Bow and Arrow and Shuriken

After reporting his work to the Hokage, Uchiha Toko's days finally settled into a rare period of calm.

The Military Police Force's recruitment of Commoner Ninja proceeded fairly smoothly. After word spread of Uchiha Toko angrily rebuking the Two Advisors outside the Military Police Force headquarters that day, the Commoner Ninja's impression of the Uchiha Clan began to change. Upon hearing that the Uchiha Clan was now led by Uchiha Toko, the man who had once promoted Smiling Law Enforcement, they cast aside their concerns and came to apply.

Several youngsters who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy but had not been assigned a Teacher even came directly to seek a position in the Military Police Force.

In less than a week, the Military Police Force had completed Uchiha Toko's order to double its recruitment.

At the same time, after Uchiha Toko implemented the Smiling Law Enforcement policy throughout the entire Military Police Force,

Uchiha Toko himself, under the clan's arrangements, moved into a luxurious residence deep within the clan grounds. The first thing he did after moving in was set up an archery range in the courtyard.

With some free time on his hands, Uchiha Toko's daily routine consisted of drinking tea, taking a stroll through the Military Police Force, writing up Danzo's Evidence of Crimes for the Shimura Clan members in the Interrogation Room to press their fingerprints on, then returning home to drink tea and practice archery.

One afternoon, after Uchiha Toko returned from the Military Police Force as usual, he changed out of his ninja vest, put on a haori, and began practicing archery in the courtyard.

Uchiha Toko held his breath and focused, landing two consecutive arrows squarely in the bullseye.

At that moment, Uchiha Keiko, the Steward arranged for him by the clan, entered the courtyard. "Clan Head, Kakashi Hatake has come to visit."

"Let him in," Uchiha Toko said without turning around.

"Yes."

Not long after Uchiha Keiko withdrew, Kakashi followed her into the courtyard. After bringing him in, she tactfully left, closing the gate leading to the rear courtyard behind her.

"By the Hokage's order, the operation to capture the rogue ninja Orochimaru officially departs the day after tomorrow," Kakashi said.

Uchiha Toko did not respond. He merely stared intently at the target before him. After steadying his breath and focus, he drew his bow and fired another arrow directly into the bullseye.

Seeing this, Kakashi said no more. Instead, he found a pillar in the courtyard to lean against and pulled out his beloved "Make-Out Paradise" from his pocket.

For a time, the only sound in the entire courtyard was the swishing of arrows slicing through the air.

Only after emptying an entire quiver did Uchiha Toko pause. "I'm sorry about White Fang. For now, this is all I can do."

"About that," Kakashi said solemnly as he put down his book, "thank you. This is already enough."

Over the past few days, the village had suddenly launched a Will of Fire Study Campaign. During the campaign, his father, Hatake Sakumo, was repeatedly mentioned as a heroic example of someone who embodied the Will of Fire. Only then did some of the village's children learn that there had once been such a heroic ninja in the village.

"Want to give it a try?" Uchiha Toko smiled and offered the longbow in his hand to Kakashi.

"Bow and Arrow? I'm not very good with that," Kakashi declined. "Besides, for a ninja, shuriken suit the role better."

"Shuriken?" Uchiha Toko brushed his right hand over the Ninja Tool Pouch at his waist, and four black blurs shot out in an instant. After colliding in midair, they each struck the center of the target fifty paces away at unbelievable angles.

"The Uchiha Clan's Uchiha Shuriken Throwing Technique truly is exquisite," Kakashi praised.

"Nothing special. Just practice." Uchiha Toko wiped his hands and picked up the longbow again. "Kakashi, whether it's a bow or a shuriken, they were forged as weapons meant to kill."

Uchiha Toko fired another arrow, striking the bullseye. "But I still prefer Bow and Arrow."

A puzzled look appeared on Kakashi's face. Weren't weapons like Bow and Arrow something only the obsolete Samurai still practiced? When it came to convenience and speed, shuriken were the best choice for a ninja.

"Though shuriken are convenient, fewer than one in ten can be recovered after use. Even if they are forged from the finest steel, they only feel a little smoother in the hand. But a bow is different. As long as the bow is not damaged, arrows can always be replenished."

"And where an arrow flies is always decided by the bow."

The sound of tearing wind rang out as another arrow struck the bullseye. This time, Uchiha Toko had infused it with Chakra, shattering the shuriken embedded in the center of the target.

After hearing Uchiha Toko's words, Kakashi fell into thought.

"Well, Kakashi, want to try?" Uchiha Toko turned and looked at Kakashi.

"Then... I'll give it a try." After pondering for a moment, Kakashi nodded.

"Sister Keiko, bring Captain Kakashi a new bow," Uchiha Toko called loudly toward the courtyard gate.

Before long, Uchiha Keiko, the female Steward assigned to Uchiha Toko by the clan, entered the courtyard carrying a longbow and presented it with both hands.

Kakashi took the longbow and examined it carefully, but it still felt unfamiliar in his hands.

Though the Hatake House had evolved from a family of Samurai, beginning with his father's generation, aside from still using swordsmanship as their primary means of combat, they had become fairly pure ninja in every other respect. He had never touched Bow and Arrow before.

Kakashi set an arrow to the bowstring, drew the bow somewhat awkwardly, and aimed at the target fifty paces away.

"Straighten your body. Use your spirit, energy, and focus to connect the arrow to the target. Before the arrow flies, your intent must arrive first." Uchiha Toko's voice sounded beside Kakashi's ear. Following his instructions, Kakashi awkwardly adjusted his posture and aimed at the bullseye fifty paces away.

Kakashi held that stance for a long while, yet did not release the arrow.

"Kakashi, calm your heart." Uchiha Toko saw Kakashi's problem and reminded him unhurriedly.

Kakashi took a deep breath, settling his slightly restless heart. Then he released the arrow.

As the arrow tore through the air, Kakashi stared fixedly at it as it flew forward.

It was his first time shooting an arrow, after all. The moment it left the bow, Kakashi could tell that it had gone off course, and a hint of regret surfaced on his face.

But at that very moment, the sound of a bowstring cutting through the air rang out beside him.

Kakashi turned his head and saw that the string of Uchiha Toko's longbow was still trembling slightly.

Then he looked into the air. Another arrow, fired later, had arrived first and collided with the one Kakashi had shot. Even more incredibly, after striking each other, the two arrows continued straight toward the target.

With two dull thuds, the two arrows struck the bullseye one after the other.

Kakashi looked at Uchiha Toko in surprise, only to see his meaningful smile.