of their own, and the long-dreary streets quickly turned lively again.
No celebration goes without a meal together. Kokugetsu received an invitation to a classmates' gathering.
After work, he changed at home and headed to Yakiniku Q.
By Kokugetsu's standards, Konoha's dining scene wasn't much to brag about, and there weren't many options for a group night out.
Yakiniku Q was packed. The hall and open booths were full, voices rose and tangled, the smell of grilling meat was everywhere with a faint thread of alcohol.
Finding the private booth, Kokugetsu lifted the curtain and stepped in. All eyes turned.
Inside were Kurenai, Asuma, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma, Might Guy, and Kakashi.
Kakashi had been dragged there by Guy. The other former classmates either had business or truly couldn't come.
"What's wrong, am I too handsome now to recognize?" Kokugetsu said with a bright smile.
He wore a charcoal-black shirt and sky-blue trousers, the fabric fine, the fit bespoke. He stood straight, features sharp, carrying himself with calm confidence. Compared to before, the change was striking.
He used to keep things simple and low-key. Handsome, yes, but easy to overlook.
"Tch. You're not as handsome as me.
"We're just trying to see how you pulled ahead of us," Asuma said, all gaudy colors, hair spiked high in a nonconformist way, standing to offer a cigarette.
Kokugetsu waved it off.
"Maybe it was the pressure between life and death. If I hadn't improved faster, I might not have made it here tonight.
"Hey, everyone. Long time no see.
"Kurenai, you're getting prettier by the day."
Kurenai laughed behind her hand. "Kokugetsu, you really are different. You never praised me before."
"Plenty of classmates praise you. You don't need mine on top.
"If no one else is coming, let's start."
"Been waiting on you. Let's clink once and dig in," Asuma said, lifting his juice.
They clinked cups, then grilled and chatted, trading war stories and their hopes for the future.
About an hour later they were full. After splitting the bill, they stepped out to the street.
"We three are going to play cards. You?" Asuma, Ebisu, and Genma stood together.
"I'll pass. I'm tired. Going home to rest," Kakashi said flatly.
"I'm off to train. I haven't finished today's regimen," Guy said, fists clenched, overflowing with energy.
"I don't want cards. I'll stroll a bit, then hit a hot spring and turn in," Kokugetsu said with a mild smile.
"I'm heading to the dango shop to find Anko," Kurenai said.
"All right. Next time."
Asuma's group left first. Guy and Kakashi walked off together.
"Kokugetsu, want to try some dango?
"Anko says it's great," Kurenai called back after a step.
"Sure. Nothing pressing, I can try some."
They went to a small, simple dango shop a few streets away.
After meeting Anko, the three sat at a small table with dango and sweets. The taste was decent.
A few minutes later, a family of three came in to buy dango and spotted them.
"Kokugetsu," Uchiha Fugaku called, wearing a black jacket with a white sash at the waist and brown trousers.
Kokugetsu turned to see Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and Uchiha Itachi, and stood to greet them.
"Chief Fugaku."
"Allow me to introduce my wife, Uchiha Mikoto, and my son, Uchiha Itachi.
"Kageyama Kokugetsu. He's an exceptional shinobi.
"Don't be fooled by his youth. He's already a jōnin.
"As far as I know, among the young generation it's just Kakashi and Kokugetsu who are jōnin.
"Itachi, you should learn from both your seniors," Fugaku said gravely.
Mother and son were both taken aback. Jōnin—hard to tell at a glance.
Mikoto, once a jōnin herself, understood the weight of that title better than the still-innocent Itachi.
"Kokugetsu, you're truly outstanding," Mikoto said with a warm smile.
The Uchiha favored black and deep blues, and Mikoto was no exception. She wore a black long-sleeved top and a black knee-length skirt, pale, well-shaped legs above black flats, long black hair falling to her shoulders. Her air was gentle and composed.
"Yes, Father. I'll learn well from my seniors.
"Kokugetsu-senpai, hello. I'm Uchiha Itachi," Itachi said, keeping his face taut to look more mature, then bowed.
Kokugetsu smiled. "You flatter me. I just got lucky. Chief Fugaku is the truly exceptional one."
"Kokugetsu, you're too modest.
"If you're free, shall we go have some tea?"
Why so warm, Fugaku?
Thinking of Konoha's recent turn, the Uchiha's position, and Fugaku's character, Kokugetsu had an idea.
"Gladly. Let me say a word to my friends."
After bidding Kurenai and Anko goodbye, Kokugetsu and the family of three went to a teahouse and took a private room.
They sat, chatted lightly, sipped a few cups. Then Fugaku got to the point.
"Kokugetsu, with peace upon us, I doubt the Hyūga will let matters rest."
"It's fine. At least they won't act openly."
"True, but open arrows are easy to dodge, hidden ones are not. Do be careful.
"If trouble comes, you can come to me.
"The Uchiha and Hyūga haven't exactly been friendly, and I don't mind offending them."
"Then I'll thank you, Chief Fugaku."
"Think nothing of it. You're nominally under my command as well.
"However we've fallen, the Uchiha can still protect a subordinate," Fugaku said with easy confidence.
That, Kokugetsu believed.
Against all of Konoha, Fugaku had protected nothing in the end. But against the Hyūga in a clan-on-clan clash, he would not be overmatched.
They chatted a while longer. Kokugetsu agreed to visit the Uchiha sometime, then took his leave.
"Fugaku, you value him more than I expected," Mikoto said softly as she lifted the teapot.
"Yes. I do.
"First, on the battlefield his scouting spared the Uchiha many casualties.
"Second, he's a genius.
"Not on par with Kakashi or Shisui, perhaps, but his potential is not small. He might reach the level of the Sannin.
"Third, and most important.
"He has good ties with Konoha's leadership and is trusted and appreciated by the Third Hokage and Mitokado Homura.
"Even if the Hokage changes, the Third's influence over Konoha will remain immense.
"Being close to Kokugetsu will help bridge the rift between the clan and the village."
"In that case, when he visits, I'll serve my best dishes," Mikoto said with a smile.
Fugaku nodded.
Beside them, Itachi wore a thoughtful look, who knew what turning in his mind.