Ren's motive, of course, was to help the Uchiha Clan fit in with Konoha.
The Uchiha Clan had made tremendous sacrifices for Konoha in every Shinobi World War, but no one had noticed.
The loss of their friends and family only made the Uchiha more withdrawn. Proud as they were, they disdained explaining themselves or taking credit. When villagers who didn't know the truth mocked them, the Uchiha's response was simple and direct: beat them up, then have them locked in the Konoha Military Police Force on charges of fighting.
So Konoha's villagers weren't grateful to the Uchiha. They just thought they were unpleasant.
Ren was willing to explain, to take credit, and to let the villagers know what the Uchiha had done for Konoha.
The sad thing was that, as the Uchiha clan head, no one would believe what he said.
Public opinion was a powerful weapon, but to use it, you first needed people willing to listen.
The Uchiha's good looks had shown Ren a way forward. The idea that people's values followed their looks applied in the Shinobi World, too.
In his previous life, plenty of highly educated people had argued themselves hoarse over their idols. Creating a group of Uchiha idols was the fastest and most effective way to change the villagers' minds.
Even ordinary ninjas couldn't stomach putting on a show in front of commoners, let alone the proud Uchiha—not until they understood the power of idols, at least.
So Ren had chosen Shisui. He wasn't as proud as most Uchiha, and, more importantly, Shisui was his friend!
For now, no one could guess what Ren was thinking.
As the music stopped, Shisui's dancing came to an abrupt halt.
The dance had ended. Although the way most of the crowd looked at him as if they wanted to eat him alive made him extremely uncomfortable, there was no hostility or disgust in their eager eyes. Shisui's anxiety eased, and even his embarrassment faded considerably.
"Do it again!"
"I want to see more! One more time!"
"You're so beautiful! I want more!"
The crowd's enthusiasm seemed ready to swallow Shisui whole.
Shisui didn't immediately start his next performance. Instead, he recalled the training Ren had put him through the day before.
"Ren, what does 'idol' mean?"
"It means a strong person."
"Then what about this part? Why do I have to say I don't have any money?"
"Do you really have money? You've been on missions for half a year. Did you get paid?"
"I did, but my teammates sacrificed themselves for me, so I gave my share to their families."
"Then have you earned a single coin in the past six months?"
"No, but my grandfather has money."
"Your grandfather's money belongs to your grandfather. You don't have any, Shisui."
"But if I don't say it, no one will watch me perform. Even if they do, they'll be unhappy if I ask them for money. And it feels like begging."
"No buts. Someone will definitely come watch you perform. And they'll be even happier to give you money. You don't understand how fans think, Shisui. Just listen to me!"
"What are fans? And isn't this really just begging?"
"Why are you asking so many questions? Think about your dream, Shisui!"
Ren hadn't answered him directly. Begging? It sort of was. But Shisui, we're friends. I'm not going to tell you.
Seeing that Ren had fallen silent, Shisui knew he wouldn't get anything else out of him. "I understand, Ren."
"If you understand, then hurry up and memorize it!" Ren roared.
Shisui's recitation rang out across the training ground.
"No good, there's no feeling in it. Again!"
"No good, you're overdoing it. Again!"
"You have to put your heart into it. Again!"
"Ren, I hope you didn't lie to me." Shisui cleared his throat.
"Did everyone like that dance?"
"We did!"
"I loved it!"
"It was amazing!"
"Next, I'll sing a song for you. But before I do, I'd like to say a few words."
Shisui spoke with a shy expression. "My name is Shisui Uchiha. I was born in the year 42 of Konoha, and I'm fifteen years old. I'm a Konoha Ninja, and I'm also an idol who just debuted after two and a half days of practice."
"Ah! I love him already!"
"He's so kawaii when he's shy!"
"..."
Shisui ignored the voices around him and spoke calmly. "I was born into the Uchiha Clan. My grandfather was a student of the Second Hokage and a classmate of the Third Hokage. My father sacrificed himself for Konoha when I was not yet five years old."
"Wow, his grandfather was classmates with the Third Hokage!"
"Ridiculous. The real point is that his grandfather was a student of the Second Hokage. Why would the Second Hokage take someone from the Uchiha Clan as a student?"
"What's wrong with the Uchiha Clan? Shisui is one of them, too."
"..."
Shisui continued, his voice catching in his throat. "My parents died in the war when I was two, sacrificing themselves on the battlefield to protect our home and Konoha. After that, only my granduncle and I had each other."
"Don't cry, Shisui! You have us!"
"Shisui, I'll protect you."
"Kid, your whole family did good. They're heroes of Konoha!"
"..."
When Shisui finished, he seemed to recall something he was proud of, and his voice rose. "I've looked up to my elders since I was a child. When I grew up, I became a ninja and took part in the war against Kirigakure. In just over two years, I killed more than 300 Kirigakure Genin, over 70 Chunin, and 16 Jonin!"
"Even if I die now, I can proudly tell my grandfather and parents that I became just like them. I protected Konoha for them once more!"
"Ah!!! That's incredible! From today on, you're my idol, Shisui!"
"Didn't you say yesterday that Lord Hokage was your idol?"
"Lord Hokage is my idol, too. But Shisui is not only strong—he's handsome!"
"..."
Shisui continued speaking, his voice gradually growing low. "After that, the war ended, and I became a mission ninja again. But half a year ago, during a mission, I caused the Kirigakure Assassination Squad to ambush us. All my companions died. I still regret that I didn't die on the battlefield. I was the one who got my teammates killed." Tears welled in Shisui's eyes.
"Shisui, it's not your fault. You're a hero of Konoha."
"It wasn't your fault! It was those damn Kirigakure Ninja!"
"..."
Shisui finally responded to the crowd. "Thank you all for your encouragement. After I returned to the village, it took me a long time to recover as I thought about what I'd been through. But I realized that many families in the village, like mine, had lost loved ones and friends to the war and would never see them again."
"So I decided to debut as an idol. I hope this next song, 'Blue Bird,' can give you strength!"
Hearing that, Ren pressed the switch in his hand. A lively, spirited intro filled the air.
"If I take flight, promise me you won't cry (When you spread your wings, resolve to never look back)"
"My goal is that vast, vast blue sky (The destination is that vast, vast blue sky)"
As Shisui began to sing, the noisy crowd gradually fell silent.
Everyone listened quietly. Many imagined themselves as the blue bird in the lyrics, soaring through the sky with the song.
Some were reminded of their own family and friends by Shisui's earlier words. Before they knew it, they were lost in thought.
When the song ended, some people were still immersed in that beautiful world, while others had tears on their faces. But there was no sadness in their eyes—only a sense of release.
The song had ended, but Shisui was still lost in it. Ren coughed beside him, bringing him back to his senses.
Ren frantically signaled to Shisui, who was still a little dazed. Suddenly, Shisui remembered what he was supposed to do, and his face turned red again.
Ren kept signaling, but Shisui still made no move. Ren realized that Shisui had gotten so caught up in his own emotions that he no longer wanted to follow the plan.
With no other choice, Ren stepped forward himself. "Everyone, did you enjoy the song 'Blue Bird' sung by your idol Shisui?"
"It was great!" the crowd replied. Then someone realized something.
"Huh? Who's that guy?"
"No idea, but he seems to be with Shisui."
"Then let's hear what he has to say."
"As you all know, Shisui isn't on any missions right now, so he hasn't had an income for quite some time. So if you like Shisui, those of you with money, please show your support with a donation. If you don't, a round of applause will do!"
It wasn't that Ren really needed the money or applause. He knew that the joy or emotion brought on by entertainment could fade quickly.
But when people spent their own money, however little it was, they remembered the person who had moved them for longer and cared about him more.
As for asking for applause, Ren was simply too embarrassed to say, "Come on, give him some money!"
The crowd didn't let Ren down. Konoha truly was the greatest ninja village. Before long, people began dropping coins of varying amounts into the box holding the equipment. Not a single person there merely clapped.
Shisui thanked everyone without stopping. A few bold girls even came forward, hoping to hug him. Shisui could only stiffly hold his pose as he hugged them back.
Watching Shisui stand there, at a loss, Ren wore the smile of a proud father.
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