Uzumaki * Performance

When Sōsuke pushed open the door, there were four people in the room.

The leader was a man in his fifties, a member of a branch of the royal family of the Whirlpool Kingdom, whose surname was Whirlpool and given name was Torikai.

He was dressed in a dark straight robe, sitting in the main seat, his expression exactly the same as every time he had come before.

His concern was gentle yet tinged with a condescending air.

Sitting on his other side was an old man, Uzumaki Wataru, a hardliner as always.

Behind him were two young men, one of whom Sōsuke recognized.

His name is Uzumaki Hideki.

His friend.

Hideki was standing there when he saw Sōsuke come out. His eyes lit up, as if he wanted to say hello.

But Sōsuke didn't look at him.

Sōsuke walked up to Quhai and stood in front of him.

"Quhai, Master Hang."

His voice was very calm, revealing no emotion.

Quhai nodded, a gentle smile on his face.

"Sōsuke, where is Lady Mito? We'd like to speak with her in person."

"Lady Mito does not receive visitors."

Quhai.

"What?"

"I said," Sōsuke repeated, enunciating each word clearly, "Lady Mito does not receive guests."

The atmosphere inside the room subtly changed.

Hideki's smile froze, and he stared blankly at Sōsuke. Another young man frowned, took a step forward as if to say something, but was stopped by Quhai's raised hand.

Quhai looked at Sōsuke, his smile fading slightly, but his tone remained gentle.

"Sōsuke, we are Envoy the Land of Whirlpools. Lady Mito is the princess of the Land of Whirlpools, and we have come to see her on the orders of our clan. As a member of the clan, you should understand the significance of this."

"I see."

"Then why are you still stopping me?"

"I didn't stop you," Sōsuke said. "I was just conveying Lady Mito's message. She doesn't receive guests. If you've come looking for her, you can go back now."

Quhai was silent for a moment.

He looked at Sōsuke as if he were getting to know him all over again.

"Sōsuke," he began, his tone carrying a hint of earnestness, "I know you've been in Konoha for so long that you might have forgotten who you are. But you must understand, you are a member of the Uzumaki Clan. Your roots are in the Land of Whirlpools, not in Konoha."

"I know."

"You know that? Then how did you—"

"I am a member of the Uzumaki Clan," Sōsuke interrupted him, his voice still steady, "So I know even better what is most important to Lady Mito right now."

Hang finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Presumptuous!"

He slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacup to jump and spill tea all over the floor. His old face turned bright red, and his eyes almost spit fire.

"You, a mere junior, dare to stop us?! Do you know who we are? We are envoys from the royal family of the Kingdom of Whirlpools! Mito is a princess we watched grow up! Who do you think you are?!"

He stood up, flicked his sleeves, and walked straight towards the door.

Sōsuke didn't move.

But just as Hang's hand was about to touch the door, several golden chains appeared out of thin air, intertwining and binding like living things, instantly forming an impenetrable Barrier between Hang and the door.

Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Hang's hand froze in mid-air.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Hideki's eyes widened, and he instinctively took a step back. The other young man immediately assumed a fighting stance, his hand already on the Kunai at his waist.

But Sōsuke still didn't move.

He stood there, golden chains extending from behind him, gleaming faintly in the dim light.

"Lord Hang," his voice remained calm, devoid of any emotion, "I've already said, Lady Mito does not receive guests."

Hang turned around and stared intently at him.

"You--"

"She is Hashirama Senju's wife," Sōsuke interrupted him, "And also the leader of Konohagakure's Barrier Team. Without her approval, I will not let you pass."

Quhai finally spoke.

"Sōsuke," his voice turned cold, the smile vanishing completely, "Do you know what you're doing?"

"Know."

"Your Envoy from the Land of Whirlpools. Your people."

"I know."

"Then you still--"

"Lord Quhai," Sōsuke met his gaze and said, enunciating each word clearly, "It is precisely because I know this that I must stop him."

Quhai fell silent.

He looked at Sōsuke with a scrutinizing gaze, a puzzled look, and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Hang stood there, trembling with anger. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when he met Sōsuke's calm eyes, he swallowed the words back.

Hideki watched this scene from the side, his face filled with bewilderment.

The Sōsuke he remembered wasn't like this.

Sōsuke has always been a gentle person, always treating his clansmen with kindness. Even if there are things he can't explain, he will patiently explain them to everyone so as not to make anyone unhappy.

But now, this Sōsuke- san is standing there, blocking their way with his Adamantine Sealing Chains, his expression calm and unfamiliar.

"Lord Quhai," Sōsuke said, "If you wish to learn about the Special Administrative Region, I can send a message to Lord Hashirama Senju. He will arrange a time to meet with you."

Quhai remained silent for a long time.

"Okay," he said, "Then I'll leave it to you."

Hang suddenly turned his head: "Quhai— "

"That's enough." Quhai raised his hand to stop him, his tone indifferent. "That's enough for today."

Hang held his breath, his face flushed red, but in the end he didn't say anything more.

"Well then, I'll take my leave now."

Sōsuke made a move to leave.

"Sōsuke," Quhai said softly, "You've changed."

Sōsuke didn't turn around; he pushed open the door and left.

He left the inn, intending to find Hashirama, just then...

"Brother Sōsuke!"

He turned around and saw Hideki standing at the entrance of the inn, with a somewhat anxious expression on his face.

Hideki was two years younger than him. When they were little, he always followed him around, and would run to him to ask if he didn't understand something. The two had a very good relationship, like brothers.

"Why did you come out?" Sōsuke asked, his tone calm and devoid of emotion.

Hideki took two steps forward and stood in front of him.

"Brother Sōsuke, what... what's wrong with you?"

"What? What happened?"

"It's just..." Hideki gestured somewhat flusteredly, "Just now... you blocked Hang-sama's path with the Adamantine Sealing Chains, and... and you talked like that..."

Sōsuke remained silent for a moment.

"I'm fine."

"You are!" Hideki's voice rose slightly, then quickly subsided, "Sōsuke- nii, you weren't like this before."

Sōsuke looked at him, recalling his childhood.

Back then, when Hideki was learning Sealing Jutsu, he could never master the most basic "seal" seal.

Sōsuke taught him more than ten times, but he still kept making mistakes with the hand gestures. Finally Hideki became so anxious that his eyes reddened, and Sōsuke smiled and patted his head, saying, "It's okay, take your time, I'll practice with you."

Hideki eventually learned it and was so happy that he spun around in circles at the Shrine.

They were children then, possessing pure joy.

But now they are not at the Shrine, but in Konoha.

He was Envoy from the Land of Whirlpools, and I was the liaison stationed in Konoha.

Sōsuke withdrew his gaze.

"Hideki," he said, his voice still calm, "Go back."

Hideki was stunned.

"Brother Sōsuke..."

"You came with Lord Quhai and the others; it was arranged by the clan, wasn't it?"

Hideki nodded.

"Then do as they say. Do whatever they tell you to do."

"But--"

"No buts," Sōsuke interrupted him. "I have other things to do. I'm leaving now."

He turned and left.

Their steps did not falter.

Hideki stood there, watching the red figure gradually disappear into the distance.

He opened his mouth, wanting to call out to him, but something seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he couldn't make a sound.

Another young man came out of the door.

Uzumaki Gensei, two years older than Hideki, is a member of the Hanga lineage and has disliked Sōsuke since childhood.

"Stop looking," he said, his tone dripping with undisguised contempt. "That's a complete ingrate."

Hideki turned his head and looked at him blankly.

"Ungrateful wretch?"

"Otherwise what?" Yuansheng sneered. "The Uzumaki Clan raised him for so many years, sending him to Konoha as a liaison to inform us. And what did he do? Look at his face just now, blocking us from seeing Lady Mito, and even saying that 'she is the leader of Konoha's Barrier Team.'"

He mimicked Sōsuke's tone, repeating it in a sarcastic manner, and then chuckled.

"A ungrateful wretch."

Hideki frowned.

"Yuansheng, don't say that."

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"Sōsuke- ge... he's not that kind of person."

"Hmph, no matter what, he attacked us."

Hideki opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then hesitated, unsure how to express himself.

He remembered Sōsuke from his childhood.

Gentle, patient, and always smiling as he patted his head, Sōsuke.

But what about that Sōsuke from before?

The one standing at the door, Adamantine Sealing Chains Koudai's way with his Vajra Barrier, saying expressionlessly, "Lady Mito Sōsuke not receive guests."

Is it the same person?

"Let's go," Yuansheng said, his tone tinged with impatience. "That ingrate is unreliable; don't count on him anymore."

He turned and went into the inn.

Hideki stood still, without moving.

"Hideki?" Yuansheng turned to look at him.

"... You go back first," Hideki said softly, "I want to stay a little longer."

Yuansheng frowned, but didn't say anything more and went inside.

The dim streetlights cast his shadow on the ground, a lonely little blob.

Hideki stood there, staring in the direction where Sōsuke had disappeared, his mind a jumbled mess.

What exactly happened to Sōsuke?

Was it Konoha that turned him into this?

He was actually very happy to have secured this opportunity to travel. He wanted to ask Sōsuke how he was doing lately, tell him that he had learned a new Sealing Jutsu, and ask him when he could return to the Land of Whirlpools.

But Sōsuke didn't give him a chance.

Hideki lowered his head, looking at his toes, his eyes stinging with tears.

After leaving the inn, Sōsuke headed straight for the Hokage Building.

The night breeze was a bit cool, and the wind on his face calmed his restless heart a little.

Hideki... he's grown up, but...

He shook his head, suppressing those thoughts.

Now is not the time to think about these things.

He needs to inform Lord Hashirama as soon as possible and then arrange a meeting.

The lights in the Hokage Building were still on.

Sōsuke pushed open the door and walked up the stairs. Before he even reached the second floor, he heard a familiar voice coming from upstairs.

"... That's why I say we need to rethink everyone's views on Ninjas."

That was Izuna's voice.

Sōsuke paused in his steps.

Izuna? Shouldn't he have gone back long ago?

He went up to the second floor and pushed open the Office door.

The room was brightly lit. Hashirama was hunched over a pile of documents, Madara sat behind another table, and Tobirama, as always, was engrossed in writing with a blank expression.

Izuna stood in the center of the room, holding a roll of paper in his hand, and was talking animatedly.

When Sōsuke Izuna in, her eyes lit up, and she waved to him cheerfully.

"Yo, Sōsuke! Long time no see!"

Sōsuke paused for a moment, instinctively wanting to say, "I need to speak with Lord Hashirama," but Izuna had already turned away and continued speaking to the three people.

Where was I? Oh right, let's rethink everyone's views on Ninjas.

Sōsuke stood at the door, unsure whether to go in or leave first.

But before he could make a decision, Izuna's next words caught his attention.

"The Envoys from the Four Great Nations are coming; this is an opportunity."

Izuna waved the scroll in his hand. "Think about it, why did they come? The nobles want to see 'why Ninjas are on equal footing with us,' and the Ninjas want to see 'what methods Konoha actually used.'"

"Then what should we show them?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the people in the room.

"Show them a Konoha that is refreshing, unprecedented, stunning, and unconventional."

Hashirama slumped onto the table, utterly dejected. "Just tell me what you want me to do..."

Izuna unfolded the scroll in his hand. "We're going to put on an opening performance."

Tobirama moment.

"Opening performance?"

"Yes." Izuna nodded. "After the Delegation arrives, before the Ninja Theme Park officially opens, put on a performance. Let those nobles see that Ninjas are not just about fighting and killing. Let those Ninjas see what Konoha is capable of."

Hashirama became excited. "What performance? What performance?"

Izuna smiled, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense. "Guess?"

Tobirama spoke expressionlessly, "We don't have time to prepare. The Ninja Theme Park alone is complicated enough, then there's the security arrangements, reception, the Appointment Ceremony itself, and now we have to add an opening performance—"

"I haven't been slacking off the whole time these past few days, okay?"

Izuna interrupted him, her tone tinged with grievance, "The performance has been prepared for a long time."

Tobirama hesitated, "When? How come I didn't know?"

"You're so busy, of course I can't bother you," he said. "Anyway, you don't need to worry about the performance. The actors, the program, the schedule—I've arranged everything. We're just waiting to give the Delegation a surprise when they arrive."

Hashirama craned his neck. "What kind of performance? What kind of performance is it? Give me a hint!"

Izuna shook his head, looking mysterious.

"Keep it confidential."

"Just a tiny bit!"

"No."

"Just a little bit!"

"Hashirama- kun," Izuna tilted his head to look at him, "You haven't even memorized your speech yet, have you?"

Hashirama froze.

"... I can memorize it while listening."

"No."

Hashirama's shoulders slumped, and he slumped down amidst the pile of documents.

Madara laughed without any restraint. After laughing, he looked at Izuna, "So you've already arranged everything for the performance?"

"Hmm." Izuna nodded. "Just waiting for the day I can play."

He paused, then added, "Of course, if you'd like to see it beforehand, that's not impossible."

"I want to see!" Hashirama immediately perked up.

"Tomorrow," Izuna waved his hand. "It's too late today; you still have a ton of documents to approve."

Hashirama glanced at the pile of unfinished documents in front of him, and his expression fell again.

Izuna turned to Sōsuke.

"By the way, Sōsuke, did you come to see Hashirama- nii for something?"

Sōsuke then remembered why he had come.

He nodded and walked up to Hashirama.

"Lord Hashirama, there is something I need to report to you."

Hashirama looked up from the pile of documents, his expression turning serious.

"What's up?"

"They've sent people from the Land of Whirlpools again," Sōsuke in a low voice.

Hashirama's brow furrowed slightly.

Madara's gaze swept over, and Tobirama stopped writing.

"They wanted to see Mito," Sōsuke continued. "I stopped them, and I persuaded them to meet with you."

He repeated what he had said about Quhai and sailing.

"They figured that since they could get Special Administrative Region, it meant the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's dependence on Konoha was far greater than expected. So why not go further?"

The air in the Office fell silent for a moment.

Hashirama's smile vanished.

He didn't speak; he remained silent.

But there was something in that silence that made people hesitant to speak.

Sōsuke stood there, feeling a little out of breath.

He had met Hashirama many times. Most of the time, this man was always smiling, approachable, and could chat with anyone.

But at that moment, the smiling person was gone.

The one sitting here is the God of Shinobi.

"They think I should compete for that Daimyo, right?"

Sōsuke remained silent.

Hashirama moment, then sighed softly.

The sigh was soft, but everyone in the quiet Office heard it clearly.

"They don't understand," he said, his voice tinged with weariness. "They understand nothing."

"Hashirama- kun."

Hashirama looked at Izuna.

"Don't worry about it too much. What they think is their business; we'll do ours."

He waved the scroll of paper in his hand. "The performance, the Appointment Ceremony, and the Ninja Theme Park —those are the most important things right now. As for those guys..."

"They'll understand when they see it for themselves."

Hashirama paused for a moment, then smiled.

"You're right," he said. "Then let them see."

He turned to Sōsuke.

"Sōsuke, could you please arrange a meeting?"

"Yes, Lord Hashirama."