Yashiro

Akaseki recognized Uchiha Yashiro, who was on a mission with Hiruko. The Uchiha Clan still took missions while its members were Genin; they generally only joined the Military Police Force once they became Chunin.

"You're... Akaseki?" Yashiro wasn't very familiar with him, but he knew who he was.

"Is that so? Congratulations." After learning that Akaseki had awakened his Sharingan, Yashiro congratulated him.

Yashiro was the most talented ninja of Akaseki's generation, second only to Fugaku.

When he learned that Akaseki wanted to copy Earth Style ninjutsu from him, Yashiro readily agreed. Although he hadn't yet received the clan head's orders, Uchiha ninjas often helped their fellow clan members copy ninjutsu.

Even without a specific order from the clan head, Yashiro would have agreed when Akaseki asked him.

"Chunin Hiruko, I'd like to spend the evening exchanging techniques with a fellow clan member," Yashiro requested from the leader of their temporary squad.

"Sure, of course. The mission's already complete, anyway." Hiruko smiled faintly.

But...

Akaseki wasn't sure why, but he felt there was something else lurking in Hiruko's eyes.

"Teacher Jiraiya..."

"Just make sure it doesn't interfere with the mission," Jiraiya said bluntly.

As far as Jiraiya was concerned, their true priority at the moment was training. Still... as ninjas, they absolutely couldn't let it interfere with their missions.

"Yes!" Akaseki replied at once.

Afterward, Akaseki and Yashiro went outside the Flower Capital to a patch of open ground and began copying Earth Style ninjutsu.

After copying three C-rank Earth Style techniques and one B-rank one, Akaseki hesitated before asking, "Yashiro, do you... ever feel like Chunin Hiruko seems..."

Hiruko's squad was only temporary. It wasn't a team made up of a jōnin instructor and Genin, but rather the usual arrangement of Chunin and Genin working together.

For the Uchiha Clan, this wasn't considered getting too familiar too quickly. Akaseki and Yashiro both took it for granted that their fellow clan members were closer to them... even though the two of them had barely spoken before!

"Nothing unusual. It's just jealousy. Since you've awakened your Sharingan, you'll have to get used to it." Yashiro's tone was righteous, but also carried a hint of pride.

"Huh?" Akaseki was taken aback.

Akaseki understood jealousy, of course, but... he was surprised by how openly Yashiro admitted it.

"You have to understand: ordinary civilian ninjas can't just learn C-rank ninjutsu whenever they want. For B-rank techniques, they need enough merit or a lucky opportunity. A-rank techniques can even serve as the foundation for an ordinary ninja clan... But Uchiha ninjas gain access to countless techniques as soon as they awaken their Sharingan.

"What's more, even without considering our clan's legacy, we're extremely powerful once we awaken our Sharingan. Ninjas without talent or a Kekkei Genkai can spend their whole lives and still only reach about the same level as we do when we've just awakened our Sharingan. At best, they're only as strong as someone with Two-Tomoe. Of course they're jealous!" Yashiro said proudly.

The Uchiha's pride filled the air around them.

Then Yashiro's tone softened a little, and he said with a sigh, "I never expected your teammates to be that civilian genius and the Second Hokage's granddaughter... Well, at least your teammates won't be too jealous of you."

From Yashiro's tone, it was clear he didn't get along well with his teammates.

But Yashiro didn't mind. He'd soon be transferred to the Military Police Force, and would finally be able to get away from those foolish ordinary ninjas. A lot of Uchiha felt the same way: We have nothing to talk about with you ordinary people!

Akaseki, however, was thinking...

You knew Ranwu was the Second Hokage's granddaughter? Why didn't anyone tell me before?

Unlike Akaseki, Yashiro was a genius of their generation. Akaseki had been a nobody...

"Make sure you do us proud, too. You absolutely can't let the Uchiha Clan down in front of those civilians and the Second Hokage's granddaughter!" Yashiro added, making sure to remind Akaseki.

"Ah... I understand!" Akaseki came back to himself.

"What kind of mission are you on? Tell me whatever you can." Yashiro made a point of asking.

If he'd merely run into Akaseki, Yashiro wouldn't have been this concerned.

But now...

Akaseki had awakened his Sharingan and become an important member of the Uchiha Clan. His teammates were Minato Namikaze and Ranwu, which made Yashiro take an interest. He was worried Akaseki might perform poorly and bring shame on the Uchiha Clan.

"There's nothing I can't tell you..." Akaseki said, then explained the mission.

Some confidential missions couldn't be discussed even with ninjas from the same village, but Akaseki's current mission wasn't classified.

"I see. A thief, huh... Minato Namikaze's plan is decent, but it's far too civilian." Yashiro listened, then shook his head critically.

"Yashiro, what do you mean...?" Akaseki was taken aback.

A little after ten that night, Ranwu and Minato were already almost in their sleeping bags and ready to rest when Akaseki returned to the room.

"Don't go to sleep yet. I've come up with a new plan!" Akaseki announced confidently.

You came up with it? Ranwu pursed her lips. You just met Uchiha Yashiro, and now it's 'I've come up with a plan'?

"Yeah! Yashiro gave me a hint, and then I came up with it!" Akaseki said, entirely unapologetic.

"What plan?" Minato asked.

"Here it is... We arrest the suspects and give them a thorough interrogation!" Akaseki proposed a new plan.

Although Yashiro hadn't officially become a Chunin or joined the Military Police Force, he was a rising star in the Uchiha Clan and knew all the tricks of police work. The quickest method was obviously to interrogate them directly!

"Well... Heiji is a tracker from the Flower Capital. It wouldn't be right for us to do that, would it?" Ranwu frowned.

"That's true. He's not a Konoha ninja, after all." Akaseki nodded in agreement.

Ranwu and Minato: ...

Could you take a look at what you're saying? Weren't you the one who said your teammates were the most important thing?

So the mission matters even more than your village's own people, huh?

"The main problem is that neither of us knows any interrogation techniques. My Genjutsu is all basic stuff that works by disrupting chakra. I don't know any Genjutsu that directly affects the mind, and it wouldn't work on ordinary people, either. Sigh..." Akaseki shook his head regretfully, seeming to be thinking about learning some proper techniques from his clan's elders once they got back.

Ranwu and Minato: ...

Great, now he wants to specifically learn Genjutsu that works on ordinary people. The Uchiha aren't even pretending anymore, are they?

Then Akaseki seemed to remember something. "Oh, right. Even if we don't use the quickest method, this slow fishing expedition is taking too long. If we really want them to find us as soon as possible, we should go to a place where stolen goods are fenced. Selling the loot would make it easier for local toughs to notice us."

Ranwu pursed her lips. "As expected of the Uchiha Clan. You sure have a lot of ideas."

"Well, look at that!" Akaseki's Fire Style range +1.jpg.

Ranwu: ...