Tempering Oneself

"None of that matters anymore."

Uchiha Fugaku turned around.

"Setsuna, you opened your heart to me, so I'll open mine to you.

"So, will you grant my request and protect my eldest son and Naoki, the two hopes for our clan's future?"

Naoki, who had been staring blankly, suddenly turned to look at Uchiha Fugaku.

He hadn't expected Fugaku to put him on the same level as Itachi...

In truth, Naoki still underestimated his own worth. Uchiha Fugaku might have had the fatal flaws of being slow-witted, indecisive despite his schemes, and too concerned with preserving himself to accomplish great things, but he was one of the cleverest people in the Uchiha Clan, and even in all of Konoha. He knew that if Naoki continued to grow without setbacks, he could become the next Uchiha Yashiro—or even surpass him. That was why he had said those words at a time like this...

"I agree!"

The cherry trees outside the Medical Department building stirred in the breeze, and a few petals drifted to the ground between them.

Sakurai Hideko lowered her head, lightly scuffing the ground with the tip of her shoe.

"So, you'll be going to the front soon?"

Naoki smiled. "Not that soon. The fighting on the Southern Battlefield isn't all that urgent."

"But I heard it's pretty dangerous over there now..."

Sakurai Hideko lifted her head and gazed quietly at him with her clear eyes. She seemed to want to say something, but pressed her lips together instead.

Seeing her hesitate, Naoki felt his heart stir.

Over the past month or so, he had invited her out several times under the pretext of thanking her for saving his life. They had gone from being awkward around each other to chatting outside the Medical Department. Their relationship had thawed little by little, like snow melting in spring.

"Hideko," Naoki said suddenly.

Sakurai Hideko looked up at him, her lashes fluttering softly.

"I'll come back." Naoki's voice was quiet, but unusually earnest. "Please wait for me."

She froze for a moment, then lowered her head, a faint blush coloring the tips of her ears.

"Mm."

After a brief pause, she took a small White Amulet from her sleeve and handed it to Naoki.

"I got it at the Fire Temple a few days ago." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "It's nothing valuable..."

Naoki looked down at the amulet in his palm. Its stitches were fine and neat, and pale pink cherry blossoms were embroidered on the white cloth.

He closed his hand around it. "I'll keep it with me."

Sakurai Hideko didn't look up. She gave a soft "Mm."

Someone in the distance called Hideko's name. She stepped back half a pace, as if waking from a dream.

"I have to get back to work." She looked up at him, her clear eyes reflecting his image. "See you this afternoon."

Naoki nodded.

He watched Hideko disappear through the Medical Department's doors, then stood there for a long while, the amulet growing warm in his palm.

He remembered that rainy night, the dim light in the alley, and her flushed cheeks when he had held her by the arm.

All at once, he felt that he had something to care about in this unfamiliar world.

"What are you spacing out for?"

Uchiha Zongxin's voice drifted over from behind him.

Naoki turned and saw the brothers, Uchiha Zongxin and Uchiha Zongye, standing nearby. One had his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, while the other smiled without a word.

"What are you two doing here?" Naoki casually slipped the amulet into his pocket.

"Just passing by, just passing by." Zongxin drew out his words. "We happened to see someone bidding a heartfelt farewell to a pretty girl from the Medical Department. Truly moving, truly moving."

Naoki rolled his eyes, then asked, "How long have you been watching?"

"Not that long." Uchiha Zongxin pretended to think. "We've only been watching since the beginning..."

"You..." Naoki raised his fist.

"Hey!" Uchiha Zongxin ducked behind his brother. "We were just passing through while on patrol. Unlike you, showing up here at the same time every day like some lovesick puppy..."

Uchiha Zongxin emphasized those last few words, making Naoki even more annoyed.

"Lovesick puppy" was way too harsh!

This was love!

Naoki protested, "How can you just make up slander like that..."

"What slander?" Uchiha Zongxin asked. "I saw it with my own eyes. Every day you see that woman, you practically wag your tail. How is that not being a lovesick puppy?"

Naoki flushed red and argued, "This is love, understand? Love goes both ways..."

Naoki kept saying incomprehensible things, stumbling over his words and completely losing his usual composure. The Uchiha brothers burst out laughing, and the air around them was soon filled with cheer.

The departure date was set soon after...

Sarutobi Hiruzen assembled nearly a hundred people, most of them low- and mid-ranking shinobi. Only nine were elite jonin, and the whole force would be led by his eldest son, Konoha jonin Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

The hundred-strong force would set out for the south early the next morning. After finishing a day of training, Naoki went to the Medical Department building, only to learn that Sakurai Hideko would be working late that day.

He might be away for a long time, so after thinking it over, he decided to head home.

The Southern Border Battlefield had always been a persistent but relatively minor thorn in Konoha's side. The Kirigakure Ninja who came across the sea were like cockroaches: they couldn't be driven off, and whenever they were killed, more would appear. So before leaving, Naoki needed to make thorough preparations.

That night, Naoki checked his backpack over and over.

Kunai, Shuriken, Explosive Tags, military ration pills, medical bandages... Everything was neatly arranged. He had carefully sewn the cherry-blossom-colored amulet into the inner pocket, close to his heart.

The moonlight outside was cold, and Konoha's night was as quiet as ever.

He lay down, then sat back up. In the end, he pushed open the window and stared blankly outside.

The night breeze blew in, carrying the mixed scent of grass, trees, and damp earth into his nose.

In the distance, he could just make out the outlines of houses being rebuilt. Konoha was slowly coming back to life atop the ruins.

"Can't sleep?"

Uchiha Zongye's voice came from the guest room next door, followed by the rustling of movement.

Naoki didn't turn around. "Did I wake you?"

"No." Uchiha Zongye walked over and stopped beside the window. "I couldn't sleep either."

The two of them gazed silently into the night.

"Naoki," Uchiha Zongye said suddenly, "Lord Fugaku came to see me this afternoon..."

"He wants me to join the force heading to the Southern Border Battlefield."

Naoki frowned. "Is it because of me?"

"Maybe partly, but I want to go, too."

"Why? Don't you know how dangerous it is there? You barely made it through the Shinobi World War..."

Uchiha Zongye shook his head and looked out the window. Konoha was unusually quiet in the night.

"These past few days, watching the gap between us grow wider has reminded me of the old days. I used to think I was working hard, but seeing you now, I realize my efforts were nothing."

"You used to be the one following behind me. Maybe one day I'll be the one following behind you. But I can't let the gap between us get too wide, so I agreed to go to the battlefield and temper myself at Lord Fugaku's request."