Happy Birthday

"Happy birthday! 🎂🎊" Amid everyone's loud congratulations, Yo smiled happily. His cousin Uchiha Rei even jumped into his arms, demanding that her big brother hold her. She turned around and made faces at Fugaku too. Fugaku curled his lips, apparently not planning to pay her any attention. Somehow, some of Fugaku's mannerisms really reminded him of Sasuke. Thinking of that, Yo could not help rubbing his head, then imitating Itachi by tapping his forehead. "Little Fugaku, give your big brother a smile." "Hahaha!" Everyone burst into laughter. Even their usually stern eldest uncle showed a rare smile. Uchiha Rei shouted, "You little tsundere, hehehe! Brother Fugaku specifically told me to prepare a gift for you." With that, she planted a kiss on Yo's cheek. Smack. "This is Rei's gift! Do you like it, Brother? 😘" "I do. Rei is so adorable—whatever you give me, I'll love it most." "Brother, this is my gift." Blushing, Fugaku pulled a scroll out from behind his back. When Yo opened it, he found a Fire Release technique: the Dragon Flame Technique. "Thank you, Little Fugaku. You'll definitely become a great ninja like Eldest Uncle someday." "This is Mom's gift, a delicate protective charm. May it keep little Yo safe every time he returns!" Then Ming stood up, took a short blade from his wife, and handed it to Yo. "Starting next week, you'll train in swordsmanship. This blade is called Clearwind. Treat it well." "Dad got an assessment from Eldest Uncle for you. It'll be no problem for you. Once you complete it tomorrow, you'll know what the gift is." Eldest Uncle directly pulled out an appointment letter. "From today onward, you are a squad captain. Ming is leaving your squad to become the captain of the Fourth Battalion. This is a new battalion, and yours is its only squad." Everyone else also presented their gifts one after another.

"Thank you, everyone. I'll train hard and live up to your expectations. I'll definitely become strong enough to protect my family, protect the Uchiha, and make our name resound throughout the ninja world!" Uchiha Yo said excitedly.

Everyone turned to look at Yo's two teammates, curious about what gifts they had brought. The two first blushed, then Uchiha En said, "We prepared a special gift for you. You'll have to wait until the banquet is over, then we'll personally take you there. Hehe, we guarantee you'll like it." "Hahaha, the kids have their own little secret~" the handsome uncle cried out strangely. He was clearly a little drunk, but no one said anything on an occasion like this. Everyone was happy. Yo was also full of curiosity. These two had been acting so mysteriously lately. So they really had been preparing a gift behind his back. I'm so curious!

After the banquet ended, Yo was pulled away by his two teammates and brought to the area where they usually patrolled the streets. Only then did Yo realize they were wearing combat uniforms. "Yo, your clothes are ready. Hurry up and change. The gift we prepared for you is the big fish you've been waiting for. It's your birthday today, so let's go fishing together. Happy birthday, brother." "Happy birthday, Yo." These guys really had prepared a special gift! He had not expected Big Beard to come back in time for his birthday and deliver a gift. He really had to thank him properly!

While changing clothes, Uchiha Retsu laid out all the intelligence and their plan. "Big Beard came back the morning before yesterday. I ran into him at the gate when I went to see my uncle. En noticed that the fish ball shop was closed today. I went to the market and found that the orphan had taken leave, saying he was going to help at the orphanage today. We guessed they would make a move today or tomorrow. The two of us split up: one followed Big Beard, while the other watched his residence. Big Beard and two companions went inside and never came out again. Over the past two days, Big Beard had been wandering around near the ninja academy. This afternoon, before we came here, Big Beard's two companions left the village. Big Beard never came out again before we came to the banquet." "We don't have enough people, so we figured that no matter what they're doing, we should stick to Big Beard. Big Beard will lead us to the birthday gift!"

"Alright, then let's set off to find our birthday gift!" Yo finished dressing, his face full of anticipation.