The Uchiha didn't understand art

Leaving the Hyuga Clan Compound.

Uchiha Itachi walked beside Genya and spoke quietly.

"You found his weak spot as a father."

"Everyone has a weak spot, Itachi."

Genya looked toward Konoha's distant outline.

"The only difference is whether we use it to hurt people or understand them."

Itachi fell silent for a moment, then murmured a name.

"Sasuke..."

"He'll grow up safe and sound."

Genya picked up where he left off.

"As long as we can smooth the road ahead enough."

Fugaku and Sosuke, walking in front, exchanged a glance. Both saw the gravity and hope in the other's eyes.

As the five walked along the street back to the Uchiha Clan Compound, they drew countless stares.

"Look, that's the Uchiha kid!"

"He's the one who caused all that trouble with the Hyuga Clan yesterday?"

"I heard he awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at just six years old..."

"He went straight up against the Hokage and the Hyuga Clan Leader for the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter!"

Street vendors, civilians, and even some Genin stopped to whisper among themselves.

Word of Genya's exploits the day before had spread through Konoha at astonishing speed, with all sorts of rumors brewing in its streets and alleys.

Listening to the chatter, Uchiha Fugaku gave Genya a look filled with mixed emotions.

"Genya, your performance today, your restraint during the negotiations, your grasp of Hiashi's mindset, your quick thinking in front of the Hokage yesterday... and at the clan meeting... It's hard to believe you're only six."

His gaze shifted between Genya and Itachi as he spoke with feeling.

"You're even more extraordinary than Itachi was at your age. I'd thought Itachi was precocious enough, going onto the battlefield at five and graduating from the Ninja Academy at seven. I never imagined the Uchiha would produce another peerless genius like you."

Beside them, Izumi's eyes shone with pride at those words, and she couldn't help chiming in.

"The Clan Leader is right. My little Xiao Ye is the best!"

She reached out and gently ruffled Genya's hair.

Genya smiled sheepishly, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

"Clan Leader, actually... I have another plan."

Genya's words brought everyone around him to a stop.

"A plan that could make the Uchiha the talk of all Konoha before the New Year. Would you like to try it?"

At that, even Itachi and Sosuke turned to look at him.

Sosuke Uchiha frowned.

"Yesterday's incident already made you famous in Konoha. Everyone knows the Uchiha have a genius who awakened three tomoe at six. What could make a bigger splash than that?"

Itachi offered a cool-headed assessment.

"There are less than two months left before the New Year. Time is short. Any major move could provoke an overreaction from the leadership. What do you intend to do?"

Genya smiled mysteriously.

"Let's talk at the Clan Head's House. This isn't the place."

Fugaku gave Genya a searching look, then nodded.

"All right. Let's discuss it at my house."

When they returned to the tea room at Fugaku's house, Mikoto already had tea and refreshments ready.

Seeing them return, she smiled warmly and took Sasuke into the next room to play.

The five sat down again, far more relaxed than they had been at the Hyuga Clan Compound, with a little more anticipation in their eyes.

"Go ahead, Genya."

Fugaku lifted his teacup.

"What is this plan of yours to make the Uchiha the talk of Konoha?"

Genya began with a question.

"Clan Leader, Father, what impression do you think Konoha's civilians and ordinary ninja have of the Uchiha?"

Izumi considered it before speaking softly.

"Powerful, but... a little frightening, too, perhaps. The power of the Sharingan, and the Konoha Military Police Force's law enforcement..."

Sosuke nodded.

"More than anything, they see us as distant. Our Uchiha Clan Compound is relatively closed off. Apart from carrying out police duties, we rarely interact closely with ordinary villagers."

"Exactly."

Genya took over.

"Powerful, mysterious, distant, and even... somewhat frightening. That's how most people in Konoha see the Uchiha. And that impression is part of what allows our isolation to take root."

"Yesterday's incident did make me famous. But it mostly left people thinking that Uchiha kid is impressive, but dangerous, too."

"We need to change that impression and let the people of Konoha see another side of the Uchiha."

"You mean...?"

Fugaku looked thoughtful.

"Konoha holds a whole series of celebrations around the New Year, doesn't it? New Year festivals, temple fairs, fireworks displays..."

Genya's eyes gleamed with the beginnings of a plan.

"We need to take part in those events in a way that stands out without feeling out of place. We'll show them that the Uchiha aren't just a powerful fighting clan. We're part of Konoha's culture, too-a clan that appreciates life and beauty."

Itachi looked at Genya expectantly.

"How exactly would we do that? The Uchiha have never been good at these sorts of... public events."

Seeing that rare look of anticipation in Itachi's eyes, Genya couldn't help laughing.

"Heh, don't look at me like that, Itachi. You'll definitely have a part to play! This plan won't work without you."

Itachi froze. Before he could ask for clarification, Genya turned to Fugaku and dropped a bombshell.

"Clan Leader, for the first step of the plan, we need to find some pretty young women in the clan!"

"What?!"

Sosuke and Izumi cried out almost simultaneously.

Izumi's eyes widened, and she seized her son's arm.

"Xiao Ye! W-what are you saying? What do you need pretty young women for?"

Fugaku also knitted his brows, looking at Genya in utter bewilderment.

"Genya, what does this have to do with art?"

Seeing his mother's alarm, Genya realized she had misunderstood and hurried to explain.

"Mother, don't worry. It's... hard to explain right now, but I promise it's perfectly respectable."

"Clan Leader, please find some young women in the clan who are attractive, carry themselves well, and are willing to take part in public events. About ten to fifteen."

"The sort who... hmm, can show off the Uchiha's elegance without seeming so aloof that they scare people."

He paused, then added.

"Ideally, they should be fairly outgoing. If that's not possible, they should at least be willing to cooperate."

Fugaku was still baffled, but seeing Genya's serious expression and remembering all the seemingly outlandish yet meaningful plans the boy had proposed before, he nodded anyway.

"All right. I trust you have your reasons. I'll have Mikoto help choose them."

"Perfect!"

Genya smiled.

"Then, while we wait!"

"Itachi, you should go report to that old Hokage first!"

"After all the trouble I caused yesterday, and our very public visit to the Hyuga Clan today, the Third Hokage is probably beside himself by now."

"Go put his mind at ease, and while you're there... sound him out on how he feels about the Uchiha's upcoming activities."

Itachi understood Genya's intention.

He wanted Itachi to go ahead and lay the groundwork for the upcoming art exhibition plan.

"What should I report?"

Itachi asked calmly.

"Just tell him the truth."

Genya spread his hands.

"We visited the Hyuga Clan to apologize today. Clan Leader Hiashi accepted our apology, and both sides were on good terms."

"Then... you can let slip a little about the Uchiha preparing a cultural event before the New Year to add to the village's festive atmosphere. Say we're still discussing the details, and see how he reacts."

"And tell him about last night's clan meeting, too!"

Itachi nodded.

"Understood. I'll head to the Hokage Building now."

"Wait."

Genya stopped him with a mysterious smile.

"When you get back, I'll have something big in store for a cool, handsome guy like you! I guarantee it'll leave an impression."

Itachi had no idea what he meant.

Though he didn't know what his younger clansman was plotting, for some reason, he felt a faint unease...

"All right."

Itachi turned and left, his figure soon disappearing.

After Itachi left, Fugaku stood as well.

"Since you're so determined, I'll go have Mikoto gather clan members who fit your requirements. Sosuke, Izumi, would you like to come along?"

Sosuke looked at his son, and Genya nodded to him.

"Father, you and Mother should go, too. You know the young people in the clan better, after all."

Izumi was still a little uneasy, but seeing the clear look in her son's eyes, she ultimately chose to trust him.

"Xiao Ye, you have to promise me you won't do anything... inappropriate."

Izumi spoke earnestly.

"Don't worry, Mother."

Genya made a solemn promise.

"Everything I do is for the good of the clan. If this plan succeeds, it won't just improve the Uchiha's public image. It'll also give the clan's younger generation a new goal and bring them together."

Only then did Izumi relax and leave with her husband and Fugaku.

(For the night before the New Year, let's just use New Year's Eve. Those Japanese holidays are too hard to remember!)