The first dress rehearsal stunned everyone!
Its lingering impact still hung in the air.
The dance studio fell briefly silent, then erupted in enthusiastic applause.
"That was perfect!"
"This isn't just song and dance. This is... art. True art."
"Genya, you make your mother proud!"
"The three lead singers' outfits are gorgeous. They suit them perfectly."
Sasuke said nothing, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the stage. Clearly, it was another day of Genya leaving him stunned.
Genya walked to the center of the room and gestured for everyone to quiet down.
"Thank you all for your hard work. Our first rehearsal went very well."
"But there's still room for improvement. Next, we need to add lighting effects and refine the audience interaction."
He looked at Fugaku.
"Clan Leader, I need a professional stage lighting setup, with spotlights, follow spots, and wash lights. We also need a fog machine to set the mood during the opening and the choruses."
Fugaku promptly nodded, taking the hint.
"No problem. I'll have someone buy everything."
"Next, audience interaction."
Genya looked at the three lead singers.
"Chinatsu, Akari, Akane, after the second chorus, I want you to walk to the edge of the stage and make eye contact with the audience members closest to you."
"Make it sincere, as though you're sharing your feelings with them."
The three lead singers diligently noted his instructions.
"Everyone in the backing dance group, your formation changes during the instrumental break need to be smoother. I'll redesign a few transition moves."
"Itachi, your accompaniment is already perfect. But there's one more thing!"
"You need a stage outfit."
Itachi froze for a moment.
"Not training clothes. A proper stage outfit."
Genya walked up to Itachi and looked him up and down.
Truly, only the great Itachi used Rejoice shampoo!
"Let me think... a fitted black suit, a white shirt, no tie, and an open collar. Your hair needs restyling, too. Your current hairstyle is too conventional. We need something with an artistic touch."
Itachi nearly lost his composure!
"A suit? A new hairstyle?"
"Yes."
Genya nodded earnestly.
"You're the soul of the band. Your appearance needs to match the overall style of the performance. Handsome, elegant, with a hint of rebellion. That's the presence you need to project."
Before Itachi could respond, Genya had already turned to Sasuke.
"And little Sasuke."
Genya smiled mysteriously.
"We'll have a stage outfit custom-made for you, too."
Sasuke looked at Genya in bewilderment.
"I... I get a stage outfit, too?"
"Of course!"
Genya smiled.
"Your role is very important. But!"
He pulled Fugaku aside and lowered his voice.
"Clan Leader, Sasuke's outfit... needs to lean a little feminine."
Fugaku froze.
"Feminine?"
"Yes."
Genya explained earnestly.
"Not outright girls' clothing, but an androgynous style with a softer, prettier look. Mainly white, with some silver detailing. It needs that dreamlike quality somewhere between a boy and a girl."
Fugaku frowned slightly.
"Is there... some deeper meaning behind this?"
Genya leaned closer, speaking so quietly that only the two of them could hear.
"Clan Leader, think about it. When the audience sees such a delicate, lovely Uchiha boy standing onstage, what impression will they have of the Uchiha?"
"They'll think: so Uchiha children can have such artistic charm. It'll completely shatter the stereotype that the Uchiha are all battle maniacs."
"And besides..."
Genya struggled to keep his expression under control, speaking as solemnly as he could.
"Sasuke's appearance already has enormous potential. He's beautiful and refined, with that noble air unique to the Uchiha."
"If we soften his image a little, it'll make people feel that this child deserves to be protected and cherished. That can inspire tremendous empathy in the audience."
Fugaku looked thoughtful.
"You mean... using beauty to soften the Uchiha's hard-line image?"
*???*
Uchiha Fugaku's words nearly left Genya speechless.
Are you sure you don't mean your image as a bunch of lunatics?
Hold it in!
Sweet-talk him!
"The essence of artistic performance is emotional resonance. Besides, Sasuke's role has a special significance in the performance. He represents the next generation of the Uchiha, their hope and their future. The lovelier his image, the more warmly the audience will feel about the Uchiha's future."
Fugaku pondered for a moment.
"I see. I understand now. We'll do as you say."
Genya breathed a sigh of relief.
"Also, I need to find a girl about the same height as Sasuke. She'll need a similar custom-made outfit, too, but she won't be a backing dancer. I have a special purpose for her."
"A special purpose?"
Fugaku was curious.
"You'll find out when the time comes."
Genya kept him in suspense.
"In any case, please find a girl with a cool, aloof air and delicate features, around Sasuke's age."
Although puzzled, Fugaku had already grown accustomed to Genya's mysterious ways, and he nodded.
"All right. I'll ask Mikoto to look for someone."
With those arrangements settled, Genya returned to the center of the room and clapped his hands.
"All right, that wraps up today's rehearsal. Go home and get some good rest. Starting tomorrow, we'll rehearse with lighting and special effects."
He looked at everyone, determination shining in his eyes.
"We have less than three weeks until the New Year's gala. We're going to make the 'Blue Bird' performance one of the most unforgettable shows in Konoha's history."
The girls answered in unison, their eyes blazing with determination.
Itachi silently rose to his feet.
Although he was still a little uncomfortable with the suit and hairstyle requirements, he had already decided to cooperate fully.
Regardless, the Uchiha's "Blue Bird Plan" had entered its final sprint.
Lighting, costumes, special effects, interaction... every detail was being meticulously refined.
This blue bird, poised to shake Konoha, was carefully preening every feather, ready to soar into the sky on New Year's Eve.
Ambitious young people letting their dreams take flight...
Before you continue