The Uchiha Clan Had Always Been Generous to Friends

"You're really late. Is this the ninja discipline of the Uchiha Clan?" Before Uchiha Toko and the other two could speak, the jonin from the Utatane Clan was the first to lash out.

As soon as those words fell, the two Commoner Ninja who had been about to step forward and greet Uchiha Toko froze on the spot, unsure of what to do. After all, neither the Uchiha nor the Utatane were people they could afford to offend, even if the weakest among them was only a Special Jonin.

Uchiha Toko glanced at the speaker, smiled disdainfully, and ignored him completely. He walked up to the two Commoner Ninja with a warm smile and took the initiative to extend his hand.

"I am Uchiha Toko. It is an honor to carry out this mission alongside you all."

The two Commoner Ninja shook Uchiha Toko's hand with some flattered surprise. They had not expected the Uchiha Clan's new Clan Head, a renowned powerhouse since the Third Shinobi War, to be so easygoing.

"Nagai Seiichi. Clan Head Toko, I hope you'll look after us during this mission."

"Kuroki Ryuta. With you here, this mission will surely be completed smoothly."

"Not at all. This mission will still require all of us to work together wholeheartedly," Uchiha Toko said with a smile.

Utatane Kui, the jonin from the Utatane Clan, saw that Uchiha Toko and his companions had ignored her outright, and her anger flared. "Didn't you hear what I said? You arrived so late, and you don't even have an apology?"

"As I recall, it doesn't seem to be time for the agreed assembly yet." Uchiha Toko turned back, his gaze turning cold.

Behind him, Uchiha Inaho and Uchiha Saito instantly activated their Sharingan and stared her down.

"Besides, did your elders never teach you that the strong deserve the most basic respect?" Three Tomoe slowly spun in Uchiha Toko's eyes.

Inuzuka Fu, Gekko Hayate, and Uzuki Yugao had originally intended to come over and greet Uchiha Toko, but under the circumstances, they could only watch from the sidelines. As for the other two Hyuga clansmen, they stood with their arms crossed, coldly observing the scene.

"Alright, now that everyone is here, let's set out." At that moment, Kakashi put away Icha Icha Paradise, stepped between them, and spoke.

"Since Captain Kakashi has spoken, let's go." Uchiha Toko deactivated his Sharingan, and a smile returned to his face.

Though their first meeting had not exactly been pleasant, the group still followed Kakashi's lead and completed the procedures for leaving the village at the gate.

This mission was not especially urgent, so no one rushed to travel.

According to the intelligence, Orochimaru had recently appeared near the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields. Their destination was therefore north of the village.

As they traveled, Inuzuka Fu's Ninja Dog, Sumimaru, kept sidling up to Uchiha Toko from time to time.

"You've got quite the sharp nose." Seeing this, Uchiha Toko smiled and took out several pieces of raw meat from a Sealing Scroll to feed Sumimaru.

After eating, Sumimaru barked twice in satisfaction and even licked Uchiha Toko's palm.

"Huh? Sumimaru is actually being so friendly toward an Uchiha. That's really strange." Inuzuka Fu was somewhat surprised. Though the Inuzuka Clan and the Uchiha Clan had no particular conflicts in the village, the dog-raising Inuzuka Clan and the Uchiha Clan, most of whom had summoning contracts with the Ninja Cat Clan, were not exactly on friendly terms.

"Perhaps because I'm one of the few in the clan who never signed a summoning contract with the Ninja Cat Clan. Also, since my Summoned Beast is a Ninja Hawk, I often carry raw meat on me. This little fellow must have caught the scent," Uchiha Toko said with a smile.

"I see." Inuzuka Fu also broke into a hearty smile.

Thanks to that little incident, Inuzuka Fu and Uchiha Toko grew considerably closer. The Inuzuka Clan was simply like that: get along well with their dogs, and they would become especially friendly with you too.

Seeing this, Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao also came over to greet Uchiha Toko.

As time passed, everyone gradually became more familiar with one another. Even the two Hyuga ninja let down their guard after Uchiha Toko took the initiative to break the ice and exchanged a few words with the group. Meanwhile, Utatane Kui and Mitokado Hayate, who had been at odds with Uchiha Toko from the very beginning, were gradually isolated.

By evening, the group arrived at Tanzaku Town in the northern part of the Land of Fire.

"It's getting late. Let's rest here for the night," Kakashi said.

No one objected, so Kakashi led them to a small inn to get rooms. Just then, Uchiha Toko suddenly said, "How can anyone get proper rest in a place like this?"

"Hmph. We're on a mission right now. Who are you to be so picky?" Utatane Kui snorted disdainfully. "If you're dissatisfied, go back already."

Uchiha Toko ignored the pair's mockery and said, "Since fate has brought us into the same team, I'll cover today's expenses. Kakashi, as captain, you have no objection, right?"

"Of course not." Kakashi nodded.

"Good." After saying that, Uchiha Toko headed toward the center of town without another word.

The others hesitated for a moment, especially the two Commoner Ninja. But when they saw Kakashi follow Uchiha Toko without a second thought, they followed as well, leaving Utatane Kui and Mitokado Hayate standing where they were.

Uchiha Toko led everyone to the most luxurious Hot Spring Inn in town. After booking each person a suite, he proposed once again that they find a place to have a few drinks, and naturally no one objected.

Everyone had assumed Uchiha Toko would at most treat them to a meal at a barbecue restaurant in town. They had not expected him to bring them directly to the finest restaurant in the city.

After all, establishments like this mainly served nobles and wealthy merchants from the Land of Fire. Even Inuzuka Fu, whose standing in the Inuzuka Clan was not low, had never spent money in such a place. As for the two Commoner Ninja, though they were already jonin, they lived frugally to save money for exchanging for ninjutsu. A place like this was something they had never even dared to imagine.

So after taking their seats, everyone was naturally somewhat restrained.

At that moment, Uchiha Toko, seated at the head of the table, was the first to raise his cup.

"Thank you all for doing me the honor. Since we're here, relax a little. The Uchiha Clan has always been generous to its friends," Uchiha Toko said with a smile.

"That's right!" Inuzuka Fu laughed and drained his cup in one gulp. "I acknowledge you as a friend!"

After everyone finished a toast, Kakashi finally spoke. "By the way, Toko, you're not of age yet, are you? Breaking one of the Three Ninja Taboos this early isn't a good idea."

"Someone who clutches a little yellow book all day doesn't seem qualified to say that," Uchiha Toko replied irritably.

Everyone burst out laughing, and the atmosphere at the table grew lively.

I've been adjusting my schedule, so the update is a little late.

Also, please keep following along during the new book period!